After a few weeks in the Netherlands, our days are starting to resemble a routine now. My husband and I are going full force in our businesses, we are learning Dutch, and we have already made a few friends. Our cat Roux is also finding friends in the neighborhood cats that wander into our garden.

It is true our relocation would not have been complete without our sweet Roux, and when we were planning our move abroad, one of our top criteria was to make sure we could bring a pet with us. It did mean a handful of additional work and steps to get here, and a little more investment. But of course it was more than worth it – and now she can brag to her new friends that she has flown internationally!

If you are planning to move abroad and are unsure how to bring your pet(s) along with you, you are in luck! We learned a lot during our experience, and while it was relatively simple to go through, it wasn’t easy to find the answers.

So, let this post be a guide for bringing the whole family with you on your move overseas.

As a note, most of our research was specific to bringing one cat. There is some information that is helpful for multiple pets and dogs, and there are links to get specific information based on your situation.

Why move abroad with your pet?

This is not a question I would expect most pet owners to ask, but it was a common question with our family. Pets can be an important family member, and changing your life does not have to include leaving them behind. While it is always an option to leave pets with a trusted family member or friend in the US, it may be reassuring to know that there are viable options to bring pets with you overseas.

Do all countries allow you to move with your pets?

Every country has its own regulations for animal entry. Once you narrow to a few countries you are considering moving to, it is best to confirm that they will allow your pet based on their species, breed, and health status.

You can learn more about the specific requirements by country on the USDA website.

Is it safe to move abroad with a pet?

In general, transporting your pet is safe for them, especially dogs and cats. Other pets may pose additional concerns, so it is worth considering what is best for the overall health of your beloved animal.

How to Move abroad with your Pet

Below is a helpful guide on what to research and plan for when moving abroad with a pet, from the general requirements needed to prepping your pet for the transition.

Health Requirements for Moving Abroad with a Pet

Regardless of where you choose to move, there will be health requirements that your pet must meet. This confirms that their health will not negatively impact the local animal population. Because there may be specific timelines you need to follow, research these steps as early as possible.

Obtain a health certificate

Many countries will require a health certificate for any pet entering the country. This official health certificate is issued by the USDA, and can be completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian.

Overall, the process is simple to complete with the following steps:

1. Schedule an appointment with your vet and let them know you want a health check for international travel with your pet. There may be specific information you need to bring based on the country, but you will at least need a printed copy of this document (APHIS form) with you. This document will be completed by your vet during the appointment.
2. Send the APHIS form to a USDA-accredited vet. If your vet does not qualify, they can send it for you to be signed and mailed back before your departure. This signed document needs to be obtained at a specific time prior to entering the country, so be sure to talk with your vet to understand what steps you need to take to ensure there are no issues when immigrating.
3. Have the signed document with you when checking into your flight. This will ensure your pet can board the flight (either in cabin or with cargo). It may also be needed when going through immigration in your new home country.

Get your pet chipped

Many countries require your pet to have an active registered chip. Make sure your pet’s chip is activated before you start the process; if it’s not, it will need to be activated first in order to log the proper information for vaccines. This was something we ran into when we needed Roux to have her rabies vaccination verified. We ended up needing to get a new vaccination to ensure it was registered to her. 

Vaccines

As mentioned above, rabies was a required vaccine for our cat to enter the EU. Again, this will be specific by country, so be sure to understand which vaccines are needed and if there is a quarantine period before your pet can enter your new home country.

Prepping Your Pet for the Move Abroad

Just like us humans, all the change at once can come as a shock. And your pet does not have the benefit of preparing itself for life change, so it is up to you to help with their transition. Here are some tips to make the transition smooth for your pet.

Get your pet used to their carrier

If your pet is not yet comfortable with their carrier, especially a new one compliant with the airline, ensure there is time dedicated to getting them comfortable with it.

For us, this meant leaving the carrier out for a few days for Roux to explore on her own. Then we made sure to put her in it and take her on short 5-min trips in the car. This way, she did not associate the carrier with the vet or anything else scary.

Take car rides

If transportation is new to your pet, taking some longer car rides can be helpful before the flight. Rides up to an hour or so may help train them to hold for potty breaks and get used to the feeling of riding in a vehicle.

Bring enough food for the first few days/weeks

If your pet is picky with what they eat, try to do some research ahead of time and see if the brands they are familiar with are available in your new country. If not, you can wean them off of it slowly, either before you move or after you land in country. The benefit of weaning after the move, there are only a few new things your best will need to get used to at once, and their stress levels can remain low.

Roux’s favorite freeze-dried raw foods are not available in the Netherlands, so we brought about two weeks’ worth of it from the US. By the time we needed to switch her to something local, she was excited to try something new!

Get them used to a harness

If you have a particularly rowdy pet, consider getting a harness for them – even while they are in their carrier. During check-in and TSA at the airport, you may need to take them out of their carrier. So to reduce the risk of needing to chase them through the airport, a harness may come in handy.

Travel Requirements for your Pet

If you are flying with your pet, there are specific requirements issued by each airline to ensure the safety and comfort of your animal. Be aware that almost every airline will charge a fee between $100-$500 per pet, so be sure to keep this in mind when budgeting.

Additionally, service animals will have their own set of regulations so be sure to confirm with the airline if you think your pet will qualify.

Cabin vs Cargo

Many small animals are able to fly right alongside you in the cabin. If you have more animals than people flying, or if their size exceeds the space under an airline seat, your animal may need to be placed with cargo. Be sure to understand your pet’s temperament and if they would be able to cope with riding in the cargo area if that is required.

Also, note that there may be some restrictions to which seats you are able to occupy on the flight if you have a pet with you so be sure to check with the airline before finalizing your plans if you are aiming for a non-refundable ticket price.

Carriers

Whether your pet will be in the cabin or in the cargo area, there will be requirements on the size of the carrier they are in. There may also be additional requirements for the additional items your pet has in the carrier with them.

When we had our cat with us in the cabin, she needed to have enough space to stand up and turn, as well as a puppy pad in case of any accidents.

For pets that are going in cargo, there can be requirements for food and waterproof materials for the carrier to prevent damage to the additional items being stored around your pet.

Pet in Cabin Requirements by Airline

Since there are so many variations in the requirements per airline, below are the main international airlines and their requirements. There are links to each airline to learn more, as well as some recommendations for pet carriers to purchase. If there are any major ones I missed, let me know and I will add them here!

American Airlines	Pet Regulations	Recommended Carrier	Additional Forms
British Airways	Pet Regulations	Varies by each aircraft
Delta Airlines	Pet Regulations	soft-sided kennel with maximum dimensions of L18in x W11in x H11in
Emirates	Pet Regulations	Max Dimensions: 300cm
KLM/Air France	Pet Regulations	Max Dimensions: L46x W28x H24 cm	Additional Forms
Lufthansa	Pet Regulations	Max Dimensions: 118 cm	Additional Forms
Qatar Airways	Pet Regulations	Max Dimensions: 300cm	Additional Forms
United Airlines	Pet Regulations	Varies for hard and soft cases

This chart contains links to products but they are not affliate links. I tried to find some that were not on Amazon but for some sizes that may be the only option. I will update dimensions and any other carriers as I do more research.