I remember the first time I planned a holiday in moscow with my furry best friend. Many people told me that Russia was not the easiest place for pets. However, I found a city that truly loves its animals. Did you know that about 1.2 million households in this capital city keep dogs? On top of that, roughly 60 percent of all households in Moscow own some kind of pet. This makes it a fantastic place for Dog Friendly Holidays in Moscow, Russia. I want to share my full experience so you can enjoy a perfect moscow vacation without any stress.
First Of All: The Paperwork and Planning
You must prepare well before you even book your flight. Moscow is not a place where you can just show up with a dog. First of all, you need an international veterinary passport. This document is your golden ticket. It must show that an official vet examined your pet within 14 days before your travel. Also, your dog must have a rabies vaccine. This is non-negotiable. You must get the vaccine between 30 days and 12 months before you leave. If this is the first time your dog gets a rabies shot, you must wait at least 20 days after the injection before you fly.
Additionally, I suggest getting other vaccines for things like distemper, parvovirus, and leptospirosis. The vet must record all of these in the passport. Later, when you arrive at the airport, you will visit a mandatory veterinary control point. These points are at major airports like Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, and Vnukovo. The vet there will check your papers. If everything looks good, they will give you an international health certificate. Plus, you should contact the airport vet a few days before you arrive to let them know you are coming. This prevents any last-minute delays.
Choosing Your Moscow Pet Friendly Hotel
Finding a moscow pet friendly hotel was my next big task. There are actually 151 properties in the city that welcome pets. I found that 126 of these are hotels and 21 are vacation rentals. One great option is the Hotel Na Alekseevskoy. They allow dogs of any size. The best part? They do not charge an extra fee. Similarly, the Funny Dolphins Apartments in Moscow-City allow dogs for no extra cost. If you prefer a Bed & Breakfast, a place called Trips allows pets for a small fee of 300 RUB per night.
However, if you want total luxury, you might look at the Lotte Hotel Moscow. They have very specific rules. First of all, they only allow dogs that weigh 10 kilograms or less. You must also pay a pet fee of 15,000 RUB for the whole stay. Additionally, they only allow one pet per room. You must provide a photo of your pet to confirm the booking. They even give you a “Pet in Room” sign for your door. On the contrary, if your dog is large, Ararat Park is known for pet suites and even offers walking services. Therefore, you have many choices depending on your budget and the size of your dog.
Transportation with Moscow Dogs
Moving around with moscow dogs is easier than I expected. The famous Moscow Metro allows dogs that weigh under 10 kilograms to travel for free. If your dog is larger, it must wear a muzzle. On top of that, surface transportation like buses is free if your dog is in a carrier smaller than 120 centimeters in total length, width, and height.
For longer trips within the country, you might use commuter trains. These are great for reaching “dachas” or country houses. Small pets do not need a carrier on these trains, but they must be on a lead. You must always keep them under your observation. Larger dogs are not allowed in the main compartments. They must stay in the connecting areas between carriages with their owners. Also, only two big dogs can be in one of those areas at a time. You must buy a ticket for your dog too. The cost is usually 25 percent of a regular human fare.
Therefore, if you plan to go very far, intercity trains are an option. Since 2015, pets can travel in open-plan sleeping cars and coach cars. Before that time, they were only allowed in private compartments. However, you still cannot bring pets into luxury or sleeper compartments. If your dog is a large breed, you must buy all four tickets for a second-class “Kupe” compartment. This way, you have the whole space to yourself and your dog.
Finally, let us talk about taxis. I used the Yandex Go app a lot. It is very simple to use. You just select the “Pet transport” option in the menu. If you have a small dog, you should use a carrier. If your dog is large, it must have a muzzle. Also, you should bring something to cover the seat so it does not get dirty. This app makes a moscow vacation with a dog much more convenient.
Exploring the Great Parks of Moscow
Moscow is a city of green spaces. I spent so much time in Gorky Park. This park is massive, covering 300 acres along the river. It is a very historical place that opened back in 1928. Recently, the city transformed it into a world-class recreational zone. Now, it has special dog zones and even pet water stations. Entrance is free, and it is a perfect spot for long walks.
Additionally, Sokolniki Park is another must-visit. It has vast trails and even holds pet events. Sometimes they even have pet yoga sessions. Plus, if you use a MoscowPass, you can get discounts on these activities. Later, I discovered that the city has a program called “My District”. This program built new, modern mini-parks for dogs in several districts. For example, in the Losinoostrovsky district, there is a dog playground that is over 1,500 square meters. It has lighting, fences, and simulators for training.
Similarly, in the Mozhaisky district, they built a playground with artificial hills to make it more interesting for the animals. On top of that, there is a huge pet park in Severnoye Medvedkovo that is almost 3,000 square meters. It has separate zones for free walking and training. Therefore, your dog will never be bored during your stay.
Health and Safety for Your Pet
Safety is the most important thing during any holiday. Moscow has excellent veterinary care, but you must be aware of some local risks. First of all, you must beware of ticks. These parasites are very dangerous from April until the end of July. They can carry diseases like piroplasmosis, which can be fatal for dogs. Therefore, you should use flea and tick drops or special pills before you go out into the parks. If you find a tick on your dog, you should see a vet immediately.
If your dog gets sick, do not worry. There are many great clinics. I recommend the Belyi Klyk (White Fang) chain of hospitals. They have specialists in every field. For example, Andrey Komolov is a top cardiologist there. If your dog has skin issues, Ekaterina Mendosa-Kuznetsova is a leading dermatologist. They even have experts in exotic animals like Anastasiya Vysokih, who also works at the Moscow Zoo. Additionally, a clinic called AHILL has English-speaking staff, which is very helpful if you do not speak Russian.
However, you should know that Russia has limited animal welfare laws compared to some other countries. The Penal Code does prohibit cruelty with malicious motives or sadistic methods. But there are no specific laws for the welfare of companion animals or farm animals. This is why groups like the VITA Animal Rights Center work hard to improve conditions and provide shelters for stray dogs.
Cultural Fun: Festivals and Monuments
One of the most fun parts of my trip was seeing how much Moscow celebrates its dogs. I went to a pet-friendly festival where dogs actually took a catwalk! People dressed their pets in amazing costumes. I saw dogs dressed as chefs and even as Neptune and a mermaid. These events are a great way to meet other dog owners and see how high-quality pet fashion has become in Russia.
On top of that, you must visit the Monument to Laika. Laika was the first dog in space, and Moscow honors her memory with a beautiful statue. Similarly, there is a monument to a dog in front of the New Jerusalem Monastery just outside the city. These spots are perfect for a quick photo with your own pup.
Important Statistical and Numerical Data
To help you plan, here are some quick numbers from my research:
- Moscow pet population: About 1.2 million dog-owning households.
- Dog playgrounds: There are roughly 700 equipped playgrounds in the city.
- Metro rules: Dogs under 10 kilograms travel for free.
- Train tickets: Minimum fare for a pet is 258.50 RUB.
- Airlines: Aeroflot allows dogs and cats but refuses brachycephalic breeds like pugs because of health risks during flight.
- Carrier size: On surface transport, the cage must be less than 120 centimeters in total dimensions to be free.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- How many pets can I bring to Russia?
- Travelers can bring a maximum of five pets into Russia without needing special permission or import quarantine. A simple limit? Yes, but if you are bringing more than two moscow dogs for personal use, you must follow specific paperwork rules. However, if you have more than five animals, you will need a permit from the Rosselkhoznadzor agency.
- What are the rules for guide dogs in the city?
- Guide dogs travel in the cabin of a plane for free and do not count as extra luggage. They must wear a muzzle and stay near the master at all times. Similarly, guide dogs can travel for free on all categories of trains in the country. They provide vital support, so they have the most flexible rules for your moscow vacation.
- Can I fly with a flat-faced dog breed like a pug?
- Aeroflot does not allow “brachycephalic” dogs, which are breeds with flat faces like pugs or Pekinese. These animals are very sensitive to stress and temperature changes during a flight. Therefore, you should check with other airlines to see if they can accommodate your pet safely.
- Do I need a special certificate for a very young puppy?
- Puppies that are under three months old can enter the country without a rabies vaccine if they have a specific form No. 15 certificate. Need to wait? Plus, experts suggest you wait until your pet is fully vaccinated before you start a holiday in moscow. This ensures your furry friend stays safe from local diseases.
Concluding words
I found that Moscow is a welcoming place for your pet because 60 percent of local households own animals. First of all, you need to prepare an international veterinary passport and rabies shots. Additionally, the city offers luxury stays like a moscow pet friendly hotel and easy travel via the Metro or Yandex Go.
Gradually, you will see that your dog will enjoy massive spaces like Gorky Park and expert care at clinics like AHILL. A city for dogs? Absolutely. Therefore, you should plan your Dog Friendly Holidays in Moscow, Russia and enjoy this historic city with your best friend today.
