Traveling by plane with cats or dogs

by Lenda | May 7, 2020 |

A plane trip with animals , especially if it is abroad, must be planned in advance. The plane can be a particularly stressful time for both you and your pet.

 In the cabin or in the cellar?

It depends on the regulations of the companies and the characteristics of the animal.

If it is small and weighs less than 6 kg, many companies will allow it to travel in the cabin as hand luggage (always in a closed container that does not exceed the following measures: 50 x 40 x 25 cm). In the cellar , they must go in a compartment that is appropriate for their size, approved and meets certain requirements. Find out from your airline.

To the seeing – eye dogs are allowed to travel in the cabin when they need their owner to move their orientation. Of course, always muzzled.

Some airlines only have a limited number of animals per flight , so make sure you are registered and authorized to take your pet with you well in advance.

How much?

The pet is considered as hand luggage and will be billed as excess baggage by adding the weight of the animal and the weight of the cage. In the case of guide dogs, they travel free both in the cabin and in the hold and have no restrictions regarding their weight or size.

Common airline requirements

Many airlines request a report with a complete physical exam and proof of vaccines until the day before travel, and in some cases it is mandatory to do them within a week or even a few days of boarding. Make sure you have reviewed all of the airline’s requirements well in advance.

Check before medicating

In most cases, pets travel much better if they don’t take any medications, as the behavior of sedatives at certain heights is unpredictable. However, if you have a particularly nervous pet, check with your vet about possible sedatives before travel.

Are you going to travel nationally or internationally?

If you travel abroad , contact the consulate of the destination country and request the forms and the list of the necessary tests to bring the pet to the country. You can find an embassy guide at www.state.go , where you will also find additional information on pet entry requirements. Don’t be surprised if your pet is required to be quarantined for rabies, which can last up to six months.

National trips : In addition to taking into account the cage or the appropriate container to transport your pet, do not forget to bring the vaccination card. Some airlines require a certificate of good health issued 10 days prior to the flight.

Intra-community flights : Intra-community movements of dogs, cats and ferrets for non-commercial purposes require a passport to ensure that the pet has been vaccinated against rabies and other diseases and the animal’s medical information. An  electronic chip  or an identification tattoo allow greater control in cases of abandonment and speeds up the census of domestic animals. According to community regulations, veterinary clinics are in charge of issuing the document. The passport certifies the good health of the animal, the vaccines applied and the veterinary history.

Also, be sure to bring a kit with the following items :

• Enough food and water for the trip, plus an extra day for emergencies. It should be your usual food, we do not want a new food to cause indigestion or nausea, least of all on a long trip.
• The health card in case you have any veterinary incidence during the trip.
• A recent photograph of your pet in case it gets lost
• Toys or some clothes with a familiar smell, to help you be calmer.