6 Tips For Flying With A Dog Safely

Before you hit the skies with your favorite pooch, take some tips for flying with a dog. Make sure you have everything on our checklist so that you and your furry buddy have a safe and happy flight.

A Pet Parent’s Tips For Flying With A Dog

Dog Crate

Before going to the airport or anywhere else with your dog, ensure they have their ID tags on plus a quality crate. The best dog crates come in different sizes and materials to fit your traveling needs as well as the size of your pooch.

Dog Food And Water

Bring enough food and water for the trip, plus a few days’ worth just in case. The last thing you want is your dog to get sick from being in a new place.

Flying With Small Dogs VS Service Dogs

Flying with a service dog can be tricky, but it’s doable as long as you know what to expect. For starters, a small dog is typically better suited for air travel than larger breeds. And because service dogs need plenty of exercises, it’s essential to take them for a long walk before your flight. Ensure your dog is the right size to fit comfortably under the seat.

Visit Your Veterinarian

• Have your vet give your dog a complete check-up
• Make sure that all vaccinations are up to date, especially rabies vaccination.
• Get refills on any medications
• Obtain a health certificate
• Obtain a copy of your pet’s medical file
• Ask your vet for recommendations for vets in the area you’re traveling
• Microchip your dog

By ensuring your pooch is in tip-top shape, it will save both of you a lot of time and stress on your trip. A healthy pooch will fare much better in the varying plane temperatures and new environment he will be experiencing.

Pack Early And Do The Following:

• Treats and pet travel water bowl
• Crate, sturdy collar and the best dog leash
• Dog tags/I.D. on both your pooch and the crate
• Post your contact information and destination on the crate
• A recent photo of your dog
• Indestructible dog toys and blankets from home
• Take pee pads
• Trim your beloved dog’s nails

Make sure your pooch is comfortable and surrounded by familiar smells and plenty of identifying information. By packing all of these items, you can help to prevent your dog from becoming lost or injured. Keep in mind, bring a non-spill water carrier and perhaps a bone to keep your furry friend throughout the long flight.

If You And Your Dog Are Traveling Overseas:

• Research pet regulations in the country to which you are traveling. Certain countries may quarantine your pet for up to six months.
• Obtain an international health certificate from your veterinarian.
• Be sure to always keep track of your dog using the best wireless dog fence as well as the best dog GPS trackers.
• The medical certificate must be endorsed by the USDA.
• Bring money for the customs fee.
• Arrive early and check-in early.

More Tips for Flying With a Dog—How To Travel With a Dog in the Cabin

First, always check with your airline to see if they allow pets in the cabin. Many airlines now permit small dogs and cats to fly in the cabin with their owners, but some do not. If your airline does not permit pets in the cabin, you will need to make arrangements to fly your pet in the cargo area.

If your pet is not small enough to fly in the cabin with you, always try to fly on a direct flight. This will help reduce the amount of time your pet spends in the cargo hold.

Suppose your pet is flying in the cargo area, check with your airline to find out if they have a pet relief area at your destination. If not, try to determine ahead of time where pet relief areas are located in airports along your route, and ask hotel staff members for locations where pet walking is allowed.

whenever you’re connecting flights, always try to book a flight with a layover of at least four hours. This will give your dog time to walk around and stretch its legs.

If you can, try to get a window seat. This will give your dog a view and allow them to stick their head out the window (which they love).

Whenever your dog is tired, try to book an overnight flight, which will allow them to sleep through most of the trip.

A full stomach will help to keep them calm and reduce the amount of stress they experience. It is also important to make sure your dog is comfortable in their kennel or carrier.

It’s also important to have an airline-approved pet carrier, and this will ensure your dog is safe and comfortable during the flight.

If you’re worried about how your dog will behave on the plane, consider booking a seat in the bulkhead row. This will keep your dog contained and will give them a little extra room to move around.

The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends that you get your dog used to their carrier before flying, and this can help reduce stress for both you and your pet [1]. Emotional support animals (ESAs) are pets that provide their pet parents with comfort and stress alleviation. They are not service animals, and they do neither require any further training.

In case you have stopovers in other countries, be sure to find out their pet regulations as well, since they can vary from place to place. The last thing that you would want is to have your dog get quarantined or confiscated because you didn’t have the proper paperwork.