{"id":7368,"date":"2022-12-08T15:47:54","date_gmt":"2022-12-08T21:47:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/?p=7368"},"modified":"2026-05-29T06:06:39","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T12:06:39","slug":"fedex-pet-shipping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/fedex-pet-shipping\/","title":{"rendered":"FedEx Pet Shipping: Why It Doesn’t Exist & Your Best Alternatives"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pet shipping is an essential part of life in today\u2019s world. We are constantly moving from one place to the next. This could be because of new job opportunities, family matters, and other reasons. In fact, according to Chewy.com, a whopping 2 million pets and animals were transported by airlines. <\/span>Federal Express (or FedEx) has made a name for itself as one of the top shipping companies in the United States. So, you may wonder if FedEx offers a pet shipping service<\/a>? And if they don’t, do other shipping companies like Amazon, UPS, or even the United States Postal Service ship pets<\/a>?<\/span><\/p>\n

No, FedEx<\/span><\/span> does not ship household pets like dogs or cats. FedEx only transports certain live animals through specialized approved channels, not through its standard consumer shipping services. For pet owners, that means using alternatives like airline pet cargo, a flight nanny, or professional ground pet transport to move a dog or cat.<\/p>\n

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Before we delve into that, there are also various other options for pet transport. These include flying your pet, transporting via train, or by car. We\u2019ll explore each option. <\/span>First, let\u2019s tackle everything you need to know about FedEx pet shipping. We\u2019ll also let you in on a little secret.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Lady<\/p>\n

Does FedEx Ship Pets? No \u2013 Here’s Why<\/strong><\/h2>\n

So, what\u2019s the secret? <\/span>(Spoiler alert!) <\/span>FedEx<\/span><\/a> doesn’t handle pet shipping. The official FedEx terms and conditions unequivocally prohibit live animals. This includes pets like cats, dogs, birds and hamsters. Like Randy Jackson from American Idol said, \u201cIt\u2019s gonna be a no from me, dawg.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>The good news is that if you have other animals that aren\u2019t pets, such as livestock for setting up an animal business, FedEx will accept them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What Kind of Animals Does FedEx Ship?<\/b><\/h3>\n

According to the FedEx terms and conditions, the shipping company will accept \u201ccertain shipments of live animals such as horses, livestock, and zoo animals (to and from zoo locations only).\u201d They’ll also accept \u201cnon-venomous reptiles, amphibians, live\/ tropical fish, and beneficial insects\u201d from pet stores or breeders<\/a> to other pet stores and breeders.<\/span><\/p>\n

How Much Would It Cost to Ship a Pet with FedEx?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Because FedEx<\/span><\/span> doesn\u2019t ship household pets, there\u2019s no FedEx-style flat rate or parcel pricing for dogs or cats. Live pet transport is priced very differently from mailing a box\u2014it depends on distance, pet size, crate requirements, handling needs, rest stops, and whether the trip is by air or ground.<\/p>\n

Unlike parcel carriers that charge mostly by weight and dimensions, pet transportation includes the cost of care and supervision during travel, which is why pricing varies much more than standard shipping.<\/p>\n

Is UPS an Alternative to FedEx for Pet Shipping?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Unfortunately, UPS is just like FedEx with pet shipping; they don’t offer it. However, just like FedEx, they’ll transport other animals if they\u2019re going from a zoo to another zoo or a pet store or breeder to another pet store or breeder. The list of accepted and prohibited animals that UPS will ship is <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>. And in case you\u2019re wondering about Amazon, they’ll accept live animal shipping, but only from business to business. Unfortunately, they won\u2019t allow pet shipping.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is USPS an Alternative to FedEx <\/b>for Pet Shipping<\/b>?<\/b><\/h2>\n

I know what you may be thinking: the United States Postal Service is a government agency. They definitely should accept pets for transport. Regrettably, that’s not the case. The USPS doesn’t do pet shipping. However, they do take other animals. Just like FedEx and UPS, they’ll only accept from pet stores, breeders, and zoos to other pet stores, breeders, and zoos. You can review the USPS requirements and regulations on animal shipping and transportation fees <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Is FedEx not a fit for your pet’s trip? Post your route and pet details for free, then compare quotes from background-checked independent drivers.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

\"FedEx<\/p>\n

Since There’s No FedEx Pet Shipping, What Other Options Are There?<\/b><\/h2>\n

FedEx pet shipping is nonexistent, and other options like UPS and USPS also don’t offer pet shipping<\/a>. What then should you do? What options do you have to transport your pet? Let\u2019s take a look at some.<\/span><\/p>\n

Option 1: Air Travel<\/b><\/h3>\n

Air travel could be the fastest way to transport a pet, but it can be logistically challenging. Smaller pets have the advantage because of their size. They can ride in the cabin with their owners since they can fit under the seat. Make sure you call in advance because airlines will only allow one or two pets per flight inside the cabin.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Your pet\u2019s carrier should be small enough that your dog can fit inside and underneath the seat in front of you. An airline-approved carrier has a cost running from $25 to $75, largely depending on its size, quality, and materials. The total one-way amount for airlines like <\/span>United<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Delta<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>American<\/span><\/a> sits at around $100. That isn\u2019t much, but the costs increase substantially if you have a larger pet.<\/span><\/p>\n

Larger pets must go in the cargo hold. These special crates cost an estimated $100-$200, and the cost of transporting your pet in the <\/span>cargo hold<\/span><\/a> can range from $500-$1000. The exact costs are determined at the time of booking.<\/span><\/p>\n

Air Nannies<\/b><\/h4>\n

Hiring an <\/span>air nanny<\/span><\/a> for your pet is possible. It\u2019s a very common way to transport pets long-distance. Air\/flight nanny<\/a> jobs recently exploded in popularity because of a viral <\/span>TikTok video<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

You\u2019ll have to buy a round-trip ticket for the nanny, but the great news is that sometimes air nannies can waive the pet fees, which can reduce what you have to pay for this service. The air nanny can transport your pet in the cabin or cargo hold.<\/span><\/p>\n

Option 2: Train Travel<\/b><\/h3>\n

Train travel is another option for transporting your pet. Amtrak allows dog transportation, but there are several requirements and costs. Here they are:<\/span>
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