What Pet Travel Documents Are Needed?

Pets traveling to the United Arab Emirates require a UAE import permit obtained in advance and a USDA-endorsed health certificate (APHIS Form 7001 or a country-specific health certificate). The health certificate must be completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian within 7 days of departure and endorsed by a regional USDA office. Documentation typically includes vaccination records, a valid rabies certificate, microchip details, the owner’s passport copy, and flight information.

What Are the Pet Restrictions?

Pets entering the UAE must meet import and vaccination requirements and typically travel as manifest cargo in an IATA-compliant crate. Upon arrival, documents are reviewed by airport officials and pets may be examined. If there are documentation issues or signs of illness, authorities may detain or quarantine the pet for further assessment.

Do I Need a Microchip for My Pet to Travel?

Yes. All pets entering the UAE must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15-digit microchip. If a pet’s microchip is not ISO-compatible, the owner must bring a compatible microchip scanner or have a compliant chip inserted before travel.

What Are the Quarantine Requirements?

There is no quarantine for pets traveling from the United States to the UAE as long as all import requirements are met. Pets may be examined upon arrival, and authorities may detain or quarantine a pet if documentation is incorrect or if there are signs of illness.

Are There Any Area Specific Pet Requirements?

Yes. Dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before travel and no more than 12 months prior unless a 3-year vaccine is noted and accepted. Puppies must be at least 12 weeks old to receive the rabies vaccine. Dogs also require core vaccines including Distemper, Parvovirus, Adenovirus, and Leptospirosis, and cats require core vaccines including FVRCP. The UAE does not currently require a rabies titer test for pets arriving from the U.S. The UAE import permit is valid for 30 days from the date of issue.

Pet Transport for the United States

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Moving to the USA

2026 USA Pet Travel Guide

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA APHIS) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) both regulate cats, dogs, and other pets entering the country. However, many individual states also have specific rules you’ll need to follow.

USDA/CDC rules depend on where your pet has been living in the last 6 months. If you don’t comply with these import requirements, there may be delays and headaches when your pet tries to enter the US.

Microchip

Vaccinations

Blood Tests

Health Certificate

CDC Dog Import Form

Quarantine

How Starwood Can Help

Moving from the USA

How Starwood can help

Pet Travel from the USA

Whether you’re flying your pet to Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, or the United Kingdom, there are a number of hoops to jump through. Getting all of the details right can be confusing and time-consuming, and improper planning or documentation could delay your pet’s entry into the country. Let us handle all the details for you!

Our US Export Services include:

Door-to-door transport
Assistance with health certificates, import certificates, and other travel documents needed for pet travel
USDA endorsement
Airline-approved travel kennels provided with personalized labels, identification and emergency notification instructions
Customs clearance and delivery to your home
Travel consultation and flight reservations

Is pet travel safe?

Yes, pet travel is safe with the proper preparation and precautions. Thousands of pets fly every year without issue. You can read more about pet travel safety here.

Should I sedate my pet?

NO. It is not recommended to sedate or tranquilize any pet that is flying on an airplane. This can negatively affect their breathing and respiration when they are up in the air at high altitudes. This can be even more dangerous for pets with pre-existing conditions or snub-nosed (brachycephalic) pets. Starwood will NOT transport any pet that has been sedated or tranquilized. Additionally, if the airline believes that your pet has been sedated, then they can refuse your pet for travel. You can learn more about sedation and air travel in our blog post.

Where do pets travel on the plane?

Starwood only transports pets who are traveling as manifest cargo. This means that they travel on commercial flights underneath the passenger cabin in a space that is temperature controlled, pressurized, and oxygenated. Live animals travel beneath the pilot and the pilot must sign off on a manifest so they are aware of any pets onboard. Your pet’s travel kennel will be held into place by a thin netting that acts like a seatbelt to keep them safe and secure during takeoff and landing. Learn more about where pets travel on a plane.

Will my pet eat or drink?

You should definitely ensure your pet is provided plenty of water prior to and on the day of their big adventure. Our team will also make sure that their water bowls are topped off once we check them in for the flight. Once pets are in the care of the airline after check-in, the airline staff will be sure to top off water as well. However, it is NOT recommended for pets to eat right before takeoff or during the flight. This can cause an upset stomach, which we of course want to avoid. Our team will not provide food for the flight and we do not recommend feeding them less than 4 hours prior to flight departure. If your pet has a layover, they will be provided more water and some food (depending on the length of the layover). Water will also be provided once they have landed as they are clearing through customs. If your pet will be boarding or spending time in quarantine throughout their trip, they will be provided food and water regularly. You can read more about whether you should feed pets who are flying in our blog.

How will my pet go to the bathroom?

If you have a dog that is traveling, our team will provide them with a nice walk and potty break prior to check-in at the airport. Once your pet is checked in, they must remain inside their travel kennel until they arrive at the destination. We do not let cats out of the travel kennel after we pick them up since you know they can be sneaky escape artists. Upon arrival to the destination, dogs will be provided with a walk and potty break before they head home to you. Again, cats will need to remain inside their travel kennels unless there is a safe and secure room to let them out. Litter boxes are not permitted to be inside the travel kennel so please be aware that sometimes your pet may go to the bathroom inside the kennel. As they say, if you gotta go, you gotta go. If your pet has soiled their travel kennel and there is a safe place to let them out of the kennel then we do try our best to clean the kennel when possible prior to delivery. Learn more here.