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Traveling with Pets

Preparing to fly with your pet? This is a comprehensive guide created by nomad pet parents for pet parents looking to travel with their beloved furry friends. Here you can find all the key requirements you must remember when flying abroad with your pet (according to your country of residency), as well as any essential tips, information, and resources you'll need on your next trip!

Airline Approved Carriers

Research

When planning to travel with your pet by air, it’s especially important to be aware of the specific requirements and policies of the airline you choose (research is a crucial step!). Here’s a detailed list of information to gather and the most common airline requirements for traveling with pets:

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  1. The type of pet traveling (not all animals are considered pets or qualify for pet travel, see below) 

  2. Whether the pet will be traveling alone in the hold, as cargo, or with a person in the cabin of the plane (see what your pet is eligible for)

  3. Up to date health and vaccination records + veterinarian Health Certificate 

  4. If applicable, the countries where your pet will stop (for customs clearance, or upon leaving the airport/seaport) on the way to their final destination

  5. Your destination country

  6. Your date of departure

USDA Pet Travel Requirements

Health and Documentation:

  • You must obtain a USDA Accredited Veterinarian Health Certificate (within 10 days of flight)

  • Ensure your pet’s vaccinations are up-to-date and carry proof of vaccination.

  • Getting your pet microchipped is also highly recommended and, in some cases, required by certain airlines.

    • the information/data pertaining to your pet's microchip may or may not have to be updated after arriving at your destination (if you are planning on moving to a new country with your pet)

  • Rabies Vaccination (must be applied AFTER any microchip implantations to be considered valid and at least 21 days BEFORE date of departure/entry IF it is the designated pet's FIRST time receiving the vaccination)

  • Check if the destination country requires an import permit or additional documentation.

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Age Requirements:

  • Confirm that your pet meets the airline’s minimum age requirement, typically 8-12 weeks old.

​Ex: for interstate flights, USDA regulations require that dogs be at least 8 weeks old and fully weaned before traveling 


The following animals qualify as pets, meaning they're subject to pet travel requirements:

  • Dogs

  • Cats

  • Ferrets

  • Rabbits

  • Rodents (chinchillas, hamsters, guinea pigs, rats, mice, etc.)

  • Hedgehogs/Tenrecs

  • Reptiles (lizards, snakes, turtles, etc.)

  • Amphibians (frogs, toads, salamanders, etc.)

  • Birds (not all types qualify)

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Because some may carry or transmit certain diseases to the U.S. poultry industry, OR are animals that exceed the set size/carrying capacity permitted by commercial airlines, they are instead considered livestock or poultry and are therefore subject to other travel regulations.

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View these import regulations and export regulations if the type of animal you have does not qualify as a pet.

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Carrier Requirements

Your pet must travel in an pet crate or carrier that conforms to the regulations set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), as well as meet other specific requirements depending on the airline. 

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IATA Recommendations & Requirements:

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It is technically considered best to have only one pet per container, however, IATA rules state that two animals can share the same carrier if the animals are under 14kg (30lbs), of the same species, and compatible.

 

Disclaimer: it is still up to the airline to set their own rules, as most of them do.

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For pets traveling as cargo in the hold, their crates and/or kennels must be/have...

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  • No Wheels OR Removable Wheels 

  • Cannot be collapsible

  • Crates with doors on the top are not IATA or airline compliant

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  • Must be large enough for your pet(s) to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably (kennel size is 3-4” larger than pet).

  • Must be fully ventilated, hard-sided, and have a solid leakproof floor.

  • Handling space bars or handles must be present on the long side of the crate.

  • Must have a metal door and steel hardware (crate door must have a secure, spring loaded, all around locking system with the pins extending at least 1.6 cm (5/8 in) beyond the horizontal extrusions above and below the door). 

  • Zip Tie Ready (many airlines will also require that the door be further secured with cable ties at each corner).

  • Both water and food bowls must be attached to the inside of the front door and be refillable from the outside of the crate without opening the door.

    • Tip – small funnels attached to the door by cable ties make it easier for flight attendants/handlers to refill water bowls, while food can be placed inside a plastic bag and attached to the top of the crate using duct-tape

  • Labeling & Signs
    • “Live Animal”
    • Orientation ("This Side Up")
    • Must be identified with the pet's name and owner's contact information—the best way to do this is to attach your pet's information to the outside of the crate with duct tape or other sturdy tape.

*Note: your destination country sets the entry requirements for pets, which can change at any time. You must verify the country requirements every time you plan to travel with your pet.

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