The Biggest Do’s and Don’ts When Flying with Your Furry Pal

If you have a dog, without a doubt, it is your best friend. You take your furry pal anywhere you go with you, but now the time has come for that overseas flight. You are probably hesitating whether to take your lovey with you this time as flying with a pet definitely requires some important considerations beforehand. The most important one though is buying your dog a crate.

When looking for an airline crate for your furry friend, make sure it is comfortable. The right carrier needs to provide him with enough room to move inside – it should be able to stand, sit, turn around and lie down comfortably. Flying on a plane can be stressful for both of you, so the more space and airflow the airline crate has – the more comfortable and safe your pet will feel. And since you will be traveling a long distance, make sure to choose a kennel that is easy to clean.

The most recommended types of kennels you should look for are a soft crate, heavy-duty plastics, and metal – so make sure you understand the features of all types, so you can choose the most suitable one for your dog’s needs. It should be in a good condition with a secure lock, have water dishes, be leak-proof, etc.

But besides choosing a good airline crate for your dog, there are also some major do’s and don’ts that you should pay attention to so that both of you can have a pleasant flying experience.

DO’S

Prepare your dog for the trip – Before taking the trip, leave the door of the airline crate wide open and leave your dog to explore it. And yes, give him a reward if he does that. A few days before the flight, take your dog to visit his favorite place using the crate for transport. This way he will connect the crate with something fun, which will make using it on the plane less of a problem.

Find a pet-friendly airport – The first thing to do is find an airport that is pet-friendly and provides services such as animal relief, hygiene and comfort areas. These spaces are created to accommodate people who are traveling with pets. Most of them are hidden in small corners of terminals covered with fake grass, but there are also some made with real grass and have enough space for pets to run and play.

Choose the right period for traveling – Some airlines do not allow pets to travel in certain weather conditions and temperatures, so make sure to do your homework first. Also, avoid traveling during the holidays as during that time the personnel is overwhelmed and the airports are too busy. Instead, travel offseason and choose days like Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday as they are considered the least crowded ones, which makes them perfect for traveling with a pet.

DON’TS

Forget the paperwork – Before taking the trip, take your dog to a veterinarian to ensure everything is fine with him, and get him a health certificate so that the airline company allows him to fly. You might also need to show whether your dog has been vaccinated, so make sure you take the vaccination record with you as well.

Let your furry friend outside the crate – Not all people love dogs. Even the thought of flying in the same plane with a dog makes some people nervous, so the worst thing to do is let your dog walk around in a plane full of passengers. Also, this is against airline rules so make sure to follow them.

Let your dog dehydrate – Dehydration goes hand in hand with flying, so make sure your dog has enough water to drink. Follow the symptoms like reduced energy levels, dry nose and gums, dry-looking eyes, loss of skin elasticity and similar. If you notice some of these signs, give your pet water as soon as possible. Knowing the signs of dehydration can also help you spot a serious medical condition on time.