Taking Pets on Holiday
Last month we talked about traveling with your pet via car and staying in hotels or with friends and family. This month we will talk about adventures that require traveling by plane.
Get Ready to Fly
More and more people are flying with their pets. It can be done with some planning and preparation. Here are some ideas to help you and your (non-service) pet make your first flight together.
Under the Seat
If you are flying and planning to bring your pet with you, check with your airline's website about the cost as well as their rules and regulations. Many airlines will allow a small pet in a carrier that can fit under the seat to fly in the cabin with you.
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Make sure you feel confident that your pet will be well behaved. An incessantly barking dog or meowing cat can be very stressful for everyone on the plane. You cannot take your pet out of the crate while in the plane, so there will be little you can do to soothe him/her. Bring a favorite treat (for you and your pet) to help with anxiety.
In Baggage
Chances are your pet may be too large to fit under the seat in a carrier. If this is the case then you will need to reserve your pet a space in storage; pay the fee; provide paperwork; and have an airline-approved crate for your pet. Each airline has its own rules, so read the fine print and I advise that you talk to someone at the airline that is knowledgeable regarding pet rules and regulations.
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Just Say "No" to Drugs
Most vets will recommend that you not give your pet a sedative. The animal's anxiety will only be heightened if he/she feels "out of it". Talk to your vet to see what he/she has to say.
Crate Train Now
If your pet is not already crate trained start training at least a month before the flight. You do not want your pet's first experience of a crate being the day of their flight. Here are some tips on how to crate train your pet.
Check All Rules and Regulations
Check with your airline's rules about required vaccinations. Make sure your pet is up to date and in compliance (and have all the paperwork to prove it).
If your travel is international, first check to see if you can even bring a pet into the country and if so, the period of quarantine.
Determine the vaccination requirements of that country, and give yourself plenty of time. Depending on the country, the paperwork can take awhile to coordinate and process. In the United States, you need to complete paperwork with the USDA – Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service in order to travel with your pet internationally.
Bathroom Breaks
Flying with a pet can be tricky because of the early check-in and his/her need to go the bathroom. Limit your pet's food and water intake before the flight to minimize elimination issues. Also, line the crate with a towel, just in case. Check in with the airline and right before they need to take your pet, give him or her one last bathroom break.
Tell Us
If you have flown with your pet, either under the seat or in baggage, what was it like for you and/or your pet?
