What You Need To Know If You Want To Fly With Your Dog!
As you already know, it is perfectly legal to fly with your pet dog. You’ve probably seen other dog owners with their puppies at the airport, but have you ever wondered how the whole process works? Does the dog sit with you in your seat? Do they get put in a special place on the plane with other pets? Are they stuck in the hold with all the luggage?
So many questions spring to mind, which is why I’ve put together this guide to tell you exactly what happens when you fly with your dog.
Before you fly
Before setting off on your trip, you will need to ensure that your dog is able to fly. Generally speaking, any dog that is at least 8 weeks old and weaned should be allowed to fly in an airplane. However, some airlines may have restrictions based on size - so you should check with whichever airline you’re using when you’re booking tickets.
Do you need to book a plane ticket for your dog? No, not technically. You will need to call the airline or contact them to let them know you plan on bringing a dog with you. At this point, they will basically register your dog’s travel. There is an administration charge to pay when registering your dog, so this is sort of like paying for their ticket. However, it is not going to be as costly as buying a ticket itself.
Does your dog need a passport? Yes, but a pet passport is different from that of a human passport. Unlike yours, your pet won’t have a small little book with its picture and personal details on it. Instead, the pet passport is simply a collection of your pet's updated medical details. All you have to do is visit the vet to get all the right checks done, and to ensure your dog has any necessary vaccines - which they should already do. They issue a certificate, which may need to be certified by the USDA, depending on the airline - or country you’re traveling to. The whole process shouldn’t take too long and you should submit the pet passport to the airline at least 10 days before you fly. Bring it with you as well, just in case you’re asked for it at the border.
Is it safe for your dog to fly? In most cases, it will be safe for your dog to fly in a plane. But, there are regulations that don’t allow live animals when flying to or from areas of extreme temperatures. Generally, if it is below 45 or above 85 degrees Fahrenheit and the entire plane journey - including take-off and landing - lasts more than four hours, it’s unsafe for your dog. So, double-check that your chosen holiday destination is safe for your dog!
What should I bring with me when flying with a dog? There are plenty of things you should back in your bag when traveling with your dog. We won’t go through them all here, but a few obvious items include dog food, collars, leads, harnesses, jackets if it gets cold, and water.
Should you feed your dog before flying? It’s actually a bad idea to feed your dog in the hours before flying. A full stomach can be uncomfortable for them, and you also run the risk of your dog needing to go to the bathroom while in a pet carrier. Instead, give them their last meal around 4 hours before the flight. Obviously, keep giving them water at all times so they stay hydrated.
At this point, you should be ready to get on the plane with your dog. Well, you’ll have all the admin stuff sorted, and everything packed and ready. It’s also worth noting that you should ensure you book dog-friendly hotels during your trip. Don’t go through all the effort of flying with your dog, only to discover the hotel you booked doesn’t allow pets! It should be extremely easy to see if a hotel is dog-friendly or not - if, for whatever reason, it’s not advertised, contact the hotel and ask directly.
During the flight
Getting your dog ready to fly is only one part of the process. Now, you have to deal with bringing them on the flight with you. Again, all sorts of questions spring to mind, including a very obvious one…
Will your dog fly in the cabin with you? Dogs are allowed to fly in the cabin with you, but only under certain circumstances. Usually, this is up to the airline to decide. What they tend to do is allow small dogs to fly in the cabin with their owners, but larger ones will have to go in the cargo area. While an airline is unlikely to weigh your dog to see if it is heavy enough, they will make you put them in the cargo if the carrier is too big and won’t fit under the seat in front of you.
Is it safe for a dog to fly in the cargo area? Yes, otherwise airlines wouldn’t allow it. I would not fly with my pet if this was my only option however, just to put that out there. If you choose to take this route though, they do have certain restrictions in place to prevent some pet carriers from being used in the cargo area. Typically, you will need to use a hard pet carrier if your dog is flying in the cargo bay. This is because it provides added protection during the flight. You can use a soft carrier if they are in the cabin with you as you can check on them and keep them safe the whole time.
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