Pet Travel Industry: How Pet Mobility Is Changing the Way We Travel With Pets
Pet travel is becoming a global industry. As more people consider pets part of the family, demand is growing for safer, more convenient and better-connected ways to travel with dogs and cats. From pet relocation and airline travel to pet carriers and strollers, pet mobility is becoming an increasingly important part of the modern pet lifestyle.
For many years, traveling with a pet was relatively simple to describe:
Can I bring my pet with me?
Today, the question is much bigger.
Pet parents want to know which airlines accept pets, what documents are required, whether their destination has specific import regulations, what type of carrier they need, and how they can keep their pets comfortable throughout the journey.
This change is helping transform pet travel from a product category into a broader service ecosystem.
How Big Is the Pet Travel Market?
The global pet travel services market was valued at approximately US$2.4 billion in 2024 and is estimated to reach US$2.8 billion in 2026, according to Grand View Research. The market is projected to reach approximately US$4.0 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate of 8.9% from 2025 to 2030.
Forbes also highlighted the growing opportunity in pet travel in August 2026, describing the sector as a multibillion-dollar market driven by increasing demand for pet-friendly travel, international mobility and specialized travel services.
The market is not limited to transportation.
It increasingly includes:
- Pet relocation
- Pet transportation
- Airline pet travel
- International pet travel documentation
- Pet travel consultation
- Pet-friendly hotels and accommodations
- Pet travel technology and planning tools
- Pet carriers and travel equipment
This means the pet travel experience is becoming more specialized from beginning to end.
Why Is Pet Travel Growing?
Several changes are contributing to the growth of the pet travel industry.
1. Pets Are Increasingly Treated as Family Members
People are increasingly making travel decisions around their pets rather than simply leaving them at home.
This is changing consumer expectations across hotels, transportation, tourism and pet products.
Travel is no longer necessarily something people do away from their pets.
For many families, it is becoming something they experience together with their pets.
2. International Pet Travel Is Becoming More Complex
International pet travel can involve vaccination requirements, health certificates, microchips, quarantine rules and destination-specific regulations.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) notes that airlines and countries can have their own requirements in addition to the IATA Live Animals Regulations.
This complexity creates demand for professional pet relocation and travel services.
3. Pet-Friendly Travel Is Expanding
Hotels, transportation providers and tourism businesses are increasingly recognizing pets as part of the travel customer.
This creates a larger ecosystem around pet-friendly travel, rather than treating pets as an exception to conventional travel services.
What Does Pet Mobility Mean?
Pet mobility refers to the products, solutions and experiences that help pets move safely and comfortably with their families.
It can include:
- Pet strollers
- Pet carriers
- Travel crates
- Bike trailers
- Car travel solutions
- Outdoor mobility products
- Everyday walking and transportation solutions
Pet mobility is therefore broader than pet travel.
Pet travel is one part of pet mobility.
A pet may use a stroller for a city walk, a carrier for public transportation, a bike trailer for outdoor activities, or a travel crate for a longer journey.
The underlying need is the same:
Helping pets move through the world with their families.
What Should Pet Parents Consider When Choosing Travel Products?
As pet travel becomes more sophisticated, product selection is also becoming more important.
Safety
A travel product should provide an appropriate level of protection, stability and ventilation for the intended journey.
For air travel in particular, requirements can vary depending on the airline, route and type of transportation. IATA recommends that travelers check directly with the airline and ensure the container is appropriate for the animal and journey.
Compliance
There is no single universal rule for every airline or destination.
The U.S. Department of Transportation, for example, notes that airline pet policies vary and that international destinations may have their own health certificate and quarantine requirements.
Therefore, consumers should always check the latest requirements with the relevant airline and destination authorities before traveling.
Comfort
Travel can involve long periods of waiting, walking, transfers and unfamiliar environments.
A suitable pet travel product should consider the pet’s size, weight, posture, ventilation and ability to remain comfortable throughout the journey.
Convenience
For pet parents, mobility is also about convenience.
Easy folding, maneuverability, storage and transportation can make a significant difference when traveling with luggage and other travel equipment.
Pet Travel Is More Than Transportation
One of the most important changes in the industry is that pet travel is no longer simply about transportation.
It is about the entire experience.
A journey can include:
Planning → Documentation → Transportation → Waiting → Mobility → Accommodation → Destination
Every step creates an opportunity to improve the experience for both pets and their owners.
This is why the future of pet travel will likely involve more collaboration between:
Pet brands + airlines + relocation services + hotels + transportation providers + technology companies
Rather than operating as completely separate categories.
What Does This Mean for the Pet Industry?
For pet product companies, this shift creates an important opportunity.
The future is not necessarily about creating more products.
It is about creating better mobility solutions for different moments in a pet’s life.
A product designed for a short neighborhood walk may have completely different priorities from one designed for an international journey.
Understanding these different use cases can help brands develop products that are more relevant to how modern pet families actually live.
At ibiyaya, we see this as part of a broader movement toward Pet Mobility as a lifestyle.
Our perspective is simple:
Pets should not have to be left behind simply because the journey is different.
Whether it is a walk around the city, a weekend adventure, a road trip or a longer journey, better mobility can make it easier for pets and their families to experience more of life together.
The Future of Pet Travel
The future of pet travel may not simply be about traveling with pets.
It may be about designing travel around pets.
As the pet travel industry continues to grow, the biggest opportunity may be creating an ecosystem where transportation, travel services, regulations and pet mobility products work together to make journeys safer, easier and more comfortable.
And this is where we believe Pet Mobility will play an increasingly important role.
Because when pets are family, getting there is only part of the journey.
The real goal is to make more of the journey possible, together.
FAQ: Pet Travel & Pet Mobility
What is the pet travel industry?
The pet travel industry includes services, products and solutions that help people travel or relocate with their pets. It can include pet transportation, international pet relocation, airline travel, travel documentation, pet-friendly accommodation and travel equipment.
How big is the global pet travel market?
Grand View Research estimates that the global pet travel services market will reach approximately US$2.8 billion in 2026 and US$4.0 billion by 2030, with an estimated CAGR of 8.9% from 2025 to 2030.
What is pet mobility?
Pet mobility refers to products and solutions that help pets move safely and comfortably with their families. It includes pet strollers, carriers, travel crates, bike trailers and other transportation solutions.
What should I check before traveling internationally with my pet?
Travelers should check the latest requirements of both the airline and destination country. Requirements may include vaccinations, health certificates, identification, quarantine arrangements and approved travel containers. IATA specifically advises travelers to check airline and country-specific requirements before traveling.
Are pet strollers suitable for air travel?
A pet stroller can be useful for moving through airports and other travel environments, but it does not automatically meet airline requirements for in-cabin or cargo transportation. Airline policies and approved container requirements vary, so travelers should confirm the rules directly with their airline before departure.
