Traveling 

with your pet

Please schedule an

appointment with your 

veterinarian to discuss any 

questions or concerns!

Planning a trip with your pet? 

 Your Veterinary Treatment Facility can help!

Pet Behavior

Health & Import/Export

Depending on where you PCS, you may need up to 

4 months of advance preparation, so schedule an 

appointment with your veterinarian early! You will 

need to discuss state and country requirements, 

your pet’s current health and vaccine status, and 

any labwork or special considerations for your pet’s 

particular travel situation. Most countries require 

that pets are up-to-date on vaccines and have an 

International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-

compatible microchip. The microchip is essential 

for a smooth travel experience but can also help 

ensure a more speedy reunion if your pet ever 

escapes or is lost. 

More information is available at the United States 

Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health 

Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) web site: https://

www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/importexport/

animal-import-and-export/travel-with-a-pet.

http://phc.amedd.army.mil

1-800-222-9698

APHC Animal Health

This information brochure was written by Army 

Veterinary Services personnel and published by the 

Army Public Health Center to inform and educate 

Service members, beneficiaries, and retirees about 

Animal Health. Comments or questions regarding 

content can be directed to ARMY-VSPublications@

mail.mil. Locate your local Veterinary Treatment 

Facility at https://tiny.army.mil/r/JG66r/VTFs

Approved for public release, distribution unlimited. 

TA-348-0316

Counter-Conditioning

After you desensitize your pet to being in the crate 

and moving vehicles, you can then teach them to 

relax on cue! Ask your veterinarian about resources 

for relaxation exercises and teaching your pet to 

relax on cue. 

In-Cabin Air Plane Travel

If your pet is traveling with you on the airplane, in 

addition to the other recommendations, you can 

use your physical presence to help keep your pet 

relaxed. If you pat or interact with your pet, low 

even tones of voice and smooth, slow petting can 

help encourage relaxation.

Hotels

If staying in a hotel with your pet, try to keep time 

away short so they are not left alone very long. 

Keeping them in their crate during departures will 

also help avoid destructive behavior causing hotel 

room damage, which will likely add to YOUR stress 

and lead to frustration with your pet. Leave a radio 

or television on at a soft volume to help reduce 

any hallway or adjacent hotel room noise that may 

stimulate your pet to bark.

DOGS CATS POCKET BIRDS PETS RABBITS HORSES REPTILES /

AMPHIBIANS

Army Public Health Center Animal Health
Use of trademarked names does not imply endorsement 

by the U.S. Army but is intended only to assist in identifi-

cation of specific products.

Pheromones 

You can use pheromone therapy to help reduce 

stress and anxiety during travel and the moving 

process. For cats, there are Feliway® diffusers, 

sprays, and wipes (the spray is less than 3 ounces, 

and wipes should be allowable through TSA. 

Always check first!). For dogs, there are Adaptil® 

collars, diffusers, sprays, and wipes. Talk to your 

veterinarian for more details on pheromone use 

and what would be best for your situation. Use of 

the pheromones throughout the moving process, 

travel, and even for a period of acclimation once 

you reach your destination is highly recommended. 

This includes any stays in hotels or at houses of 

friends or family.

Desensitization

If your pet does not frequently ride 

in a vehicle, talk to your veterinarian 

about ways to introduce rides in a 

low-stress manner or to make rides 

more comfortable for an already 

anxious pet. Desensitization will ensure 

that they begin their travel as relaxed as 

possible. It will also help accustom them to 

the motions and vibrations of travel, which should 

help them adjust to an airplane. If your pet tends 

to get carsick, work with your veterinarian to 

determine if the cause is anxiety or true nausea. If 

nausea is being experienced alone or with anxiety, 

an anti-vomiting medication can be prescribed to 

reduce the discomfort. Never leave your pet alone 

in a vehicle for any amount of time. Offer frequent 

potty breaks and water, and always use a crate or 

seatbelt for safe and secure travel.

Food Puzzles and Toys

Provide enrichment devices for your pet to pass 

the time (if your pet gets motion sickness, be aware 

that food and nausea are not a good mix!). There 

are tons of options available, and you can mix some 

tasty treats in with your pet’s regular kibble. Try 

not to introduce any new foods or treats during 

this transitional stage to avoid stomach upset. If 

your pet does not have a history of destruction or 

inappropriate chewing or eating, you can provide 

toys in the crate as well. They may not play with 

them, but they may decide to chew on something 

to help relieve stress, so it would be best if they had 

an appropriate item to chew on instead of their 

crates or themselves.

Behavior Problems

If your pet is already sensitive to strange people, 

situations, or other animals, use a sign on the crate 

to indicate “shy” or “fearful of stangers” so that airline 

personnel are aware and may be more sympathetic 

if your pet barks, growls, or hisses during the 

transport process.

Medication

If your pet is already on medication, ensure that 

you have enough to get through the travel process 

plus a few extra days in case of delays. Talk to your 

veterinarian about gradually adjusting the schedule 

of medication dosing if you will be unable to keep 

the same schedule during travel, or if you will have 

a significant change in time zone. 

The use of sedatives is restricted for airplane travel. 

They can be dangerous whenever the pet cannot 

be monitored. Sedatives do not relieve anxiety. 

They will lower your pet’s blood pressure and can 

reduce the ability to regulate body temperature. 

If you think your pet has an anxiety issue, make an 

appointment with your veterinarian early so that 

your pet can be diagnosed and treated before your 

trip.

Travel Crates

Make sure to purchase your crate in advance, 

checking that it meets International Air Transport 

Association requirements. Acclimate your pet to 

the new crate by leaving it out and open and by 

putting comfortable bedding, toys, and treats in 

it. You can also condition your pet to voluntarily 

load into the crate in a non-stressful manner (yes, 

even for cats!). Ask your veterinarian how. It is also 

helpful to put a litterbox in the crate with your cat; 

if the crate is too small, you can use absorbent 

pads over their blanket or towel. Use familiar towels 

or blankets in the crates so that there are familiar 

smells surrounding your pet.