Traveling abroad with a canine companion may be a dream or a nightmare. A lot depends on you, your dog, and your destination. If you are planning to take an international trip with your furry friend, make sure you're well prepared for the adventure.
Make Sure You and Your Pet Are Up For The Trip
If your dog is prone to anxiety, has health issues, or is older and has never traveled before, the stress of international travel may be too much for her. If you don't have control over your dog, if he's destructive or aggressive, the stress of international travel with her may be too much for you. Weigh the pros and cons realistically.
Get the Details
Airlines have different regulations about pets and travel, so make sure you call any airline you're flying with to get all the details. You might ask:
- Do they have any restrictions on breed, size, age of the dog, etc.?
- In what weather conditions or times of the year are dogs restricted from traveling in the cargo area?
- Is the cargo area pressurized and/or temperature controlled?
- What are the requirements (if you have a small dog) for taking dogs into the cabin as a carry-on?
- Is there a pet limit per passenger (if you have more than one dog)?
- What documents will you be required to present?
- Where do you go to check in with your dog and how far in advance of the flight should you get there?
- What are the requirements and restrictions for carriers?
- What are the rules about bringing your dog's food and/or medications?
- What are the costs and fees involved?
Research Your Destination
Just like airlines, different countries have different requirements for traveling pets. Some countries may require:
- Breed restrictions
- An up-to-date international health certificate
- Proof of recent specific medical treatments such as blood tests, rabies shots, parasite prevention, vaccinations, etc.
- Government export papers
- Quarantine periods
- Microchipping
Get all the details in advance because your pet will be denied entry if you don't follow the requirements to the letter. Check with your accommodations as well to get their requirements on fees, restrictions, and dog regulations in advance.
Visit the Vet
Taking your dog to the vet for the necessary shots, treatments, and papers before traveling is a must. Remember that your vet must be endorsed by the USDA or the paperwork may not be considered valid.
The Animal Doctors have been providing quality care to pets in the San Francisco Bay area for 40 years. Our veterinarians have worked with many traveling pets and can provide you with any diagnostics, vaccinations, medications, or treatments needed so that your pet can travel safely. We are AAHA-accredited, which means that we are qualified to provide you with the necessary health certificates and documents you will need to present for your pet.
Call The Animal Doctors as soon as you plan your trip so that we can make sure your pet gets everything your pet needs within the appropriate time frame before travel. The Animal Doctors services the San Francisco Peninsula, including Atherton, Cupertino, East Palo Alto, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Menlo Park, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Portola Valley, Redwood City, Stanford, and Woodside.
