How Much Does It Cost to Fly a Cat Internationally? (2024 Price Guide)

There’s no denying that traveling internationally with cats is a significant challenge, but it’s very possible if you do the proper planning and budgeting. Some common travel expenses you can expect to encounter include pet health documentation fees, airline pet travel fees, and pet travel gear. These can cost anywhere between a couple of hundred dollars to thousands of dollars.

International travel expenses will vary depending on your destination country’s pet travel requirements and your airline company’s pet policy. We’ll go over the common expenses you can expect to encounter and how you can start planning for flying internationally with your cat.

The Importance of Preparing for International Flights With Cats

Getting your cat ready to travel internationally can take several weeks to a few months. This is because your cat must meet the travel requirements issued by your destination country. Most countries will require a pet health certificate that’s been endorsed by the USDA.¹

Some countries have additional waiting periods for pets that have recently gotten vaccinated for rabies and other infectious diseases.

Airline companies also require documentation for cats that board their flights. They also may not allow pets to board flights with longer travel durations. Since each airline company has individualized requirements and fees, it’s best to contact them and ask about their pet travel policy before booking a flight.

Lastly, cats must remain inside their travel carrier at all times. So, it’s important to get your cat comfortable and used to being inside their carrier. Training can take several weeks to months before you start to see your cat feeling comfortable inside their crate for longer periods.

How Much Does Flying Internationally With a Cat Cost?

Because your cat requires a pet health certificate to travel, you can expect to budget a decent amount of money on medical bills. Different countries will have their own pet travel requirements, but you can expect to pay for rabies vaccines and tests for worms and other parasites. All pet health certificates must also be endorsed by the USDA. Endorsement costs will depend on how many lab test results you submit with your application.

International transportation costs will also depend on whether you choose in-cabin flights with your cat or hire an international pet shipping company. Most cats will be small enough to fly in-cabin, but larger cat breeds may need to go into cargo or fly with a company that specializes in shipping pets. Working with these companies is typically much more expensive than booking in-cabin flights for your cat.

Here’s a breakdown of the costs you can expect when flying internationally with a cat. But keep in mind that the exact costs will vary depending on several factors, so the costs below are just an estimate.

Additional Costs to Anticipate

If it’s your first time traveling internationally with your cat, you’ll have to invest in high-quality pet travel gear. The most significant cost will come from purchasing the right travel carrier. Airline companies have size requirements for travel carriers, as the carriers must fit underneath their seats. Since these dimensions vary depending on the airline, it’s best to contact your airline and request any information on any travel carriers that are in compliance with their size requirements. Make sure to purchase potty pads and pet wipes in case your cat has an accident during the flight.

It’s helpful to purchase a pet travel bag so that you can keep all your cat’s travel documents and gear in one place. You can also find collapsible food and water bowls and other types of bowls specifically designed for traveling.

When to Start Preparing to Travel Internationally With Your Cat

You can get a better picture of when to start travel planning by finding out the pet travel requirements for your destination country. You can base your timeframe on any time-related requirements, like vaccination waiting periods and quarantining.

In general, most countries require at least these three items:

Since it can take weeks to get all your travel documents in order, it’s best to get started on travel planning at least a couple of months in advance. If you don’t have a set departure date, you can reduce some travel planning stress by booking your flight and hotel after you’ve obtained your cat’s USDA-endorsed health certificate.

Keep in mind that cats can get very stressed out if their routine is disrupted suddenly. So, setting aside a few weeks to get your cat used to traveling can help reduce stress. Make sure to help your cat get used to and comfortable being inside their travel carrier. You can also spend this time testing out any pet calming products, like calming collars and sprays, to see if any of them work effectively on your cat.

Does Pet Insurance Cover International Travel With Cats?

Since pet insurance is related to medical expenses, you won’t find many pet insurance companies that cover travel expenses unless they offer a travel rider that you can add to their insurance plans.

Pet insurance companies may reimburse medical bills for any accidents and illnesses that occur while abroad. However, not all companies will cover costs from international vet clinics. So, make sure to contact your pet insurance company before your trip to see what their reimbursement policies are for international travel, just in case something happens to your cat.

If you don’t have a pet insurance plan, you can consider getting a pet travel insurance plan. This plan is only in effect for the duration of your trip and can cover costs related to injuries and illnesses that may occur while you’re traveling.

What to Do for Your Cat Before Traveling

Aside from getting your cat’s health certificate, it’s important to familiarize yourself with your airline company’s pet travel policy. It’s best to speak directly with a customer service representative to receive the most updated pet travel policy and ensure that you have all the proper documents that will enable your cat to board the flight.

Make sure to spend time getting your cat ready to travel. Practice getting them into their travel carrier and carrying them around. It’ll also be very helpful for them if you remain calm throughout travel planning and on your departure date. Your cat is very sensitive to your emotions and will start to feel stressed if you feel stressed. Staying calm and collected can help your cat relax while you travel.

Conclusion

It’s best to start preparing for your cat’s international flight at least a couple of months before your departure date. A significant amount of preparation time will go into getting your pet health certificate endorsed.

Pet insurance may help with any medical bills related to injuries or illnesses that occur during the flight. However, you’ll realistically have to pay for pet travel expenses out of pocket. So, taking the time to gather estimates on your cat’s travel costs will help immensely with creating a realistic budget for your trip and reducing stress while you plan.

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Featured Image Credit: Monika Wisniewska, Shutterstock