One of the most common concerns pertaining to pet travel comes with transporting a pet via cargo. Contrary to popular belief, pets aren?t crammed with luggage in a deep dark hole in the bottom of the plane. Actually, pets are loaded into a temperature and pressurized compartment separate from luggage. They are also the last to be loaded onto the plane and the first to come off. Usually before you even get to the gate! It?s understandable that the thought of having your pet transported without your supervision can be stressful for both you and your pet. But before you deny the idea completely, do some proper research. Know that thousands of pets are transported via cargo every year and as long as you and your pet are properly prepared, you shouldn?t worry. PetTravel.com has created a list of pointers below to consider before and during your transport to ensure your pet?s safety and well-being.
Before Travel:
- Introduce your pet to the cargo crate as early as possible. The more comfortable your pet is inside the crate the better. Also, remember to never use it as a scolding tool. The goal is to curb your pet’s anxiety and anxiousness while inside the crate.
- If you are considering transporting a puppy or kitten, please be cautious, especially in the summer or winter. It?s difficult for younger pets to fully acclimate to weather conditions. Consider transporting inside the cabin whenever possible.
- Traveling in the heat of the summer and the cold of the winter create a whole new set of variables to consider. These times should be avoided whenever possible. If you can plan accordingly, do so.
- Consider your pet?s age, health and temperament before travel and consult with your veterinarian. All 3 of these factors play a huge role in pet transport. If your pet has a history of being nervous, consider a sedative but NEVER a tranquilizer.
- Water is extremely important. Be sure that your pet is hydrated. Consider beefing up the water a few days before the transport.
- Replace any plastic fasteners with metal crate hardware. Although the plastic is sufficient, metal hardware will keep the crate locked and tight together. Some airlines even require the metal hardware.
- Does your pet like to sleep on your clothes? That?s because your scent comforts them. Consider putting an article of used clothing (such as a t-shirt) inside the crate to help curb anxiety and stress.
During Travel:
- It can never hurt to confirm your pet has been loaded on the plane. (We?ve actually heard of airline employees approaching pet owners on the plane letting them know their pet was loaded safely) This especially pertains when your pet is making stops in multiple airports.
- If your pilot is available for a quick chat, let them know your best friend is loaded in the cargo hold. Your pilot will most likely be aware of this, but there?s nothing wrong with a reminder and it will give you re-assurance for your flight.
- Consider dividing your itinerary into sections. If you?re on a long trip, pickup your pet and take them for a walk. Most major airports have a pet friendly section available on site or nearby. If you?re on an international trip, consider an overnight stay. Especially if the pet is not acclimated to traveling, easily stressed/nervous, or older in age. Just remember that if you plan to leave the airport, you will need to conform to the countries regulations on traveling pets.
- Traveling with multiple pets? Consider transporting them both in the same crate. Some airlines will let pets of the same breed travel together as long as they meet the airlines requirements.
Traveling with a pet in cargo doesn?t have to be a stressful experience. In fact with a little preparation, your pet can be one of the thousand happy animals transported worldwide every year. Find out more about Pet Travel.
Iza – if your layover is over 2 hours, then your dog will be transferred to a holding area. Staff is supposed to check their water bowl to make sure adequate water is available. Beyond that, it will depend on the length of the layover and the facilities that the airline has available to them. You may want to contact them for that information.
Susan
I am planning on bringing a dog from overseas. Will have to fly with Aeroflot so that means transit in Moscow. My question is what happens to the dog during those hours? Are you able to get them off and keep with you until your connection flight? Thank you
I am travelling from New Delhi to Bogota via frankfurt with my golden retriever. Any tips on travel with Air India with pets like GR.
Kemoy – the airlines do not like litter in pet crates. They will accept shredded newspaper, but we recommend a good pet pad. You can find good ones here: http://www.pettravelstore.com/pet-crate-accessories/. Using a pet pad will keep your kitty dry should an accident happen.
Susan
Hello, I’ll be traveling on a direct flight from New York to London with my cat next month. Flying into the uk he has to travel as cargo and I need some advice on what to do as far as litter. He has a fairly large carrier but I don’t want to cram him in there with a disposable litter box for 7 hours. Are there other options? Would cars be inclined to use pee pee pads? thanks for any input you can give me!
Rashmi – you need to continue to work on getting your dog accustomed to her crate. Even if she does not like it, it needs to become familiar to her.
Jason
I am traveling with my dog in July from Oman to LA and so stressed out because she is a very frightened and nervous dog. Already bought her cage but she doesnot like going in to it at all. traveling by KLM because they have a pet hotel to take her in during the 2.45hrs transit in Amsterdam. Route is Muscat-Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam LAX. Any tips to make her comfortable and safe
Kate – your cats should transit Doha as long as you are staying on Qatar Airways (and you indicate that you are.) If you are not currently planning to vaccinate your cats for rabies, you should verify that is not a problem with Qatar. Your cats can clear customs in the US without these vaccinations, however, most states in the US require them if they intend to reside in the US. You may want to verify the temperature along your route at the times you are landing just to make sure that the temperature does not exceed 30C.
Phil
I am looking for someone to look over my travel plans and see if there is anything I’ve missed or offer experienced advice.
I am flying from Entebbe International Airport in Uganda to Philadelphia International Airport on Qatar Airways in mid-August at the end of my two years of Peace Corps service. I have two cats (siblings) about a year and a half old. Both are fixed and up to date on their rabies vaccinations (each has a rabies certificate from the District Veterinary Officer). A relative brought their Sky Kennels (and accessories) last month and they have been playing in and on them since.
The first leg of the journey will be a 10 hour bus ride from my home in the north of the country to the capital. I will be purchasing extra seats so they are able to be next to me for that leg, and not in the boot. There is an extremely small chance that a friend could take them in a private car but I am not counting on that.
We will spend about a week in the capital filling out paperwork and going to health checks (theirs and mine) prior to leaving on the 12th. I have been in contact with a reputable veterinarian who works on pet transportation overseas and he will be assisting in the process exam, health certificate, and procuring the export permit from the Ministry of Agriculture. As far as I know, all I need are the health certificate and export permit for each cat for them to leave Uganda and enter the US.
The flight departs at about 6pm, however, given the rush hour gridlock leaving the capital, we will probably have to leave no later than 2pm to reach the airport in time. There is an hour layover in Doha at about midnight and the flight arrives in Philly at about 8am where a family member will meet us.
The average daytime temperature in Entebbe at that time of year is about 22C and drops to about 18C at night. My current location is in one of the hotter regions in the country and my cats are acclimated to this. In dry season, Nov-Feb, daytime highs are routinely over 34C and on bad days it can be up to 40C in the shade. They have never had problems with the heat (knock on wood).
Is there anything I’ve overlooked? Or tips for flying with pets on Qatar Airways?
Thanks!
Wayland – it is pretty hot in Houston, Texas in June. You may have temperature issues. United and Delta are the only airlines that can fly pets into Houston when the temperatures rise above 85 degrees unless the flight is arriving very late at night or very early in the morning when temperatures are not high. We do not see a direct flight on either of these airlines into Houston. Lufthansa has a nice route from Jeddah (not sure what airport you will be flying from), but the flight arrives at 1:50PM which likely may be a problem. Here’s a thought. Saudia has a direct flight to JFK. United does not serve that airport but Delta does. You can clear customs and connect to Delta who has most flights to Houston through Atlanta. Or you can look at entering the US at Chicago and flying United into Houston.
Hope we have not confused you.
Jason
Diane and Tony – some thoughts for you.. Niki Airlines (subsidiary of Air Berlin) flies out of Paphos (seasonal?) through Vienna to Alicante. We do not know anything about this airline, but assume they will take pets as Air Berlin does. (you may want to search for reviews). Not sure if they fly this time of the year. S7 also flies the route through Moscow, but the layover is 13 hours. (yuck) Tui Airlines flies the route through the Netherlands, but they are a charter airline and so may be not practical for you. More thoughts…can you drive to Lanarca and take off from there? You can check Air Berlin or connect to Iberia in Madrid to Alicante (the clearance should not be a problem as still an EU country.) You can also check Aeroflot’s schedule into Alicante (their service begins June 1, 2016).
Not sure if any of these suggestions will work, but they are worth looking at. this is not an easy route. The end game would be to layover in the EU if possible.
Susan
hi, I and my family planning to fly to Houston Texas USA from Saudi Arabia in June. I have 2 cats and 1dog.can u guide me is it OK for them to fly in June
We are thinking of relocating from Paphos Southern Cyprus to Alicante, Spain. We want to take our little Cyprus poodle with us. She was 10 years old last December, and of a nervous disposition. We want to take her the easiest, & less stressful way.She has had all the necessary requirements but can you recommend an airline that would take us all. She weighs just over 9 kilos so would not be able to travel in cabin. We want to AVOID going via the UK since it is expensive and a long journey for her. We have been told that it is possible to go via another route, she would go as access baggage. Please HELP!
Megan – although driving is, oddly enough, a bit more risky than flying, in your case and considering the anxiety of your pets, it may be wiser to drive than fly. Do your dogs do well in the car? Ours love a car ride and we drive them for 12 hours at a time frequently. If this is the case for your dogs, then a car ride may be the best option. Ask your veterinarian for their opinion.
Phil
Hello, My doggies are 12 (Maltese) and 13 (jack Russel x) the maltese has serious separation anxiety. I recently moved about 20 hours away and left them with my mom (who they adore as well) i would like to bring them to where i am but am really worried about them flying. i could drive them down (20 hours) or fly them (2 hours) im just so worried about her nervousness and age and being in a plane. would you suggest flying them or driving them? thank you so much!
Mausi – first of all, we must mention that there are LOTS of pet scams on the internet. Hope that your breeder has proven that she is legitimate. As for your kittens, winter is no time to be transporting a hairless kitten; the temperatures are simply too cold and you are putting them at great risk. If you can wait for the temperatures to warm up during spring, it would be much better for them. Otherwise, you may want to go and pick them up and bring them in the cabin with you.
Susan
I’m am considering purchasing two Sphynx (hairless) kittens from a breeder in Ukraine. She tells me it is safe to send via cargo. The kittens will be about 4 months old and very tiny. This breed is always cold and they would ship in February or March from Ukraine to NYC. Is this safe for the kittens or should I only consider a courier service that takes them in the cabin (much more expensive)?
Dee – we don’t blame you for being concerned. Make time for a long walk at the airport before checking them in at the cargo facility. That is honestly the best thing you can do. Get them a good pet pad so they will stay dry in case of accidents and freeze water in their bowls so it melts slowly. (get a larger crate bowl like this one – https://www.pettravelstore.com/pet-crate-bowl/) And certainly get them accustomed to their crates.
Jason
Hi Please could you advise how to feed before flying. My 2 Tibetan Terriers will be flying on the same plane as me with British Airways from Heathrow. The flight is at 7pm but we are required to be there 4 hours before, I live 2 hours away from airport so will begin journey at 1pm. I am very concerned as they will be in the crate for about 20 hours as we are flying to Singapore, flight is 13.5 hours. I am including time in crate in Singapore to before they clear customs. They will be flying in the hold. So hard not to stress about it. Regards Dee
Hi Ameena – You have done your homework. One thing that you did not mention is whether your cat has a microchip. Your cat must have a microchip and the chip number should be indicated on the health certificate.
Phil