Saudia, the national airline of Saudi Arabia, carries household pets on its direct routes, with rules that differ sharply by species. Cats and small birds can fly in the cabin if the pet and carrier weigh 5 kg or less; dogs travel only in the cargo hold. Hooded falcons can fly in the cabin with their handler. Outside the US and Canada, the fee is USD 100 for the cabin or USD 300 for the hold. Every live animal entering the Kingdom must first be registered on the Saudi agriculture ministry's NAAMA portal, and dogs flying to the United States go only through Saudia's cargo service, not passenger check-in.
This guide follows Saudia's own travelling with pets page as read in October 2026. Saudi entry rules are strict and change, so confirm with Saudia and the Saudi authorities before you book, and check the rules for every country on your route.
Saudia pet rules at a glance
The table brings together the rules most people look for first.
| Animal | Cabin | Hold |
|---|---|---|
| Cats | Yes, up to 5 kg with carrier | Yes, in a ventilated, climate-controlled hold |
| Small birds | Yes, with permits | Yes, with permits |
| Dogs | No | Yes; to the US by cargo only |
| Falcons | Yes, hooded, with handler | Not stated |
| Fee outside US and Canada | USD 100 | USD 300 |
| Carrier size | Max 52.5 x 32.5 x 40 cm (21 x 13 x 16 in) | Ventilated and leak-proof |
| Routes | Direct routes; tell Saudia when you book | |
The general rules
Saudia accepts household pets on direct routes when they are properly crated and travel with valid health and vaccination certificates, including rabies, plus every document the destination country requires. Pets travel at the guest's responsibility, and Saudia is not liable if the destination authorities refuse entry. Animals must be odorless, non-aggressive and not need attention from the crew during the flight. Tell Saudia at the time of booking that you are bringing a pet.
Large livestock and wild animals are accepted only as cargo and must follow air cargo rules. Saudia's pet rules apply to its own flights, so if part of your trip is on another airline, check that airline's rules as well.
Cats in the Saudia cabin
Cats are the main cabin pet on Saudia. The rules are:
- The cat and its container together can weigh no more than 5 kg.
- One pet per container.
- The container can be no larger than 52.5 x 32.5 x 40 cm (21 x 13 x 16 in).
- It must have good ventilation holes and be completely leak-proof.
Saudia can inspect a container and reject it if it does not meet safety standards. The 5 kg limit is lower than most airlines' 8 kg, so it suits small and medium cats in a light carrier; a large cat may need to go in the hold. Our guide to flying with a cat in the cabin covers how to get a cat used to its carrier.
For a cat entering Saudi Arabia, Saudia says a valid health certificate is needed, attested by the relevant Saudi Embassy.
Dogs on Saudia: hold only
Saudia carries dogs only in the cargo hold, which it says has a ventilation system. There is no cabin option for pet dogs of any size. Trained service dogs for guests with visual or hearing impairments are carried in the hold free of charge. Saudi Arabia allows service dogs for visually or hearing impaired guests to enter the Kingdom.
Because the dog will be in the hold, the crate matters. Use a rigid, well-ventilated, leak-proof crate that lets the dog stand, turn and lie down, and get the dog used to it at home first. Our guide to choosing a pet transport crate explains sizing, and our guide to pet cargo versus in-cabin travel describes what the hold is like.
Birds and falcons
Small birds can travel in the cabin or the ventilated hold, but bringing live birds into Saudi Arabia is currently restricted. Saudia carries them only with permits from the Ministry of Agriculture showing the birds are free of infectious diseases.
Falcons have their own rule. Saudia accepts falcons in the cabin when they are properly hooded and accompanied by a handler, with valid entry permits, health certificates and documents, and carriage is at the guest's own risk. To enter the Kingdom, a falcon also needs written approval from the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development.
Saudia pet fees
For pets up to 5 kg including the container, Saudia charges USD 100 for the cabin or USD 300 for the cargo hold on domestic and international flights, excluding the US and Canada. For flights to or from the US and Canada, Saudia's page refers you to the fees on the regional pages, which did not show a figure when we checked, so ask the nearest Saudia sales office or Guest Care Center before you book. Fees can change.
Entering Saudi Arabia with a pet
Saudi Arabia's rules are the part to start earliest. According to Saudia's page:
- All live animals must be registered on the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture's NAAMA portal before travel.
- Transporting live animals, animal products or biological preparations into the Kingdom requires an approved import permit from the Ministry.
- Wildlife animals and products cannot be imported or exported without prior written permission from the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development in Riyadh.
- Cats need a valid health certificate attested by the relevant Saudi Embassy.
From the US, you will also need a health certificate from a USDA-accredited vet, endorsed by USDA APHIS, with the rabies vaccination recorded. The USDA pet travel export page lists the steps for each destination, and a vet experienced in international moves can help match the Saudi requirements. Dogs in particular face extra scrutiny in Saudi Arabia, so confirm the current import rules for your dog's breed and purpose before you book anything.
Flying a dog from Saudi Arabia to the US
Saudia accepts dogs travelling to the US through its cargo service only, not at passenger check-in counters. Before going to the cargo area, you must:
- Complete the CDC Dog Import Form. If the dog is 6 to 12 months old, complete it at least 15 days before departure.
- Make sure the dog is at least 6 months old.
- Bring a digital or paper receipt of the completed form.
- Make sure the dog is microchipped.
Check whether Saudi Arabia, and any country the dog has been in during the last 6 months, is on the CDC's list of high-risk countries for dog rabies. Dogs from high-risk countries face the strictest US rules, including a rabies titer from a CDC-approved lab and, in many cases, entry only through an airport with a CDC-registered animal care facility. The CDC dog import page has the details, and our guide to importing a dog into the US walks through each step.
Booking and the direct-route rule
Saudia carries pets on direct routes, so plan an itinerary without connections, or check with Saudia before booking a connection. Tell Saudia when you book that you are bringing a pet, and confirm the fee, the container rules and any cargo booking for a dog. For anything not covered online, contact the Saudia sales office in the city you are flying from or the Guest Care Center in your country.
Getting your pet ready
Start early. Saudi import paperwork, embassy attestation and, for dogs heading to the US, CDC requirements can each take weeks, so give yourself several months for a dog and at least a month for a cat. Let the pet sleep in its carrier or crate at home for a couple of weeks before the trip, with a familiar blanket inside and treats for going in. Ask your vet whether the pet is fit to fly, and do not use sedatives without veterinary advice, because a sedated animal copes less well with changes in pressure and temperature. On the day, give a light meal a few hours before the flight, offer water, and for a dog, take a walk before you leave for the airport. Arrive early, because pet acceptance adds time at the counter.
A sample plan: a cat from Riyadh to London
- Check the UK's rules for cats arriving from Saudi Arabia, which may require the pet to travel as cargo and go through specific checks.
- If the cat can fly as baggage on your route, weigh it with its carrier; the total must be 5 kg or less for the cabin.
- Book a direct flight and tell Saudia about the cat at booking.
- Get the health and vaccination certificates, including rabies, in the right window.
- Budget USD 100 for the cabin or USD 300 for the hold.
A sample plan: a dog from Jeddah to New York
- Start months ahead: the dog needs a microchip, rabies vaccination and, as a dog from a high-risk country, the CDC's extra documents.
- Complete the CDC Dog Import Form, at least 15 days ahead if the dog is under 12 months.
- Book the dog through Saudia Cargo, not passenger check-in.
- Check that your US arrival airport can receive dogs from high-risk countries.
- Consider a pet relocation company, since they handle cargo bookings and CDC paperwork regularly.
What the fee covers, and what it does not
Saudia's published fees apply to pets weighing up to 5 kg including the container, whether they travel in the cabin or the hold. A dog in a large crate will usually weigh far more than that, and the page does not give a fee for heavier animals, so ask Saudia for a quote based on the real weight and crate size before you commit. Dogs bound for the US go through Saudia Cargo, which prices shipments separately from passenger baggage. Budget for the extra costs around the flight as well: vet visits, the health certificate and its endorsement, embassy attestation where required, and any import permit fees.
Heat and the hold
Summer temperatures in Saudi Arabia are among the highest of any airline hub, and the time a crate spends on the ramp before loading matters. Saudia says its holds are ventilated and climate controlled, but you can still reduce the risk: choose early morning or late evening flights in the hot months, use a crate with ventilation on all sides, freeze a water bowl so it melts slowly, and avoid flat-faced breeds in the hold altogether. Our guide to choosing a pet transport crate covers ventilation, and the IATA live animals page explains the standard most airlines and shippers follow.
A document checklist for flights into Saudi Arabia
- NAAMA registration for the animal, completed before travel.
- An import permit from the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture where required.
- A health certificate, attested by the Saudi Embassy for cats.
- A rabies vaccination certificate and the full vaccination record.
- Any wildlife or falcon approvals from the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development.
- Your booking confirmation showing the pet was declared at booking.
Keep paper and digital copies in your hand luggage, because you may be asked for them at check-in, on arrival and at customs.
Common mistakes with Saudia pet bookings
- Expecting to bring a small dog in the cabin; Saudia carries dogs only in the hold.
- Using an 8 kg allowance from another airline; Saudia's cabin limit is 5 kg.
- Forgetting NAAMA registration before flying into the Kingdom.
- Turning up at passenger check-in with a dog bound for the US.
- Booking a connecting itinerary without checking with Saudia first.
Saudia compared with other Gulf airlines
Gulf carriers differ a lot on pets. Etihad carries small dogs and cats in the cabin on many routes but not on flights to the US, Emirates moves most pets as cargo, and Qatar Airways has its own rules and fees. If your move involves the UAE, see our guide to pet transport to Dubai.