Below are some tips that will help you choose the best dog carrier for your plane ride.

• Don’t buy a carrier right before you need to use it, buy it at least a week before hand to give your dog ample time to get used to it. Many people buy dog carriers on their way to the airport and then wonder why their dog won’t get into it.

• Don’t feed your dog for 6 hours before you get on the plane and hold off water at least an hour before the trip. If you dog has a full stomach, it could make for a very uncomfortable trip for them or even an accident while flying.

• When flying with your dog, make sure you get there early enough to give yourself extra time to get through security.

• Make sure you do your research before you travel. Some airlines require you to have an extra form filled out by veterinarian.

• Every airline is different, make sure you check your airline for different regulations regarding animals in the cabin and the extra fee associated with it.

• Not every dog carrier is airline approved. Not every airline approved dog carrier will work on every airline. Make sure you check out the regulations and requirements of the airline you are flying on.

Here are the regulations for a few of the bigger airlines.

American Airlines: Dogs & cats are allowed in the cabin. Prior arrangements are needed. Extra fee charged. Maximum carrier dimension- 23"L x 13"W x 9"H. You must check in at the ticket counter.

Delta Airlines: Prior arrangements are needed. Extra fee charged. Dogs, cats, ferrets, & rabbits, hamsters, and guinea pigs are permitted. Contact delta for maximum carrier dimensions. Health certificate needed. Must check in at ticket counter.

Northwest Airlines: Prior arrangements are needed. Extra fee charged. Dogs, cats, & birds allowed in cabin. Animal & carrier must weigh less than 15lbs. Maximum carrier dimensions- 17"L x 12"W x 8"H. Health certificate needed.

United Airlines: Prior arrangements are needed. Extra fee charged. Dogs, cats, & birds are allowed. Maximum carrier dimension: 17"L x 10"W x 10"H. Health certificate needed.

US Airways: Prior arrangements are needed. Extra fee charged. Dogs, cats, & birds are allowed. Health certificate required. Maximum carrier dimension- 17"L x 16"W x 10"H (soft sided) & 17"L x 16"W x 8"H (hard sided)

Continental Airlines: Dogs, cats, rabbits, & birds allowed. Extra fee charged. Maximum carrier dimension- 16"L x 12"W x 8.75"H. Health certificate required.

Southwest Airlines: Dogs & cats allowed. Extra fee charged. Carrier counts as your carryon. Must check in at ticket counter. Carriers can be hard or soft sided.

Frontier Airlines, Champion Air, Maxjet Airways: Do not accept pets in cabin. Service animals are allowed.