In our blog post on traveling with a dog in a car, we talked about how important it is to us dog lovers to be able to bring our pooch with us anywhere we go! And that includes being able to take them on journeys that require flying. However, flying with a dog can be tricky for both you and your pooch.
In this article, I’m going to take you through everything you need to know when it comes to flying with a dog. You’re going to learn about the necessary identification, safety when flying and how to make your trip as stress free as possible for both you and your furry friend.
Pooch ID
Whenever you are going anywhere (not just on vacay), it’s important to have your pooch’s identification on at all times. This means they should always have their collar with an ID tag and an emergency number. That way, if your pup gets away from you, the person who finds them will know who to call.
This is particularly important when you are traveling with a dog away from home. Having a strong and sturdy collar that your pup cannot slip off will automatically give you a sense of relief when you are out and about with your furry friend.
When you’re flying with a dog, it’s also necessary to take copies of your pup’s health records. You can get these from the vet if you don’t already have them. Whenever I travel with my pup, I keep printed copies in my bag but also have electronic copies I can easily access. Your dog’s health records act as their passport and are necessary to show that your pooch has been properly vaccinated.
If your pup is not already, I would also recommend you speak with your vet about getting your pup microchipped. This is a permanent form of identification that your dog cannot slip out of (like a collar) and that is pretty common practice with pets now.
Is Flying with a Dog Safe?
Flying with a dog used to be really straightforward. You would get a travel crate, make sure you did not feed your dog too much, get your vet to administer a sedative and then check your pooch as baggage. Sounds simple, right?
Well, thank goodness things are not still done the same way. This old approach was quite unsafe and scary for dogs. Checking your dog as baggage meant they were treated as baggage and put in the cargo hold with the remainder of the luggage. Your dog would be terrified, not understanding what was happening, sensitive to the changing air pressure, and could often get hurt or even die from the environmental conditions. (I’m tearing up just thinking about my Coco in that situation…)
So, is flying with a dog actually safe? It can be but you have to be sure you are planning carefully and choosing wisely when it comes to the airline and preparation.
The most important thing to consider is your pet’s health. Flying with a dog comes with risks, especially when your dog is in the cargo hold (as most medium to large breeds will be). Cargo holds are not temperature controlled so your pet is going to experience more extreme temperatures than you will in the cabin. Thus, it’s incredibly important you are thinking of the weather and temperature when you travel (for both your departure location and destination). Dogs die every year from heat exposure in the cargo hold.
Another important consideration is your dog’s anxiety and stress levels. It is not common to sedate your dog anymore (in fact, most airlines have you sign something saying you have not sedated them). Sedation can create breathing issues, decrease your dog’s ability to regulate body temperature, and does not allow them to physically shift in the crate if necessary.
Airline Policies
In order to understand the airline policies fully, it’s important you go to the airline’s website and fully read through them so you know exactly what to expect and what is expected of you. Airline policies are all over the place – some airlines will allow dogs in the cabin while others strictly prohibit it. Some have weight restrictions while others do not. Some only allow pets to travel a certain distance or to certain destinations.
For the majority of airlines, the breed and size of your dog is going to determine whether or not they can fly with you. For example, short-nosed breeds are not allowed on many airlines due to their inability to breath, while other breeds have a harder time regulating their body temperature and therefore have a hard time in the cargo hold of a plane at certain times of the year.
Flying with a Dog – How to Prepare
Before you commit to flying with a dog, it’s important to be prepared for the journey. The very first thing you should do is check with your vet to get their opinion on whether or not your pooch should accompany you. For older dogs, the stress of the journey may actually be too much for them but your vet will be able to give you the best advice.
On the day of your flight, feed your pet more than 4 hours prior to the flight. This allows your pup to have the opportunity to relieve themselves prior to the flight without having any mishaps during the flight itself. A dog can go anywhere from 6-10 hours comfortably without food. Also make sure you feed your dog the same food as always – now is not the time to test out a new brand of food that may upset your pup’s tummy!
On the day of travel, exercise your dog to tire him or her out. When you are at the airport, close to flight time, find a place to walk your pooch where he or she can go to the bathroom one last time before boarding. Some airports have dog friendly areas for just this purpose – research your airport ahead of time to find out!
If your pooch is flying in the cargo hold, try to get seats close to the front of the plane so you can offboard as quickly as possible. For many airlines, you can pay an additional fee to sit closer to the front of the plane and, for your pup, that extra fee is definitely worth it!
Flying with a Dog – Upon Arrival
The first thing you’re going to want to do is find a place for your pooch to go to the bathroom. In an ideal world, you’re going to be traveling with others so one person can go and grab the baggage while the other takes your pup out immediately.
If you are taking a cab or rideshare program, do your research ahead of time to ensure dogs are allowed to be in the vehicle. If you are renting a vehicle, make sure the car rental company permits animals in the rental vehicle.
You can also plan to purchase the same food at your destination. Again, this is something you can research ahead of time to ensure you will have access to it. If you will be very busy at your destination, you can also look for local dog walkers to ensure your pooch is getting enough exercise on days when they cannot join you on your adventures.
Airline Approved Carriers
Flying with a dog requires you to provide an airline approved carrier for your pup. These carriers should be large enough that your pup can stand up and turn around in. Help your dog feel more comfortable by bringing a blanket or bed that smells like home. There are many to choose from but here are a few we recommend:
Flying with a Dog – Final Thoughts
There is no way I would rather travel than with my whole family and that includes my pup! But it is incredibly important that you ensure your pooch is going to be able to handle the stress of flying, especially if they cannot be in the cabin with you. For my Coco (10-year-old chocolate lab), she is unlikely to ever fly with me. She would go through too much stress (and she is already a bit of an anxious dog) and there are other options that I know she would be very happy with.
One of those options is Trusted House Sitters. I’ve had the pleasure of using Trusted House Sitters multiple times when I’ve traveled in the past and it has been an absolute life saver.
For a minimal annual subscription, you can have trusted and qualified individuals who will look after your home and your pets, provide you with updates and photos, and make sure you can feel confident when you’re away from your furry friend.
Regardless of what you choose - flying with your dog or keeping your pooch at home - do your research to find the best option for everyone! I know how much I'd miss Coco while I'd be away on a trip but I would be much happier knowing she was safe and sound at home, looked after by someone trustworthy. I'd just look forward to her wagging tail when I come home!
*Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission.
