international pet travel Archives

It’s an exciting time in your household as the whole family gets ready to move overseas.

Here’s some handy tips from our resident Vet Dr Sam, on getting your pet ready for overseas travel and what to expect….

What are important things to keep in mind to make sure a pet is comfortable in their travel crate? We recommend getting your pet’s travel crate delivered a few weeks before travel. This gives you time to introduce your pet to the crate in a familiar environment. For travel, Jetpets will line your pet’s travel crate with a stay dry fleece mat, where moisture sinks to the bottom, keeping your pet dry and comfortable throughout the travel journey. Some countries will let you put a blanket or a t-shirt that smells like you in the travel crate, and this can be of extra comfort for your pet – it’s best to check with your Jetpets travel consultant to see if you can do this for your destination. If your furbaby can be a bit nervous in new situations we also recommend Adaptil collars for dogs, and Feliway products for cats, to make pets feel as comfortable and relaxed as possible during travel – your Jetpets travel consultant can take you through your options and we can organise everything for you.
Will my pet need any vaccinations prior to travelling? Jetpets recommends that all pets are up to date with their annual vaccinations before travelling. Depending on your destination country, time sensitive vet work may be required. As resident Vets, we specialise in pet travel and can step you through everything that’s required, and can administer all vet work. We even do home visits!
Can my pet handle a long-haul flight? We understand when a pet owner expresses concern about how their pet will handle a long-haul flight. We are delighted when pet owners share back their happy travellers stories and express their delight at just how well their pet coped. As resident Vets we check on your pet prior to travel, and the sole focus of our pet loving team of experts is to provide a safe and comfortable travel journey for your pet. Want to hear from other Jetpets Happy Travellers? Visit us on Facebook.
Will my pet be provided with enough food and water to last the trip? Pets are lodged with sufficient water for their travel journey. We avoid feeding pets just prior to travel to avoid any tummy upsets.
What can I do to help my pet settle in to their new home after their trip? Let your pet ease into their new surroundings. Try and make sure your pet has familiar things around them – moving house is a big thing for your pet and a well-known bed or favourite toy can make settling into a new home much easier. And it goes without saying, don’t forget to give your pets lots of love!

It’s an exciting time in your household as the whole family is getting ready for a big overseas trip!

In need of a few handy hints to get prepared? We get the low-down from one of Jetpets Resident Vets Katherine.

Q: What top tips would you give to pet owners preparing their pets for a long haul flight?

A: We always recommend pet owners start the process of familiarising their pets with the travel crate early (you can find some handy hints on how to do this here.) Other things you can do to help include taking them on lots of car journeys in the travel crate so they get used to the crate and the movement, remain calm around them on the day of departure (we know it’s hard!) and add a recently worn old T shirt to the travel crate so they have the owners scent to calm them on the flight.

Q: Will my pet be fed before they fly?

A: We do not recommend feeding your pet within 8 hours of their flight as it may cause travel sickness. They will receive plenty of water throughout their journey.

Q: Will my pet get a chance to stretch their legs before they fly?

A: Yes, if you have a dog, our team ensure your pet is taken for a good walk before they fly. They will also relax in the Jetpets Transit Lounge before their flight, where they can walk around.

Cats will have the opportunity to stretch their legs in the Jetpets Transit Lounge before their flight.

Q: Why do pets have to be at the airport 3 hours before departure?

Like humans, pets are required to check in early for their flight too. The airlines require pets to be checked in 3 hours before international departure.

Q: Who loads them onto the plane?

After we check your pet in for their flight, the friendly airline staff will load them onto the plane.

Q: Where will my pet sit on the plane?

Your pet will travel in the pet’s cabin. The pets cabin is air pressured, climate controlled and dimly lit. Your pets will experience the same sounds and feelings as us, except they have a lot more leg room!

Q: Do pets get jet lag Katherine?

A: Just like humans, it’s possible that pets may also experience jet lag to a lesser extent. I’ve had the odd person tell me they think their pet had jet lag for a few days after their flight. Older pets in particular might take a bit longer to get used to their new time zone after a long flight.

Q: Do pets having any issues with a sudden change in climate?

If your pets are travelling from a hot to a very cold climate I would make sure they are kept inside or at least make sure they have a good warm coat to put on when they do go outside. If they are travelling from a cold to a hot climate, only walk them early in the morning or late in the evening and make sure they always have plenty of water and shade available (or keep them in the air-con).

Our Resident Vets are experts in pet travel, and are the best people to speak to if you have any health concerns about your pet. They can provide pet travel advice to customers worldwide, so if you’re planning a global move in the near future, get in contact with our team today.

Tag: international pet travel

Resident Vet Dr Sam’s handy tips for pets travelling overseas

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