8 Tips for Flying with Pets

As a pet owner, I can relate to flying with your pet and the importance of ensuring that not, just your needs are met as a pet owner, but your pet’s needs as well. As they are our fur babies, it’s just as important, to ensure their health and safety, as our own during flights. This requires preparation before, during, and after the flight for your pet.

Here are some tips for flying with pets.

1. Vet Check-Up

Before flying with your pet, it is recommended that your pet has a veterinary check-up. This will inform you if, there are any pending or potential health issues you should be concerned with before, during, or after the flight with your pet.

2. Vaccinations

Regardless of where you may be flying, it’s imperative, that your pet is up to date on all their required vaccinations. They will most likely be in unfamiliar environments, where other factors may affect their health.

3. Medications

If your pet currently takes medications, you will need, to ensure you have ample supply of your pet’s medication for the flight and the travel once you’ve arrived. If your pet is anxious, or reactive during flight, you can request a relaxant supplement or a sedative, that will reduce your pet’s anxiety before and during the flight.

4. Food and Water

It is important to ensure your pet has a bowl, of food and water with him/her during the flight. To prevent spillage of your pet’s water, freeze their water bowl or a gerbil water feeder overnight before the flight. This keeps your pet nourished during the flight and, if there is a delay in picking up your pet after you’ve landed.

5. Food Allergies/Sensitivities

You know your pet best. Advocate for your pet, and have all their food allergies and sensitivities identified on their travel crate for the airline staff’s information.

6. Air Tag

One of the best things you could provide for your pet is to have an air tag attached to their collar including their name and your phone number. In a worst-case scenario, if the airline or airport can’t locate your pet after you’ve landed, you will have this information to find your pet.

7. Arrive Early

Arrive earlier than you typically would if you were flying without your pet. This will help you get your pet ready for flight, without feeling rushed, and give you the time needed to figure out last-minute things that may arise with boarding your pet for flight.

8. Inquire Early

Since you know, that you are planning to fly with your pet, I recommend calling each specific airline and the airports where your flights will depart and land in advance of your flight to ensure you have a clear understanding of their pet requirements. It is important to note that what may be required with one airline or airport may not be the same across the board.

Calling ahead allows you to ask questions, here are some to consider: How early do you recommend I arrive to board my pet? Where are the pet relief stations at the airport? Do you allow pets to fly during extreme climate temperatures? Do you need copies of my pet’s vaccination records? What are the required crate dimensions? How many other pets do you have on this flight? My pet will need medication, will someone be available to administer this medication or will I need to give the medication to my pet ahead of our flight departure? Can my pet have a small blanket with them in the crate? What is the protocol should something happen to my pet during the flight? What is the process for getting my pet off the flight once we’ve landed? Where will I pick up my pet after I’ve landed?

I’d love to hear what tips you have for flying with pets. Feel free to provide them in the comments below.