Whether you are a passionate globetrotter who can’t stand leaving your furry best friend behind or you are making a big move to a new home in a different country, travel preparation can be stressful and you may question how to travel internationally with your cat.
The preparation alone is time-consuming and requires an unbelievable amount of planning. And when you throw cat travel into the mix, international travel can seem like an insurmountable task.
But don’t worry!
This guide will help you through all of the crucial steps of the process so you don’t miss out a single step on travelling abroad with your cat. By the end of this guide, you will feel confident enough to take your cat just about anywhere in the world!
So, let’s get started.
How to Travel Internationally With Your Cat – All you need to know
Step 1: Research Country Travel Requirements
This may seem like a no-brainer, but make a list of the countries where you and your cat want to travel.
Will you both be bouncing around the world to multiple countries?
Or will you be picking a new home to settle in for the long haul together?
Either way, each country has its own unique requirements for pets who enter the country, so it’s absolutely essential that you do your research far in advance.
It is highly recommended that you use an official government website to base your travel requirements on as they would have the most up-to-date information about what is required. Many countries will direct you to the government body that handles the importation and exportation of animal goods, most often livestock or animal products.
Funnily enough, our beloved cats fit under that general category.
Most countries will require one or more of the following:
Health Certificate
A health certificate is a signed legal document that certifies that your cat is healthy enough to travel without medical complications. This health certificate must come after a specific type of veterinary medical exam, and it must be performed by an Accredited Veterinarian.
What do we mean by an Accredited Veterinarian? We mean a Vet who has taken an additional qualification in Pet travel and is authorised to complete Animal Health Certificates – this will not be all Vets and you may have to visit a different Veterinary Practice from your normal.
If you aren’t sure whether your veterinarian is accredited, make sure to ask! This health certificate is only valid for 10 days, so the timing here is crucial.
Microchip
A microchip is a small, electronic GPS device that allows anyone who scans it to be able to identify the owner’s information. Microchips are great for helping lost cats find their way home again. ID Chips are essential when travelling abroad with your your cat and in some cases, certain countries have specific microchip requirements that may not include the one your cat already has.
Once you have the country-specific microchip requirements, you can ask your veterinarian to scan your pet’s microchip, and they will be able to identify if your cat will need a new microchip for international travel.
Note: Always make sure to register your microchip and update the contact information so if someone scans your cat’s microchip, it will lead them back to your most current phone and address!
Rabies vaccine
As one of the core vaccines for cats in certain countries, it’s always essential to make sure your cat is up to date on their rabies vaccine, but even more so for international travel with a cat. Certain countries will require not only an up to date rabies vaccine, but they may require it to be given after a new microchip is placed.
If that is the case, it must be documented in your cat’s medical record as well as the official documentation for their Health Certificate.
Your Accredited Veterinarian who is handling your pet’s Health Certificate should be aware of this order of operation, but it is always good to double check.
Keep in mind for certain countries, the rabies vaccine must be given a certain number of days before the cat’s arrival in the country, so make sure to factor this into the timing of your cat’s veterinary appointments.
Rabies titer test
This is a type of blood test. A titer test is designed to see how many antibodies for the rabies virus are still in your cat’s blood. If you are unsure whether this is required for the country you are traveling to, always check their official government website for travel requirements.
Step 2: Research airline requirements for travelling internationally with a cat
Depending on the airline you choose to travel abroad with your cat, there may be specific requirements you have to meet in order to be allowed to bring your cat with you into the airplane’s cabin to go under your seat.
It is strongly recommended that you not only check the official airline website but you also hop on the phone and speak with one or more of their representatives to confirm that their current requirements are the same as the ones on their website.
Below are the airline travel requirements for most countries:
Total Weight
For most airlines, if the weight of your cat AND the carrier is less than 8kg (17.6lbs), you will be allowed to take your cat with you in the cabin. If your cat weighs more than this inside the carrier, they will not be allowed to travel with you in the cabin under the seat in front of you and may need to travel in the hold or as cargo.
At this point, I strongly recommend discussing with your veterinarian if it is advisable to travel with your carrier in the hold with other animals.
Carrier dimensions
This is a crucial piece of information to research as this varies wildly between airlines. If you go on the airline’s official website, there will be a section for pet travel that includes carrier dimension requirements in centimetres or inches, depending on the country you plan to travel to.
After purchasing a cat carrier for your cat, always double check the dimensions for yourself so you can make sure you are allowed to take your cat with you in the cabin.
Documentation
Double check on your airline’s website if any documentation is needed for your cat to board the plane. While the Health Certificate mentioned earlier is required for travel into the country, additional documentation may be needed to travel with that specific airline.
For EU citizens, you can usually obtain what is called a Pet Passport that can make pet travel a much simpler and easier process. But if you plan to travel outside of the EU, you may need additional documentation.
Step 3: Pack Travel Essentials for Your Cat’s Comfort
With the stress of preparing for international travel with a cat, it can be easy to forget some of those “creature comforts” that make traveling easier for everyone.
Sometimes, we forget the phone charger, or sometimes we forget to pack a warm enough jacket. But when travelling internationally with your cat, especially since they are unable to put on a movie and wear their noise canceling headphones, it’s essential to make sure you won’t forget any of their comforts that will make their time easier.
Here are some often forgotten essentials that will make your cat’s travel experience much nicer.
Portable litter box
Cats are often very particular about their surroundings and are notorious for internalising their stress. If they are too overstimulated or nervous, they may not use the litter box for the duration of travel. Or, on the opposite end of the spectrum, maybe they are a nervous pooper!
Each cat is unique, so having a portable litter box (and litter!) packed and easy to access will help you be ready for any situation.
Their favourite toy/bedding
For some cats, the smell of their favourite toys or bedding can help ease their nerves and bring a sense of comfort. Putting something that smells like you can also help them feel safer and more secure.
Feliway
This miracle pheromone is a lifesaver! Feliway is a cat-specific pheromone that is often used in veterinary clinics to help calm cats who are stressed or may be entering into a stressful situation. It comes in a spray format, so spraying this in their carrier ahead of time may help calm the nerves of a cat which is due to travel.
Food
If your international flight with your cat is a long one, or if you have a long wait in the airport ahead of your flight, it is handy to have your pet’s food available should they become hungry.
Especially for those much longer flights across the world, your cat may go without food for two to three meals. Depending on your cat’s medical history, this may cause problems down the line, not to mention your cat’s discomfort.
Always discuss with your veterinarian if it is recommended to provide your cat food during your international travels.
Water
This one is absolutely essential! There is nothing worse than getting off of a 12 hour flight and feeling like a living, breathing raisin. And that is with the complementary tiny cups of water provided.
Now, imagine how your cat is feeling. Bringing a collapsible water dish for your cat can make sure they stay comfortable and hydrated, especially on those ultra long flights.
If your cat is a frequent urinator or has a medical condition that requires them to drink more water, definitely speak with your veterinarian to make a game plan about how much water your cat should drink on their flight.
Cleaning supplies
Often forgotten and sorely missed, this can be the make-or-break travel essential that gets you out of trouble with your seat neighbours on flights.
If your cat has an accident mid-flight, having clean wipes and some pee pads can make all the difference. Never underestimate the importance of a wet wipe!
The Final Ingredient: Patience
During the chaotic whirlwind of international travel with a cat, it can be hard to be patient with your cat if they are not the easiest traveler. Make sure to take some time to give your cat some love and allow them the space and time to explore their new surroundings once you have arrived, even if that means hiding under the bed or in their carrier for a few days.
Cats are creatures who need their routines, so when their whole routine is thrown upside down, it can be hard on them. Bringing back certain aspects of their old routine into their new spaces will help them adapt quicker. But don’t rush them! They will adjust on their own schedule, as they always do.
Now that you’ve read this guide on how to travel internationally with your cat, you are ready to travel! Bon voyage!