Travelling with a Pet - An International Guide
- Mary Leigh Enders
- Nov 17, 2020
- 6 min read
Updated: Nov 18, 2020
To bring or not to bring your pet on vacation? That is the age old question. If you are a pet owner, like us, we always want to consider bringing our furry friends along for the trip, but how? Finding arrangements while you are away can be quite difficult, especially for an extended period of time. Of course we all know of the traditional options like hiring a pet sitter or a kennel, but these options come at a high price. There is a common misconception that traveling with your pet is a hassle, which we are here to debunk, from one pet owner to another.
We understand you probably have a lot of questions like; what are the steps, how does one get their pet on the plane, where does your pet stay, will they behave? No worries, we are here to help, after several times traveling with Henry we have found the ins and outs of bringing your four legged friend along for the ride.
Step 1: Check your Destination’s Pet Requirements
Every destination varies with how stringent or lax their pet travelling rules are... It is always crucial before you decide to bring your pet along for the ride that you research all the necessary paperwork and visits beforehand. Especially with COVID-19 still prevalent in our society, new regulations on travel are being implemented. Take note of the following:
Make sure you pet is up-to-date on all their vaccinations and veterinarian visits.
You kind of find this information out by calling your local town hall or preferred Vet.
Most pets require a Pet Passport.
What is a pet passport? A pet passport is a collection of documents (health, rabies, microchip certificates, import permits, FAVN test results, etc.) that are required for your pet to enter your destination country when traveling internationally. All documents are issued in your origination country by a licensed veterinarian and may or may not need a government veterinarian to endorse the forms.
When you arrive at the airport TSA will require you to provide your pet passport, so make sure you keep all this information handy!
You can apply for a pet passport here:
Step 2: Check Airline Requirements
Just like how certain destinations vary with their regulations on pet travel, so do airlines. When it comes to pet travel, most airlines share in common practice. In order to get your pet sitting with you in the cabin, airlines will figure the weight of your pet including the carrier to see if it meets maximum weight limits. Generally, 17.6 pounds seems to be the upper limit before you will have to have your pet stowed in the special, pressurized room most airlines have; however, you should confirm this with your airline. If you are flying domestically, this weight may not be as important as if you are flying internationally. To be safe, most airlines recommend that passengers carry their pets in lighter carriers (this will reduce the chance of fees). As well as considering weight, practicality is just as important. Make sure you get a carrier that is easily maneuvered in a high trafficked area.
Pricing: the average price to travel with your pet on a plane is around $100 dollars (give or take), so make sure you factor this into your travel budget!
Reserve your pets spot! You don’t want to get to the airport with your furry friend to find out that you needed to book your pets spot in advance. Check with your airline before planning to bring your pet to read up on the policies.
The amount of carriers you can travel with varies from cabin. For example: First Class allows (1) carrier and the main cabin allows up to (5). Make sure to consider these options when traveling with more than (1) pet.
Here are a few “Airline Approved Pet Carriers’:
Step 3: Manage your Pet's Anxiety
Once your pet passport is approved and you have read your airlines rules for pet travel, the next step is the most uncertain. Whether it is your first time traveling with your pet or your 100th time, new challenges always seem to arise. From a noisy airport to a crowded plane, the first step in traveling with your pet is knowing them.The last thing you want to deal with is a howling cat or a whimpering dog for hours until you land. So what can you do to keep your pet quiet during the flight?
Always consider how your pet will behave in certain situations. If your pet is nervous around a lot of people, try to comfort them and keep them confined in their carrier.
Take your pet on “mini trips”, travelling a distance in the car with them in their carrier and visiting a busy city or park. This will help you understand how your pet will interact with others on the move and how they handle confined spaces for a large amount of time.
Get them used to leashes and harnesses. Your pet will always be on a lead. If they are not used to it, they may cause problems while travelling.
Thunder jackets or CBD vitamins are a good way of calming your pet. Make sure to read instructions closely and give doses according to the manufacturer recommendations for weight and type of dog. It is always best to consult your veterinarian before giving your pet any type of medication or substance!
Here is a list on some of the best pet CBD oils:
Step 4: Being Respectful of your Fellow Travellers
While on the plane, airlines require pets to stay in their carries, preferably on the floor near your feet. It will be tempting to calm your pet by taking them out and letting them snuggle up on your lap, but try to understand that others on the plane may not enjoy this as much, so try to be considerate.
If your pet starts to act up, calm them down by reassuring them that they are okay, whether that be by calmly talking to them or sticking your hand into their carrier for some pets. The first time we traveled with Henry, we could tell that he was anxious, so we did what we could to give him the proper reassurance he needed during the flight. If you are traveling long distances, it's okay to take your dog out for food and water, just make sure to alert the flight attendants and nearby passengers that you will be taking your pet out.
When we know we are getting close to our destination we start to get a little restless, and your pet definitely can sense this. They will start to get a little more energized, try your best to stay calm, the beaches are only a couple of moments away.
Step 5: Arriving at Your Destination
Similar to how you boarded the plane, when you get off the local airport security will do a routine check on your pet. Make sure to have your pets paperwork on hand (carry-on bag) to provide to the airport attendants. You are allowed to have your pet outside of the carrier once you are in the airport (Must be on a leash). Your dog will be a little confused on where they are, but no worries they are just as relieved as you are to be out of that plane.
Step 6: HAVE FUN!
The final step is probably the easiest; relaxing. Ugh we know the dreaded moment of settling into your new home for a week or two, next to crystal blue waters and white sand…. It’s the worst ;-). Before you get too comfortable always research local grocery/ pet stores to make sure that you have enough supplies for your pet. Now that is all said and done, sit back and relax with a beverage or whatever makes a vacation a vacation, and maybe treat your pet with a little pet-approved treat, too.
We didn’t want this just to be about how you can travel with your pet to the Bahamas, we wanted this to help travelers from all around the world. It is important to us that everyone gets to enjoy a vacation once and awhile, even our four legged friends. From our experience this is what we have come to find the most useful when traveling with Henry to the Bahamas:
[This information is strictly for pet travel to the Bahamas]
An import permit is required from the Ministry of Agriculture, Trade and Industry (Nassau), for all animals being brought into the Bahamas.
The application must be accompanied by a $10.00 processing fee
The animal must be six months of age, or older.
The animal must be accompanied by a valid certificate which substantiates that it has been vaccinated against rabies within not less than (1) month and not more than (10) months prior to importation for the (1) year vaccine.
The permit is valid for (1) entry and must be used within (1) year from the date of issue.
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