Travelling with a pet

What you should know about travelling with pets

Moving to another country or a longer trip doesn't have to mean leaving your pet in the care of family or friends. Most airlines allow fast and efficient transport of animal companions. You just need to acquaint yourself with the legal regulations and the carrier’s conditions. The transport of an animal must be reported during the booking of an airline ticket, since this service must be confirmed specifically. For example, only one dog and cat may travel on a plane, so you need to make sure that your animal can be transported. Low-cost airlines such as Wizzair and Ryanair are an exception here, since they do not allow the transport of any animals except for guide dogs.

1. What should you take care of before travelling with an animal?

The law of the European Union requires all travelling animals to be identified with an RFID microchip. As well as being chipped, animals such as dogs, cats and ferrets have to be vaccinated against rabies. The animal must also have a passport, issued by an authorised veterinarian. Before leaving for Great Britain, Sweden, Ireland and Finland the animal has to be de-wormed, its blood has to be tested, and it has to be treated against tapeworm between 120 and 24 hours before travelling. To cross EU borders, a health certificate from a regional veterinarian is required.

Animals younger than 3 months are either forbidden from travelling, or are required to conform to a special procedure. This procedure varies according to the country. This is because you cannot vaccinate kittens and puppies during the first 3 months of life. Vaccination against rabies becomes effective 21 days after the procedure.

2. Guide dog

Even low-cost airlines allow flying with a guide dog free of charge on most routes, if the dog has all necessary documents, and the carrier was informed about the animal’s presence, preferably when the booking was made. Usually guide dogs may travel without a pet carrier, on a leash and with a muzzle, which does not have to be worn.

3. Pet carrier

In order for the animal to feel comfortable it should have a carrier in which it may freely stand and turn about. Only smaller animals may travel on some airlines in the passenger cabin — larger animals must be placed in an air-conditioned cargo hold. The carrier must contain a bowl with some water, food, if the flight will be exceptionally long, and a moisture-absorbing pad. The carrier should be ventilated on at least three sides. If it is equipped with wheels, then they should be removed during check-in.

4. Dangerous breeds

Carriers, for example Air France, frequently refuse to transport dogs of breeds which are considered dangerous. Others place such animals in the cargo hold, on the condition that it is carried in an appropriately durable, bite-resistant carrier. The regulations of the country you're visiting should also be checked. For example, Germany prohibits the entry of some breeds of dogs.

5. How to make the animal’s trip easier?

Dogs and cats may not be let out during the flight, which is why it is very important for the animal to have an appropriately sized carrier. You should choose trips without transfers. Before travelling, you should not give your animal food or water for at least 4 hours. If the cargo hold is cold, the animal should be provided with an additional blanket.

Views are divided concerning the use of animal tranquillisers. Not every dog or cat reacts appropriately to them, and they have side effects. If the pet is easily excitable, a vet's opinion should be sought.