Between the paperwork, the packing, and the traffic, bringing your pup on a flight with you can add a whole new level of stress to your travel day. I’ve brought my different dogs on shorter and longer plane rides, and each time, I’ve learned a lot of do’s and don’ts when it comes to traveling with pets. If you’re looking for some tips and tricks before you carry your pup onto the plane, I’ve got a few ideas that might help!
Take Personality Into Account
Gauging your dog’s temperament is the first thing to consider when deciding if and how far you want to travel with your dog. If your dog gets anxious being away from home, you may want to take this into account when considering your trip. If your dog is prone to getting upset when going to new places or traveling in a car, it’ll likely be a little stressful to fly with them. That said, you can always take a trip to the vet to seek out any recommendations to help manage your pup’s anxiety levels.
Completing the Paperwork Before You Travel
The next thing to think about is booking the dog on your flight and filling out the required paperwork. To book your dog onto your flight, I recommend calling the airline directly to talk through the options. You can also do this step online if you prefer! In terms of paperwork, the best way to figure out what you need is to go to the airline’s pet policy pages. They’re clear and easy to follow (at least in my experience!). If you’re traveling internationally, the paperwork can be a little more extensive. For this, you’ll have to take a trip to the vet… I know, I know, but, trust me, it’s worth it.
Packing the Essentials (and Accessories!)
Once all the nitty-gritty is out of the way, you can think about packing! First, check out what size carrier you can bring via the airline pet pages. Then, pack that carrier! I packed my dog with a bone, his favorite toy, and a blanket to keep him calm. In my bag, I included extra harnesses, leashes, and treats for the trip. He was a little nervous during takeoff (poor guy) but calmed down once we hit cruising altitude. He and I have that in common! One thing that I found really helpful when we first got on the plane was to reach down and keep my hand on his carrier so he could tell I was there. It’s also always nice to let them pop their head out to say hello and see my face every so often.
The flight went smoothly and having my dog on vacation made it so much more fun and memorable. Plus, I didn’t have to show him all the photos when I got home; he was in all of them!
Flying with a pet can be stressful and definitely takes some planning, but ultimately it’s worth the work before takeoff. Hopefully, these tips help you plan ahead for your next trip!
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