What You Should Know Before Travelling Abroad With Your Pet

Pandemic end days are almost here, and we can once again look forward to travelling internationally. For many people, the end of the pandemic means they can once again kickstart those plans they abandoned in 2020, and that includes travelling abroad.

In our last blog, we covered the two ways in which you can travel with your pet internationally: your pet can travel as cargo, or as excess luggage. In this blog, let’s take a look at what you need to know before you embark on the journey.

Some pets are not allowed to fly

It surprised us when we learned this, but it is true: some pet breeds are simply not allowed on aircrafts. This includes dog breeds such as pugs, bull dogs, Boston terriers, mastiffs, pitbulls, and boxers. It also includes cat breeds such as Persian, Himalayan, and Burmese cats.

This is because these breeds have short or flat snouts, which makes breathing difficult for them at higher altitudes. They also struggle to cool down if they are overheated or excited. Putting them on a flight can put their life in danger, and most airlines won’t allow them in cargo and, often, not even in cabin luggage.

Airlines can also ban dog breeds that they consider aggressive, or that can harm their animal handlers at the airports. Travelling internationally with an aggressive dog breed can be tricky, and you will need to do your research on what airlines and companies will help transport your pet to their new destination.

Most airlines will have a complete list of pet breed banned from flying, so please check your airline’s website before booking your tickets.

Some countries don’t accept certain pets

Again, it surprised us to learn this but it is true! Several countries have a blanket ban on what dog they will allow onto their soil. Several European countries, for instance, have a problem with the American Pitbull Terrier. In fact, pitbulls seem to have a bad reputation in many countries and aren’t allowed in Venezuela, certain states in Canada, Israel, Portugal and even the Bermuda islands.

For a relatively detailed list of what dog breed is banned where, check out this site. Of course, always do your own research if you have a specific country in mind—their official guidelines will be far more detailed and up to date.

There are often financial penalties for ignoring the list of banned dog breeds, so be warned!

Quarantine periods

When pets travel to a new country, certain governments require that they be quarantined. This is to prevent the spread of infectious diseases to other local pets. In certain cases, it is also to minimize the spread of certain bacteria that could impact delicate flora and fauna in the region.

Different countries have different quarantine rules for pets. If you travel to the US, for instance, you can simply walk out of the airport with your dog, no fuss and no hassle. If you are moving to Australia, however, the quarantine rules are far stricter. Your dog may be put into quarantine for anywhere between 10 days and six months. Do your research carefully so that you are not caught off guard at the airport and you have measures in place to help your pet through this time.

Most countries will not require quarantine, but they will require documentation that proves your pet has been vaccinated against certain diseases. This is especially the case for rabies, so make sure your pet has all their rabies shots up to date.

Crate train your dog

We cannot emphasize enough: before you consider internationally travelling with your pet, crate train them. This is not a nice-to-have. This is essential. When your pet travels on airlines, the crate is where they will be spending all of their time. When they are on the plane, they are in the crate. When they are waiting to be loaded on the flight or picked up from the airport, they are in the crate. If they are travelling as cargo, then they will be in the crate for those four hours before they even make it to the flight.

That is a lot of time in a crate. If you have not trained your dog to see their crate as a safe space, they are going to be anxious throughout the journey. They are going to feel upended and upset, and you won’t be there to comfort them.

Crate training prevents this. It teaches your dog to see their crate as a version of “home”. This is where they can go to sleep without worry. This is where they will be protected, and be kept safe. Crate training essentially prepares your dog to go into their crate and power-down, which means they shut down and go to sleep without being bothered by what is happening around them. It will help them cope with the overwhelmingness of the journey and the long periods of time spent in transit.

Do not sedate your pet!

Flying can be stressful activity and many pet parents may be tempted to sedate their pet before the ordeal. Don’t do it. Medicating your pet before a flight is illegal, and for good reason. Sedation affects your pet’s ability to breathe. It also increases their chance of heart problems during transit. There are have been instances of sedated pets who needed veterinary assistance to wake up, and instances where they haven’t woken up at all.

Moreover, giving your pet tranquilizers before a flight affects their ability to react and respond to situations. Their natural sense of balance, for instance, is affected, and they may not be able to brace themselves against any bumps or jostling in the crate, which could lead to serious injury.

All in all, focus on crate training as a way to keep your pet calm during the flight. If they believe their crate is a safe space and they have learned how to calm down when put inside, they will be able to survive the transit much better. What you want is for your pet to have a little piece of home as they travel, and the crate is that safe haven.

We hope this article has been helpful! As always, before undertaking any flight with your pet, do your research extensively on what is allowed or not allowed. Be clear on what you can expect. Don’t be afraid to ask questions: of the airline, of the airport, of the officials of embassies, or of any agency you hire to help you. This is your pet, and they deserve the best.