Flying with a dog internationally from U.S. to Rome, Italy?

Question

Has anyone flew with their dog from the US to Italy? I have a 18 pound Dachshund that I plan to take to Italy with me for 3 months this summer. What airlines did you use? Did you have any problems bringing the dog into Italy? Did your dog have any problems during or after the flight? Are there any problems getting the dog back into the US?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Yes, I've taken several dogs over to Italy over the years.  I've flown Alitalia and Swiss Air.  My best advice to you is call your local Italian consulate office and gt all the necessary documents and information from them.  You have to have paperwork filled out from your vet, make sure your dog is up to date on all his/her vaccines.  Next contact the airline, because it is a small dog you will probably be allowed to carry it on board.  I know Alitalia had a limit on how many pets it would allow in the cabin area, so double check with them if they still have that policy and if they do, book early.  Also, make sure the documentation will last the 3 months and doesn't expire before that, which would mean you will need a vet in Italy to examine him and give you another document to present at the counter.  

Also, sometimes air travel may bother your dog, if you've traveled with him before and he is fine with it great.  If not ask your vet to give you a little pill to "relax" your dog.  I gave both my dogs the pill on the last trip, and they slept through the whole trip.

I would also recommend you take a direct flight if possible.  Less stress on the dog and you.

Answer 2

when i went to italy over the summer i didnt bring any animal but there was someone on our flight who brought a dog. they kept the dog in the back of the plane in those cages they have. but we took him out nd started playing with him in the iddle of the flight, everyone on the plane was and we were havin a good time until a lady yelled at us and told us to put him back. so im sure you can take your dog. you wil have to check what the airline your taking does.

Answer 3

I brought my dog with me to Italy, and it was an enormous pain.  First, you have to get a "pet passport"-your vet can help you with this.  It involves shots, deworming, and injection of a microchip into the back of your dog's neck, and then you have to get this documented by your vet and certified by your state government.  This is not cheap.

The airlines vary widely in cost, but I flew with Delta-it is (or was 2 yrs. ago) $100 per pet.  You must have an approved pet carrier-appropriate for the size of your dog, with food & water dishes, as well as absorbent material on the bottom of the carrier.

I regretted going with Delta, because I don't feel that they treated my dog very well-they did not give him food or water even once (though I gave them a bottle of water and dog food to give to him).  I was also bullied by the man who took custody of my pet-I tipped him $10, and he told me, "don't you want to make sure that I take good care of your dog?  You don't want anything to happen to him?"  Maybe it was stupid of me, but I gave him another 20 and did not report him.  I really didn't want anything to happen to my dog!

So, even though they're cheap, don't go with Delta.

It shouldn't be any problem bringing your dog back-the pet passport is good for a few months.  Double check with your vet for the exact expiration.  If it does expire, you will have to get a new one with an Italian vet, and their services are also pricey.

As for problems during or after the flight-I think he was shaken (and not fed or given water), and he also developed an eye infection.  I don't know where they kept him, but obviously near exhaust of some kind, or something awful.

I'm still glad that I brought him, but I have been here for two years.  You really might want to try to get a friend or family member to take care of your dog if you're only going to be here for 3 months.

Also-if you're flying during the summer, you may have additional problems.  There are regluations regarding the temprature parameters for flying with a pet, as they are kept in the cargo hold.  It can't be below or above a certain temperature.  If it's too hot, they won't let you fly, and you won't find out until you're at the airport, waiting for your plane.  I missed my first flight b/c it was too cold, but luckily it warmed up enough for me to catch the next one.

Answer 4

I flew on Delta airlines with my cat last year, and let me tell you a scary thing that happened-although it wasn´t the airlines fault.

We flew from Chicago to Germany last November via Atlanta, and when our plane was landing in Atlanta, we were asked to put the cat (he was in a soft sided bag) under the seat.  Well, it was hot, and luckily I checked on him when the attendant was out of sight, and he was panting up a storm.  I was so scared, but I put him back on my lap, and he was OK.

When our plane landed in Germany, my husband covered the soft sided container with newspaper on my lap, and we didn´t put Jake under the seat again.

Here is Delta´s website....www.Delta.com

I know Jake had to have an Avid chip put in him (the size of a piece of rice) because the German govt. requires it.  Also, his shots had to be updated, and I had to take the record to the Health Administration in Chicago for them to approve his flight.  The total cost of all of this, plus travel, was $400.00.

I don´t know about bringing animals into Italy, but hope you and your dog have a safe trip.  Take it from me, if you choose to fly with your dog, do not put him under your seat.  Thank God I checked on my cat, or our flight might have been tragic.