Traveling with your furry friend can be stressful, but taking a few simple precautions will help ensure your pet has a safe, comfortable flight. As you prepare for takeoff, keep these tips in mind to avoid any turbulence when you and your pet board the plane together.
Do Your Homework on Airline Policies
Before you even consider booking tickets, thoroughly research each airline’s specific rules about traveling with pets. Every airline has its own unique policies that vary widely regarding important factors like:
- Fees for bringing pets in the cabin or checking them below deck – can range from $50 to over $200 each way per pet, so compare all your options. Some airlines may waive fees for service animals.
- Approved pet carrier dimensions and construction – soft-sided vs hard carriers, weight limits, and size constraints. Measure carefully.
- Number and types of pets allowed per passenger – generally only 1-2 small pets in cabin, but checked pets may have higher limits. Unique pets like snakes often have restrictions.
- Embargoes on pet travel during extreme seasonal temperatures – some airlines refuse checked pets in very hot or cold weather.
- Overall pet capacity per flight – only a certain number of in-cabin pets are allowed to prevent allergies. Book early to secure a spot.
Dig deep on airline websites to find pet travel info, and don’t hesitate to call customer service for clarity on any gray areas. Double checking all policies instead of assuming avoids headaches when you go to check-in with your pet. Any unexpected surprises are much harder to remedy at the airport.
Schedule Direct Flights Whenever Possible
The more stops, plane changes, and connections in your itinerary, the higher the risk of delays or accidents that could negatively impact your pet. Closely evaluate your schedule to see if driving part of the trip makes sense to avoid layovers. If connections are completely unavoidable due to route options, build in some extra time cushion in case tight transfers get missed.
Direct flights greatly simplify travel logistics for you and minimize time spent in-transit for your pet. The fewer opportunities for something to go wrong, the better. Nonstop journeys also reduce the number of take offs and landings, which can be disorienting and stressful for pets unused to air travel.
Purchase the Right Sized Pet Carrier
All airlines have very strict regulations regarding the acceptable sizes, types, and construction of pet carriers allowed both in-cabin and in cargo. Soft-sided carriers are only permitted for small pets riding with you in the cabin, but airlines require hard-shelled kennels for any animals being checked and riding in cargo below. Carefully measure your pet when seated, standing, and lying down – carriers must allow them to sit, turn around, and move a bit during transit.
Ensure your selected carrier properly accommodates your pet’s size according to the specific airline’s constraints. Oversized or makeshift carriers will be rejected. Proper identification like your contact info is also essential on the outside. Investing in an airline-approved, high-quality carrier designed for smooth air travel can give you valuable peace of mind.
Get a Vet Check Up Prior to Departure
Schedule a visit to your regular trusted vet a few weeks before departure to confirm your pet is healthy enough to handle the stress of air travel. Discuss any preventative steps you can take in advance to optimize their health, like adjusting regular food portions or activity levels temporarily. Also talk through administering mild sedatives if your pet experiences severe anxiety in travel scenarios – when used correctly under your vet’s guidance, these can help anxious pets stay calm.
In addition to assessing overall fitness for air travel, your vet can examine vaccination records and verify they meet any specific requirements for your destination. Some locations may need proof of certain vaccines within a recent time window. Taking these important medical precautions prior to travel day provides essential reassurance and prevents scrambling at the airport if issues surface.
Avoid Food and Water Directly Before Travel
It is best practice to remove your pet’s food and water bowls about 2 to 4 hours prior to leaving for the airport. This provides sufficient time for your pet’s body to start digesting any food consumed earlier, while also minimizing any need for bathroom breaks during the trip.
However, keeping your pet reasonably hydrated is still important, so consider bringing an empty collapsible water bottle and portable bowl. Once you are through airport security screening, you can stop to fill up the bottle with fresh water in case your pet gets thirsty. Limiting food intake but providing water access allows your pet to stay nourished and comfortable during the flight.
Wear Your Pet Out With Exercise Beforehand
Take your dog for an extended vigorous walk or jog in the morning before your travels. Play an intense game of fetch or let your cat run wild chasing toys across your home. Finding ways to burn your pet’s excess energy ahead of time increases the chances they will sleep soundly during the flight.
If at all possible, try to mimic their typical daily exercise routine the morning you depart. Putting in that extra work beforehand alleviates boredom and prevents restlessness in transit. A tired, worn-out pet usually translates to a calm, peaceful trip for all.
Get to the Airport Early and Organized
Navigating airports with your pet by your side requires much more time, patience, and organization. Build in some substantial cushion before your scheduled departure – arrive at least 1 to 2 hours early in case you need to re-configure your pet’s carrier at check-in. Attempting to rush through cutting it close only exacerbates everyone’s stress levels.
Come prepared with food, medications, cleaning supplies like waste bags and paper towels, water, bowls, leashes, toys, and anything else you may immediately need during travel. Having all essentials organized neatly ahead of time makes managing your pet’s care far smoother once you are past airport security screening.
Help Your Pet Feel at Home in Their Carrier
If your pet will be riding in a carrier during the flight, invest time well in advance to get them comfortable spending cozy downtime inside. Leave the carrier set up on the floor at home filled with plush bedding, toys, treats, and anything else that feels familiar and reassuring. This allows your pet to regularly nap, play, and eat inside the carrier like it’s just another room.
Taking short drives around your neighborhood or to a local park with your pet securely inside their carrier also greatly helps reduce travel-related stress on the big trip. The more exposure over multiple weeks and months beforehand, the more your pet accepts the carrier as a safe space.
Use Recordings to Accustom Your Pet to Airport Noises
The hustle and bustle within an airport can feel jarring and overwhelming for pets unaccustomed to the typical loud noises. Well before your travels, play audio recordings of ambient airport sounds at home to desensitize your pet. Start with fairly low volume to avoid startling them as you expose them to the rumble of rolling suitcases, boarding announcements over intercoms, crowds of people chatting in concourses, beeping carts, and more.
Over multiple short sessions gradually increase the volume of these recordings until the noises seem commonplace and non-reactive. Taking the time to repetition train your pet to associate transportation sounds with normalcy prevents sensory overload when they actually experience the airport.
Ask About Early Airport Boarding Options
When you first arrive at the airport, inquire at the check-in desk whether early boarding is available as an accommodation for travelers with pets. Many airlines permit people with disabilities and special needs to board planes early, so this option depends on specific airline policies and gate personnel discretion.
If approved for early boarding, you can settle into your seat and get your pet situated in their carrier under the seat in front of you well before crowds of other passengers stream down the aisle. This perk greatly diminishes stress and overstimulation for your pet during the boarding process.
Secure the Best Possible Seat Location
Research your seating options carefully online as soon as you purchase tickets. Scout for the ideal location that provides a peaceful atmosphere for your pet. Window seats allow you to partially block them from the commotion of other passengers continually walking by in the aisle. Choosing an empty middle seat next to you also creates a helpful buffer space and deterrent.
If possible given the aircraft layout, try to avoid being seated in the very first few rows where traffic congestion is concentrated near the boarding door. The goal is finding a section further back that sees less foot traffic to minimize overstimulation of your pet during the flight.
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Stay Calm and Reassuring When Anxiety Strikes
You know your individual pet best, so pay close attention if they begin exhibiting signs of stress like agitated pacing, whimpering, shaking, or excessive drooling during travel. Offer soothing verbal reassurance and gentle physical touch like light strokes on their carrier. Remain relaxed and positive yourself since pets intuitively pick up on the energy and emotions of their trusted humans.
Consciously focus on regulating your own breathing and heart rate, which can transmit a subtle calming effect. Your stability and confidence sets the tone and helps relax your pet when anxiety runs high in unfamiliar environments.
Prepare For the Unexpected
Despite meticulous planning, travel days are unpredictable. Diets and routines can be disrupted, which could lead to accidents or illness. Come prepared with plastic bags, paper towels, carpet cleaner, disinfectants, and a spare change of bedding or blankets. Consider packing an old towel or rag you don’t mind discarding if necessary. Your pet’s safety and comfort come first.
Remember to go with the flow and adjust plans as needed. Having reasonable expectations and staying solution-focused prevents frustration when unexpected challenges inevitably crop up. Maintain your sense of humor, roll with the punches, and take care of your pet’s needs without shame or stress.
Traveling by plane with your cherished pet entails more preparation, organization, and foresight than a solo trip. But a bit of strategic planning, research, and TLC ensures you both enjoy smooth travels from start to finish. If you need to get your pet from one location to another and don’t want to handle everything on your own, a company such as https://airpetsinternational.com/ would love to help.
