Travelling Abroad With Your Dog

by Caroline · Published February 27, 2020 · Updated February 27, 2020

Dog Travel International Requirements

Contents

Many countries have strict regulations regarding international pet travel. When considering traveling with your dog/cat or other pet on a flight here is a list of things to prepare for. Countries have different requirements and regulations when flying with your pet.

You want to keep your pet safe as well as other people even as you carry her/him along for family holidays or work trips.

If you are planning on taking your pet abroad, make sure you have all the information on requirements and regulations when it comes to traveling to or from any country to any destination with your pet.

Pet Traveling Documents/ Passports

Firstly, when traveling with your dog or cat you need a pet passport or third-country official veterinary certificate.

Carry originals of all your pet’s documents, not photocopies.

A Few Requirements of Dog Travel Abroad: Pet Passport, Carrier, Vaccination Records

The rules of travel can change if you are coming from an unlisted country.

Constantly check on the government website to have the correct requirements.

The pet passport will list all the treatments your pet should get before traveling.

Traveling Between EU Countries

The UK is part of the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS), which makes it possible for you to travel with your pet freely between EU countries.

Alongside this, your dog does not need quarantine although certain health requirements should be met and a pet passport issued.

If you fail to adhere to some requirements your pets might be denied entry in the country you are visiting or yours even with a valid passport. Subsequently, your pet can be sent back to the last destination at your expense.

All dogs coming from the high-risk countries must have a valid rabies certificate showing they are vaccinated for rabies and fully immunized. It takes 28 days for the rabies vaccine to fully immunize and protect your dog.

Undoubtedly, your vet will be the best person to help take you through the process of getting your pet a passport. He/she will be able to schedule your appointments appropriately and answer any queries you have along the way.

Furthermore, if they are not able to get you a pet passport he can point you to one who can.

Outside EU Countries Travel

Contact the relevant competent veterinary authority before you travel to any country to confirm any specific entry requirements and discuss these with your vet.

Make sure your pet is as fit and healthy as possible to withstand the journey.

The rules for how to bring your pet into or back into the UK are different for unlisted countries than they are for EU member states and listed countries.

It should be noted, an unlisted country is any country not listed in the list of EU or non-EU countries.

Requirements Needed For a Pet Passport

Pet photo
A tapeworm treatment.
The dog should be microchipped.
Rabies treatment/jab.

Pet Medical Care and Paperwork

A tapeworm treatment and rabies vaccination are necessary for a dog before traveling abroad. Besides, our furry friends will also need a blood test if traveling from an “unlisted country”. The dog should be at least 12 weeks of age before a rabies vaccine can be administered.

Following the departure from the EU, the UK will now enter a transition period until 31st December 2020. The EU rules of pet travel will be the same until the end of the transition period where the UK government will make new arrangements. For changes constantly check the government website before traveling with your pet.

When using a veterinary certificate you will need other supporting documents too. Check your certificate for full details. The certificate can be used up to 4 months for travel within the EU. Once issued with it you must travel within 10 days of the date the certificate was issued.

Tapeworm treatment must be administered by a vet not less than 24 hours and not more than 120 hours (1–5 days) before scheduled arrival time

Special Crates.

Without a doubt, after microchip identification, rabies vaccination, tapeworm treatment a passport/veterinarian certificate are issued you still need an approved carrier for your pet.

There are several variations of different airline approved pet carriers to choose from. Most carriers have wheels for easy maneuverability, while others function more as standard dog back carriers with handles and shoulder straps.

Get an airline approved pet carrier that allows plenty of ventilation for your dog to breathe and feels comfortable. Also, you want your pet to arrive safely by getting a design that keeps your pet protected, and secure.

Depending on if your dog is traveling in the cabin with you or will have to go to the cargo area ensure his trip will be safe and comfortable.

Airport Approved Crates Requirements

For international travel (and most domestic flights), pet travel crates are required to be the pet’s length + half their leg, providing plenty of room in front and back of your pet.

IATA requires height to be tall enough so that the dog’s ears cannot touch the top of the kennel while they are standing. Pets must be able to turn around and lie down comfortably.

Keep Dog Hydrated With a Portable Water Bottle

For a long journey, you can fix a water bottle and food bowl for your dog in the crate.

Airplane crates are required to have two separate food and water bowls attached to the crate door, rather than the sides. Not only, does it make access easy to airlines staff to have access to the bowls without opening the kennel door but also safe.

This allows them to feed and water pets during the flight without opening the kennel door. Kennel door should be shut well to avoid escape.

On your dog’s travel crate, include your pet’s important information – name, medications, your phone number, address, etc. Apart from this, include your final destination, flight number, and contact info of someone at your destination. Also, attach feeding and instructions, plus a bag of food, to the top of the crate.

The crate should have a big allowance on the sides to allow the airline carriers to safely carry it without being bite by the dog.

Other Requirements by Vet

Talk to your vet about your travel plans. Things that your vet has to do to clear your pet for flying include

Vaccinations Requirements

All dogs, cats, and ferrets must have proof of a current rabies vaccination administered after a microchip is implanted to enter the country she is traveling to.

The vaccination records should show the information below:

Batch number.
Date of birth of pet
Date of installation of microchip, its number, and location on pets’ body.
Date of vaccination
Manufacturer and vaccine name.
Contact details of the vet and signature.
Vaccination date of expiry/ validity.

For travel to and from any country in the EU and EEA, your pet dog or cat will need to be vaccinated.

Unquestionably, against rabies at least 22 days prior to travel. As well as that, the vaccine will have to be kept up-to-date by way of regular re-vaccination.

Blood Test

When your dog /pet is not vaccinated you will be required to do a blood sample. The results of the blood test must show that the vaccination for rabies was successful.

Before you travel wait for 3 months from the date the blood sample was taken.

Nevertheless, if the dog was vaccinated you do not have to wait for 3 months to travel.

As long as your dog’s vaccinations are up to date the blood test will continue to be valid.

Microchipping for Easy Identification.

Your dog must be microchipped before it’s vaccinated against rabies even when it has a tracker.

Importantly, make sure the vet records the number of the microchip on the pet passport or official third country veterinary certificate.

Moreover, if the chip is not ISO compliant you can bring your own microchip scanner to scan your dog at the entry point. Alternatively, get a tracker for your luggage as well to avoid losing anything. The tracker can be attached to your dog ID Tag.