{"id":3346,"date":"2026-09-18T07:47:06","date_gmt":"2026-09-18T07:47:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/?p=3346"},"modified":"2026-09-18T07:47:09","modified_gmt":"2026-09-18T07:47:09","slug":"camino-de-santiago-with-pets-pilgrimage-with-your-animal-companion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/blog\/camino-de-santiago-with-pets-pilgrimage-with-your-animal-companion\/","title":{"rendered":"Camino de Santiago with pets: pilgrimage with your animal companion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Is it possible to do the Camino de Santiago with pets?<\/h2>\n\n

Of course, it is possible to do the Camino de Santiago with pets; there are no prohibitions preventing it. On the other hand, it is an experience that requires more detailed planning than other types of pilgrimages. <\/p>\n\n

The Animal Protection Association of the Camino de Santiago (Apaca) has been working since 2015 on animal protection and on promoting a Jacobean Route that is respectful of animals, “in line with the very values of the Camino de Santiago.” For them, it is necessary for pilgrims to be aware that they must adapt to the animal, and not the other way around. <\/p>\n\n

The animal’s welfare during the pilgrimage<\/h2>\n\n
\"Camino<\/figure>\n\n

The welfare of our pets must be the absolute priority at all times. You must assess, before deciding whether to do the Way, whether it is prepared for the pilgrimage. Older animals, puppies or animals with physical limitations are not prepared for the journey. <\/p>\n\n

The Apaca association warns that the situation of animal abuse in rural Galicia has worsened in recent years, and that “one of the worst images we can give of the Camino is to find animals in poor condition along the routes.” For this very reason, it is essential that pilgrims take care of their own animals and the animals they find along the Way. <\/p>\n\n

Prior preparation for the Camino de Santiago with pets: health and documentation<\/h2>\n\n

Before starting the pilgrimage, it is necessary to carry out a complete veterinary check-up to determine the animal’s physical condition. You must also ensure that vaccinations and deworming are up to date, as the Way runs through natural areas where fleas and ticks are common.<\/p>\n\n

The animal must wear an identification microchip and, in the case of dogs, the canine passport or veterinary certificate with the vaccination record. If you travel with a horse, you need the Equine Passport (DIE) with the health record up to date. <\/p>\n\n

Essential luggage for doing the Camino de Santiago with pets<\/h2>\n\n

Your pet needs to carry its own luggage, and these are the items that should not be missing.<\/p>\n\n

    \n
  • Harness and sturdy leash<\/strong>: The harness is more comfortable than a collar and allows for better control of the animal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Paw protectors or boots<\/strong>: essential for protecting the pads from hot asphalt or uneven terrain.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Raincoat and quick-drying towel<\/strong>: to protect from the rain.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Enough food for the entire pilgrimage<\/strong>: it takes up space and adds weight to the backpack.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Waste bags<\/strong>: essential for keeping the environment clean.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n

    Accommodation for pets on the Camino de Santiago<\/h2>\n\n
    \"Camino<\/figure>\n\n

    Accommodation is the biggest challenge for those who pilgrimage with pets. Public hostels do not allow animals, and private ones that accept them are an exception. <\/p>\n\n

    The available options include pet-friendly private hostels, hotels, guesthouses, rural houses and campsites. Many pilgrims opt for a tent. <\/p>\n\n

    The most important thing is to plan in advance: before setting out, make a list of accommodations that allow pets at each stage, and book in advance.<\/p>\n\n

    Frequently asked questions about the Camino with pets<\/h2>\n
    \n
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    Can you do the Camino with a cat?<\/h3>\n
    \n\n

    Yes, although it is less common than with dogs. There are documented cases, such as the story of Santi, a stray cat that followed a pilgrim for 15 kilometres from Palas de Rei to Melide, until it was adopted and completed the Camino to Santiago. That said, it requires special logistics: carrier, harness, leash and accommodation that accepts felines. <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

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    \n
    \n

    What do I do if my pet gets injured?<\/h3>\n
    \n\n

    It is one of the most complicated situations, since health services attend to people and do not usually take care of pets, which are left helpless “at the mercy of someone personally deciding to help.” It is advisable to carry a basic first aid kit for animals, know the location of veterinary clinics along the route and, in the event of a serious emergency, consider the possibility of interrupting the pilgrimage to attend to the animal. <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

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    Can I sleep in public hostels with my pet?<\/h3>\n
    \n\n

    No. Public hostels do not admit animals. Only some private hostels accept pets, usually upon request and in private rooms, or you have to resort to hotels, guesthouses, rural houses or a tent. <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Is it possible to do the Camino de Santiago with pets? Of course, it is possible to do the Camino […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3345,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3346","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sin-categorizar"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3346","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3346"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3346\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3347,"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3346\/revisions\/3347"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3345"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3346"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3346"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/elcaminoapedales.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3346"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}