Vets giving a German Shepard a shot

Vaccinations Required for Dogs and Cats to Fly

ByKimberly Graner Updated on

An essential part of pet travel is making sure pets have the vaccinations they need to board their flight. This guide details what to expect for pets traveling domestically or flying abroad, with examples throughout to show how complex things can get depending on the destination. 

Vaccinations for Dogs

Vaccine requirements for flying with your dog depend on your destination. Domestic travel is generally simpler for pet owners unless you’re visiting Hawaii, but rules vary by U.S. state. Making sure rabies shots are up to date is always a good start, even for service dogs.

Flying Domestically

Entry requirements for dogs flying within the United States can vary by state. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is a good resource for interstate travel, as it breaks that information down for you.

Generally, dogs should travel with documentation proving current rabies vaccination if they’re above a certain cutoff. (That is usually 3-4 months of age.) Most states only ask that rabies vaccines are up to date. 

Most states require a certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) issued within 10-30 days before travel. The timing of these varies. California requires them within 10 days of your travel date, while Colorado and Florida require them within 30 days. The airline may want a health certificate dated no more than a week ahead of travel.

The CVI should be filled out by a licensed and accredited veterinarian and show not only the pet’s vaccination status but also the fact that they’re healthy enough to fly.

Outside of rabies, certain states may have additional vaccine requirements or recommendations, especially if there’s an outbreak of something within that state. Travel to Hawaii has added layers of complexity, including rabies antibody testing and potential quarantine stays.Airlines have their own rules on vaccines your pet needs, too, but this is more likely to apply to international travel. Airline requirements for domestic travel tend to overlap with those required by states.

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Flying Internationally

Vaccination requirements vary by destination, but as with domestic travel, assume that both the airline and your destination country want up-to-date rabies vaccinations. If it’s your dog’s first round of rabies vaccines, most countries require that you wait at least 21 days before traveling.

Health certificates for traveling dogs should include vaccination dates and your pet’s microchip information. Some countries also require rabies titer tests before arrival. These are blood tests that verify the vaccine’s effectiveness. 

Here are a few examples of additional vaccine requirements to expect when traveling abroad with your dog:

  • Australia: In addition to up-to-date rabies vaccines, dogs must be vaccinated against leptospirosis or test negative for the bacteria as part of their final health checks. Dogs coming from the U.S. must also be fully vaccinated against canine influenza (CIV). 
  • Fiji: In addition to rabies, dogs must be vaccinated against canine distemper, canine adenovirus type 2 (canine infectious hepatitis), parvovirus, and parainfluenza virus. This can come as a combo DHPP (or DA2PP) vaccine. 
  • South Africa: On top of rabies vaccinations, dogs traveling to South Africa must test negative for 5 different diseases and infections. These are Babesia gibsoni, Brucella canis, Dirofilaria immitis, Leishmania, and Trypanosoma evansi.

Depending on the foreign country, your destination may also require treatments for internal and external parasites before export. Your vet may have additional recommendations, especially in the case of layovers or quarantines. DHPP, Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough), and canine influenza are commonly recommended by vets for traveling dogs.

Vaccinations for Cats

As with dogs, vaccine requirements for flying with your cat depend on your destination. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) doesn’t require proof of rabies vaccination for cats traveling within the U.S., but many states will want to see that your cat has its rabies shots. 

Flying Domestically

The APHIS site we mentioned above is also a great resource for traveling cats, as vaccination requirements vary state by state. Unlike dogs, cats don’t always need proof of rabies to travel, but it’s always highly recommended, no matter where your cat is going.

Some states may not require a CVI, either, but the airline might. It’s always best to assume that your cat should be vaccinated for rabies with a valid health certificate before travel. 

A health certificate could address any questions upon arrival, as most states subject all pets to a visual inspection at ports of entry. Some states, like Utah, only require a CVI if your pet is being treated for a transmissible disease.

Flying Internationally

Vaccination requirements for cats vary by destination, but it’s safe to assume that most airlines and destination countries want to see a history of rabies vaccinations. If it’s your cat’s first round of rabies vaccines, most countries require that you wait at least 21 days before traveling.

Health certificates for traveling cats should include vaccination dates and your cat’s microchip information. As with dogs, some countries also require rabies titer tests before arrival. 

Here are a few examples of additional vaccine requirements to expect when traveling abroad with your cats:

  • Fiji: Cats traveling to Fiji must be vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days before their travel date. They must also have the FVRCP vaccine that covers feline viral rhinotracheitis, feline calicivirus, and feline panleukopenia.
  • United Arab Emirates: Cats traveling to the UAE need a rabies vaccine at least 21 days before travel and the FVRCP vaccine. Cats should be at least 12 weeks old at the time of vaccination.
  • The United Kingdom: Cats traveling to the UK need proof of a rabies vaccine. Three-year boosters are OK if they’re given within a year of primary vaccination. Cats from Australia need health certificates confirming they haven’t been exposed to the Hendra virus.

Many countries include internal and external parasite treatments as part of their import requirements. Your vet may have additional vaccine recommendations, especially if your cat is expected to spend time in a boarding facility or quarantine. FVRCP is a common recommendation for all traveling cats.

FAQs

Most pet boarding facilities require that dogs and cats have certain vaccinations. The most commonly required vaccines for dogs include rabies, bordetella, and DHPP. The most commonly required vaccines for cats include rabies, FVRCP, and feline leukemia virus (FeLV).

A health certificate for pet travel is an official document issued by a licensed veterinarian confirming that your pet is healthy and fit for travel. It includes details like vaccination records, microchip information, and proof that the pet is free from contagious diseases. 

Health certificates are often required for international and domestic flights and may come with attachments like rabies vaccination certificates. Air travel requirements vary based on your final destination and generally cover domestic pets like dogs, cats, and ferrets.

If you’re traveling throughout the European Union, a pet passport is a common alternative, but you’ll need a health certificate to get there regardless.

The documents you need to fly with your cat vary based on the destination. If you’re traveling within the U.S., you may not even need a health certificate, although airlines may want to see one for all pets. 

Destinations with strict rules to prevent rabies transmission may have additional requirements around rabies certificates, import permits, and certified health certificates for traveling cats.

The CDC Dog Import Form is an online form for dogs traveling to the U.S. from rabies-free or low-risk countries. It’s the only form your dog needs if they’ve only been in those countries for the last 6 months.

Receipts are emailed to you upon submission of the form. They’re valid for 6 months from the date they’re issued unless your dog visits somewhere else, even another low-risk country for rabies, during that time.

By Ground or Air, Tailwind Is Here to Help

Even if you’re sticking to domestic flights, travel with a pet can be complicated. Vaccination rules vary by state, and missing even one piece in your planning can mean delays at check-in or denied boarding altogether. 

Travel abroad can be even more challenging, especially if you’re bringing your cat or dog to a country with strict rabies vaccination and testing requirements. We work with complex cases every day. We’ve even worked with clients who choose ground transport for their pets over air travel for domestic trips. If you need advice on pet carriers and kennels, we can help you there, too. We’re a one-stop shop for safe, efficient pet travel.

Ready to get started? Each situation is a little different, so contact us to get an idea of the costs involved.

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