Air Travel Tips for Your Dog

As a dog owner and dog breeder, I frequently turn to PetCo for dog care tips and advice. During the recent Holiday travel season, I received some excellent advice for traveling by plane with my dog from a PetCo article that I would like to share with other dog owners who are planning air travel and want to bring their dog along for the ride.

Book Airline Tickets Early

The earlier the plane tickets can be booked, the better, as many airlines limit the number of pets which can travel on each flight. To ensure you and your pooch are on the same flight, book early and purchase the plane ticket (if needed) for your dog at the same time your purchase your plane ticket.

Flight Seating

Your dog may or may not be allowed to travel in the passenger seating area with you. Different airline carriers have different rules, so be sure to ask (at the time of booking) where your dog will seated during the flight. Many airlines will allow small dogs to ride with you in the passenger section of the plane, while other airlines require all pets to be seated in the cargo area of the plane. Large dogs will be seated in the cargo area and will need a USDA approved carrier. Pet carriers must be strong, well ventilated and be large enough for your dog to lie down,, stand up and turn around comfortably. Remember to bring along some of your dog's favorite toys and blanket to place in his carrier during the flight, this will help keep him calm while in a strange place. Atlantic Airlines provides photos of various sizes of USDA approved pet carriers and their website also offers sound advice for checking a pet's health prior to attempting airline travel.

Food and Water

Some airlines require water to be in the pet carrier throughout the flight, others do not require it for short flights. Dog food, however, is a split decision; to feed or not to feed before or during a flight. Some dogs may develop air sickness during the flight and whatever is in their stomach is coming up. Puppies must be fed during a flight lasting over an hour or their blood sugar level could drop dangerously low. Discuss the food and water aspect with your veterinarian and the airline for the best advice pertaining to your dog and your flight.

Pet Tranquilizers

Only give your dog a tranquilizer for the flight if your veterinarian recommends it. A tranquilized dog has a difficult time regulating it's body temperature and that could be disastrous for a dog traveling in the cargo area of a plane, according to Vetinfo .

Sources:

PetCo

Atlantic Airlines

Vetinfo