Flying With Dogs: Our Top Tips For A Stress-Free Flight
Got a vacation planned with your buddy? Turns out, flying with dogs needs a bit of planning & prep before you two head off on your adventure. Here's everything you need to know to get you started.
With summer at our doorstep, you might already be planning your vacation – likely with your buddy in tow! But when it comes to flying with dogs – and even more so if you’re flying with a large dog – there’s…quite a bit of planning and prep you’ll need before you two head off to the airport.
So once you’ve gotten your dates booked, here are some steps to take for a fun, safe, stress-free flight. (And how you can prevent your dog from bolting off the leash while on vacation.)
Find out how your dog spends their time.
Read moreSteps to take before your flight
1. Get your buddy a travel health certificate
Flying with dogs might seem like fun, but it does come with its red tape. Depending on where you’re traveling, you may be required to provide a travel health certificate. (Stating that your dog’s gotten all their shots and isn’t likely to be carrying any harmful diseases.) Most airlines require this certificate, which should be issued within 10 days of your flight. So before heading off for vacation, make sure to work with your vet to get one issued for your buddy.
It’s a good idea to make two copies of the certificate, leaving one copy with your boarding documents and one taped on your dog’s carrier. If you have specific questions about whether your dog can handle air travel, be sure to ask your vet.
Finally, check whether pet insurance is an option for you. Some providers specifically include pet travel insurance as a part of your policy.
Read more: How Travel Insurance For Pets = A Stress-Free Vacation
2. Get your dog microchipped
A microchip works like a permanent ID tag for your dog – which can help someone identify them in case your buddy goes missing. Which isn’t just a nice-to-have, but rather a legal requirement in some countries. (Especially for dogs accompanying tourists.)
3. Check your airline regulations
Not all airlines are equally pet-friendly, and policies can vary significantly. So make sure to thoroughly familiarize yourself with the rules surrounding flying with dogs. In general, your pet needs to be older than 12 weeks, have their vaccination certificates, and be provided with plenty of food and water for longer journeys. Here are a list of pet-friendly airlines you could go for:
- American Airlines
- United Airlines
- Delta Airlines
- Air France
- JetBlue
- Lufthansa
- KLM
- Aeroflot
- Frontier Airlines
- Air Canada
- Swiss International
- Alitalia
- Air Malta
- Air India
- Emirates
- Finnair
- Spirit Airlines
Plus, while booking, we’d recommend you go for a direct flight, if possible to to minimize stress and the risk of mishandling during layovers. If you absolutely can’t avoid it, try and ensure your layover is short and allows enough time for any necessary transfers.
Keep an eye out for airlines that offer climate-controlled cargo holds and have staff trained in handling companion animals. And finally, double check that the hotel, hostel, or AirBnB you’ll be staying at is also pet-friendly.
3. Consider buying your tickets in person
You might be used to buying your tickets online – but in this case, you might be better off getting them in person or over the phone. So you can inform the staff much in advance that you’ll be flying with dogs and can handle all the necessary fees and paperwork.
If you’re flying with a large dog, your fee might be higher. Plus, they might have to ride in the cargo section. Smaller dogs, on the other hand, can most often stay in a carrier underneath your seat. Which is why it’s so important to…
4. Get your dog used to a travel carrier
As nice as it’d be flying with your dog right next to you, your airline likely isn’t going to let it slide. Rather, you’ll need at least a secure dog carrier, a leash, and in some cases, a muzzle. Much before your flight, it’s also important that your dog is accustomed to being inside a crate. (You don’t want to have to deal with several hours on board with a howling, stressed out dog in the cargo!)
Start slow and get your dog accustomed to being inside one bit by bit so that they’re better prepared for the journey. You could also experiment with short car trips and gradually increase the duration to help your buddy get used to the motion and sounds of travel.
Read more: Driving With A Dog: How To Make Car Trips Safe And Enjoyable
Next, make sure to stay informed about airline dog carrier rules and restrictions. Make sure to go for a dog carrier that’s large enough for your dog to stand, turn around, and lie down in comfortably. (And that fits your airline size requirements as well.) Label the carrier clearly with your personal contact information and mark the top and sides of the carrier ‘Live Animal.’
It’s also a good idea to leave your dog’s favorite toy in the carrier with them to help keep them calm. Cover the floor of the carrier with a towel to safeguard for accidents.
If you’re flying with a large dog, they might be kept in the cargo hold, which tend to be pressurized and temperature-controlled – but also noisy and disorienting. So you can help reduce their anxiety by investing in ear covers for them or find a crate that includes an option for playing calming music or white noise throughout the journey.
Why you should plan ahead for a lost dog situation on vacation
No matter how much of a good boy or good girl your dog is, there’s always the risk of losing them on vacation. Which, quite frankly, is a nightmare you’re better off avoiding – considering the delays, costs, stress, panic, and anxiety involved. A puppy or untrained dog might bolt due to panic from the large airport crowds, unfamiliar environment, or just run off to explore out of curiosity…or even be targeted by pet thieves.
“Ultimately, even a few seconds of negligence can be enough to make a dog run away.
And it’s exactly for these moments that the Tractive tracker is the perfect solution to find your dog again as quickly as possible.”
– Alex Voenken, Founder, Setter Rescue Netherlands
How the Tractive GPS = the perfect travel companion (after your dog, of course)
Strapped to your dog’s collar, your trusty Tractive GPS comes with real-time tracking, ensuring you can monitor where your dog is:
- Even on vacation, working across 175 countries with its connection to local mobile networks around the world. (On a Premium subscription.)
- In real-time, down to the slightest movement. Saving you precious seconds between them running into danger – or you intercepting them back to safety.
- Over an unlimited range, working as far as the GPS satellites circling our planet allow. Unlike AirTags, Tractive GPS trackers aren’t limited to a network of devices and work even in remote areas.
When you’re flying with dogs on the big day
5. Final check
Double check that you have:
- Your dog’s health certificate with your boarding materials and taped to your dog’s carrier.
- Also check that the carrier has all the right labels on.
6. Prepare your dog well in advance
- Exercise
A well-exercised dog is more likely to sleep through most of the flight. So keep them busy with a long walk, some extra vigorous playtime, or a bit of last minute training exercises. - Food and water
Avoid feeding your buddy a large meal just before travel. (Toilet breaks are tough at the airport!) Rather, a light meal and some water a few hours before departure should be fine and help prevent any motion sickness. - Toilet breaks
Give your dog enough time to relieve themselves before you both head off to the airport. - Carrier
If you’re flying with a large dog, fasten a bowl for water and one for food to the inside of the carrier. Tape a serving of food to the outside of the carrier for flight attendants to use, in case there’s a delay.
⚠️ Unless your vet recommends it, avoid giving your dog a sedative under any circumstances. Many such medications designed for humans can be fatally toxic to dogs.
7. Be there in good time
When you’re flying with dogs, it’s smart to turn up at least 1-2 hours earlier than recommended. This way, your airline staff can help check you (and your buddy) in – while being aware you’re traveling with a live animal. If you’re flying with a large dog, you could ask the staff to show you where the cargo area is for loading. (Since your dog may not be able to stay in the cabin with you.) This will save you a ton of time and stress.
8. Arrival & post-flight care
Once you’ve both arrived, retrieve your dog from cargo as soon as possible.
- Check them for any signs of stress or injury.
- Offer water and a toilet break, if necessary. (Don’t overdo it with the water though, else your poor dog might end up throwing up.)
- Allow your buddy to rest and recover from the journey before heading out to explore town. With a little time to acclimate to their new environment, your dog will be more likely to enjoy their time on vacation with you.
- If your dog shows signs of extreme stress or dehydration, get in touch with a vet immediately.
Enjoy your trip & make some great memories together!
If you’ve taken all these steps, you’ll be better-equipped to handle any curveball the journey throws at you. Make sure you’ve got all your dog’s paperwork (including their travel health certificate), double-check your airline’s regulations, get your dog used to a carrier, and ensure they’re microchipped. You’ll be on your way towards a stress-free vacation in no time.
Follow your dog anywhere
Get real-time location information, wherever they go. And find out when they try to make an escape, or just when they go somewhere they shouldn’t, with Virtual Fences.
And if you’ve liked this post, share it with a fellow dog parent – and let’s help build a safer, kinder world for our furry friends together.
