Flying with your pet: What you need to know
Suppose you want your cat or dog to fly – and by that, you mean to accompany them and not stowaway your furry little friend into the cargo hold of a plane – and you’re wondering how to go about it. Well, get ready for a nonstop parade of forms, regulations, and vet visits.
The good news is that flying with your pet is something you can do. The bad news is that it can be quite the process.
The process
The basic process for flying with your pet is:
- Decide where you’re going
- Understand the admissions and quarantine policies for that destination
- Choose your airline
- Understand their pet policy
- Do the paperwork
- Buy travel stuff for your pet
- Buy travel protection
- Fly
- Follow policies at your destination
- Fly home
That’s a lot, and it gets to be more once we dive into the details.
Also Read: 25 Safety Tips for Solo Travelers
Decide where you’re going
There are two things to consider here: where you want to go and where it’s good for your pet to go.
Obviously, if you want to visit Paris for the art museums, that’s not going to be a great experience for your pet. You need to pick a destination that allows you special time with your pet and provides the change of scenery you want.
The truth is that you can get your pet into most countries with the proper paperwork. The additional truth is that somehow, someway you can likely get your pet onto an airplane in such a way that they will be no more uncomfortable than you are.
Trust that, and choose your destinations based on what’s best for the both of you.
Also Read: The 10 Best Dog-Friendly Vacations Around the World
Understand the admissions and quarantine policies for that destination
Different countries have different rules for the admission of pets.
Japan, for instance, works very hard to maintain a rabies-free country, so it examines your pet and their history thoroughly to make sure they’re rabies-free before allowing them the run of the country.
Other island nations with native flora and fauna like Australia and New Zealand, are likewise picky about animals they let into the country.
As an American traveler, you might think it would be amazing for your Australian Cattle Dog to visit its homeland. However, it's important to understand that the Australian government has different priorities when it comes to pet admissions. How do you find out the rules for bringing your pet into another country? The U.S. Department of Agriculture lets you search for regulations by countries on its site.
Choose your airline
A lot goes into your choice of airline when you’re not traveling with a pet. Even more goes into the choice when your traveling companion has four legs and a tail.
Some pet-owning travelers have read horror stories of pets having stressful experiences in cargo holds, and have vowed never to fly that airline with their pet. The problem is that if you look hard enough, you’ll find most airlines are on somebody’s blacklist.
Given that, you have to weigh the stories you read. Are any of them recent? Have airlines made documentable changes to their pet policies as a result of these incidents?
If all you’re finding on an airline are old stories that you can’t verify, that may be the best airline out there for you and your pet.
Sometimes flying with your pet requires a leap of faith. Choosing your airline is one of those times.
Understand their pet policy
Virtually all airlines will accommodate your pet in some way, meaning that sometimes your choice of airline will be based on the airline you prefer, or the airline that serves a specific community.
In those cases, you may not be flying the most pet-friendly airline but the most convenient one, and your pet is literally along for the ride.
Whatever the scenario, you need to understand the pet policies of the airlines you’ll be flying. If you don’t find them online, call and ask. Ask what the temperature is in the cargo hold. Ask if they’ve ever lost a pet – both meanings.
Ask if they allow pets in the cabin and under what circumstances. (You may also want to read the International Air Travel Association's guidance on the situation.) Ask how long before the flight the pet has to go in the hold. Ask about procedures for picking up the pet after the flight.
The more you know about an airline’s pet policy, the better able you’ll be to determine whether this airline is a good fit for both of you.
Also Read: How travel protection can help pets and service animals
Do the paperwork
Lots of entities need forms in order for your pet to fly – the U.S. government, the airlines, and the authorities in the countries you’re traveling to, for starters. Accommodations may also require paperwork.
At a minimum, you’ll need to request, fill out, and/or produce the following:
- Proof of microchipping and the chip’s 15-digit ISO number
- A rabies vaccination certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian with:
- Their information
- Your pet's name, breed, and microchip number
- Date of vaccination, vaccine type/manufacturer, and expiration
- Proof of a rabies titer test (for some destinations)
- A valid International Health Certificate certifying your dog is healthy, free of diseases, and has all vaccinations, tests or treatments required by the destination country
- A USDA endorsement of your dog's International Health Certificate
- An import permit (depending on country)
- Parasite treatment documentation (depending on country)
- Airline-specific forms, documentation, and other paperwork
That’s a lot! But just like doing your taxes, take a measured approach and keep your eyes on the prize: your pet will be all set to fly with you, and that’s all that really matters.
Buy travel stuff for your pet
One of the keys to flying with your pet is familiarity. They need familiar smells, textures, and toys at a time when everything else around them is bewilderingly not the same, so departure day is not the time to foist new toys or blankets on your pet.
However, there are some travel essentials you’ll want to invest in to make the trip better for both of you. For instance:
Carriers
A great pet carrier – or two – is the best investment you can make in your pet’s travel comfort.
Depending on your situation you may want any or all of:
- An underseat carrier for a smaller pet
- A high-quality travel crate
- A backpack carrier for at-destination excursions
Your pet’s comfort and security are paramount with any of these carriers. Travel + Leisure has a great rundown of many of the best pet travel accessories. Pay special attention to the carriers.
Food and water
Your pet is not going to be served the best food on your trip. Sometimes it’s going to be kibble and water, and you have to be prepared if they have any sensitivities or allergies.
Because you don’t want to have to go makeshift, pack foldable food and water dishes, a travel doggie water bottle, and a food container with a tight seal.
What comes after food and water?
Bring your own poop bags. If you’re traveling with a cat, pack a portable litter box.
Calming solutions
Consider Feliway for cats and Adaptil for dogs. Zylkene works for both. Consult your veterinarian before providing any calming solutions to your pet.
See our Dog Travel Checklist
Buy Travel Insurance With Assistance Services
Travel protection is a great way to help you and your pet while you travel. If your travel is interrupted because of a covered reason, a plan from Generali Global Assistance can help both of you return home safely. It can also reimburse you in case of travel delay (for a covered reason and must meet the minimum duration of the delay corresponding to your plan). And the 24/7 Travel Assistance can help track down lost pets and provide information on pet-friendly parks and attractions.
Generali Global Assistance has a variety of travel insurance plans with assistance services to accommodate most trips and travelers. And getting a quote is easy.
Fly
At this point, you’re finally ready to fly. Feed your pet a light meal about an hour before boarding and give them a walk and potty break to hold them on their flight.
Many animals experience high levels of stress when flying, so be calming, comforting and loving up until departure. When it’s time to fly, place your pet in their carrier with a familiar blanket or towel underneath a piddle pad. If you’re worried about baggage-handlers misplacing your pet consider tagging them with an AirTag.
Follow regulations at your destination
Don’t take your pet places where they’re not allowed. Be particularly sensitive about restaurants, museums, and historical sites.
Also read: Tips for Finding Pet-Friendly Places to Stay
Fly home
At this point you should be an old hand at pet-and-people travel, but double-check any and all barriers to exiting the country you’re visiting before you leave.
It’s helpful to understand, for instance, whether your pet has to be checked for parasites or invasive plant species before they’re allowed to leave the country.
Again, flying with your pet isn’t the easiest way to travel, but the payoff comes in memorable times spent together. And if you take things one step at a time you’ll be fine.
For better peace of mind before and during your trip, consider a travel protection plan from Generali Global Assistance for your upcoming getaway.
6937272505
Average Customer Rating:
Thank you for visiting csatravelprotection.com