Bringing your dog to Japan costs anywhere from $1,000 to over $3,000+ USD, varying wildly based on flight costs (cargo is pricey!), vet fees for required tests (microchip, rabies, FAVN antibody test), airline fees, and potential agent costs, with essential steps like vaccines, a microchip, and the FAVN test and 180-day wait (if not done right) being key expenses, with major factors being your dog's size and the airline/service used.
Pets travelling from Australia can travel into Japan without quarantine, as long as all the import conditions are fulfilled. Pets from other countries may be subject to a quarantine period ranging from 12 hours to 180 days depending on the entry requirements.
To bring a dog to Japan, owners must follow strict import regulations including microchipping, rabies vaccinations, and blood tests. A quarantine period may apply depending on the country of origin. Prepare an official health certificate and ensure all vaccinations are up to date.
Flying a dog costs anywhere from under $100 for small pets in-cabin on some airlines to thousands of dollars internationally, depending heavily on size, route, airline, and if they travel as cargo (usually $300-$500+ domestically) or in the cabin (small pets only, often $50-$200). Factors like destination (international is much pricier), carrier fees, weight, and special crates significantly impact the final price, so contacting airlines or pet transport services for a quote is essential.
The cost of an international flight can range from $500 to $3000 or more, depending on the destination, airline, and other factors.
Currently, Virgin Australia is the only Australian airline offering in-cabin pet travel (small dogs & cats) on specific domestic routes as a trial (started Oct 2025), with plans for wider rollout, while other airlines like Qantas and Jetstar generally only allow pets in cargo or as service animals, but this is changing rapidly, so check directly with the airline for current rules and routes.
Air travel can be very stressful for dogs, especially older ones. Planes and airports are filled with all sorts of unfamiliar people, smells, sounds, and often other animals. All of this can create stress for dogs when flying; understandably, they may become frightened or overwhelmed in an airport environment.
You may book an extra seat for your pet. However, the pet must be placed in their carrier in the floor space of the extra seat. Pets are not allowed to sit on the seat. During taxi, takeoff, and landing, your pet must remain inside the carrier under the seat in front of you.
Service dogs fly free on most airlines, exempt from the pet fees other animals must pay. No carrier required – properly trained service dogs can sit at their handler's feet or on their lap (if small enough) Size restrictions don't apply – airlines must accommodate service dogs regardless of breed or size.
Yes, for most healthy pets, flying in airline cargo is safe when airline regulations are followed, and pets are properly prepared and medically cleared to travel. Pet cargo holds are pressurized, temperature-controlled, and monitored.
The 3-3-3 rule is a roadmap for the first three days, three weeks, and three months after pet adoption. It emphasizes patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement to help pets acclimate to their new environment.
Many places in Japan are dog-friendly, however, the majority of these places accommodate dogs that fit inside crates or buggies, or can be picked up and carried. Rocky's not a particularly large dog at 18kg but she's not one to sit calmly in a stroller either and prefers to stay firmly grounded on all paws.
If dogs and cats meet import requirements upon arrival in Japan, the quarantine period will be within 12 hours. On the other hand, dogs and cats that do not meet the requirements are subject to quarantine at a detention facility of AQS for the necessary period (up to 180 days).
According to the official pet import requirements for Japan, an actual 180-day quarantine is needed only if you have not completed the pre-move steps, which include microchip implantation, carefully timed rabies vaccinations, and a waiting period.
With Qantas Freight, you can book your pet to fly across our entire domestic network. For more information on what you need to do, and to make a booking, visit Qantas Freight.
United may accept your dog and cat. You can bring up to 2 pets per person. However, you must buy 2 seats on your flight if you're bringing 2 pets.
Your pet must always remain inside the carrier while on board. Carriers must be placed below the seat in front of you during taxi, take-off and landing. You may hold your pet in their carrier on your lap during the flight.
If you're flying with American Airlines, you can pay your pet travel fee at the airport or at a travel center with a credit card or paper voucher (where accepted). We don't accept cash or checks for payment.
Across the major airlines, you'll find the lowest pet fees at Delta ($95 each way), Frontier ($99 each way) and Alaska ($100 each way).
In-cabin rules can vary somewhat depending on the airline, but generally, if your pet and their carrier can't fit underneath the seat in front of you, they'll have to fly as manifest cargo. You can't just buy a seat on the airplane for your dog, especially larger dogs.
BARK Air began with a simple mission: make flying with dogs feel less like a hassle and more like a treat. Today, we're more than just an airline. We're a hospitality service with one goal: make every journey joyful for dogs and the people who love them.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for the adjustment period after adoption, representing 3 days (overwhelmed/hiding), 3 weeks (settling in/testing boundaries), and 3 months (feeling at home/bonding) to help owners manage expectations and provide patience, routine, and a calm environment, understanding that anxiety is normal as they decompress from a stressful past. It's a framework for recognizing stress and fostering trust, not a rigid timeline, but it helps owners understand why a new dog might seem timid or act out initially.
Will my dog's ears pop on a plane? They can do! Just like humans, they will encounter a change in air pressure which can lead to painful ear popping which can make the flight a little more stressful.
An hour for a dog feels much longer than an hour for a human because dogs perceive time more slowly due to their faster metabolism and heightened awareness of routines, so a 10-minute wait can feel like 70 minutes to them, and your hour-long absence feels like an eternity, though they don't grasp clock time but rather the intervals between events like meals, walks, and your return.