If you are going to travel with plane and together with your dog, please read this article before doing so.

First of all, I want to say to you, that flying with your dog is the last option to get from location A to location B, it is very dangerous. If you have an option to travel with other transportation type, then please for the sake of your dog do so. I will not lie to you, many dogs get injured during the flights, or even die. Because the stress for the dog is very big, and sometimes the plane’s and airport’s staff is very careless.

But if you have no other options, then I will give you some very important tips to prepare your dog for the flight.

• Before you confirm your ticket, call or ask the airline company’s policy about transport dog crates, and what’s their policy regarding dog transportation. Most airline companies have different policies, and choose the right one for you, and your dog.

• Walk your dog before the flight, make sure your dog does all her nature needs before the flight, even if the flight will not take more than 1 hour.

• Make sure that the airport’s and plane’s staff know that you are with your dog, and that your dog is flying in the cargo compartment.

• If you have a puppy, or a small dog, it would be wonderful if you could take your dog with you in the plane, well most of the airline companies allow you to take small dogs, and puppies with you in the passenger compartment, if you have a special transport dog crate or a pet carrier.

• Before flying make sure your dog meets all the medical requirements for international flights.

• Let the staff knows where is the water for your dog, while flying humans and other live organisms dehydrate faster than normally, so it is very important that your dog gets all the hydration she needs.

• Before the take off, stay with your dog as long as possible, your dog will be stressed, if it’s possible then stay with the dog till you go trough the gate.

• There are many situations when the flights delay, that is not very good at all. As your dog should spend less time as possible in the airport and/or airplane. Before you go to the airport, call the airport and ask if there are any planned flight delays.

• When leaving your dog alone, put yourself, or ask the staff to put a toy with your smell in the transport dog crate, this will keep the dog more relaxed.

• You should not feed your dog couple of hours before the flight, though, it should be better if you visit your vet regarding this, as your vet will know better about your dog’s diet.

• Try to avoid flights where you have to change the planes before you get to your desired location.

• When the plane has landed, exit the plane as soon as possible, and go to the baggage waiting room, you should meet your dog as soon as possible, if she was flying in the cargo compartment.

These are the vital tips to successfully transport your dog via airplane. Please do this with the biggest responsibility for the sake of your 4 legged friend.