Essential Guide to Travelling with Your Pets Abroad

Taking our beloved pets abroad isn’t as hard as it used to be. So long as you’ve done all the necessary checks and prepared your pet’s paperwork, you can leave and return to the UK with your pet dog, cat or ferret with ease.

Before you book and travel with flights from Manchester Airport, you need to ensure you’ve taken everything into consideration. Failing to do so can result in your pet being placed in quarantine or even sent back to your country of origin.

Planning ahead

Ensure that:

• Your pet has been microchipped
• Your pet has a pet passport or third-country official veterinary certificate
• Your pet has been vaccinated against rabies and taken a blood test if you’re travelling to an unlisted country
• Your pet has had tapeworm treatment
• That you use an authorised pet carrier on an approved route

Pet passports are issued by your LVI (local veterinary inspector) registered vet, and they’ll take you through all the necessary checks before you travel. Once 21 days have passed and your vaccination records are up-to-date, your pet passport can be used to immediately to travel and return to the UK. *

*Airlines demand that your pet is checked again within five days of travel to sure they’re healthy. When travelling to some countries, this can be as little as 24-48 hours in advance.

Before flying

Before you travel to the airport, your airline will determine how your pet will travel. If your airline allows pets who fit inside an approved carrier into the main cabin, ensure that your carrier allows your pet to stand and turnaround in its carrier.

If your pet is too big for an approved carrier and the main cabin, they will be transported in the cargo hold. Typically, large pets are checked in as accompanied check baggage, a service provided by many airlines, but always check in advance. If they’re in the hold, you must be travelling on the same flight.

Whether the method of travel is described as checked baggage or air cargo, these are both perfectly humane for your pet, the cargo hold is pressurised in the same way as the main cabin.

Your airline may have specialists in the movement of animals who can help you with any questions and concerns you may have.

Essentials to pack

• Water Blankets
• Identity tag, collar & lead
• Bedding & Towels
• Pet food
• A muzzle
• Grooming equipment

Things to consider:

• Foreign Climates – always consider how your destination may affect your pet. In hotter climates ensure they stay hydrated with constant access to water. Consider that shorter walks will avoid your pet becoming exhausted. If your pet has long hair, make sure they have been groomed appropriately before you travel – this is not as essential if you’re heading to a cooler region. For countries with extreme cold, make sure to bring a coat for your pet to keep them warm.
• First aid & medication – knowing some appropriate first aid for your pet is essential should an accident happen, if you’re in an area where you have trouble accessing a vet, this is invaluable knowledge.If your pet suffers from any medical conditions, taking the appropriate medication with you will reduce the risk of not being able to find any when you’re abroad.
• Plane travel – always abide by the rules of your chosen airline. Try and choose the coolest possible place for your pet so they don’t overheat.*
• Moving around – Long journeys can be stressful for pets, so ensure you’re never waiting unnecessarily for too long. Where possible, book direct flights and travel.

*unless you have registered permission from your airline for your pet to travel in the main cabin, they will be placed in the hold.

Get planning your next break, for you and your pet, with flights from Manchester Airport.