Flying With Fido: Jet Setting With Your Pet
Thinking about getting a furry companion but worried your nomadic lifestyle might get in the way? Do you have a pet and want to start traveling the world?
It might not be very common, but it’s definitely possible to travel the world with your pet. (Remember that COVID-19 has also made flying with pets more challenging, as some airlines have temporarily suspended their pet transportation programs during the pandemic.)
Important to note from the CDC: The CDC does not have requirements for dogs leaving the United States. However, if you plan to return to the United States with your dog, the dog will be required to meet the same entry requirements as dogs arriving from foreign countries (see below). If you plan to take your dog to a country at high risk for dog rabies, be sure to review the importation requirements before leaving the United States, because your dog may not be allowed to return to the United States due to the current temporary suspension, which applies to dogs that live in the United States and have traveled to high-risk countries, even if only for a short visit.
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Flying with Pets
Whether you’re moving or just taking a trip with your pet, flying with an animal can be nerve racking.
There are often horror stories in the news about flying with animals, but just answering some general questions before you book the trip could save a lot of time and stress.
How is your pets mental and physical health?
Keeping our pets safe and comfortable should be a priority. Make sure to take your pet to the vet before booking a trip, and take your pets mental health into consideration as well. Sometimes, pet CBD or Valerian Root can help for general anxiety.
Will your pet fly in the cabin or cargo hold?
Some breeds are banned from the cargo hold if they may have trouble breathing and some breeds are banned from flying. For example, Persian cats, pugs and bulldogs are more susceptible to breathing problems and may have a hard time adjusting to cabin pressure or air changes during a flight. Dogs that have a reputation for being aggressive, like pit bulls, are usually banned from the cabin.
What will the weather be like when you’re flying?
The weather is important because if the weather is too hot or too cold, an airline may cancel your pet’s travel arrangements in order to keep them safe. The cargo area is climate controlled, but there is no guarantee that your pet won’t be exposed to the natural elements.
Is your flight direct or do you have layovers?
If you have layovers, this increases the chance that complications could arise with your pet. If you have a connecting flight, your pet will be transported to the next flight. However, if you’re switching airlines, you’ll have to claim your pet and clear it with customs. It’s best to book a direct flight, it will save you and your furry friend a lot of stress!
Do you have all the paperwork you need in order to travel with your pet?
Each airline has its own set of rules, but for the most part you’ll need a health certificate, acclimation certificate, and a rabies immunization. All pets crossing state borders are required by the USDA to have paperwork filled out by a licensed veterinarian within 30 days of travel. If your pet is flying in the cargo, it needs to be filled out within 10 days before departure.
Do you have a proper pet carrier?
The international Air Transport has a list of pet carrier requirements that all airlines must follow.
Did you get in touch with the airline you will be flying with?
Most airlines have a limited number of spots for pets. Before you book your flight, call them to confirm that your pet won’t be turned away, and call them 24 hours before your flight to remind them that you’ll be traveling with your pet.
What is your pet’s size and weight?
Only small dogs and cats can go in the cabin. Medium and large dogs will have to travel in the cargo.
Have you looked into animal importation laws?
The CDC and USDA have a lot of rules when it comes to bringing pets back into the United States. Make sure to do a lot of research about what the laws are related to your animal before you travel. Johnny Depp ran into some problems.
Airlines and Their Rules
Cost
The price varies depending on the airline and how your pet is being transported, but plan to pay around $125 each way for your pet to fly in the cabin with you and $200 for pets that are flying in the cargo. The cost of shipping your pet in the cargo hold depends on the combined weight of your dog and their crate, as well as how far they’ll be flying — most airlines offer online calculators for getting an estimate. Also, be aware that prices can skyrocket to more than $1,500 for very large dogs.
Domestic Travel with Pets
For Americans, when flying domestically with your pet, it comes down to two huge things: health and breed.
If your pet is healthy enough to fly, you’ll have to have paperwork to prove it. (see below for paperwork needed)
Then there’s breed. Sadly, snub-nosed, or short-nosed, dogs and cats, like pugs or Persian cats, are more likely to die on planes in cargo than breeds with longer noses. Many airlines do not allow short-nosed dogs or cats to fly in cargo.
Large dogs, like Pit bulls or Great Danes, on the other hand, are often banned from flying in the cabin and will have to be checked in the cargo.
Pet Passports
A USA Pet Passport is accepted in most countries and will allow you to take your pet traveling with you. A pet passport is important because it allows you to group all of the required paperwork pertaining to your pet in one and it makes it more convenient for officials at the border to go over the information.
For more information about how to get a pet passport and why visit this website.
Vaccinations for pets
In America, some states may require vaccinations and health certificates. Check with your destination state’s health department external icon before your departure date.
Vaccination against rabies is recommended and could save you some trouble if you plan on traveling to more than one country, however, dogs that have not been in a high-risk country in the previous 6 months are not required by the CDC to present a rabies vaccination certificate.
Cats do not need rabies vaccinations to enter the United States, but most states and many countries require them for cats. Check your destination’s requirements and ask your veterinarian before you travel.
Paperwork
Plan on bringing a lot of paperwork with you when you travel with your pet. The more you have, the better — and you’d rather be safe than sorry. A great way to organize all of your paperwork is with a pet passport.
Regardless of where you are, you’ll have to provide a certification from a veterinarian that your pet is healthy enough to fly. Keep in mind that all pets crossing state borders are required by the USDA to have paperwork filled out by a licensed veterinarian within 30 days of travel. If your pet is flying in the cargo, it needs to be filled out within 10 days before departure.
Electronic health certificates are acceptable, but just to be safe, print everything out as well and bring it to the airport.
Some states and foreign countries require a Rabies Vaccination Certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian. A Rabies Vaccination Certificate is required by some but not all states, so it’s probably best to get your pet vaccinated against rabies.
Acclimation certificates are used to allow airlines to ship dogs and cats when the airline cannot guarantee compliance with the Animal Welfare Act regulations. A veterinarian will need to certify that the animal being transported is acclimated to temperatures lower than 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celsius).
Make sure to check with the airline before you travel because the rules vary drastically. For example, Southwest doesn’t require any paperwork to travel with a pet… United, on the other hand, requires you to submit a pre approval form online before you travel, as well as a variety of printed paperwork that you must bring with you to the airport.
Jet Setting Pets
If you need more convincing that you can travel with a pet…check out these social media channels. There’s even a goat that travels with its owners!
Have you traveled with a pet before? Share some of your advice and thoughts on our Discord channel!
We’ve got a growing cross-section of travelers, chatting about where to travel next!
