How to travel with a Dog

From bathroom breaks to knowing how to properly secure your dog in its carrier, these are some of the best ways for you to travel with a dog. It can also be extremely challenging if you have a puppy or a senior dog instead of an adult.

Though rules vary from airline to airline, your dog can typically only fly in the cabin as part of your carry-on luggage, but only if they are small enough to fit under the seat in front of you.

Any larger than that, and your pet will have to travel in the cargo hold, with the freight.

Where your dog will spend its flight time will depend entirely on its size, If you want to know whether it’s really worth it — keep reading.

First of all, how much does it cost?

You’ll typically pay an extra $100 to $150 extra each way for your dog to fly in the cabin with you, please keep in mind that the price does vary depending on the airline that you choose.

If you have a larger breed or a noisy animal your dog may have to travel in the freight area instead. The cost of flying your dog in the cargo hold depends on both its weight and the weight of its carrier combined, as well as how far it will be flying. Most airlines offer an online calculator on their website to make figuring the price out easier.

What kind of carrier should you use?

Wherever your dog will be spending the flight under your seat or in the cargo hold, you’ll need to bring along a suitable dog carrier or crate. The International Air Transport Associate has a list of carrier requirements here.

The best dog crates will be well made and have plenty of openings for air to flow, they will also have sturdy handles, and a leak-proof reinforced bottom.

How should you label my dog carrier?

Your carrier should also be clearly labeled with the words “Live Animal” and arrows that show which way is up, you’ll also need to add a separate label with your name, phone number, address, and final destination on it.

What kind of things should you pack?

You should definitely pack your dog's regular pet food, bowls, and favorite blanket. You should also think about what can be packed away in your luggage, versus what you’ll need to have ready for use in your carry-on bag. It’s also an excellent idea to have something available in case of overheating, such as a bottle of water and a cooling mat.

Should you bring your dog's medication on the airplane with you?

With all dogs, but with your older dog especially, it is particularly important to take into consideration any serious medical conditions or ongoing medications. You should also add your pet's medicine to your carry-on bag. Just in case your luggage does not arrive with everything else. Bringing double the medicine that you think you’ll need is also a good idea. This will ensure that you have enough to last your entire vacation. You can even check your destination for veterinary offices in the area to give you a little extra peace of mind.

How can I keep my dog from getting overexcited during the flight?

You can buy calming solutions like an Adaptil spray that can be used on your dog’s bedding. You can also add their favorite toy to help keep them relaxed. Another thing that might help is to add an item of your clothing to the bottom of the crate. This is because your scent will comfort them and help them settle down.

While airlines say they try their best to make dogs comfortable in the cargo hold, it’s an unpleasant experience for your pet — in addition to being separated from you, items might shift around or fall during the flight, which can be loud and scary.

Will my dog be safe in the cargo hold?

Plenty of dogs fly in the freight area every year, without occurrence, but there are a lot of hidden variables. Please remember that you’ll have no control over what happens once you hand your dog over to the airline staff, and when it comes down to it they are just trying to get their jobs done. Lots of passengers have experienced horrors while flying. Some dogs have been injured, become sick, or even died after flying in the cargo hold. So, you should thoughtfully consider if the possible risks are really worth you traveling with your dog.

Lastly, please remember to never leave your dog in a hot car unattended, not even while you're unloading your luggage.