10 Tips To Safely Fly With Your Dog Leave a comment
Taking your dog on either a domestic or international flight via airplane is always challenging for you as well as the dog. It can be stressful for your dog if he’s never been on the plane before. At the same time, you have to go through some tricky situations as well because it’s not the same as traveling via car.
In that case, we came up with a list of factors you should consider before you plan your journey with your furry friend by plane. Consider these tips to make your adventure safe and enjoyable.
Recommended Read: TOP 5 Best Airline Approved Soft-Sided Pet Carrier 2021 Review
*Discloser: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning, I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through one of my links, at no cost to you.
1.Get A Ticket For Your Friend Too
When booking your own flight, it is important to choose the option that allows you to bring a pet on board. Carry-on pets cost much more than checked ones ($100 average), but sometimes there are deals available from airlines if buying tickets ahead of time or purchasing them at low rates online beforehand, which can make this expense worthwhile.
When you plan on traveling with your pup, it’s important to research the airlines and their specific regulations. For instance, almost all major airlines will allow pets, but be sure to call ahead for smaller companies or private flights before booking as some may have different rules about service animals in the cabin.
2.Get A Health Certificate From Your Vet
When you bring your dog on board, make sure they are at least 8 weeks old and in good health before flying. Your pup must be vaccinated for rabies so that it can travel safely with other passengers.
Airlines also require a certificate of health within 30 days or return flights one-way, which include an examination of date vaccinations and confirming their fitness after returning home again 60 days later.
3.Get A Perfect-Size Dog Carrier
You may be able to bring your pet onboard if they fit under the seat in front of you and are the same size as a carry-on bag. If it’s too big, then, unfortunately, there is no way for them to travel with baggage during the takeoff/landing phase; instead, only large pets like dogs or cats can come into cabin space (those who weigh at least 10 pounds).
4.Give Your Dog Identification
Write your dog’s name, what breed it is, and where you can be contacted on the tag. Then attach this to its carrier so that airline staff is aware of any live animals in their care when transporting them.
A quick note about making sure they understand: write ‘live animal’ onto the top with either permanent markers or pre-made stickers. That way, if your furry friends somehow escape their carriers, they can easily be identified by it and brought back safely.
5.Feed Well Before The Flight
You need to feed your dog before the flight, but if you feed it too close to take off, it could have an upset stomach in the air. This is because of how high-altitude travel can make dogs sick. So the best practice would be not feeding your pup until at least 4 hours beforehand so that its body has enough time for digestion.
6.Help Your Dog Reduce Stress
Airports are stressful for both humans and dogs, so taking your pup on a walk before checking in is important. Many airports have dog parks where you can let them run around or just go stick out some time away from all those airplanes – if they don’t, then try taking them outside of the airport itself. If that doesn’t work either way, at least get their energy spent early.
Furthermore, you can try Dogs CBD or CBD treats that help a lot in reducing anxiety while helping your dog calm down.
Also, it’s important to make sure your dog has had time for exercise before putting them in a carrier. You can do this by giving it an opportunity, but be mindful of the fact that over-excitement will only stress both of you.
7.Keep Your Dog Hydrated
Don’t forget your dog’s favorite drink. Fill up their water bowl before you board the plane. Leave it empty, so there are no spills during takeoff. Keep frozen water in a specialty dog carrier so your pup will be hydrated on the go.
8.You’ll Need A Dog Leash Again On Landing
You must have opened the leash when putting the dog in the carrier. It’s time to get the leash again as you have to take your dog out. The chances are running away because your dog might not be relaxed and don’t know what to do. In that case, before you get your dog out, attach the leash for safety.
9.Thoroughly Examine Your Dog
As soon as you land with your dog, make sure to check them for any signs of injury. Dogs can be nauseous from a flight and experience motion sickness in general, so it’s possible they may have been sick on board or were mistreated by airline staff at some point during their travels.
If there is anything wrong with furry friends, don’t hesitate to contact both the airline itself as well as filling out an accident report form if necessary before proceeding home.
10.Take The Dog For A Walk And Feed Again
Your dog can be stressed from being in an enclosed space with a harsh environment. If you want your pup to calm down and feel better, take it on a good walk outside of the carrier until they have relaxed just enough for their body language to change.
As soon as you leave for your destination after landing, be sure to change out any soiled absorbent padding and give it a little food. Don’t feed them too much, as they may still need some settling in before going on an adventure with humans again.
Recommended Read: Top 5 Best Anxiety Vests for Dogs 2021 Review
Bonus Tips — Final Words
- Get supplements or CBD treats to calm your dog while going through tense situations only by the recommendations of your vets.
- Take a direct flight rather than going through multiple stops to avoid more stress of going in and out for your furry friend.
- Make sure the dog carrier is ventilated to avoid suffocation.
- Give your dog ID and take pictures for safety reasons.
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