How Hard Is It To Take Your Dog Abroad?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Technically, flying anywhere with your dog is complicated due to airline rules on what dogs can be in the cabin — but

flying abroad adds on a few extra layers of restrictions, regulations and procedures

. That said, once you understand the fundamentals of how to travel abroad with a dog, it’s far less overwhelming.

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.

Can you bring your dog abroad?

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.

Can I take my dog with me to other countries?


USA and Canada are the easiest countries to travel with pets

. These countries require just a health certificate, vaccination records and a no-objection certificate (from Animal Quarantine and Certification Service) to allow entry to a foreign pet. But Hawaii in USA has stricter rules for incoming pets.

How stressful is flying for dogs?

Think about it:

Flying can be a stressful experience for your dog

. It removes them from comfortable and familiar surroundings, then forces them into a situation with loud noises, bright lights, thousands of people, changes in air pressure and cabin temperature, and a limited ability to use the bathroom.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Are dog passports still valid?

You can no longer use a pet passport issued in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) for travel to an EU country or Northern Ireland. You can still use a pet passport issued in an EU country or Northern Ireland.

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)

What countries do not have dogs as pets?

  • Japan. One of the worst things about Japan is the accepted mass execution of dogs and cats. …
  • China. One country you’ve probably expected to see on the “worst” list is China, and you’re not wrong. …
  • Egypt. …
  • Greece. …
  • Saudi Arabia. …
  • India.

How do I move my dog to Europe?

  1. Implantation and certification of an ISO Microchip. …
  2. Three-year rabies vaccination, which must be done AFTER the ISO Microchip. …
  3. Ten days before departing for the EU, visit your veterinarian for an international health certificate and an EU veterinary certificate.

How can I bring my pet abroad?

Pets such as dogs, cats and birds, if and when they are acceptable for carriage as baggage should:

Be placed in a secure and leak-proof container

. Have valid vaccination certificates and exit and/or entry permits from the Philippine Bureau of Animal Industry, Animal Health Division (AHD), Diliman, Quezon City.

Do dog Ears pop on planes?

The short answer is

yes – a dog’s ears will pop when they are seated aboard a flight that takes to the skies

. In fact, as canines have such an acute sense of hearing, they may even suffer even more than humans in such a situation.

What happens if a dog poops on a plane?

Often, they won’t be sitting in a carrier but at their owner’s feet or in the lap.

If an ESA goes unexpectedly, then it’ll be on the carpet

. Service dogs are allowed to move through the plane with their owner and as they can eliminate on command are permitted to use the plane’s bathroom.

Do dogs sleep on planes?

Whilst the initial part of the trip – arrival at JCS, separation from the owner, vet examination, X-ray, delivery to airline and subsequent delivery to the aircraft- is undoubtedly stressful for the pet,

once they are in the aircraft and used to the noise, they will just tend to sleep through the flight

.

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 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 travel long distance with a dog?

The safest way for your pet to travel is

in a carrier that has been strapped to the seat with a seatbelt or other anchor

. Make sure the carrier is large enough for your dog to stand up, turn around, and lie down. You can also use a pet seatbelt, but these have not been proven to protect animals during a car crash.

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 much does it cost to ship a dog on a plane?

Example Estimate: Flying one small dog (like a Chihuahua) domestically via cargo with a pet-friendly airline, will likely cost between

$275 USD to $300 USD

. Larger dogs’ airfreight (like a Great Dane) can go up to around $1000 USD for a domestic move, especially if you have a custom kennel.

How do you transport a large dog across the country?

Flying with Large Dogs


Several airlines do accept large dogs by stowing them in the plane’s cargo

. The hold is temperature-controlled and pressurized, so it is a humane way to transport them. For most airlines, pets weighing 17 pounds or more qualify as large and must travel in the hold.

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.

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


You can’t buy an extra seat for your dog

. Traveling with a dog this way, essentially as carry-on luggage, usually incurs a lower fee than if it travels in the belly of the plane. And by the way, a pet in its carrier counts as your carry-on bag.

What size dog can fly in cabin?

American Airlines Allows dogs to fly in the cabin. However,

the combined weight of the dog and the carrier must not exceed 25 pounds

. Your dog must remain in the carrier with the door closed. It would be best if you also stowed it under your seat for the duration of the flight.

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.