Travelling with Your Dog from Kenya to the UK or Europe

Planning to travel from Kenya to the UK or Europe with your dog? Start early. International pet travel involves several steps, and some requirements must be completed months before your flight.

The Basic Process

1. Microchip your dog
Your dog must have a compatible microchip before, or at the same time as, the rabies vaccination.

2. Rabies vaccination
A valid rabies vaccination is required. For a primary vaccination, your dog must generally be at least 12 weeks old.

3. Rabies titre blood test
Dogs travelling from Kenya to the UK or EU generally need a rabies antibody blood test. The sample is usually taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination.

The result must be at least 0.5 IU/mL.

4. Wait approximately 3 months
After the blood sample is taken, a mandatory waiting period applies before the dog can travel.

This means that starting the process from scratch can take several months.

5. Health certificate and export documentation
Closer to the travel date, your dog will need the appropriate veterinary health certificate and Kenya export documentation.

6. Parasite treatment
Dogs travelling to Great Britain require a specific tapeworm treatment 24–120 hours before arrival. Requirements for EU destinations vary.

7. Arrange the flight and travel crate
Airline requirements are separate from government requirements. The airline must confirm that your dog can travel on the intended route and advise whether the pet will travel as cargo or in the aircraft hold.

Your dog will also need an appropriately sized airline-compliant travel crate.

How Long Does It Take?

For a dog starting the process from the beginning, allow at least 3–4 months for the rabies vaccination, titre testing and mandatory waiting period, with additional time for documentation and travel arrangements.

A successful titre test generally does not need to be repeated as long as your dog's rabies vaccination remains continuously valid.

Travelling to the UK?

Great Britain has specific pet-entry requirements, including the rabies titre test, waiting period, health certificate and tapeworm treatment.

For air travel, pets travelling to Great Britain generally need to be transported as cargo, subject to the approved route and carrier requirements.

Travelling to Europe?

EU requirements are similar, but some details differ depending on the destination country and transit route. Additional parasite treatment may also be required for certain destinations.

We Can Help

At Mobivet Veterinary Clinic, we help pet owners in Kenya plan international travel for their dogs and cats.

We can assist with:

1. Rabies vaccination and titre testing
2. Health certificates and export permits
3. Travel documentation
4. IATA travel crate guidance
5. Pre-travel veterinary examination
6. Destination and airline requirement checks

The earlier you contact us, the easier it is to plan your pet's journey around your intended travel date.

Planning to travel with your dog? Contact Mobivet Veterinary Clinic for a personalised travel timeline and guidance

.Pet travel requirements vary by destination, airline and travel date. We recommend confirming the specific requirements for your journey before making final travel arrangements.