Qatar Airways pet policy | Allowed animals, prices and booking

If you are planning to fly with Qatar Airways, be prepared for one major rule: unless your companion is a falcon or a service dog, they will be traveling in the cargo hold regardless of their size. This complete guide breaks down how to navigate their strict requirements.

Qatar Airways pet policy – Complete guide 2026

Flying with your pet on Qatar Airways is possible, although it’s not for everyone as dogs and cats are not allowed in the cabin. Qatar requires all pets to travel in the cargo hold, regardless of their size or weight.

The only exceptions being service dogs and falcons. If you are looking for a way to keep your dog under the seat, you’ll need a different airline. But if you want a carrier that treats your pet like a VIP during transit, this is a good bet. However we do not rate Qatar Airways as a pet-friendly airline due to the lack of in-cabin options.

• Summary ›
• Pet in cabin ›
• Pet in hold/cargo ›
• How to book a flight ›
• Required documents ›
• Recommended crate ›
• Tips from travelers ›
• Pros & Cons ›
• FAQ ›

1. Overview of Qatar Airways’s pet policy

• Accepted Travel Options:
  • ❌ In cabin: No* (Only falcons and service dogs are allowed)
  • ✅ Checked baggage: Yes, for pets with total weight up to 75 kg (including carrier and food)
  • ✅ Cargo: Yes, for pets exceeding 75 kg or traveling to specific destinations (e.g., UK, Hong Kong)
• Minimum age: 12 weeks for most routes (Note: 7 months is required for entry into Qatar)
• Main transit hub: Doha Hamad International (DOH)
• Booking deadline: At least 48 hours before departure
• Banned breeds: Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds
• Link to the Qatar Airways website

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2. Qatar Airways pet in cabin

You won’t see any pets in cabin on Qatar Airways flights as they are not permitted regardless of the size and weight of the dog or cat. That means that even small pets must travel in hold as checked baggage or cargo.

The only exceptions are service dogs and falcons. Service dogs are allowed in the cabin free of charge on select routes including flights to the EU, USA, Canada, and Australia. Falcons are uniquely permitted but only in the Economy Class cabin, with a limit of one bird per passenger and six per aircraft. These animals must be hooded and tethered throughout the flight. Emotional support animals are not recognized for cabin travel and must fly in the hold.

Service dogs fly in the cabin completely free of charge on all permitted routes. For falcons, the flight ticket price depends on your destination and ranges from $115 to $630 per bird for travel in Economy Class.

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3. Qatar Airways pet transport in hold and cargo

Since you can’t have a cat or dog in the cabin, they must travel in the hold or cargo often depending on the weight.

If your pet and crate weigh under 75 kg together, they can go as checked baggage. Anything heavier must be shipped as cargo as well as rabbits, hamsters, or ferrets. They are very strict about crates—they must be IATA-approved and “nose-proof” so the pet can’t stick its snout through the metal mesh.

The fee depends on the weight of your pet and also the destination. For most international flights you’ll pay $350 for a medium pet (up to 32 kg) or $450 if they are larger (up to 75 kg). If your pet is even heavier, you’ll need a custom quote for cargo.

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4. How to book your pet with Qatar Airways

Booking your pet’s spot on Qatar Airways flights is old-school, so do not expect to simply add them in your online booking section. Here is a summary of all three ways of booking process for your pet:

Booking pets in cabin

You can’t just add service dogs or falcons to your booking online. You need to contact Qatar Airways directly or visit one of their offices at least 48 hours before you fly.

For service dogs, they will want to see training certificates and health papers right at the booking stage to guarantee the space. If you are taking a falcon, it’s best to call as soon as possible since there’s a strict limit of six birds per cabin.

Booking Qatar Airways pets in hold

For pets traveling in the hold, you first need to have your own confiremed ticket. Once that’s done, you should either call their service center or visit their office and tell them the exact weight and dimensions of the crate.

Always wait for the final confirmation, as space is limited depending on the type of aircraft. You usually pay the fees for this at the airport check-in counter on the day of your flight.

Booking pets as cargo

If your pet is traveling as cargo—either because they are very large or traveling without you—the process goes entirely through the Qatar Airways Cargo department.

It’s handled separately from your own booking and the entire booking process takes place via the cargo service. You can find more information here.

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5. Required documents

The most important document is a “Fit to Fly” health certificate signed by your vet. For Qatar Airways, this is usually only valid for 10 days from the date of issue, so don’t get it too early. Service dogs must have their official training credentials, while falcons require their own specific Falcon Passport for travel.

Other documents depend on your destination country. This usually includes a pet passport or an Animal Health Certificate (AHC), along with requirements like a microchip, rabies vaccination, import permits, or a rabies titer test.

🐾 — Emirates pet policy guide here — ✈️

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6. Recommended crate for Qatar Airways flights

When flying with Qatar Airways, your crate must meet IATA standards, especially for the cargo hold. Because if the crate doesn’t meet limits, they can refuse to board your pet.

We recommend the SportsPet Design crate because its IATA-approved hard-shell construction and metal mesh meet Qatar Airways’ strict standards. It also features secure locking and attachable bowls.

Note: Always remember to remove the wheels before checking in, as the airline requires the crate to be stationary during the flight.

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7. Tips from travelers

When flying with Qatar Airways, always book night flights during summer – most importantly for the well-being of your pet and secondly to avoid heat-related boarding refusals during the Doha layover.

Also, since the pet fees are based on final weight of your crate, it’s good to keep a small financial buffer in your budget to cover any unexpected costs on the spot.

Another tip from real travelers is to ensure you get the confirmation of your pet’s flight as you can’t verify it online.

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8. Pros & Cons of Qatar Airways for pet travel

Pros

• World-class transit care
• Controlled environment in hold/cargo
• Cost-effective pricing
• Cultural perks such as falcons in a cabin.

Cons

• No pets in cabin with exception of service dogs and falcons
• Strict breed bans on snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds like Pugs, Bulldogs, and Persian cats
• Manual booking process
• Weather restrictions

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9. FAQs about Qatar Airways pet travel

Here are some of the most common questions and our answers about the pet policy of Qatar Airways.