Can You Take Dogs Abroad?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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When flying abroad,

your dog can fly in cabin or in the cargo hold

. Cabin is reserved for small dogs that can fit in a travel carrier under the seat. Cargo is for bigger dogs that fly in an airline approved pet carrier or kennel. Many airlines will not let your dog fly in cabin if the flight is over 8 hours.

Do dogs need passports to travel internationally?

You need a pet passport! Traveling with pets is possible, but it does require extra planning research to pull off an international trip with Fido or Fluffy in tow. Just like humans,

pets need their own passports to become world travelers

. They may need additional documents, too.

How much does it cost to fly a dog internationally?

If your pet qualifies, it can fly for a fee. For travel within the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico, there is a $125 fee each way to carry on your pet.

For international travel or travel to the US Virgin Islands, that fee jumps to $200

. However, if you’re traveling to Brazil, the fee is just $75.

Does my dog have to quarantine if I travel?


Most popular countries for people to travel to with their dogs don’t require quarantine

. This includes most of Europe (including the United Kingdom, which previously had a long quarantine period), the United States (except for Hawaii and the territory of Guam), Canada and Mexico.

Can a dog travel on a plane alone?

The short answer is:

Yes, and in fact it’s not uncommon

. But as always, policies vary from carrier to carrier, and either way it’s going to require some legwork and cash on the pet owner’s part. Most major carriers operate separate cargo services alongside their passenger business.

Is it safe to ship my dog in cargo?

The USDA has since removed public animal welfare documents from its website. Undeniably,

cargo is the more dangerous option for pet travel

. The safest way for any animal to fly is in the cabin as carry-on luggage, provided that’s an option.

Which airline is the most pet friendly?

1.

Alaska Airlines

. Alaska Airlines is the best airline for traveling with a pet. It had among the lowest fees and the most flexible pet policy in terms of what types of pets you can bring.

How can I take my dog to Europe without flying?

In Europe,

you will need an E.U. health certificate issued by a U.S. Agriculture Department-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by your state USDA office

. The document must contain vaccination and rabies records, plus proof of a tapeworm test, depending on the country.

Which country is the most dog friendly?

  • Italy (377.52)
  • New Zealand (359.96)
  • France (351.86)
  • United Kingdom (339.15)
  • Germany (330.99)
  • Australia (321.51)
  • Sweden (304.24)
  • Spain (300.72)

How much does it cost to bring a dog on a plane?

Airlines typically charge a

$100 to $125 one-way fee

to bring your dog in the cabin. And, if you want your pet to fly in the cabin, you’ll need to purchase an airline-compliant pet carrier, which can cost from $30 up to $250, according to Consumer Reports.

Can my dog travel to Europe after Brexit?

This means

pets from England, Scotland and Wales can travel within the EU’s borders as long as owners obtain an animal health certificate (AHC) first

. The AHC confirms that your pet is microchipped and vaccinated against rabies.

Can you take dogs to Europe?


You can get a European pet passport for your dog, cat or ferret from any authorised vet

(permitted by the relevant authorities to issue pet passports). A pet passport is valid for life as long as your pets rabies vaccination is in date.

Can you take dogs on planes UK?


Dogs, cats or ferrets being flown into the UK require a pet passport and must be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies

. However, in the event of a no-deal Brexit, owners will be required to purchase a health certificate on every separate trip to the EU, despite the fact rabies vaccinations last for three years.

How do dogs go to the bathroom on a plane?

Dogs must go to the bathroom

inside their carrier

. This is true for pets that travel in-cabin or in the hold, and even on cargo flights. Service dogs (and sometimes emotional support animals) are often the exception. They may be allowed to use the airplane’s bathroom.

How can I ship my dog internationally?

  1. Your pet can travel on the plane with you (either in-cabin, as accompanied baggage, or as cargo). Your pet will be charged accordingly. …
  2. You can book your pet on a separate flight. …
  3. You can have your pet shipped through a licensed commercial shipper.

Are airlines still shipping pets?


American Airlines says it will still accept pets through its cargo service, albeit with restrictions

.

How much does it cost to fly a dog cargo?

Airlines generally charge a fixed fee for dogs and other pets that fly in-cabin, ranging from

$50 to $250 per one-way trip

. In Cargo: Larger animals must fly in cargo, where pets are placed in a pressurized, temperature-controlled compartment under the plane.

Where do pets go on planes?

Pets are placed

in “hold 5”, at the rear of the plane

. It is part of the cargo area underneath the cabin, but it is separated and it is heated. It is kept at the same temperature and pressure as the cabin, since the captain is notified of animals on board, and will make sure of this.

How long can a dog fly in cargo?

Most of the time, a longer flight is best, but try to keep it

no longer than 12 hours

. It’s still a long time to not go to the bathroom, but layovers run the risk of misplacement during the shuffle. Call the airline prior to booking to inquire if they offer layover services for animals.

Can dogs go on airplanes 2021?


Airlines are permitted to require a service animal to fit on their handler’s lap or within its handler’s foot space on the aircraft

. Airlines are permitted to require a service animal to be harnessed, leashed, or otherwise tethered in areas of the airport that they own, lease, or control, and on the aircraft.

What size dog can fly in cabin?

In-cabin. Generally, if your dog in its carrier can fit under the seat in front of you, it can go in the cabin. So that means a dog weighing

up to about 20 pounds

.

Can I buy a seat for my large dog on an airplane?

Unfortunately, most airlines will only allow small and light dogs in the cabin. This is because they usually must comfortably fit underneath the seat in front of you. If you are traveling with a large dog,

it is likely that you will need to ship him or her in the cargo hold of the plane

.

Can dogs go on boats to Europe?


You could take a boat, but currently, there’s only one cruise ship that takes dogs to Europe

(the Queen Mary 2, which makes trips from New York to Southampton, England)—and it can be both challenging and expensive for your dog (currently, trips are limited to 24 onboard pets—and, according to Cruise Critic, a ticket …

How do you fly with a dog in the cabin?

A pet traveling in cabin

must be carried in an approved hard-sided or soft-sided kennel

. The kennel must fit completely under the seat in front of you and remain there at all times. The maximum dimensions for hard-sided kennels are 17.5 inches long x 12 inches wide x 7.5 inches high (44 cm x 30 cm x 19 cm).

Can you ship a dog on a boat?


Your pet will travel in a kennel supervised by a full time pet attendant

. You can visit your pet frequently and take them to the exercise area adjacent to the kennels. These are the only areas the pets are allowed on the ship.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.