Pet Travel During Summer
The United Arab Emirates is known for its hot climate, especially during the summer months. For the welfare of the dogs or cats travelling, many airlines accept accompanied pets in-cabin (not more than 8kg cat or small dog) with ticketed passengers during the severe hot summer months. Most airlines do not accept pets booked in cargo. Travelling of pets during hot months poses risks as a few minutes outside in a carrier can proof fatal for some animals. Other problems which can be encountered during hot days are restrictions for certain types of breeds during a ‘seasonal embargo’. These types of breeds mostly consist of a brachycephalic type (snub-nosed breed) but are not completely directed toward this group. Snub-nosed breeds can be accepted as manifest cargo from October to April only.
Other travel setbacks can be that in some country destinations, your pet is required to be in a quarantine facility upon arrival. Quarantine seems like a scary word, but it does not have to be, as the quarantine facilities are professional and well organized, securing the best of care for the pets in their care. Here is a list of countries and the number of days your pet will be required to spend in a designated boarding facility:
- Australia – 10 days
- Hongkong – 4 months
- Indonesia – 7 days
- Malaysia – 7 days
- New Zealand – 10 days
- Singapore – 30 days
- South Africa – 14 days
There are different requirements and updates per country. To get more information, please send us your inquiry or request a quote online preferable 3-6 months prior to the expected travel date as some countries require a scala of tests to be done prior to travelling.
We regularly check with Etihad Airways, Emirates Airlines, KLM-Air France, Lufthansa, British Airways, and other airlines for an updated list of pets allowed in-cabin during the flight or in cargo or restricted from flying for a period of time (hot summer months, e.g.). Etihad Airways accept small dogs or cats whose weight does not exceed 8 kg together (with the soft travel carrier) in the cabin during the flight.
As of December 2020, the Emirates Airlines no longer accept the following snub-nosed cat and dog breeds on their flights in any seasons:
*DOGS: Affenpinscher, American Cocker Spaniel, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffin, Bulldog, Bullmastiff, Cavalier King, Charles Spaniel, Chihuahua, Chow Chow, Dogo Argentino, Dogue de Bordeaux, Japanese Chin, King Charles Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Lowchen, Neopolitan Mastiff, Newfoundland dog, Pekingese, Pit Bull Terrier, Pug (all types), Shar-Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and Tibetan Spaniel
*CATS : British Shorthair, Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Exotic Fold, Himalayan, Persian, Scottish Fold, and Selkirk Rex
*The above lists are based on Emirates Airlines only.
Most of these are snub-nosed dogs and cats with short noses or snouts. Brachycephalic, or ‘snub-nosed’ dogs and cats, are at higher health risk when exposed to stressful situations, heat exposure and excessive exercise which can result in serious problems and even death.
Brachycephalic pets are less resistant to heat stress than other pets. Stress for an animal can be brought on by unknown surroundings, closed spaces, noise, and the inability to relax. Although the hold is kept the temperature regulated (20°C-24°C) and pressurized, ventilation of your pet’s Travel Carrier may affect the airflow which your pet requires.
Here are some tips to minimize the risk when travelling pets, especially during the hot months we experience here in the U.A.E.
- Consider travelling in the period between October and the end of May, not in the Summer months
- Travel at night with departure and arrival times in the dark
- Keep a healthy weight of your pet
- Use a well-ventilated & approved travel carrier
- Get your pet associated with the travel carrier in advance of the travelling date
- Ask for a veterinarian health check within 14 days of travel
- Select the correct flight route – consider direct routes or a route with a layover
- Make use stress relief sprays to aid calmness and do not use sedatives as they delay response time of the body to certain situation resulting in health problems
- Consider the method of travel – in-cabin, excess baggage, or manifest cargo
- If you are nervous and worried, your pet will be as well, in that case consider someone else to drop your pet at the airport
- Provide plenty of water for your pet at all times – ensure water is available for your pet during their flight
- Do not offer your pet any food, 4 hours prior to the flight – travelling pets will not suffer on an empty stomach
Updated by Benedict Gozar, ABVC Pet Travel & Relocations Officer
