Big trip, big planning energy. Qatar Airways is one of those carriers where the rules matter before you even pack a bag, and the first thing to know: dogs do not fly in the cabin here. Nala rides cargo or hold, full stop. That changes the whole game plan, so lock it in early and build everything else around that one hard fact.

Qatar Airways's pet policy splits into cabin and cargo. This page summarizes the weight limits, fees, brachycephalic-breed restrictions, and carrier specifications for both modes — sourced from the airline's official pet pages.

How Qatar Airways handles your pet

NO_PETS_CONFIRMED: cabin=no, hold=yes, cargo=yes. Cabin only for falcons (with limited routes) and trained service dogs on specific regulated routes; emotional support dogs NOT accepted. Pets travel as checked baggage up to 75kg (animal+carrier+kennel) on most routes; cargo for >75kg, non-domestic species, unaccompanied, or carrier >300cm. Australia / New Zealand: cargo only, animals can only enter Australia via Melbourne (MEL). Restricted breeds (heat-stroke risk above 21°C / 69.8°F) banned in checked baggage and cargo. Max carrier dimension 300cm (118 inches). Fees by route (one-way, USD): Africa/Europe/Far East ↔ Africa/Europe/Far East 450, ↔ Australia/NZ/Japan/Korea 630, ↔ Middle East/India 270, ↔ Qatar 240. CDC compliance required for dogs to USA; commercial dogs from high-risk rabies countries cannot enter Canada.

Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Tap the to read the exact wording; the opens the source page.

In the cabin Not accepted
In the hold / cargo Accepted
Snub-nosed breedsNot accepted

Cabin policy

Pets accepted Not acceptedverified 2026-07-14

Hold & cargo policy

Hold: Pets accepted Acceptedverified 2026-07-14
Hold: Snub-nosed breeds banned Yesverified 2026-07-14
Hold: Snub-nosed breeds listPugBoxerBoston TerrierPekingeseShih TzuChow ChowBullmastiffCane CorsoDogue de BordeauxBrussels GriffonAffenpinscherJapanese ChinShar PeiStaffordshire Bull TerrierMastiffverified 2026-07-14
Hold: Minimum age6 weeksverified 2026-07-14
Hold: Advance booking notice48 hoursverified 2026-07-14
Hold: Advance booking required Yesverified 2026-07-20
Hold: Heat embargo21°Cverified 2026-07-14
Hold: Nursing allowed Noverified 2026-07-14
Hold: Advance notice hours48 hoursverified 2026-07-14
Hold: Max pets per carrier2verified 2026-07-14
Hold: Animals in heat accepted Noverified 2026-07-14
Hold: Pregnant animals accepted Noverified 2026-07-14
Hold: Max weight (pet + crate)75 kgverified 2026-07-14
Hold: Crate must have/behard-sided ok, water bowl, ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrierverified 2026-07-20
Cargo: Pets accepted Acceptedverified 2026-07-14
Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds banned Yesverified 2026-07-14
Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds listChow ChowBullmastiffCane CorsoStaffordshire Bull TerrierMastiffverified 2026-07-14
Cargo: Minimum age12 weeksverified 2026-07-14
Cargo: Advance booking notice48 hoursverified 2026-07-14
Cargo: Advance booking required Yesverified 2026-07-20
Cargo: Booking methodIATAverified 2026-07-14
Cargo: Heat embargo21°Cverified 2026-07-14
Cargo: Nursing allowed Noverified 2026-07-14
Cargo: Pregnant animals accepted Noverified 2026-07-14
Cargo: Carrier size300 cmverified 2026-07-22
Cargo: Max weight (pet + crate)75 kgverified 2026-07-14
Cargo: Crate must have/behard-sided ok, water bowl, ventilated, Escape proof required, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrierverified 2026-07-22

Health & documents

Health certificate required Yesverified 2026-07-14
Health certificate validity10 daysverified 2026-07-14
Microchip · Required Yesverified 2026-07-14
Quarantine · Approved facility required Yesverified 2026-07-14
Health certificate · Issuera veterinarianverified 2026-07-14
Rabies vaccination · Required Yesverified 2026-07-14
Rabies vaccination · Min age at vaccination12 weeksverified 2026-07-20
Health certificate valid within days · Health certificate valid within days10 daysverified 2026-07-14

Other rules

Snub-nosed breeds banned Yesverified 2026-07-14
Dangerous breeds banned Yesverified 2026-07-20
Restricted breeds listBull Terrierverified 2026-07-14
Breed restrictions apply Yesverified 2026-07-14
Pregnant animals accepted Noverified 2026-07-20
Assistance animals accepted Yesverified 2026-07-14

Service & assistance animals

Pets accepted Acceptedverified 2026-07-14
Esa noteEmotional support dogs do not qualify as service dogs and are not accepted in the cabin.verified 2026-07-14
Fee waived Yesverified 2026-07-14
Recognized Yesverified 2026-07-14
Cabin allowed Yesverified 2026-07-14
Esa recognized Noverified 2026-07-14
Forms required Yesverified 2026-07-14
Max pets per passenger2verified 2026-07-14
Advance notice hours48 hoursverified 2026-07-14
Documentation required Yesverified 2026-07-14
Emotional support allowed Noverified 2026-07-14
Cargo bookings for Qatar Airways require a flight date at least 48 hours in the future. Reserve the animal's space no later than 48 hours before departure. Confirm the booking falls inside the accepted window of 48 hours to 60 days ahead. Missing the 48-hour minimum blocks the reservation. Set a calendar alert two full days before the flight and finalize the cargo slot.
Snub-nosed breeds face required extra handling on Qatar Airways. Verify the breed against the carrier's brachycephalic list before booking. Prepare the additional documentation and acceptance conditions the airline demands for flat-faced dogs. Route these breeds through cargo or hold, since cabin transport is not available. Confirm the specific brachycephalic requirement with the airline in writing ahead of the flight date.

Frequently asked

Can snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds fly Qatar Airways?
Snub-nosed breeds such as bulldogs, pugs and Persian cats are not accepted in the cabin, not accepted in the hold.
What if my flight is delayed past my health certificate validity?
If the certificate window expires before you board, you'll need a re-issue. Build a 1-2 day buffer between the cert date and departure to absorb minor delays.
What happens if I forget a document?
At the destination airport: at best, an extended inspection while you produce backup; at worst, the pet is held in quarantine or returned to origin at your cost. Bring printed copies.
So that's Qatar Airways, sorted. It takes a little front-loading, but once the cargo slot and the paperwork line up, the rest falls into place fast. Don't wing it from a forum thread. Head to Pawgo's plan-builder, drop in your route and your dog, and get a personalized plan that maps every requirement to your actual trip. Then go enjoy the adventure waiting on the other side.
Get YOUR personalized plan for Qatar Airways →

Glossary

ISO chip
ISO 11784/11785 — the universal microchip standard.
FAVN
Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization — a rabies serology test required by rabies-free destinations.
Brachycephalic
Snub-nosed breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians, Himalayans) with restricted airline acceptance due to heat-stress risk.
AVIH
Animal Vehicle In Hold — IATA's term for cargo pet shipment, with fees that vary by carrier and route.