Travelling may seem exciting, but moving to a new country may be complex rather than fun. There are many things to take care of before your journey, from visa arrangements to luggage packing. Taking your pet with you makes your to-do list even longer – so be sure to check our tips!
Get ready in advance
You may be used to spontaneous journeys, especially day trips or weekend escapades. Yet, if you want to take your cat or dog with you, planning is key. Many things will take time – from buying the tickets to going through vaccination – so you must start preparing for your journey beforehand.
Learn more about your destination
We cannot give you accurate advice on what documents or vaccines are needed for travelling with your pet – as the list may vary depending on your destination country. Wherever you go, ensure your cat or dog has a microchip and a rabies vaccine shot. The latter should be no older than 11 months on the day of your flight. At the same time, a blood test taken three weeks after the vaccination and proving its success is often required.
If you are travelling to Germany, Italy, France, Spain or another EU country from outside the European Union, be sure that your cat has all the vaccines from the list below:
- Calicivirus,
- Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis,
- Panleukopenia (FVRCP).
For your dog, the list is different:
- Leptospirosis,
- Hepatitis,
- Distemper,
- Bordetella,
- Parvovirus (DHLPP),
- Parainfluenza.
Certain countries (i. e. Australia, New Zealand, Singapore) have mandatory quarantine for animals arriving from abroad. Pets may also be isolated when entering the UK if certain requirements are not met.
Know your pet
While certain animals can boast impressive stamina and will be perfectly fine after a twelve-hour flight in the cargo section, for some, even a short journey in the cabin is too tiresome. Many air companies require a certificate from your vet indicating that the pet is fit for travelling by plane. Animals under three months may not be allowed to board an aircraft with their owners, while the limit is even higher for some destinations. 'Flat-faced' breeds (like bulldogs or Persian cats) are highly likely to get special attention in the airport and may be restricted from flights by certain air companies. The reason, obviously, is that due to the form of their skull, these pets are more vulnerable to breathing problems, which they may experience on a flight.
Check out the air company's conditions
Different air companies have different requirements for animals onboard. Here are just a few examples:
Lufthansa
The German air company allows cats and dogs on board its planes, either in the cabin or the cargo section. One passenger may take up to two animals with them, either in the cabin or the cargo. First and foremost, the animals must meet the import/export requirements – otherwise, they may be denied boarding, with the company taking no responsibility for any additional transportation costs. Your pet may be no younger than 12 weeks (for flights to and from Germany, the limit is 15 weeks). For cabin travel, you will need a leakproof soft-sided container with a proper lock: the animal should be kept inside during the whole flight. The carrier's dimensions should not exceed 188 centimetres combined, and its total weight with the pet inside should be no more than eight kilograms. Special rules apply to fighting dogs and assistance dogs.
KLM, Air France
Pets are restricted from travelling in the cabin on intercontinental flights, as well as for business class passengers. Your cat or dog must be at least 15 weeks old to travel internationally with Air France or KLM; the air company also pays special attention to certain destinations and vaccine regulations. For transporting your pet in the cabin, the weight of the container must be no more than 8 kilograms; it should be spacious enough for the cat or dog to move inside comfortably yet, suitable for moving under the seat in front. Air France also offers freight services, even for those who need to transport their horses!
There is one thing in common about all airlines: if you are willing to board a plane with your pet, you should better contact the respective company's support service to check out all the details and add your furry friend to your booking.
Consult your vet
Many air companies require a certificate from your veterinarian, confirming that your cat or dog is fit for travelling by plane. Apart from that, the vet may give you helpful advice on making the journey less stressful and prescribe some sedatives for your pet.
Consider leaving your pet at home
This tip may sound a bit off, but sometimes air travelling is not recommended for certain animals due to health conditions or other restrictions (remember the compulsory quarantine in Australia?). In that case, it would be better for your pet to stay with your family or friends: they may send you cute photos and videos, and you may transfer them money for usual expenses and special treats for your dog or cat.
Have a safe flight!
If you want to travel by plane with an animal, you will need to take care of your flight in advance, minding your pet's condition, your veterinarian's advice, and the rules of the air company and those of your journey's countries. Even though this may seem a bit complex, we hope our tips help you sort things out!
