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Flying, Driving or Moving Abroad With a Dog or Cat

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Six months old, microchipped, and carrying a receipt for an online form: since 1 August 2024, those are the baseline conditions for any dog entering the United States, including a family dog coming home from vacation. A road trip, a flight and an international move each have different risks and paperwork, so the sections below take them one at a time.

By car

The main danger on the road is a crash, and an unrestrained pet is a hazard to everyone in the vehicle. A loose 60-pound dog in a sudden stop keeps moving at the speed the car was going. Many harnesses and carriers are sold as "crash tested" without any common standard behind the claim. The Center for Pet Safety, a US nonprofit, runs its own crash tests on harnesses, crates and carriers and publishes a list of products that passed. Its early harness testing found that many popular products failed, so it is worth checking that list rather than trusting the packaging.

  • Put the restraint or carrier in the back seat. A front airbag can seriously injure a pet.
  • Do not let a dog ride with its head out of the window, where debris can injure eyes and ears.
  • Stop every two to three hours for water, a toilet break and a short walk on a leash. Cats usually do better staying in the carrier with a small litter tray available at longer stops.
  • Feed a light meal a few hours before setting off rather than right before, which helps pets prone to car sickness. Your vet can prescribe medication if a short practice drive shows it is a problem.

Never leave a pet in a parked car, even with the windows cracked. The American Veterinary Medical Association notes that on a 70°F day the inside of a closed car can pass 100°F in about half an hour, and dogs cool themselves poorly because they rely mostly on panting.

By plane

Small dogs and cats can usually fly in the cabin in a carrier that fits under the seat in front of you, and the pet counts as your carry-on. The limits are set by each airline, not by a national rule, so the details vary: maximum carrier dimensions, whether there is a weight cap for pet and carrier together, how many pets are allowed per flight, the minimum age, and the fee, which on US domestic flights is commonly $100 or more each way. Book the pet's place with your seat, as cabin spots sell out.

Larger animals have fewer options. Several major US airlines no longer accept pets as checked baggage except in limited cases such as military moves, and shipping in the hold as cargo is often arranged through a separate cargo service at a much higher cost. Cargo carries real risks: temperature extremes on the tarmac, long handling times and the stress of being alone. Many airlines refuse cargo bookings in very hot or cold months.

Snub-nosed breeds face the highest risk. Bulldogs, pugs, Boston terriers, Persian and Himalayan cats and similar breeds already have narrowed airways, and stress and heat make breathing harder. Many airlines ban them from the cargo hold entirely, and some restrict them in the cabin too.

Two more points catch travelers out. Since a 2021 change to federal rules, US airlines are allowed to treat emotional support animals as ordinary pets, so only trained service dogs have a right to fly in the cabin outside the pet policy. And most vets and airlines advise against sedating a pet for a flight, because sedation can affect breathing and balance at altitude. Ask your vet about alternatives.

Moving abroad, or bringing a pet into the US

International moves need the longest lead time, sometimes several months. Start with the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) pet travel website, which lists each destination country's requirements for dogs, cats and other pets leaving the US. Most countries require an international health certificate, completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and then endorsed by APHIS, often within a narrow window before departure. The European Union, for instance, expects a microchip implanted before the rabies vaccination, a wait of at least 21 days after that first vaccination, and a health certificate used within 10 days of being issued. The UK adds a tapeworm treatment for dogs shortly before arrival. Countries such as Australia and Japan require blood tests and waiting periods that can take six months or more, and Hawaii has its own quarantine rules even for pets coming from the mainland.

Entering the US is now stricter for dogs. Under the CDC dog import rule that took effect on 1 August 2024, every dog arriving in the country must:

  • be at least six months old;
  • have an ISO-compatible microchip;
  • appear healthy on arrival;
  • come with a receipt from the online CDC Dog Import Form.

Dogs that have been in a country the CDC classes as high risk for dog rabies in the previous six months face extra requirements, which differ depending on whether the dog was vaccinated in the US or abroad, and may need to enter through specific airports. US-based owners taking a dog on a trip to one of those countries should read the CDC rules before leaving, not on the way back. Cats are not covered by the CDC dog rule, though some states and airlines set their own conditions.

All of these rules change, and the CDC has revised its dog import guidance since 2024. Check the CDC, APHIS and destination country pages within a few weeks of travel, and again close to departure. At the other end, keep the first few days quiet and familiar, with the pet's usual bedding and feeding times.

Before any of these trips, ask your vet to check that the microchip scans and that its number matches the one on your paperwork, and update the registry with a phone number that will work at your destination.