Kennel Requirements for Pets Traveling with Your Checked Baggage

Priority Pets traveling with your checked baggage will need to be housed in kennels that adhere to regulations and guidelines mandated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Construction

• The kennel must be of rigid construction with a solid top, have ventilation openings on at least three sides and a door made of metal. For international travel, kennels must have ventilation openings on all four sides.
• The following kennels do not meet regulations for checked baggage and are therefore prohibited:
  • Soft-sided kennels
  • Hard-sided carry-on kennels
  • Knockdown or folding kennels
  • Kennels made entirely of welded mesh, wire mesh or wicker
  • Kennels with doors or ventilation openings on top. 
  • Kennels with Plastic or FiberglassTM doors.
• All hardware (nuts, bolts, rivets, latches, locking mechanisms, etc.) must be secure and in good repair. Each hole provided for on the kennel must be secured by a nut and bolt.
• Do not put a lock on the kennel door. In the event of an emergency, your pet needs to be accessible. 
• A spacer bar or rim protruding at least ¾ inch (1.9 cm) must be provided on all sides with ventilation openings.
• Any wheels on the kennel need to be locked or otherwise rendered inoperable. If the wheels cannot be locked, they must either be removed or taped to prevent the kennel from rolling in transit.

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Size

• The kennel must be large enough to permit your dog or cat to stand and sit erect, turn around and lie in a natural position.
• Your dog or cat's head (including its ears) must not touch the top while sitting or standing inside the kennel. A good rule-of-thumb is to stand your pet next to the kennel. If its head or ears extend beyond the top of the kennel, a larger kennel will be required.
• Kennels for pets other than dogs or cats must be large enough to allow the animal to stand, sit and lay.
• Kennels whose combined length, width and height are less than 52 inches (132 cm) are not permitted; they are not of sufficient size or strength to safely contain your pet.

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Food and Water Dishes

• Your kennel must have two (2) empty dishes - one (1) for food and one (1) for water, securely fastened to the inside of the kennel yet accessible from the outside without opening the door.
• A one-piece dish is allowed provided it is divided into two (2) separate compartments.

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Absorbent Material

• The kennel must contain absorbent material or bedding. Towels, blankets, and shredded black and white newspaper are good choices.
• Do not use colored newspaper. The inks used in color printing may be toxic to animals.
• Organic materials, like straw, hay, or wood shavings are prohibited outside of the U.S. Mainland and Alaska.

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Required Labels and Markings

Regulations require that the kennel be labeled or marked in English and in block letters, as follows:

• The words "LIVE ANIMAL" at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) high, on the top and on at least one side.
• Indicate the top with arrows, or the words "THIS END UP" on at least two sides.
• Your name, address and phone number at both your origin and destination. It is recommended that you also include the pet's name.
• If your pet requires feeding during transit, indicate feeding instructions on top of the kennel.
  • If food is necessary, is must be securely attached to the outside of the kennel.
  • If no food or water is to be given, a signed statement from a veterinarian is required.
• You must certify in writing that warm-blooded animals tendered for transportation have been offered food and water within four (4) hours prior to check in with Northwest.
  • Allowing your pet to travel on a full stomach can be uncomfortable for your pet, so it's suggested that you feed your pet at least two (2) hours prior to check-in.
• If your pet has been sedated or tranquilized, you must indicate (on top of the kennel) the generic name of the drug used, the weight of each pet, the dosage, how the drug was administered (oral, injection, etc.) and the time your pet was medicated.
  • Caution: Routine sedation or tranquilization of pets is strongly discouraged as the drug's effects at high altitudes are unpredictable and may cause serious illness. Contact your veterinarian for more information.
• Print a copy of our live animal information label and attach the completed label to the top of the kennel.

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