International travel with dogs may be extremely challenging but very rewarding, be it relocation or even very long trips. From understanding airline regulations to ensuring your dog’s comfort during the flight, there are several important issues to pay attention to. For many years, the very aspect of flying dogs, much more in cargo, has made many pet owners nervous. However, preparation for such an international journey will make the travel smooth and secure.
From flying rules and preparation to documentation, this guide will detail everything you could want to know when flying with your dog in order to make the experience as stress-free as possible for the both of you.
1. Is it safe to fly with your dog?
Among the problems people face in trying to plan air travel with their dogs, perhaps safety is the number one, especially if the pet happens to be of a size that is not allowed to travel at cabin level but has to go into the hold. That naturally makes people somewhat apprehensive, but airlines make provisions to ensure the safety and comfort of the pet during the flight.
Conditions in Cargo: The dogs flying cargo travel in a cargo hold, which is pressurized and temperature controlled similar to the passenger cabin. Pre-flight the flight captain is always informed of cargo carrying any animals and so he keeps the temperature in the cargo area pre-set. The lighting is also dimmed to keep the dogs tranquil and the crate is roped down so it does not shift in flight.
They are commonly separated from the luggage being travelled with to avoid inconvenience or an accident. Though takeoff and landing can be a little bit stressful for pets due to the level of noise and movements involved, most flights are usually smooth, just like the greater part of design in the environment to avoid anxiety.
Choosing the correct crate: It is crucial to acquire a flight travel crate. General stringency such as able to stand, turn, and lie down easily inside of the crate is important. Long flight crates ought to include absorbent bedding, and a water bowl that can be refilled from outside.
An investment in an airline-approved crate would make the travel comfortable for your pet, and several firms provide customized crates based on the requirement of your pet.
Using a pet travel Company: Many people avoid the headache associated with this process by utilizing the services of a pet travel company. These companies arrange the flights, inoculations, health checks, and other documentation that might be needed. For example, if someone is traveling from Australia to the United States or Europe, there can be some fairly complicated rules and regulations that a travel company of this nature will manage on the owner’s behalf.
This may include services like flight booking, veterinary checking, sometimes just pre-flight accommodation of pets.
While it may be very expensive, upwards of $5,000 to $6,000 for hiring an agency specializing in pet travel to fly long-distance, such as from Australia to the U.S., it’s usually well worth the convenience. This will also avoid undesirable delays or changes in the schedule of flights and a better care of your pet during such times.
Safety measures taken by the Airlines: To further ensure that the pets flying with them are safe, most major airlines do much. Such may include controlling the temperature of the cargo, which is particularly vital for the long-distance flights. When the airline cannot promise the ideal flying temperatures in the cargo hold, the flights for pets are often delayed or canceled, as was witnessed in some occasions when flights were postponed for the cargo holds.
With some airlines, there is a pick-up concierge service upon arrival, which takes care of the health check of the pet and then processes it through customs to give assurance that your dog is in good condition and speeds up pickup.
Final Cargo Travel Thoughts: Flying your dog cargo is safe and can be done, principally for those larger breeds that are too big to fly in the cabin. Though it is a process that can be a bit disconcerting to both pets and their owners, procedures that airlines and pet travel companies have put in place have ensured that your pets would deliver safely at their destination.
Flying cargo is often a necessity when moving or taking longer trips overseas with larger dogs. However, if possible and not too long of a flight, you may want to explore other options given just how much stress flying can place on a dog.
2. Preparation for the journey: Documentation, vaccination, crating
International traveling with a dog requires tons of planning if everything has to go just right on the day of travel. From the restrictions imposed by different countries to the differing policies of different airlines on vaccination requirements, to the style of crate permitted on board, here is what you need to know as you get ready for the big trip.
Paperwork and Vaccination Requirements: Understand what needs to be done before booking your flight, in respect of the destination country’s requirements and those of the airlines. Most countries require vaccinations on record, especially rabies, which is one of the major vaccinations that one undergoes while traveling with their pet across the globe. For example, the United Kingdom and European Union nations require more elaborate health clearances and paperwork, especially if your dog is from a country with a high incidence of rabies.
The general requirement for international travel is for the dog to be at least 12 to 15 weeks of age; many countries would deny entry to puppies less than 12 weeks of age that are not vaccinated. This varies, however, and it is usually wise to check with the destination country well in advance. In travel originating from Australia bound to the United States, for example, a complete vaccination record and veterinary health certificate within 10 days of travel is required.
You will be looking at anywhere between $100 and $250 for all the needed vet checks and documentation, depending on what exactly is required.
Flight Booking. Choice of the Airline: When all the documents are ready, it is high time to order the flight. None of the airlines deliver pets inside the cabin, and not so many, if at all, take them either in the cabin or in the cargo. If your dog weighs less than 7 kg, about 15 pounds, the animal may travel in the cabin along with you, but considering the fact that the dog will be able to get inside the airline-approved crate under a seat.
Larger dogs, however, have to fly cargo. In most instances, dogs are considered “excess baggage” or “freight,” and prices can be very steep. Prices differ according to airline and destination.
In cargo flying, for instance, a dog flying from Australia to Los Angeles may cost him between 5,000 and 6,000 dollars, while the short flight in North America could turn out to be super cheap, such as Los Angeles to Cancun, which sometimes goes as low as 150-200 dollars. However, airlines require advance booking of your pet’s flight because they have only limited allocations of spots assigned for flying with pets. Other than that, some airlines have seasonal restrictions, such as sometimes summer and sometimes winter, as they try to avoid extremely high or low temperatures which may count into cargo.
Picking the right traveling crate for your dog is amongst the most critical issues in preparing for the journey. Various airlines have their varied requirements for dog traveling crates; hence it is prudent to ensure the dog crate chosen is approved for air travel. Choose one that is sufficient enough in size to enable your dog to stand, comfortably turn around, and lie down. It is also supposed to have a water bowl, which may be refilled from the outside without necessarily opening the crate’s door. Most of these many different types of travel crates for dogs flying cargo have an absorbent mat or bedding in case of any accidents during the flight.
Early in my international traveling career, I learned to double-check the measurements on the crate. Some airlines tend to get especially fussy over size, so even though this crate was within the previous airline requirements, I had to purchase another crate two inches shorter.
The price of the crate itself will range from about 100 dollars up to 400 dollars, depending on its size and material. But believe me, for your dog’s comfort, it is worth every cent.
3. What to expect on a travel day
Flight day is very stressful both for you and your dog, and good preparation will make it go as smoothly as possible. Here’s what you can expect on flight day from airport procedures right through to what happens once your dog’s on board:.
At the Airport: Check-In and Health Checks On travel day, arrive at the airport early to allow time for your dog’s check-in and any necessary health inspections. If your dog is flying in the cabin, you’ll simply check in as normal and proceed through security with your dog in their crate. However, if your dog is flying in cargo, you’ll need to check them in at the airline’s freight or oversized baggage counter.
Of course, most airlines would do some form of cursory examination to make sure your dog at least appears healthy and the paperwork appears to be in order. This can include vaccination records, a health certificate, and even special customs forms depending on the country of destination. A few airlines offer a basic health check, or request that an owner hire a third-party pet concierge service that will guarantee their dog is fit to fly.
It would be from my experiences that airlines can and will delay flights for any issues regarding the plane, or temperature in the cargo hold, for the safety of the dog. This can be very stressful, but in a sense, it is good to know the airline can have your pet’s best interest in mind first. Anticipate possible delays in travel-especially during months characterized by extreme weather.
What’s It Like for Your Dog during the Flight? Whether he’s travelling in-cabin or checked as baggage, once checked in your dog is taken to the cargo hold of the plane where his crate is strapped down in his allocated spot. The Captain is notified that there are live animals on board, the temperature in the cargo hold is set to the same as the cabin and it’s kept fairly dark to help the pets travel more calmly. The air pressure in the hold is equal to that of the cabin, and the air circulates in a way that allows for breathability for your pets, so that they may feel comfortable. As much as one would want, it’s impossible to communicate with your dog during flights, but be rest assured it’s set not to give them too much stress.
For pets flying in the cabin, you’ll have more direct control. However, it’s important to consider that cabin travel, especially on long-haul flights, can be stressful due to the confined space. If your dog tends to be anxious, it’s helpful to have calming items, such as familiar toys or a soft blanket, to keep them relaxed.
Arrival and Pick-Up Procedures After landing, you’ll need to go through customs and immigration before picking up your dog. If your pet is traveling in the cabin, this process is relatively simple—you’ll proceed to baggage claim with your dog by your side. However, if your dog is in cargo, you’ll need to go to the airline’s freight area to collect them.
This could be a big bother because sometimes the procedure involves delays in customs processing or special clearances for your pet. In some cases, customs officers may perform a brief inspection of your dog to ensure they meet the country’s entry requirements. This can involve checking vaccination records, verifying that the dog is in good health, and conducting a basic physical exam. Once everything is in order, you’ll be free to take your dog to their new home or hotel. This is in process, and one needs to have patience while it is in process, for sometimes it might take more time than its supposed to. For example, customs clearance might take around 30 minutes or even a few hours depending on the destination. Have all your necessary documentation at hand to avoid delays, and if you are not sure where to pick up, always approach the airport staff.
4. Arrival at your destination: customs and pick-up
The last step-after this long, exhausting journey-would be that of arrival and actually getting back together with your dog. This can be as complicated as it sounds, although most of it was over by now, going through customs and collecting your pet might get tricky sometimes. What to expect, and how to navigate it with the least complication, follows.
Customs Upon Arrival: Upon arrival, the first process is clearing customs. In most situations this is relatively painless, if your dog travels with you in the cabin: You’re going to pass through immigration with your dog on a leash next to you but customs officers will most likely want to take a look at your dog’s paperwork-most significantly vaccination records and health certificates. If your entry is into some countries, they may also do a cursory health check.
If your dog were to fly cargo then the process is a bit different. You will need to make your way to the cargo section of the airport where the airline houses the animals. This is often not within the main terminal, and you will need to shuttle or find transportation over. Bring all your documents in order since customs might require some sort of forms, which might be required by the destination country, such as a rabies certificate, import permit, or veterinary documents.
This may vary depending on how jammed the customs area is to anywhere from an estimated 30 minutes to several hours depending upon specific rules in some countries such as the United States. Arriving pets may have to go through further checks in countries like the UK and European Union; hence, the required time could differ based on the country of origin.
Delays in picking up your dog can be common, especially during peak seasons or when customs have raised the bars. For me, for example, the customs took almost two hour due to the additional paper work and probably health clearances. This on the other hand can be frustrating; however, one needs to be patient. Note that customs officers make sure that your pet is safe and follows the normal regulations of the place.
If you’re ever unsure where to go, don’t hesitate to ask the airport staff for guidance. In some cases, the staff can provide updates on your pet’s status, such as whether they’ve been cleared or are still waiting for inspection.
Reunited with your dog: Once this process is done and dusted, it is now time to collect your pet. Most airlines would release pets in their travel crates, and it is quite common that they would be brought to you on special equipment like a forklift – which is the case when the dog is large and the crate is pretty bulky.
You may want to have on hand a bottle of water, treats, and a leash to make your dog comfortable immediately post-flight. Your dog will surely enjoy a walk and a bathroom break after being confined to a crate for several hours. If this is travel to a hot destination, take heed of the temperature and make sure that your dog has plenty of water until they become acclimated to the new external environment.
Sometimes, unfortunately, the treatment of pets by airport personnel is not as sensitive as one would wish. When this happens, it’s best to keep calm and get your pet accommodated as soon as possible. There have been occasions when staff placed the dog crate in areas that were less than ideal; for this reason, it is always advisable to inspect the crate and ensure your pet is safe before leaving the airport.
5. The cost of international travel with your dog
Of course, the cost factor is by far one of the major considerations for flying internationally with your dog. Traveling with pets is not cheap, especially when you contemplate those long hauls or larger dogs requiring special arrangements. But knowing what different kinds of expenses lie ahead will help you plan and avoid any shocks.
Airfare for your dog: The major cost of this kind of travel normally comes from your dog’s flight ticket itself; its cost varies basically depending on the airline, the size of your dog, and the destination. Reaching up to $5,000 to $6,000, it may transport a big dog across the ocean from Australia to the United States, inclusive of cargo, special handling, and customs clearance. In the cabin, smaller breeds’ prices are quite affordable-usually between $100 and $200, depending on the airline and the route.
Again, if your dog travels as “excess baggage,” costs are all over the map. For several of the shorter international flights around North America-including Los Angeles to Cancún-prices are as low as $150. If he travels as cargo, that’s when the prices really soar, especially for larger breeds.
Engaging a company for the travel: Another big expenditure involves engaging a company for pet travel. Though this is really a very costly service, it is invaluable and crucial when dealing with the intricacies that are involved in international pet travel-be it flights for your dog or preparation of the required documents, arranging health clearance; companies like Pet Traveler does all this and more.
This too includes all logistics, veterinary clearances, and even pre- and post-flight services like pet hotels or health checks. Such services can extend up to 5,000 to 6,000 dollars by a travel company for long haul flights such as those from Australia to the United States. To most people keeping pets, such a service is a godsend since it reduces chances of flight delays or complications since the company will arrange everything.
Other considerations of cost: aside from the flight and tour operator costs, here are some individual costs one might want to consider:
1. Crate: An approved air travel crate can cost between $100 and $400, based on the size and material used. Larger canines require stronger crates that can fit into the set standards by airlines and, in turn, make them more costly.
2. Vaccinations and Health Certificates: Most likely, your dog is going to need updated vaccinations and a health certificate from a veterinarian, depending on the destination. Normally, these checks cost anything from $100 to $250, but the price depends on the vet and the requirements in the country of destination.
3. Customs and Quarantine Fees: Customs fees or quarantine costs could also be implemented by each country, especially if they have very tight policies concerning animal importation. This is because while the United States normally doesn’t quarantine pets, countries like the UK are quite inflexible when it comes to the importation of pets from certain countries, making the transaction cost expensive.
4. Pet Hotel or Boarding Service: Should your dog face flight delays and have to be boarded overnight before flying, this is an added cost to you. The charges will come from the pet hotel/boarding service. Cost: From $50 to $150, it will depend on the place and service provision.
Budgeting for Your Trip: When taking an international flight with your dog, much careful budgeting is in order. Depending upon the route and if a pet travel company is utilized, one might spend upwards of $5,000 to $7,000 for a long haul. For cheaper regional flights across North America or Europe, prices are also way lower; they easily can fall within the range of $150 to $1,000, depending on which airline and what other services.
These figures may look daunting, but let’s get it into perspective: the safety and well-being of your dogs are well worth the investment. The less surprise, the better, once you can actually plan and research all possible costs; thus, it will be a really smooth journey for you and your dog.
6. Tips to ensure smooth experience
Of course, traveling with dogs can be somewhat overwhelming, but, be that as it may, it’s actually quite doable if you go to the lengths of planning and adequately preparing in advance. The general outline for a smoother and fairly comfortable trip could be gleaned from the many international trips made with dogs.
1. Employ a pet travel company for long-distance flying: If the flight is going to be intercontinental and long-distance, then one should seek professional help in the form of pet travel companies. Such companies arrange flights and get the paperwork in order and even manage to accommodate pets in pet hotels.
While this could cost anything from $5,000 to $6,000 on longer routes, say, Australia to the United States, there is no price on feeling sure that everything will be fine. Such services come in really handy while trying to move through the entrance requirements in countries such as the UK and some European Union nations whose laws could involve vaccinations or certain permits.
2. Check the Airline’s Pet Policy: Not all airlines have the same policies concerning pets. Always check the requirement beforehand prior to making a flight booking. A few airlines allow pets less than 7 kgs-about 15 pounds-to fly in the cabin, but bigger dogs will be flown inside the cargo compartment.
Your dog’s crate must be carrier-approved, so do check the specifications with the carrier in advance of your flight. Also, some dogs fly on as “excess baggage” and some as “freight”. Cargo price ranges from $150 on shorter flights to 6,000 dollars on longer flights internationally.
3. Prepare for Delays: Delays in flights are obvious, but with excessive heat or cold, they start being more frequent. Even airlines go ahead and delay/cancel pet-carrying flights if they cannot ensure the temperature in the cargo compartment is suitable. My own travel faced a 24-hour delay because it was not possible for the airline to regulate the area safely. Times will come when these delays will be very distressing, but you need to keep your cool-this is all for your dog’s safety.
4. Make Your Dog Comfortable: Being comfortable during a flight, especially for dogs which have to stay most of their time inside a crate, is not less important either. Make sure your dog’s crate is big enough for him to stand up, turn around, and lay down with no stress at all. Putting an absorbent mat inside the crate will be great in case of accidents. In cases where your dog flies as cargo, attach a water bowl refilling from outside the crate.
You can also add some familiar items in your luggage like your pet’s favorite blanket or toy if he is anxious. Some owners have also researched some natural calming aids, while others have consulted their vets on anxiety medications to take along for the trip.
5. Check Airport Amenities: Not all airports are created equal, and some are truly dog-friendly, with specific pet-relief areas where your dog can get some serious stretching and bathroom time. Sometimes doing your homework on your departing and arriving airports will pay off nicely, showing if they do have such amenities available. That can be most true on long layovers-it will literally change everything in comfort for your pet.
6. Carry a Copy of All Important Documents: Make one folder with all the vital documents that are needed, including vaccination records, health certificates, import licenses, and customs. These will save a lot of time at customs, and you will also have proof that your dog is healthy enough and lawfully permitted to enter the country.
Also helpful: bring along several copies of these documents that can be left with customs officials or airline staff as required. Remember to check entry requirements for your destination; some countries will require that the documentation is dated within 10 days of flying.
7. Be Patient, Stay Relaxed: Probably the most important of all is to keep patient and relaxed along the entire process. It is one of those really long, sometimes dragged-out processes in traveling with a dog internationally, and things will come up. Keeping calm with customs delays, changes in flights, or even unexpected costs gets you through most stressful situations.
However, while this may be frustrating, seeing your dog on the other end really makes quite a bit of difference.
Conclusion: Is international travel with your dog worth it?
International flying with a dog involves some serious planning, along with some patience and a financial investment, but may really be worth it either in relocation or on a long-term trip. Here are ways flying long can be safe and comfortable for your dog-whether they can fly in the cabin or must travel as cargo.
Smaller pets can be relatively reasonable; most flights in-cabin can range in the realm of $100 to $200. If one has a large dog or is taking a long-haul flight, then the overall price can easily go upwards of $5,000 or more. To some people, this is a lot, but the comfort of knowing that your dog is safe and well looked after, if he can be taken with you on relocation or an extended trip, is all that matters.
Conclusion: International traveling can be done with your dog, but it really pays to be realistic about how much time, effort, and money is involved. Research should always be conducted about an airline’s policy, what documents are needed, and a pet travel company’s expertise on routes that are a bit more complex.
Finally, ask whether the trip is really necessary for your dog. For very short journeys, the travails of travel are not worth the benefit, and the dog would be much better left in a trusted boarding facility or with family. If your dog is part of a permanent or long-term relocation, then with the right preparation they can travel in safety and comfort, making the experience as pleasant for them as possible. While international dog travel does bring most of its challenges, it is truly a reward for owners who would not have dogs left behind, wherever the wanderer part of the world may be proceeding to. Taking the time to work through the process requires just a little patience for the memories you make with your dog to be remembered over the years.
