Do dogs have passports to travel?

You probably have a plan for your own passport, but your animal companion needs one too. All pets traveling to and from the United States need a passport.



Yes, dogs (and cats) can have official "Pet Passports," though the terminology and requirements vary by region. In the European Union, the EU Pet Passport is a standardized blue booklet that contains the animal's microchip number, vaccination records (especially Rabies), and a clinical examination stamp from a vet. This document allows for relatively seamless travel between EU member states. For travelers from the United States or UK, the process is more complex; instead of a "passport," they typically require an International Health Certificate (Form 7001 or IHC) signed by a USDA-accredited vet and often endorsed by the government. This certificate must be issued within a very tight window (often 10 days) before travel. Some countries, like Japan or Australia, have much stricter requirements including blood tests and mandatory quarantine periods regardless of the "passport" status. Essentially, while it’s called a passport, it functions more as a portable, certified medical record required to bypass border controls.

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You probably have a plan for your own passport, but your animal companion needs one too. All pets traveling to and from the United States need a passport. Keep in mind, a “pet passport” in the U.S. refers to the extra documents you need to travel to other countries with your pet.

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You will need a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection to travel and some airlines require an acclimation certificate. Both of these certificates can only be completed and signed by a federally accredited veterinarian.

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Flying a dog in the cabin usually costs between $125 and $200, while the cargo hold is typically over $1000. There are also licensed companies that offer international pet shipping companies — they usually charge between $1000 and $6000.

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Usually dogs are only allowed to fly in the cabin—known as carry-on pets—if they can comfortably fit in a carrier that you can stow under the seat in front of you. A small number of airlines, including JetBlue, Alaska Airlines, and Etihad Airways, allow passengers flying with dogs to buy an extra seat for their pet.

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The whole process of flying can be stressful for a dog, but those levels of stress can be greatly reduced with a few simple home comforts and reassurances. Ensuring your flight is a non-stop flight rather than one with changeovers can be a huge benefit to your dog, as can looking to travel at a suitable time.

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Pets traveling in the cabin need to stay inside a carrier. Carrier requirements may change from airline to airline, but dogs should be able to stand naturally and turn around inside it without touching the sides or top. Can my cat or dog sit on my lap? No.

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A pet passport helps pet owners to avoid lengthy and expensive quarantine periods upon arrival at their destination, makes travel less stressful for both pet owners and their animals, and helps pet owners meet the requirements of pet entry for their destination country quickly and easily.

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Traveling with a pet can be a stressful experience, but there are several airlines that allow pets to fly alone. Before booking a flight for your pet, it's important to research the various regulations and requirements of each airline.

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We only allow service dogs flying with their owners, or service dogs in training who are flying with their trainers, on our flights for free. All other cats and dogs fly as pets.

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Generally, airlines charge a pet fee of $100 to $200 each way, but prices will vary depending on where you're traveling and your airline. Check the airline's pet policy before purchasing a ticket to make sure your pet meets the airline's breed and size requirements. If not, the airline won't let them board.

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Dogs' ears can be sensitive to changes in air pressure during flights, which can cause discomfort or pain. Providing your dog with plenty of water and a comfortable carrier can help alleviate these symptoms.

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With that said, assuming your dog or cat is in very good health (as confirmed by your licensed vet) and assuming you properly prepare your pet for cargo travel (i.e. ensure he or she knows how to eat and drink from the kennel's bowls), cargo travel should be a safe travel option for your four-legged family.

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In general, if your pet carrier (with your pet inside) can fit under the seat in front of you, your dog can ride in the cabin on flights that permit it. Typically, this would be a dog weighing up to about 20 pounds.

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A 40-pound dog is indeed too large to travel in-cabin on most (if not all) airlines and will have to ride as cargo. Besides very small pets, only trained and certified service or support dogs with legitimate documentation can sometimes accompany their owners in-cabin.

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To get a pet passport in the USA, you will need to ensure you get booked in with your vet at the earliest opportunity. Before this though, you will need to ensure your vet is federally accredited. If they are not, you will not be able to obtain your USA pet passport from them.

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