If you can’t bear the thought of leaving your beloved pooch in a kennel or with a dog sitter when you go on vacation, then you may be considering taking them with you instead.
Dogs can travel by plane, but there are several procedures that you need to know about and carry out before you will be allowed to travel by air with your dog.
It is also important that you ensure that your dog is healthy and happy while they are traveling, so keep reading to find out how you can properly prepare your dog for their first plane trip.
Take them to the vets
Arguably the most important task that you need to carry out before you book your vacation, taking your dog to the vets before they travel, is essential as you will need to obtain a travel health certificate for them.
You may want to ask your vet for advice on traveling by plane with your dog and ways in which you can prepare them for the journey.
It is a good idea to choose a veterinary facility that also offers a dog grooming service such as heartandpaw.com, as you will want to have their nails trimmed before you travel to ensure they do not catch them or hurt themselves when they are contained in their dog carrier.
Plus, just like you, your dog will want to look their best for their first vacation abroad!
Research airline policies
Firstly, you need to find the airlines that allow you to travel with your dog, and then you need to find out what their policies are surrounding the process, such as will your dog be traveling in the cargo hold, or will they be allowed in the cabin with you.
It is worth noting that some air travel companies have restrictions on certain breeds who may not be fit for air travel as they may struggle to breathe or become too stressed.
Common dogs that may not be allowed to fly include:
- Pugs
- Bulldogs
- Boxers
- Mastiffs
- Pit bulls
Help prepare your dog for air travel
You should start training your dog for air travel at least a few weeks before your flight date so that you can ensure they are sufficiently prepared for the process.
You should start by ensuring that they are comfortable in their dog carrier. They should have enough space to be able to turn around, and they should not be acting stressed or in any discomfort. It is also important that they can sleep in their carrier.
They then need to be happy to be left alone in their carrier as they will either be in the cargo area or under your seat for the duration of the flight, and you do not want them to be barking constantly throughout the flight due to feelings of anxiety.
It is also a good idea, especially if your dog is not yet comfortable around large crowds or loud noises, to take them to places that are both busy and noisy so that they can acclimatize.
You may even want to play them some sounds of airplanes taking off so that they are familiar with this loud noise.
On the day itself, make sure they are well fed and watered before take-off and try and keep them as calm as possible, then you can sit back and enjoy your flight.