How to Take a Ferret on an Airplane

Cute and curious, ferrets are becoming more and more popular as pets. However, when a ferret wriggles its way into your heart and life, it brings a dilemma. As hard as it is to travel with cats and dogs, traveling with a ferret on an airplane presents a whole new level of challenges, especially since they are not welcome on most major airlines. If you are planning on trying to travel with your ferret on an airplane, there are steps you can take to make it possible, but you must start planning well before you want to purchase tickets.

Things You'll Need

  • Small pet carrier
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Instructions

    • 1

      Visit your veterinarian at least ten days in advance of your flight (but not more than six weeks) to get your ferret a clean bill of health. Veterinarians have health certificates they can fill out after examining your companion animal. Most airlines will insist on seeing this certificate, so be sure you have it to present or you may not be able to fly with your ferret.

    • 2

      Check the regulations of the city and state to which you are flying to see if your ferret will be allowed. You can do this by calling a humane society or animal control in your destination, or the fish and wildlife commission. Ferrets are illegal as pets in California and Hawaii. Furthermore, some places have local regulations that prohibit them. To bring your ferret on an airplane to Canada, you will need proof of rabies and distemper vaccinations.

    • 3

      Look for a ferret friendly airline. As of 2011, Delta is the only major airline that allows ferrets to fly in the airplane cabin. Flying your ferret in cargo is vehemently discouraged. There is sometimes no heat or air-conditioning and this should never be done during the summer when the temperature is above 80 degrees because the ferret can suffer heatstroke. Although they charge $60 each way, as an airline, Delta is very friendly to ferrets and ferret owners. America West and Air Canada are smaller airlines that also allow ferrets in the cabin.

    • 4
      A hard carrier is needed if the ferret is flying in the cargo section.

      Purchase your airline tickets and reserve a spot for the ferret on the airplane. Most airlines have a limit to how many pets are allowed in the cabin at a time, so if there is one cat already booked, you may only be allowed one ferret. Ask the airline representative if the airline has a policy regarding the type of carrier your ferret needs to be in.

    • 5

      Purchase a hard carrier (not a soft carrying bag) that will fit under the seat on the airplane. You will also want extra locks, a small crock or parrot feeder, puppy training pads for when your ferret eliminates, and a no-drip bottle.

    • 6

      Make sure that have your ferret's ID tags on him or her when you leave for the airport. Set up the carrier, attach the extra locks, fill the crock with food, place a toy and sleeper in the ferret carrier, and fill the water bottle with ice chips if it is warm out.

    • 7

      Leave the house with extra time to get through security as your carrier will have to be hand-checked before you board the airplane.

    • 8

      Make sure your ferret is well set up and secured before you get on the airplane as you will not be able to put it on your lap, take it out, or hold it during the flight.

    • 9

      Be inconspicuous and respectful when flying with a ferret so that these airlines will continue to allow them on board and so that others can enjoy the privilege of flying with their ferrets.