How To Travel With A Dog By Plane

Introduction

You can’t just pick up a dog and put it on an airplane. Planning is required. But if you’ve got the right pet carrier, all your paperwork in order, and some treats, flying with a dog doesn’t have to be scary or stressful.

Plan ahead

Book a direct flight.
Book the flight as early as possible if you’re traveling during peak season, holidays, or other busy times of year when flights fill up quickly.
Check with your airline to see if they have any pet-friendly policies that may affect your travel plans—some airlines will only allow pets traveling in certain cabin classes, for example (or even certain seats on the plane).
If you’re flying internationally and need to stay overnight at an airport hotel before continuing on to your final destination, book the hotel at least 24 hours in advance so that you don’t run into issues with finding accommodations for both yourself and your dog (and make sure they accept dogs!).

Know their limits

Once you’ve determined that your dog is fit to fly, there are a few more things you need to consider. Your dog’s comfort and stress levels can be major factors in determining whether or not they’ll have an enjoyable flight.

Here are some ways you can tell if your pet is comfortable:

Your pet will be relaxed and happy when they’re in their carrier.
If they have food and water available in their carrier, they’ll eat their meal without any problems (though eating while being carried may prove difficult).
Your pet’s ears should neither be too hot nor too cold due to the temperature of the cabin; however, it’s normal for pets’ noses or paws to feel cooler than usual during takeoff and landing because of blocked airflow from flying through lower altitudes at high speeds. If this happens repeatedly throughout your journey, speak with a member of crew so that steps can be taken immediately!

Make sure they are comfortable

The right size carrier is critical. The smaller the better, but you also need to consider your dog’s comfort level. For example, an airline will only allow a pet carrier that measures 9x14x18 inches or less. Moreover, it should have enough room for your pet so he can stand up without his head hitting the top or sides of the crate.

The next thing you’ll want to consider is whether or not the carrier has ventilation — some carriers are better than others at this and if your dog gets overheated he may get sick during travel. If possible, look for a design made of mesh (instead of solid metal) so air can flow freely inside and around him while in flight and on land too!

Finally: make sure there are handles on both ends so you can carry him easily through airports with only one hand needed!

Paperwork

Make sure you have all the paperwork you need:
Make sure you have your dog’s vaccination records, if applicable. Some countries require proof of rabies vaccinations, so check with the consulate of any country that you are planning to visit in addition to checking with the airline.
If travelling internationally, make sure your pet is microchipped and has a health certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian (this is required for dogs arriving from outside Australia).

Get the right carrier, and practice with it

Once you have the right carrier, it’s time to practice using it. The first step is getting your dog used to it. Put treats in the carrier and encourage him or her to go inside. If your dog isn’t too food-motivated, try feeding them while they’re in the carrier so they associate good feelings with being inside of it. Then, place the door open but don’t let your pet out yet—that will come later!

Now that he or she has gotten used to being close by and not moving around much, take one more step toward making your trip a success: get him or her familiar with how their new home will feel during travel by taking each step slowly and repeating many times over until he or she is comfortable with each part of his routine before moving on to another part (like walking down an airplane aisle).

Don’t drug them

Don’t drug your dog.
Drugs can cause a host of problems for both the dog and the flight crew, which could lead to a delay or even cancellation of your flight. Other passengers may be inconvenienced as well, so it’s best to avoid drugging your pet with sedatives or other drugs.
Don’t give them too much water either! It’s better not to over-hydrate before flying because dehydration has been known to cause falls in older dogs (while walking down stairs).

If you want to travel with your dog by plane, you need to plan ahead.

Traveling with your dog by plane can be an exciting adventure, but it’s also a lot of work. If you want to make the trip easier, start planning as soon as possible. Here are some tips for doing this:

Check the airline’s rules and fees. The airline will have specific regulations about what kind of carrier or kennel your dog needs to travel in, so make sure that you’re following their requirements. They may also charge extra for carrying pets on board (this is especially true if they’re not a service animal), so keep that in mind when booking your flight(s).
Book early—and don’t forget about check-in! It might seem like common sense not to wait until the last minute if you’re traveling with a pet (and it should be!), but people often don’t take into account how much more difficult things can get when there are several other passengers waiting in line behind them who want their bags checked right away and need assistance finding them on the plane once they land at their destination. If possible, try booking at least three weeks ahead of time—though even if this isn’t feasible for whatever reason then do what works best within reason!

Conclusion

When it comes down to it, traveling with your dog isn’t the easiest thing in the world. But if you plan ahead, know their limits, and make sure they are comfortable, you can have a successful trip that everyone will enjoy.