How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Dog On A Plane
Introduction
We know that you probably don’t want to leave your dog at home when you travel, and we don’t blame you. What’s a vacation without the whole family? That being said, bringing your dog on an airplane isn’t as easy as throwing their favorite chew toy into a suitcase and booking the cheapest flight. There are rules, regulations, and some hefty fees that go along with flying with Fido. But before you start planning every step of your trip around whether or not your dog is allowed at a certain destination or resort, let us help you make sense of it all. Here’s everything you need to know about shipping your dog on a plane.
Is It Illegal to Ship a Dog on a Plane?
No. While it may seem that way, the answer is no. The FAA allows dogs to travel in the cabin and cargo hold. The only thing that determines whether or not your dog can fly is their size and breed. If you’re considering sending your pet cross-country, there are certain things you should know before committing to a flight:
- The cost of flying with a dog depends on its size and breed, as well as how far away from home they’re traveling. This means that if your pup is small enough (under 20 lbs), he could go in the cabin with you for free—but if he’s over 50 pounds, he’ll have to fly cargo under his own ticket at an additional fee of up to $1,000 per flight depending on how far away from home you’re traveling!
- Similarly, if you’re flying domestically within one country or internationally between countries like Canada or Mexico (not across oceans), then it will be cheaper than traveling long distances between continents like Europe/Africa/Asia because these journeys require more fuel than shorter flights within North America would take up.”
How Much Does it Cost?
The cost of shipping a dog depends on the airline, the size of the dog and whether it’s going in cargo or as checked baggage. There are also additional costs for special equipment like crates, which can add between $100-$200 to your overall bill. On average, it’s around $200-$500 for one pet to be shipped by plane.
If you have multiple pets traveling together, there will be an additional fee for each animal over two (for example: one person with two cats = total cost of $300). If your dog or cat is traveling internationally and has been vaccinated within five days prior to travel out of state they will need another rabies vaccination before they fly internationally that must be administered at least 21 days before travel date (and this needs to be endorsed by USDA accredited veterinarian)
What Are the Rules and Regulations?
There are a few things you should know before shipping your pup. First, the dog must be at least 8 weeks old to fly. Second, they must have a health certificate from a licensed veterinarian verifying that their vaccinations are up-to-date and proof of rabies vaccination is required. Third, they should be in good health prior to travel (as with any time you’re traveling with your pet). Finally, it’s important that they have been properly trained so they don’t freak out during take-off or flight—and so they can behave themselves on the plane when people start feeding them snacks (which happens).
How Do You Crate Your Dog?
In order to crate your dog, you’ll need a sturdy metal or plastic crate. Make sure the side door is fully openable with no obstruction or damage. It should also be big enough for your dog to stand up and turn around in comfortably without being too big for your plane ticketed pet—the bigger the crate, the heavier it will be at check-in time!
If you’re flying with a puppy, consider buying a secondhand model that has already been broken in by an older pup so it doesn’t take up any room in your suitcase for these items:
- A comfortable bed made out of soft fabric and filled with stuffing or foam (but not cotton). This bed should be large enough so that when they are sleeping they have plenty of room to stretch out their legs while sitting upright. If possible use one that has sides on either end as well as some sort of padding (cushions) on top like those used on couches so they feel safe and secure inside there while traveling through airports where lots happens outside around them all day long – especially if there are lots of people walking around outside too closeby which could make things very stressful for them if not given enough space inside their own little “fortress” where nothing bad can happen!
Everything You Need to Know About Shipping Your Dog
You’re not the only one who is nervous about shipping your dog. Every pet owner has concerns about how their dog will react to being shipped, whether they’ll feel comfortable enough in the crate and on the plane, and whether or not everything will go smoothly.
To ensure that it does go smoothly, here are some tips for making sure that your pup’s flight goes smoothly:
- Be prepared to pay for a crate and shipping
- Make sure your dog is healthy and up to date on vaccinations
- Make sure your dog is comfortable in a crate (some dogs hate them)
- Have all necessary paperwork for both yourself and your pet (ID cards, vet records)
You can fly your dog on the plane with you, but you need to do some research and make sure your dog is prepared.
The good news for dog owners is that it’s possible to fly with your pup if you do a little research and make sure your dog is ready. The bad news? It’s going to cost you some money.
There are two ways to get your pet on the plane: First, if you’re flying in or out of one of ten major airports—including New York City, Atlanta, Seattle and San Francisco—you can take advantage of American Airlines’ PetSafe program. If not, there are still ways to ship your pupper safely via air (more on those in a minute).
If you’re flying out of one of those ten airports, here’s what you need to know about PetSafe:
- Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old.
- Your pet must be healthy (no injuries or health conditions).
- Your pet must have had all its shots within 14 days of travel (you’ll need proof).
- The airlines require that dogs weighing more than 20 pounds should ride under the seat in front of them; smaller ones will sit on the floor near their owners’ feet. This means if someone needs that under-the-seat space for their own bag (and they may), then Fido might not be able to join his family on vacation after all—but don’t worry! There are other options for traveling together:
Conclusion
If you are planning a trip and want to bring your dog along, it is important to make sure they are safe and comfortable while they travel. You should also consult with the airline before you fly so that you know what restrictions there might be for your dog. The cost will depend on how much space you need and where you are flying from, but it should not be too expensive. We recommend saving money by using our website to find an airline that accepts dogs in their cargo holds–this will allow both of you to have fun when traveling without worrying about anything else!