Pets

The problem of neighbours feeding your cat in France – and why it happens

Spoiling someone else’s pet is better than abandoning their own, says columnist Samantha David

Small dog watching a woman leave home with an orange suitcase

EU pet passports and GB-France travel: five questions answered

We answer your questions re French citizens, those taking pets to GB, and the closing of a potential loophole for second-home owners

Person walking a golden dog on a lead along a sunlit dirt path in the countryside.

Why do so many French pet names start with the same letter?

Naming traditions are used by breeders to simplify registration

practical

UK vet’s tips on travelling to France with pets for the first time

The joy of having your pets with you makes the daunting process worthwhile

UK to ban dogs on many beaches - what are the 2026 rules in France?

Dog access to French beaches depends on local rules that change by season and region

Travel from GB to France: mixed messages over EU pet passport rules

What transport providers and the UK government say

Two dogs die after drinking from lake in south-east France

The dogs died in under an hour, others have fallen ill

New rules for UK to France pet travel from April 22

Pet owners based in Great Britain told to stop using French pet passports. The change will mean significantly higher costs for each trip

Dog waste DNA helps to catch errant pet owners

French town sees 85% reduction in dog waste using DNA tracing technology

Dog owners warned after outbreak of deadly virus in Avignon

Owners told to keep unvaccinated pets at home

Spring in France: Why you should be careful walking your dog

Warmer days and blooming plants can also bring dangers to precious pooches

Pet owner in France faced large fine and prison sentence over ‘illegal’ cat

Issue revealed during a routine visit to vet

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What do I need to do if my pet dies in France?

French regulations require animals to be cremated

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Barking dogs in France: when noise becomes a nuisance and how to take action

There are nearly 7 million dogs in France and their barking is a common problem

Are new UK pet passports being introduced? Will they be accepted in France?

UK made easier pet travel one aim of talks earlier this year

French firm Virbac launches first medicated kibble to treat kidney disease in cats

Pet owners often struggle to make their pet swallow medicine

What to do if you see a stray dog or cat in France

Follow these steps to help a lost animal find its owner

Dog owners warned to look out for this plant in France to avoid pet injuries

Action can be taken to help avoid these tiny spears which can be fatal to animals in spring and summer

Most-stolen dog breeds in France – and how to protect your pet

Thieves target dogs seen as cute, high-status, or with the potential to be aggressive

France reports 250,000 dog bites a year: What to do and who is responsible

Any breed of dog can bite, and there are certain rules and restrictions on certain breeds, and what to do in the event of an attack

What are France’s top 10 favourite dog breeds? Two lists disagree

The Australian Shepherd tops both rankings…but what about the rest?

French social media users unite to try to find tourist's lost dog

The dog escaped from an Air France plane at Paris Charles-de-Gaulle

New French-Swiss app launches as one-stop shop for dog owners

The app shows the locations and details of dog-friendly walks, parks, hotels, activities, groomers, and entertainment

How your pet can be a blood donor in France

Veterinary hospitals say it is crucial to treat sick cats and dogs and it is easy to sign up your pet

Reader experiences: Travelling to France with dogs

Four dog owners tell The Connexion about their struggles since Brexit

Guide dog associations angry over post-Brexit fees to visit France

Owners face increased costs and bureaucracy to travel across the Channel

Owner finds his two missing dogs in France 300km apart, 10 years on

He now believes that the golden Labradors were stolen in 2014

Dogs banned from French city water spaces after pet dies

The municipality of Lille issued the order after a dog was found to have died from blue-green algae poisoning

'Get your cat treated for fleas before it goes wandering in France'

Columnist Samantha David explains how her pet was picked up by an association only to return riddled with the pests

Pet care to be part of France’s school curriculum from September 2024

The new programme will aim to teach respect and compassion for pets, in a bid to fight animal mistreatment

Fake rescue workers snatch dogs on walks in southern France

The pets are being forcibly stolen as owners walk them, by people in a van pretending to be from an animal welfare association

Dog owners in France launch petition over ban on dogs not on leads

‘It is urgent and vital that our dogs can get back a bit of freedom,’ they say, after town brings in a fine of up to €450 for non-compliance

Can I take my dog on a cross-channel UK-France ferry?

There are different regulations for taking animals on a ferry based on whether you are going from France to the UK or the UK to France

Processionary caterpillars on a tree trunk

Be aware of caterpillars when walking your dog in France

Certain caterpillars can cause necrosis of the tongue in dogs and are appearing earlier each year

Dogs die of rare disease in south-west France: vaccination advised

Some animal shelters have been forced to close temporarily. Health authorities say they are not unduly concerned

Four pine processionary caterpillars moving in a line on the ground

Processionary caterpillars in French forest blamed for sick dogs

A woman who walked her pets in a tree-covered area had to rush them to the vet

Can I bring prescription pet food into France?

There are border restrictions however France offers a range of dietary foods for pets

A view of a dog and a cat looking into a food bowl

France bans nitrates for pet food but only reduces them for people

How a pack of food for President Macron’s dog highlighted a curious discrepancy between pet and human food - and the latter’s links to colon cancer

SOS appeal to find owners of three-legged cat found in Normandy

The pet, believed to belong to an English couple, was found at a service station

‘People feed their pets before themselves’, says French animal charity

The Normandy organisation uses a similar model to the famous Restos du Coeur to distribute donated pet food

How your cat or dog can also be a blood donor in France

Blood donations by pets are vital to help treat sick or injured animals. We explain how to sign up your pet

Do I risk fine if I walk my dog off-lead in France?

Dogs must remain on-lead in certain circumstances, including where you are walking, and the breed of dog you own

A Labrador guide dog helping a woman with a white stick to show she is blind

How to become a guide dog trainer in France

The dogs tend to be Golden or Labrador Retrievers as these breeds are known for their good-natured demeanour and ability to be trained effectively

French mayor limits number of animals per household to restrict noise

The decree says people should not keep more than two dogs and can be fined if they have two cockerels

A view of a dog looking sad and scared in a cage

Record animal abandonment in France sparks shock campaign

The heartbreaking ads aim to show how pets feel when their owners ‘disappear’

Cat owners in France urged to vaccinate pets against fatal disease

An epidemic of cat typhus prompts vets to call for more vaccination and vigilance over symptoms

How do you organise a pet cremation in France and what are the costs?

Cremating a pet is a common choice, but there are other options

A four-way split photo showing a swallow, alpacas, collecting cigarette butts in a bottle, and a bird in a bird box

It was not all bad: 5 positive French stories to end week on a high

From swallows in sitting rooms to alpaca animal therapy, here are some of the best good news stories from France this week

Inflation blamed as number of pets being abandoned in France rises

Squeezed household budgets and the rising cost of owning pets have reportedly worsened desertions this year

How do I change my pet’s details on French I-CAD database?

It is possible to amend some details on the French I-CAD database

What is I-CAD? France’s pet database explained

It is necessary to register your dog, cat or ferret with the service before getting an EU pet passport in France

Progress on French DIY tortoise house is slow and steady...

Nick Inman charts the ups and downs of renovating an old French farmhouse

Five things you may not know... about pets in France

We take a sideways look at French attitudes to cats, dogs and other furry bébés

Scammers use cute kitten pictures to con animal lovers in France

Do not be enticed by cute photos without thorough research, a consumer watchdog has warned

How to raise alarm if you see a pet in distress on your French travels

The advice is part of a government guide aimed at protecting animals from the worst of the summer heat

Pet travel: Can I take my dog or cat with me on a train in France?

There are set rules for pet travel, including paying extra for your tickets

Noisy neighbours in France: How can I stop a dog barking incessantly?

We look at the law around noise complaints and tell you who to contact to take further action

France travel round-up: Pet price hike, flights ban, Eurostar drama

Plus Paris-Australia direct flight push, new ferry on Cherbourg route and is Saint Etienne airport set for a comeback?

France travel wrap: Ferry delays plan, tourist scams, private jet tax

Plus: Cocaine-laced ‘lost property’ kills French railway worker, Easter traffic warnings and why we might soon see the end of turnstiles on Paris’ metro

France travel wrap: Ferries cancelled and new Paris-NYC flights

Plus: Paralympian battles EasyJet over guide dog ban and Ryanair boss renews French strike attack

Don’t give human drugs to pets’ alerts French health safety agency

Paracetamol, aspirin, ibuprofen, and antidepressants can all be fatal to pets, said the Anses health authority

Pet thefts on rise in France: what to do if it happens to your animal

There are 22 million pets in France and they are increasingly being targeted – often to order – by thieves

‘Bring your dog to work’ could lure people back to French offices

Studies show pets in the office can lower stress, improve communication and reduce absenteeism

Is it legal to bury a pet in your garden in France?

We look at the French legislation regarding how you should dispose of a deceased pet

Do France’s new pet owner ‘contracts’ have any actual weight?

We look at what this contract involves and what happens if it is incomplete, left unsigned or not respected

'Travelling with my cats taught me so much': France according to cats

American cat lover Teresa Kaufman enjoys countryside walks and has spent 18 years travelling the country with her two cats

Vet shortage in France as young graduates quit for work-life balance

High suicide rates, overwork and veterinary ‘deserts’ are a concern - recent government action is welcomed but too late says the profession

Queen's influence has led to rise in corgis in France say breeders

The recent death of Queen Elizabeth II has contributed further to the small dogs’ popularity, which has been growing since her 2012 Jubilee

What can I do about neighbour’s cat leaving mess in our French garden?

We look at the possible courses of action, from natural deterrents to legal procedures

A photo of dogs behind a wire fence in a shelter

Cost of living: French animal shelters full as pet abandonments rise

Dog abandonment is up 6% this year so far, and adoption levels are low because people cannot afford to take on expenses such as vet bills, shelters are warning

Recap French news: animal train tickets, insect-based pet food

Five changes that could affect your day-to-day life in France

Train ticket boost, airline strikes: nine France travel updates

EasyJet says staff shortage partly down to Brexit, SNCF makes pet travel train cheaper, rail strike disrupts services and more

France travel: what are the rules for flying with a pet?

Some airlines allow pets in the hold and cabin, some only in the hold and others not at all

How to get a French EU pet passport as a British second-home owner

Pet passports issued in France are considerably cheaper than the UK's £100 one-trip pet travel certificates. We asked vets in France if British second-home owners could get an EU passport for their pets while in France

Rising inflation blamed for increase in pet abandonment in France

Rescue rates of animals in shelters dropped by 4% this year compared to last, with owners appearing to give up their animals due to rising costs