Mariah Carey's dogs are non-negotiables in her life. So much so, at one time, the singer-songwriter shared her home with eight of them. At present, the multi-award winner is a dog mom to three pooches.
This includes Cha Cha, Jill E Beans, and Mutley – all of whom are Jack Russell Terriers. Mariah is often pictured with her dogs doing just about anything, whether it’s relaxing at home, marking Easter, or celebrating Christmas.
Mariah also has a penchant for treating her dogs like the fur kings and queens that they are. This normally involves treating them to a pet hotel or traveling in style on a private jet.
To find out more about Mariah’s Jack Russells and how much the star spends on her luxurious travel set-ups with her pooches in tow, we’ve done all the digging. Plus, we spoke to vet, Dr Hannah Godfrey, who shared her insight on the temperament of this breed and gave some tips on how to travel with dogs.
Mariah Carey’s Jack Russell Terriers
Mariah has three Jack Russells, Cha Cha, Jill E Beans and Mutley, all of whom are related. Cha Cha is Jill E Beans’s mother, and Jill E Beans is Mutley’s aunt.
The three dogs can be spotted on the star’s social media pages, but more often than not, you won’t spot these dogs pictured all together. That’s because Cha Cha and her daughter, Jill E Beans can be prone to bickering, so Mariah tends to keep these two apart.
That said, Mariah loves each of her dogs equally. In fact, in a 2024 Vogue interview, the star described her pets as not just ‘her best friends’, but also her ‘protectors as well’. And it makes sense.
According to Dr Godfrey: “Jack Russells can be quite protective and have a tendency to guard, which means they’re often wary of strangers and other dogs, but with the right socialization, Jack Russells can be very sociable and friendly.
“It’s not unusual for my consult room to be really noisy if a Jack Russell comes in to visit – especially if there’s more than one,” Dr. Hannah Godfrey adds. “Aside from having a tendency to bark, Jack Russell Terriers are very active and playful, and they usually enjoy interacting with their family.”
Due to her love for her ‘best friends’, Mariah treats her pampered pooches to the finer things in life. In 2014, it was reported that Mariah spent a whopping £28,000 ($37,226) a year pampering her pets. This includes treating them to full-body massages and first-class travel.
Then, again in 2014, it’s said that the songstress spent $195,000 on a holiday for her dogs, which included flights on a private jet and a stay in one of the world’s most expensive dog hotels, The Paw Seasons in Bristol, UK.
At this 400-year-old Grade II listed cottage, a typical day might involve a private shuttle from the airport, an afternoon swim, and long walks through the hotel’s luxurious-looking private grounds.
While food-wise, each doggie dish is tailor-made, thanks to a private chef. And pets can make use of a professional groomer, who helps to keep four-legged friends looking and feeling their best.
But that’s not the only travel expense Mariah has treated her pooches to. Later, in 2016, it’s believed Mariah flew Cha Cha and Jill E Beans first class to Los Angeles, following her engagement to Australian billionaire James Packer. Sources say the duo flew in the deluxe cabin, where they joined her and Packer in LA.
Travel for non-celebrity pets
Of course, these luxurious travel arrangements will differ vastly from what traveling with a dog by plane would look like for most regular pet parents.
For example, in the US, pet travel accommodations vary depending on the airline and the size of your pet. It will also depend on your budget. Most airlines allow small dogs and cats to travel in the cabin, provided they fit in a carrier under the seat in front of you. Some airlines may also allow larger animals to travel in the cargo hold.
Either way, if you’re flying with your pet, it’s important to contact a reputable travel company that can help make sure everything goes smoothly.
“Depending on where you’re traveling from and to, your pet might need a Pet Passport or Animal Health Certificate, issued by a vet,” Dr Godfrey says. “They’ll also need worming, a recent rabies vaccination, and a microchip.
“While tick and sandfly treatment isn’t always a legal requirement for travel, it’s certainly a good idea to keep your pet protected against foreign diseases.”
Travel tips for pets
If you’re wondering how to travel with a dog, you’ll be pleased to know that there are many tips for traveling with pets.
From ensuring your pooch has an ID to researching pet-friendly accommodation, there are a few things to read up on to ensure you know most things before travelling with your pet.
To help, we asked Dr Godfrey for her top tips:
- Choose a suitably-sized, secure pet carrier to give your pet as much space as possible to lie down and stand up as they wish.
- Check that your pet carrier meets the airline’s size restrictions.
- Provide one of your t-shirts or a favorite blanket or a soft toy for comfort and familiarity.
- Get your pet checked by a vet before travel to make sure that they are healthy enough to travel.
- Bring any medications that they have been prescribed with you and make sure that the airline staff have been informed of their needs.
- Speak to your vet about calming options. They may be able to recommend calming supplements, including pheromone collars and sprays.
- Do a few trial runs with the pet carrier, and encourage your pet to sleep in it at home to get them used to it.
Read next: What a dog expert looks for in a pet-friendly hotel
Hannah graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2011 and began work straight away at a busy mixed practice. Initially, she treated all species, but focussed on small animals from 2014. She has a passion for soft tissue surgery, ultrasound, and canine and feline dentistry, having completed additional training in these areas.
She then began working at a smaller, independent practice close to home, in order to devote more time to her other love – writing comedy fiction. In February 2023, she moved from permanent clinical vet work to become an Editor for a global medical communications company. She hasn't given up clinical work altogether, though, and still does regular locum shifts at her local vet practices.
Edited by Georgia Guerin and Alexis de Leaver.
