Remember that your dog will also be handled either by airport security or the crew loading the checked bags. If your dog is not friendly toward strangers, it should not fly. Even a small bite can land both you and it in big trouble.

Line the bottom of the crate with a blanket or towel to keep your dog warm and cozy, and to absorb any in-flight accidents. If you can, use its favorite one. It will smell like home, which may help calm your dog. If your dog is not crate trained, start the training process. It will need to be comfortable being left alone in their crate without panicking or frequently going to the bathroom. Even dogs flying in-cabin need to stay under the seat, so it needs to be comfy in its crate.

If you can, have friends and family carry your dog in their carrier to get it used to other people handling it.

Getting your dog acquainted with new sounds in advance will help keep it from panicking when you get to the airport.

If your dog needs a vet check, try to do this around 45 days before your departure, or at the time specified by the travel certificate. You need at least 30 days for a rabies vaccine to take effect, but getting checked too early could make some tests invalid. Make at least two copies of your dog’s paperwork to take with you when you travel. Keep one copy with your boarding documents and tape on your dog’s carrier.

Some factors that can make dogs uncomfortable traveling include motion sickness, separation anxiety, or panicking when it meets new people. Some dogs may not require a prescription sedative, and may instead be fine with an over-the-counter calming supplement. You should still consult your vet prior to giving your dog any medications or supplements for the first time. [8] X Expert Source Cameron ThompsenDog Trainer Expert Interview. 31 March 2022. If your dog has never taken the prescribed sedative before, talk to your vet about getting an extra dose or half dose so that you can test it in advance. This will let you see if your dog has any adverse reactions before traveling.

If your dog is lost, vets and authorities will be able to scan the microchip and get information to contact your microchip’s registry, where they can get your phone number. [9] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source

Try not to feed your dog for at least 3 hours before taking off unless it is medically necessary. This will give it time to digest and help avoid accidents on the flight. [12] X Expert Source Cameron ThompsenDog Trainer Expert Interview. 31 March 2022. If you are checking your dog, you will need to provide a food dish clipped onto the carrier door, and a bag of food taped to the outside of the carrier. This way, airline employees can feed your dog without reaching in the crate. If you plan on traveling with your dog often, you may want to invest in a collapsible dog dish. These are lightweight, take up minimal space, and are easy to clean on-the-go.

If you are holding the bowl, try to make sure you give your dog a chance to drink at least every half hour before the flight. Checked carriers will be required to have a water bowl attached. The bowl may be empty for the ride to the airport and in transit down to the loading area, but it should be full the rest of the time.

Try to get to the airport at least one hour earlier than recommended by the airline. This will give you ample time to check-in and help minimize stress.

If you are unsure about where the pet relief area is located, ask an airport employee. Some airports have pet relief areas inside the terminal, past security. You can check online in advance to see if your departing airport has an in-terminal relief area, but you should not count on this.

You can ask to watch boarding from the terminal or jetway to make sure your pet is properly handled before you board. Double check to make sure that your dog’s health certificate is thoroughly fastened to the side of the crate and that their ID tag is secure on their collar before you drop it off.

If the airline does allow pets, check their size limits. Most pet-friendly airlines allow dogs to fly in the cabin if it is small enough to go in a carrier that will fit under the seat in front of you. For larger dogs, you will likely have to check it as baggage or cargo. If you have to check your dog, remember that this means your pet will be separated from you for hours, handled repeatedly, and be exposed to a new, loud, crowded environment. Subsequently, checking your dog can be extremely stressful for both it and you. [18] X Research source

Most airlines don’t have the option to add a pet if you are purchasing a ticket online. You will need to call their customer support line. In most cases, airlines will notify you of the pet fee over the phone. You won’t be expected to pay until you check in at the counter, though.

Most airlines will require that a dog must, at a minimum, be able to stand up, sit down, and turn around completely in a carrier, regardless of whether it’s being checked or carried on. While soft-sided carriers are generally permissible for in-cabin travel, they cannot be checked. Checked carriers will need to be made of a hard material such as plastic, and have ventilation built-in. Some airlines sell pet carriers through their catalogs or online stores. These are generally pre-checked for compliance by the airline. Just remember that different airlines have different requirements, so a carrier from one airline may not be compliant with all airlines.