This is the guide we wish had existed when we started travelling with Apple in 2018. Seven years later, we have written every section of it ourselves. This guide links to all of it.
Starting Out: The Foundation
- How to travel with dogs in India by car — car setup, stop planning, night drive strategy, hill roads, emergency handling.
- Pet travel checklist India — print this and use it.
- What to pack — the honest list.
Booking the Right Stay
- How to book a dog-friendly stay — 8 questions to ask every property before confirming.
- The breed certificate myth — no, you do not need KCI papers.
- Tails Verified listings — places we have personally visited with our dogs.
Destinations
- 15 pet-friendly destinations in India
- Jim Corbett with dogs — our most-visited destination.
- Rishikesh with dogs — the Ganga, Laxman Jhula, riverside stays.
- Shimla and nearby hill stations — why Chail and Kasauli are better than Shimla itself.
Dog Health for Travellers
- Complete vaccination schedule
- Tick fever — the #1 travel health risk.
- Rabies — 100% preventable. 100% fatal if symptoms appear.
- Heat stroke
- First aid on road trips
Transport Options
- Train vs car vs flight
- Night drives — our preferred strategy for routes above 250 km.
Pet Parenting in India
- Indie dog vs breed dog
- Adopting a street dog
- Apartment dogs in India
- Separation anxiety
- India is getting better
- Indian summer safety
- Pet insurance in India
Myths Worth Busting
- 7 things people get wrong about dog travel in India
- Breed certificates are not required
- The "dogs belong outside" myth
- "My dog is friendly" is not a complete sentence
Finding Pet-Friendly Places
For your actual trip planning, the PetFriendlyPlaces.in directory lists over 500 verified stays, cafes, parks, clinics, and outdoor spots across India. Use the Tails Verified filter to see places we have personally visited with Apple, Captain and Kimchi.
Our Travel Stories
All travel begins with a decision to try. This guide is so that decision is well-informed.