Expat Insiders Moving and living here with pets
Import paperwork, everyday care, and what to do when you travel without them.
Moving with pets
Before anything else, find out what type of pet can realistically be moved to India. Cats and dogs are by far the most common and the most straightforward. Birds are a different story — country-specific import restrictions and extra documentation make them considerably more difficult, so check the current rules carefully before assuming your bird can come along.
For cats and dogs, there are two main ways to make the move:
- Use a full-service relocation company that handles the whole process, from picking up your pet to dropping them off at your new place. Pro: you don't have to deal with paperwork or travel arrangements yourself. Con: it costs significantly more than doing it yourself.
- Arrange the travel yourself. Two airlines are well known for pet transport: Lufthansa and Qatar Airways, and both list their process on their own websites. You'll need to source a travel crate that meets their requirements and handle the documentation yourself — though you'll still need a company on the ground in India to handle documentation when you and your pet land. Pro: your pet flies on the same plane as you, so you see them the moment you land, and it costs less overall. Con: you're handling most of the documentation from your home country yourself.
Build in buffer time for vaccination titers and paperwork — the process is rarely as fast as the airline or agency timelines suggest.
Add your community's notes on pet import agents or airline experiences here.
Pawsome
The Hyderabad-based company known for handling documentation for pets both entering and leaving India — useful whether you've gone the full-service route or are self-arranging travel and just need the on-the-ground paperwork covered at this end.
Vet
Once settled, ask other pet-owning expats which vets they use — experience with international breeds and imported pet food or medication availability varies a lot by clinic.
Locate a vet near you before an emergency, not during one — the same rule as hospitals for humans.
Even if you have an appointment, expect long waiting times.
Mr. Vet Animal Hospital
A general veterinary hospital in Gachibowli offering consultations, treatment, surgery, and an in-house pharmacy for dogs and cats, with additional experience treating rodents, birds, and reptiles. Dr. Ramesh Nanaboina, who practices there, holds a surgery specialization (MVSc) and has done soft-tissue and neurosurgery work.
Phone: 096767 55544 · Website: mrvethospitals.com
Boarding
For trips home or travel where pets can't come along, boarding facilities and in-home pet sitters both exist in Hyderabad, but quality and comfort with different animal sizes and temperaments varies. Book ahead for peak holiday travel periods, when good boarding slots fill up fast.
Do a short trial stay or sit before a long trip — it's the easiest way to confirm a boarding place or sitter is actually a good fit for your pet.
It's important to visit a boarding site in person to see the actual conditions — it could be quite different from what you're used to in your home country. Ask specific questions: are the units air conditioned, how much outdoor time do pets get, and what are the food options. As an alternative, it's possible to have your daily help provide this service instead — but before relying on them for it, establish a good rapport and a clear sense of responsibility first.
- Bark and Play — Kondapur — WhatsApp +91 90321 05217 — Instagram
- Abhilash Oceans Pet Boarding — Gachibowli — +91 93819 99472
- Vinod Dog Boarding — +91 95001 62040
- Zoomies — +91 91003 53437
Contacts sourced from the community WhatsApp group — verify current availability and pricing directly before booking, and add your own recommendations here.
Grooming
A handful of dedicated grooming and pet-lifestyle spots have opened up around the city — worth knowing about beyond the basic wash-and-trim service most vets also offer.
Grooming doesn't always require a trip out — it can also be ordered as an at-home service, with a groomer coming to you instead.
Trick or Treats
A premium pet destination in Kokapet combining grooming with a broader pet-lifestyle offering — worth a look beyond just a grooming appointment.
Hours: 8:30 AM – 10:00 PM (daily) · Phone: +91 90634 13007
Website: trickortreats.in · Instagram: @trickortreatshyd