Cat Travel to the United Kingdom

Name: Kate
Number of Pets: 2
Pet Type: Cat
Pet Breed: N/A
From: Cambodia
To: UK

Hi PetRelocation,

I would like to find out how I can take my cats home when I move back to the UK - no date set yet but just finding out information now for the future. What are the requirements before leaving Cambodia and upon arrival in the UK?

Also, I've seen that some airlines allow pets in the cabin as long as their carriers can fit under the seat. How does that work in terms of them going to the toilet, on a 10+ hour flight?! Or is it better to put them in the hold, especially as there are two of them? Any advice gratefully received.

Thanks,

Kate

Hi Kate,

Thanks for your questions, we'd be happy to offer some information. It's usually best to review the official government website of the country to which you're traveling -- in this case the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Here you'll find information about the Pet Travel Scheme as well as how to import pets to the UK from "unlisted" countries -- which Cambodia happens to be.

Many international flights will only allow pets to travel via cargo. Though this sounds scary to many at first, it's actually a safe and even preferred method of traveling when cats are well crate-trained and when you choose a pet-friendly airline. Please find more information in this pet travel overview.

Ten or more hours seems like a long time for a pet to withstand, but as you can see from our client pet travel stories, pets travel safely all the time and tend to return to their normal schedule and temperament pretty easily. Again, crate-training is very important and we do recommend placing an absorbent material in the bottom of the crate to help keep it as comfortable as possible during the journey.

Please contact us if you have any questions and would like some assistance with this move. We'd be happy to help.

Either way, good luck with your cats' trip!