WestJet is one of the few mainstream North American carriers where Nala could actually travel — they take big dogs as checked baggage up to 45 kg combined. The 48-hour booking heads-up matters, but the cabin option's there for small ones too.

WestJet'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 WestJet treats your pet

Cabin policy

ItemDetailSource & confidence
✓ Pets accepted Accepted in the cabin 96%
📏 Carrier max size 41 × 25 × 21 cm (L × W × H) 95%
⏱ Advance booking Add to booking ≥ 48 h before departure 92%
🔢 Pets per passenger 1 per passenger 94%

Hold policy

ItemDetailSource & confidence
✓ Pets accepted Accepted in the hold 96%
?Snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breedsNot yet documented—
⚖ Pet + carrier max weight 45 kg (incl. carrier) 95%
⏱ Advance booking Add to booking ≥ 48 h before departure 92%

Cargo policy

ItemDetailSource & confidence
🐣 Minimum age 8 weeks old 85%
WestJet requires the pet booking 48 hours before departure. The carrier caps the per-flight pet count; once the cap is hit, the pet is denied boarding even with a paid ticket. Add the pet via Manage Trips or by phone the moment the flight is booked. Walk-up requests on the day of travel are not honored on full flights.

Frequently asked

How many pets can I bring on WestJet?
WestJet allows 1 in the cabin, per passenger. Each pet needs its own carrier.
How far in advance must I book my pet on WestJet?
Add your pet to the booking at least 48 hours before departure — do it when you book the ticket, not at the airport.
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.
WestJet gives you both cabin and checked options, which is rarer than it sounds. Lock the right one into your plan early so check-in is the easy part.
Get YOUR personalized plan for WestJet →

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.