Pet health while traveling: vet's advice

Pre-flight veterinary visit and health documents

The veterinarian checks your animal's general condition and, for international travel, prepares or updates the European pet passport or health certificate required by the destination country, confirming that rabies vaccination was administered on schedule—at least 21 days before departure if it is the first dose. For destinations outside EU low-risk rabies lists, an antibody titration test may also be needed, a blood draw performed at least 30 days after vaccination: the exact timing and necessity of the test should always be confirmed with the embassy or veterinary authority of the destination country, as requirements vary from one destination to another.

Feeding and hydration

A light meal at least six hours before takeoff reduces the risk of stress-related vomiting; water should be offered regularly but in small quantities to prevent your animal from arriving dehydrated while also not overloading the bladder during flight hours when it cannot leave the carrier.

Calming your animal without sedation

The veterinarian can recommend calming pheromones or natural remedies that reduce anxiety without deep sedation, which should be avoided because it interferes with the animal's ability to regulate its own body temperature at altitude. An item of clothing with the owner's scent left in the carrier, both in cargo and in the cabin, is a practical aid that carries no such risk.

Schedule your pre-flight veterinary visit with a few days' margin before departure, not the day before: if the need for an additional test or document emerges, you will still have time to obtain it.