Bringing a pet to Thailand
Flying a snub-nosed breed to Thailand
If you own a flat-faced pet, the airline part of the move needs careful research before you commit to anything else.
Last updated 30 May 2026
This guide was last reviewed on 30 May 2026 against the Thai embassy pet-import guidance (revised January 2025), DLD Animal Quarantine Station contacts and published export procedures. Thailand's Department of Livestock Development, airlines and origin-country authorities change their rules without notice. Treat this as orientation, then confirm every current requirement with the DLD, your airline and your origin-country authority before you book or travel.
Which pets this affects
‘Snub-nosed’ or brachycephalic means flat-faced, short-muzzled breeds. On the dog side that includes pugs, French and English bulldogs, Boston terriers, boxers, Pekingese and shih tzus; among cats, Persians and Himalayans. Their shortened airways make breathing less efficient than in a longer-nosed animal — and that is the whole reason air travel needs extra thought for them.
Why flying is higher-risk for them
Air travel means stress, confinement and, in the cargo hold, real swings in temperature and air. A brachycephalic pet copes less well with heat and stress than other pets, because its airway has less margin to spare. That is not a reason these pets cannot travel — many do — but it is the reason the journey has to be planned, not improvised.
Airlines often restrict these breeds
Because of that risk, many airlines restrict or refuse snub-nosed breeds, especially in the cargo hold. Policies vary a great deal between carriers and change over time. Do not assume your airline will carry your flat-faced pet: checking the specific airline’s current policy should be one of the first things you do, before you book flights or fix a moving date.
Lowering the risk
If your pet can travel, stack the odds in its favour:
- Fly direct where you can — fewer transfers and less total time.
- Choose the cooler season and cooler times of day for the journey.
- Consider cabin travel if your pet is small enough and the airline allows it — it avoids the cargo hold entirely.
- Get a vet fitness check before travel, and use a well-ventilated crate with room to breathe.
- Do not sedate without explicit veterinary guidance — sedation can make breathing problems worse at altitude.
If your airline will not carry your pet
If your first-choice airline says no, you have options: another carrier with a different policy, a different routing, or a pet relocation specialist experienced in moving brachycephalic pets. The key is to find this out early, so it shapes your plan rather than derailing it.
What comes next
With airline clearance sorted, work through the full import process, the DLD import permit, and arrival at Suvarnabhumi.
Official sources
Official sources to verify against: Thai embassy pet import guide (revised January 2025); DLD import application form R1/1 (via the embassy guide or DLD Animal Quarantine stations); Suvarnabhumi AQS import: [email protected].
Frequently asked
Which breeds count as snub-nosed?
Flat-faced, short-muzzled breeds — dogs such as pugs, French and English bulldogs, Boston terriers, boxers, Pekingese and shih tzus, and cats such as Persians and Himalayans. Their shorter airways are why air travel needs extra care.
Will an airline fly my flat-faced dog to Thailand?
It depends entirely on the airline. Many restrict or refuse snub-nosed breeds, particularly in cargo, and policies differ and change. Check the specific airline's current policy before you book anything.
How can I make the flight safer for a snub-nosed pet?
Fly direct where possible, travel in the cooler season and hours, consider cabin travel if the pet is small enough, get a vet fitness check, use a well-ventilated crate, and never sedate without veterinary guidance.