Moving Overseas with Pets
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Anyone who has ever relocated to a different country knows what a stressful job it can be—and taking your pets with you adds an extra level of stress. Whether you’re moving abroad with pets or preparing for an international pet relocation, researching all customs regulations and necessary travel documentation should be at the top of your pet transport to-do list. Also ensure that your pet is healthy, relaxed, and safe on the road.
It’s important to be aware of all of the above. So be sure to do your homework well before flying overseas with Fido.
Checklist for Moving with Pets Internationally
Each country has its own customs regulations for bringing a pet into the country. So, we suggest that you become familiar with the applicable regulations when shipping your pet to the host country.
Here’s your international pet relocation checklist to keep handy.
Consult Your Veterinarian
It is advisable to talk to your vet about moving internationally with your furry friend. The vet will provide you with relevant advice regarding your pet’s health and the further steps for the move. If you need to move your pet from the USA to Europe, you will likely need a USDA-accredited vet.
Hire a Pet Relocation Service
If possible, hire a pet relocation service to ensure your move goes smoothly. Transport companies for pets handle everything—including paperwork, crate training, and overall move management.
Vaccinate Your Furry Friend
If you are going to take your pets with you, particularly if they’re dogs or cats, make sure that they’ve been vaccinated against rabies before moving them to a new country. Several countries require a waiting period of 21 days after a pet has received its rabies vaccination before allowing entry. Vaccination and parasiticide protocols differ according to the country.
Collect a Health Certificate
One of the significant pet travel documents is required when you have decided to move your pet internationally. An international health certificate serves as proof your pet is healthy and able to enter a different country. Authorities normally provide such certificates within 10 days of travel, although the timeframe may vary from one country to another.
Always check the expiry length and ensure your vet is accredited to provide documents acceptable to the destination’s animal import authority.
Crate Training and Preparation
Crate training is fundamental for international pet transportation because pets must travel in airline-approved carriers. The proper crate will make traveling with pets more comfortable and shipping pets overseas safer. Gradually introduce your pet to the crate, using positive reinforcement with a favorite mat or blanket and treats—they can learn to associate the crate with safety rather than confinement.
You must crate train your pets well in advance so that they become accustomed to it. It will take weeks and sometimes months for a pet to feel comfortable inside the crate for endless hours.
Airline & Travel Planning
Crate training is fundamental for international pet transportation because pets must travel in airline-approved carriers. The proper crate will make traveling with pets more comfortable and shipping pets overseas safer.
Gradually introduce your pet to the crate, using positive reinforcement with a favorite mat or blanket and treats—they can learn to associate the crate with safety rather than confinement.
Some pet-friendly airlines include KLM, American Airlines, and Lufthansa. Don’t forget to book your furry friend’s seat long in advance.
Prepare for the Move
Read the fine print on your pet travel checklist before heading overseas with pets—it’s not just health certificates you should be prepared to show to a customs official; keep track of records related to microchips and vaccination, too!
If you are flying with your pet as a carry-on, prepare a bag of essentials where you can store things such as pet food, waste bags, water bowls, medicines, and their favorite toys.
If your pet is traveling in the cargo instead, make sure their crate has a blanket with water and food. In addition, you can stick the plastic bag to the crate, on which you must write your pet’s name, contact information, and necessary documents.
Feeding and Comfort During Flight
During international pet transport, feeding schedules must align with airline and destination regulations. It’s best to pack travel-friendly pet food in sealed portions to comply with pet import regulations. As per the USDA, you should provide both food and water to your furry friend within four hours of check-in. You must avoid overfeeding the pet or feeding them close to the travel time.
The container may have restrictions for carrying food and water. But you can reserve a few ice cubes to help keep Mr. Teddy hydrated in the hot summer months. You can also ask airlines if their flight attendants will feed your pet during delays, emergencies, or layovers.
Avoid Sedatives
With few exceptions, most animal relocation services and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) say that sedating pets for long flights can compromise their health. Instead, try natural soothing—things like a familiar toy, low-stress exercises before the flight, or calming agents that a vet recommends.
While administering a sedative to your pet on the day of a flight may seem like a brave decision, it is not advisable to give them any drugs at all. There won’t be tranquilizers safe for your pet, and high altitudes will have a different effect on the animal.
Understand Country Restrictions & Quarantine Rules
Before you move with pets internationally, look up the pet import regulations in your destination country. It’s crucial to look for pet-related restrictions in other countries. Some countries will not permit certain breeds of animals. These also consist of “pit bulls” because they are supposedly not domesticated and are a dangerous breed.
Many countries will have a specific limit on the number of pets that will be able to enter their country.
Microchipping and Identification
Likewise, a microchip is an essential component of the rules for travelling with your pet overseas. Chip identification is required in many locations, and your ISO-compliant microchip must be associated with your pet travel documents.
Some countries will require the government to recognize a pet through a microchip. A microchip will just be like a small grain of rice that you will need to insert between your pet’s shoulder blades with the help of a needle, usually in a painless process.
This microchip enables you to quickly identify a pet in the event of its loss during transit. So, if your furry friend doesn’t already have a microchip, you should get it done before your pet takes the rabies vaccine.
Finish the Quarantine Requirements
Quarantine periods vary widely depending on your destination’s pet import laws and vaccination status. When moving with pets internationally, always reserve quarantine accommodation early to avoid last-minute issues.
There’s a possibility that your pet will have to be quarantined in the new country for as much as a few weeks or as little as a few hours. So, it’s suggested you book their place in advance, or else you will face issues after arriving in the new country.
Adapt your Pet to the New Surroundings
Find a place in your home where you can set up a bed and some toys for your pet. You could also have a blanket that smells of home for added comfort.
Manage Post-Arrival Checkups
Depending on which country you will be moving to, it’s recommended to take your pet for some more examination within a specific time frame after reaching the destination.
You will have to verify such specifics after you arrive in your new location. But you’ll always be better off seeing your vet later than not at all.
Pet Travel Essentials
Pet travel essentials are designed to not only keep your pet secure but also comfortable and attended while you move or travel with her.
Choose a Right Crate Size
To make the journey comfortable for your pet, choosing the right crate size is important.
| Size of the crate | Suitable animals |
|---|---|
| Series 200 ( Medium) | Tabby cat |
| Series 100 ( Small) | Small cat/ kitten |
| Series 400 ( Large) | Australian cattle dog |
| Series 700 ( Giant) | Golden retriever |
| Series 300 (Intermediate) | Yorkshire terrier |
| Series 500 ( Extra Large) | English springer spaniel |
| Custom rate | St Bernard |
All in all it will be impossible to measure an animal and expect to receive a size crate exactly for that animal. If you are unsure about the size of your adopted pet, it is best to buy a crate one size bigger. The extra space will leave enough room for your pet and keep them breathing easy.
Packing a Pet Essentials Bag
When traveling internationally with pets, carry a small bag of must-haves, including food, a water bowl, a leash and waste bags, medication, and important pet travel documents. Please keep in mind a favorite toy or blanket to keep your pet cozy and calm for the international pet relocation experience.
Purchase a Pet Travel Insurance
Unfortunately, your pets may fall sick, or an accident may happen to them at any time, so you must obtain travel insurance for them and save yourself from a heavy loss.
A pet health insurance will cover the following elements:
- Injuries
- Illness
- Diagnostic tests
- Medications
- Hospital stays
- Surgeries
Some of the pet insurance plans may provide you with a vet direct pay plan, which will make the reimbursement procedure much simpler.
Helping Your Pet Adjust After the Move
Ensuring your pet settles properly into their new home is important not just for its comfort and stress levels but also to help prevent behavioral problems.
Setting Up a Familiar Space
Set up a familiar nook with your pet’s bed, toys, and belongings in order for them to feel secure and comfortable in the new home.
Post-Arrival Vet Checkups
Arrange for a vet checkup as soon as you’ve settled in to make sure that your pet is healthy and adapting.
Establishing a Routine
Keep to your normal feeding, walking, and playing routines with your pet, as this will provide him or her with a sense of security and well-being.
What’s Next?
By now, you should feel confident about moving with your pet internationally. Alternatively, you can hire a pet relocation service that will successfully move your furry friend to its new destination and take away your stress to a wonderful extent.
Moving with your pet to a new country will take a lot of planning, but having them in your new home will be worth it. When you try to get settled in a new place, they will be a good source of comfort, and they can also be a reason for you to go out for a walk and meet new people in the new country.
FAQs
What kind of paperwork or documents do I need to move my pet out of the country?
Most countries require a pet passport, proof of rabies vaccination, chip details, and an export permit (if applicable).
What is the cost to fly a pet internationally?
Cost of flying your pet This depends on the carrier, destination, and service you use to move pets: $1,000 to $5,000 or more per pet.
When should I begin planning my pet’s international move?
Plan at least 3-6 months in advance so vaccinations can be completed and paperwork and crate training accomplished, as well as making arrangements to travel with your pet.
If I am flying internationally, can my dog or cat accompany me in the cabin?
Yes, small animals can fly in the cabin alongside Fido or Fluffy on some airlines, such as KLM or Lufthansa—but big animals typically ride colossally far below, in cargo. Always check airline-specific policies.
What if my pet needs to be quarantined?
Pre-book a quarantine facility in advance, ensure it’s government-approved, and take along your pet’s full medical records so you can prove that it is healthy.
Do I need to get pet insurance for traveling internationally?
Pet travel insurance isn’t required, but we recommend it for emergencies and loss or flight delays.