Flying with Your Dog: 11 Essential Tips and Guidelines Before You Go

Our canine friends can make wonderful travel companions. While there’s nothing better than bringing your pup along on adventures, the process of canine air travel can be tricky if you don’t know what to expect.

We want you to be as prepared as possible for flying with your pup, so we’re here to share 11 essential tips and guidelines on how to fly with your dog. We discuss airline guidelines, trips to the vet, carrier tips, and more!

Let’s get started.

Make Sure Your Pet Is Fit For Travel

The first thing you should do before planning any aspects of your pet’s travel journey is make sure they are fit to travel in the first place. Air travel is not ideal for some dogs with underlying health conditions, and you never want to put your little one at risk. Many airlines also require a health certificate performed by a vet within a week of your travels, so you don’t want to be faced with an unexpected health road block right before their flight.

Some common health complications that may prohibit dogs from flying include cardiac conditions, brachycephalic airway syndrome, diabetes, and any respiratory complications.

Plan Everything In Advance

It’s important to be aware of the fact that everything surrounding your pet’s air travel will need to be planned in advance. Pet travel is not something you can pull off last minute, as most airlines will have specific guidelines you need to follow leading up to your pet’s travel. We suggest planning any air travel with your dog at least 8 weeks in advance when possible.

Choose A Pet Friendly Airline

Not all airlines are pet friendly, so you will want to make sure that your airline of choice will allow your pup to tag along on your adventure. This is especially important, as you often need to call the airline after you book your flight to have your dog added on to your booking. You don’t want to purchase an expensive plane ticket, only to discover that you cannot add your dog onto your booking.

Not only is it important to find a pet friendly airline, but you want to make sure that the airline offers a travel option you are comfortable with. For example, while some airlines allow pets in the cabin, others require them to travel in cargo. You always want to determine this ahead of a time if you have a preference.

Familiarize Yourself With Airline Regulations

Once you determine which airline is best for your dog’s air travel, it important to familiarize yourself with their pet travel regulations. Most airlines will require specific vaccines, a health certificate, microchip information, and more. You will need to meet each of these guidelines on the day of your travel, so you want to make sure you are prepared.

Book Your Pet’s Ticket Early

We always suggest adding your pet to your booking at least 10-20 days before your intended travel date. Some airlines only allow a certain number of pets on each flight, so you want to make sure your pet gets a spot. This process can vary based on whether your pet is in cargo or in the cabin, so you will need to speak with your airline directly on how to add your pet to your booking.

Schedule Any Necessary Vet Appointments

Once you know exactly what the airline needs as far as health checks and vaccinations, it’s important to schedule these vet appointments as quickly as possible. Many vet offices are booked out weeks in advance at the moment, so you will want to reserve an appointment as soon as you can.

It’s important to keep in mind that not all vet clinics offer travel services or health declarations for air travel, so you may need to spend time finding a suitable clinic near you.

Find A Dog Crate Suitable For Travel

Each airline will have specific crate regulations based on the area in which your pet will be stored. For example, if your pet is small enough to ride with you in the cabin, then a soft carrier is often suitable. However, if your pet needs to ride in cargo, they will need to have a hard-plastic crate.

You will also need to make sure that your dog has enough room to stand up in the crate and turn around comfortably, as the airline may turn you away if the crate is too small. The crate also cannot be too big, so it’s important to look at the airline’s crate regulations found on their website. You can typically find any information you need in the pet travel section of their website.

Prepare All Travel Documents

Once you’ve completed the steps above and your dog has had all their necessary vet care, then you need to make sure your documents are organized and easy to manage. You may need to show your pet’s travel documents multiple times throughout the check in process, as well as when you land at your destination. We suggest having at least 3 copies of each document, and keeping them all in an easy to access folder.

Pack Any Necessary Pet Supplies

No matter how prepared you are for this adventure with your dog, it will always be a bit daunting for your little one. Having your dog’s favorite pet supplies on hand can offer them comfort during this unfamiliar experience. We suggest packing their favorite food, toys, treats, potty pads, and any other supplies that your little one loves.

If your dog is traveling with you in the cabin, we suggest packing a small amount of their food in your carry on in case they get hungry, as well as a collapsible water bowl to keep them hydrated. If your dog is flying in cargo, the airline will typically require their cage to have a bowl of food and water they can easily access.

Feed & Walk Your Dog Before You Check In

As we mentioned above, airline travel can be a bit stressful for most canine friends. Some dogs may be too nervous to eat or go potty once they get to the airport, so it’s best to make sure your little one is fed and walked before your arrival. Your pup will also be spending their time in a cage for the duration of your flight, so it’s nice to let them stretch their legs beforehand.

Get Checked In To Your Flight Early

Getting your dog all checked in and ready for airline travel can take a bit of extra time, so we always suggest arriving earlier than you would if you were traveling without them. We suggest arriving at least 2 hours early if you are traveling domestically with your dog, and arriving at least 3 hours early if you are traveling internationally.

If your pet is traveling in cargo, most airlines ask you to arrive 3 hours early no matter your destination.

Enjoy Your Trip!

Now that you and your little one are checked in, it’s time to enjoy your adventure together! Traveling with a dog can be a tedious process, but it will always be worth it to have your beloved companion at your side each step of the way.

Be sure to review the information we discussed above on air travel with dogs, and you can be ready for anything that comes your way throughout the process!

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