COMPLETE CHECKLIST FOR A COMFORTABLE FLIGHT WITH YOUR DOG

Paperwork

You need to have a ton of paperwork in place when you are flying with dogs. You need to have papers to prove that your dog has had all the required vaccines and has spent time in quarantine (if required). Equally important is your vet’s letter clearing your dog for flight. If you want to carry your dog with you on the flight, then you need paper for that as well. Dogs over a certain size need to be boarded into the cargo hold unless they are support animals. You need to have paperwork declaring your dog as a support animal.

Tickets

Reaching the airport without your tickets will ruin your trip from the get-go. If you are flying with your pet as a support animal, then you need to get a ticket for them as well. Along with your paperwork, you have to carry both of your tickets. Sending your dog in the cargo hold requires you to pay for extra baggage. The weight of your dog and their carrier combined is the amount of excess baggage you need to pay. The amount can be paid when you are buying your tickets.

Carrier

Without the right crates, your dog will not be allowed on board. You need to buy an International Air Transport Association-approved crate. Putting your dog in any other crate is not safe for your dog. IATA crates can be strapped down during the flight for your dog’s safety. The size of the crate needs to be big enough for your dog to be comfortable in it. Your dog needs to be able to turn around and lie down in the crate. Take your dog to buy the crate and then let your dog get used to the crate before your journey.

Bowls

When you are flying with a dog, you cannot put things inside the crate. You can attach your dog’s bowl to the crate. For long flight or flights with layovers, you need to provide a bowl so that the airline staff can give your dog some food or water.

Food

Along with your bowl, you need to attach a packet of dry food that your dog is used to. Food is essential to attach since your dog might need it during their wait after the flight. The food can also be used as a treat to allow the airline staff to handle your dog if needed. Feeding your dog before the trip might lead to them throwing up. The food should be given to your dog after the flight.

Water

There are dog water bottles that you can attach to your crate. Your dog can take a drink whenever they way. But it is advised not to put a water bottle inside the crate. Attach the bottle outside so that staff can give your dog water after the flight. Your dog might end up drinking too much water due to anxiety and throw up. Food and water should be given to your dog after the flight lands so attach both outside the crate.

Medication

Most vets will never recommend sedatives for the flight. This is mainly because pets often have difficulty in breathing in flight if they are sedated. Your vet, however, might recommend some medicine for nausea. Avoid feeding your pet an hour before the flight and give the medicine. Your dog might not want to take medication from anyone else so do not attach medication with your crate. If your dog is flying with you, then you can carry their medication with you.

Name Tags

Cases of dogs getting loose during or before flights are rare. The name of your dog, your name and your contact details must be present on the crate. Apart from the crate, you can attach a name tag with your contact details onto your dog’s collar. In case of an emergency, your contact details will allow people to reach you.

Leash

A leash or harness is a must when traveling with your dog. When you put your dog inside the crate, you need to open the leash as it might lead to entanglement. You need to attach it to the outside of your crate. Your dog needs to be always on the leash if they are flying with you. Keep a spare harness with you in case the one attached to the crate gets lost in transit. With these things in your possession, you can ensure a safe flight for your dog.