Written by Shaun, Managing Director and co-founder of Departure Pets – with lifelong experience in animal care and formal qualifications in animal handling and behaviour.
Understanding Domestic Pet Travel
Key Takeaways
- Feed your pet their last meal 6-8 hours before the flight to reduce the risk of nausea, vomiting, and crate soiling
- Always arrive at the freight department 2 hours before departure – the check-in window is strict and only 30 minutes long
- Never place loose items, toys, beds, or collars inside the crate during travel – a thin blanket or towel is all that’s needed
- Never sedate your pet before a flight unless your vet has specifically recommended it with supporting documentation
- Collect your pet within 1 hour of the flight landing – airlines cannot hold pets for extended periods after arrival
Pet travel is an ever-growing industry that helps move pets across the country for all kinds of reasons – from interstate relocations to collecting a new furry family member.
To make sure the experience goes as smoothly as possible, there are a few things we recommend doing, and a few things we strongly advise against. Here’s a straightforward guide to the do’s and don’ts of domestic pet travel.
The do’s of Domestic Pet Travel
1. Feed your pet their last meal 6-8 hours before the flight
It’s completely natural to worry about your pet being hungry during the flight, especially if they’re used to a regular routine. However, flying on a full stomach often increases the discomfort a pet can experience in transit – and can lead to nausea or vomiting.
Feeding too close to the flight also encourages your pet to relieve themselves, which is something we want to avoid where possible. Crate soiling – particularly faeces or vomit – is classified as a biohazard by the airlines. If the crate has been soiled prior to departure, your pet may be offloaded or refused lodgement altogether.
For this reason, we recommend your pet’s last meal be given 6-8 hours before their flight.
2. Encourage your pet to relieve themselves before check-in
Simple but important. Give your pet plenty of opportunity to go to the toilet before you head to the freight department. We can never fully predict when a live animal will need to go, so the more opportunity you give them beforehand, the better. Anything that reduces the risk of a soiled crate helps make the journey safer and more comfortable for your pet.
3. Arrive at check-in 2 hours before departure
Just like passenger flights, airlines have strict open and close times for pet check-in. Check-in opens 2 hours before departure and closes 90 minutes before – giving you just a 30-minute window to lodge your pet.
Traffic, unfamiliar locations, and unexpected delays can all eat into that window quickly. We recommend familiarising yourself with the freight department location well before travel day so you know exactly where you’re going.
There is parking on site at the freight department, so there’s no need to go to the main airport car park. It’s also a good idea to stay close to the airport until you’ve had confirmation the flight has departed, as there is always a small chance of delay, offloading, or cancellation – unlikely, but worth being prepared for.
Learn more in our guide: is it safe for cats and dogs to fly in cargo?
4. Collect your pet within 1 hour of the flight landing
Once the flight lands, pets are priority disembarked and are usually ready for collection around 30 minutes after arrival. That said, airlines can only hold your pet for a maximum of 1 hour after landing – they simply don’t have the facilities for anything longer.
We recommend tracking your pet’s flight so you can plan your arrival at the cargo department accordingly. Aim to be there as the flight lands to avoid any unnecessary waiting for your pet.
The don’ts of Domestic Pet Travel
1. Don’t place loose items inside the crate
It can be tempting to pop in a favourite toy or comfort item, but the airlines do not permit loose items to travel inside the crate. Here’s why:
- Toys, treats, and objects pose a choking hazard during transit
Collars, leads, and harnesses can get caught on the crate door or water bowl and injure your pet - Beds take up too much space and don’t leave your pet enough room to sit, stand, lie down, and turn around comfortably
- A thin old blanket or towel laid flat in the bottom of the crate is all that’s needed – it provides comfort and absorbs any accidents during the journey.
If you want to send a collar, lead, or any paperwork with your pet, these can be attached to the exterior of the crate at your own risk. Please be aware we cannot guarantee exterior items will arrive with your pet. Anything of value should not go in or on the crate – if soiled during the flight, it will be discarded on arrival. We recommend sending any bedding, toys, food, or paperwork to the destination separately.
2. Don’t feed your pet within 6 hours of the flight
As mentioned above, feeding too close to the flight increases the risk of nausea, vomiting, and crate soiling – none of which make for a comfortable journey. To keep things clean and comfortable, stick to the 6-8 hour fast before departure.
On the hydration front – don’t worry. Departure Pets secures a water bowl inside the crate door that is filled just before boarding, so your pet will have access to fresh water throughout the entire flight.
Please note: they are live animals and accidents can still happen, even when the fasting advice has been followed.
3. Don’t give your pet sedatives
Sedation is a firm no. Sedatives do far more than just calm your pet – they reduce heart rate, body temperature, and respiration. Under sedation, your pet cannot physically adjust to the changes in altitude and pressure during the flight, and cannot brace themselves during takeoff and landing, which puts them at real risk of injury.
Departure Pets will not transport pets under sedation, and will not administer sedatives unless specifically recommended by a vet with supporting documentation. Airlines also reserve the right to refuse acceptance of any animal they believe has been negatively affected by medication.
If you are worried about how your pet will cope with travel anxiety, there are safer ways to help:
- Crate training – if you have your own crate, building a positive association with it well before travel day makes a big difference
- Familiar scents – sending an old blanket or towel that smells like you to line the bottom of the crate can be reassuring for your pet
- Stay calm yourself – pets pick up on their owner’s emotional state. Research has shown that stress and anxiety can be contagious between owners and their pets, so the more relaxed you are in the lead-up, the more settled your pet will be
- Calming products – Departure Pets recommends Pet Relief’s Comfort and Calm blend – an Australian-made, 100% natural formula developed to support pets with travel anxiety, separation anxiety, and general stress
- Speak to your vet – for pets with clinical anxiety, a conversation with your vet is always the best starting point for tailored advice
Learn more about our Domestic Pet Travel services and the Australian ports that we fly cats and dogs to and from. If you’re looking for International Pet Travel, we can help with that too.
Ready to Book Domestic Pet Travel within Australia?
Your pet’s welfare is our top priority, and we take every measure to ensure they arrive home safely and happily. Get in touch with our team today to arrange safe and stress-free domestic pet transport.
- Request a Domestic Pet Transport Quote
- Request an International Pet Transport Quote
- NZ to AUS International Pet TransportQuote
Further Reading:
- What happens to my pet after their domestic flight?
- Managing Pet Travel Anxiety – Tips for a Calmer Journey
- Is Pet Travel Safe? All you need to know about your pets domestic journey
- The Pet Check-In Process for Domestic Pet Travel within Australia
- Learn more about how cold weather affects pet air travel in Australia
FAQS
How long before a domestic flight should I feed my pet?
Departure Pets recommends feeding your pet their last meal 6-8 hours before their flight. Flying on a full stomach increases the risk of nausea, vomiting, and crate soiling, which can result in your pet being offloaded or refused at lodgement. Your pet will have access to water throughout the flight via a secured bowl in the crate.
What can I put in my pet’s crate for a domestic flight in Australia?
You can place a thin old blanket or towel flat in the bottom of the crate for comfort and absorbency. Loose items including toys, treats, beds, and collars are not permitted by the airlines due to safety risks. Anything you want to send with your pet – such as their bedding or food – should be arranged separately to the pet’s travel.
Can I sedate my pet for a domestic flight in Australia?
No. Sedation is not permitted for domestic pet flights unless specifically recommended by your vet with supporting documentation. Sedatives affect your pet’s heart rate, breathing, and ability to adjust to changes in altitude and pressure, which poses a real safety risk during the flight. If your pet suffers from anxiety, speak to your vet or ask the Departure Pets team about safer alternatives.
What time do I need to arrive to check in my pet for a domestic flight?
Check-in opens 2 hours before departure and closes 90 minutes before – giving you just a 30-minute window. It’s important to arrive on time and know the location of the freight department in advance. Departure Pets recommends staying near the airport until you’ve had confirmation your pet’s flight has departed.
How soon after landing do I need to collect my pet from the airport?
Pets are typically ready for collection around 30 minutes after the flight lands, and airlines can only hold them for a maximum of 1 hour after arrival. Head to the airline’s cargo or freight department – not the checked baggage area – and aim to arrive as the flight lands. We recommend tracking the flight so you can time your arrival accordingly.
Do I need to quarantine my pet when bringing them into Australia from overseas?
Yes, pets entering into Australia must complete a mandatory quarantine period at the Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ) facility in Mickleham, Victoria, a minimum of 10 days, with very limited exceptions. Read our full guide to pet quarantine when importing into Australia, or speak with your Departure Pets consultant to confirm what applies to your pet’s move.
Last Updated: 6th July 2026
Airline policies, government regulations and industry requirements can change over time. This article reflects information current as of the date above. For the latest requirements specific to your pet’s journey, please contact your Departure Pets consultant.