A big part of flying with your pets takes place on the ground many months before your actual flight. It comes down to preparation and taking shorter road trips to make sure your dog and cat are accustomed to their crates and moving in vehicles. Start in your home with a crate that allows your pet to stand up and turn around, but not take more than a step or two inside. This may seem small but the restrictiveness is actually better for your pet when flying so they have less room to move and get bumped around. Of course before selecting a crate, but sure to follow our guide on international pet transportation to make sure you’ve got the right crate for your flight.
Airport Preparation
Approximately 6-12 hours before your first flight you should restrict food and water to your dog or cat. While it will make them slightly hungry and thirsty, it will help them be more comfortable in the long run as their bowels and bladders won’t be full. You want to prevent your pet from having to hold in urine too long and make it as easy as possible to hold in their pee, especially for longer flights. It is also a good idea to have a blanket or Velcro lining at the bottom of the crate or carrier in case they do have an accident. The soft material will absorb a bit of any accidents and are generally just more comfortable for your pet to sit and lay down on.
In addition to getting your pet ready, you’ll also want to make sure you are prepared as well. Keep a well organized folder with all of your pet’s information, as well as microchip number, and their latest vaccination records. Don’t pack this in your luggage, it’s essential to keep it with you in your carry on as it will be needed several times throughout your trip. Payment for your pet will also be taken when you check it, not when you book, so have your credit card handy to make the process go much smoother.
Get Them Tired
Your pet should ideally be tired when flying. You can do this by scheduling the flight around their circadian rhythms if possible. Dogs are diurnal like humans, meaning they’re more active during the day so flights at night will coincide when they are likely to be sleepy anyway. The opposite is true of cats, nocturnal animals, so if your can try and schedule flights during the day. Either way, don’t be surprised if your pet seems out of sorts at your vacation destination, they suffer from jet lag too.
A good long walk with your dog of up to an hour or a long play session with some catnip for your feline companion will also help reduce flight anxiety. You want to channel your pet’s energy so they can relax in the unfamiliar situation of flying. You’ll need to assess your pet – if you don’t feel they’ll cope well, don’t have them in the cabin as it can result in a very long flight for you and the other passengers.
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