A long flight is never easy for anyone, be it a human or an animal. Even if you and your pooch are experienced air travelers, a long haul, the jet lag and the whole ordeal might affect your head and make you stagger. If you want to have a smooth air journey with your dog, then you should be prepared beforehand. Here are some travel tips that might help you out with the whole situation –
1. See If Your Dog Is Prepared To Travel
If you are fortunate enough, then your dog might be totally relaxed while travelling. But not all dog breeds can remain calm during an air trip. That is why most of the airlines reject some breeds for journey. Your dog’s age, temperament and size are the governing factors. You should also make it mandatory to go through an airline’s list of restrictions before boarding the plane.
2. Visit The Vet To Check Whether Everything Is In Order For Your Pet
Before you leave for the trip with your dog, it would be advisable if you got your pooch checked up at the vet’s. See that the dog is in ship-shape before you begin with the journey. If you are flying your pet as cargo, a 10-day prior health certificate is also required. If your vet gives an approval for the journey, then make sure you are carrying all the necessary vaccination. You never know when they might come in handy.
3. Pick Up The Most Comfortable Carrier For Your Dog And Train Them To Get Used To It
If you have brought the right carrier for your darling dog, then get him used to the thing ASAP. Initially, your pet will have some reservations, but you could use several things to entice it inside. Place its favorite blanket and toys inside. You could use treats to bring it in the enclosure. Once when the dog gets accustomed to the environment inside, flying wouldn’t be much of a hassle.
4. Make Sure You Have Packed Everything Your Dog Needs
When you are travelling with your dog, make sure you have packed in all the bare essentials. You need to take all those things which will keep the dog comfortable and engaged during the course of the flight. Make sure you have packed all the chewy toys, food, treats and a non-spill water carrier.
5. Go Through The Security Check Essentials
When you are ushering your dog through the security check and onto the flight, then you might have to remove its leash and collar for a small time. Your and your dogs belongings will have to be passed through the X-Ray machine. If you are freaking out how you would manage all this, then it is advisable not to pack anything that requires a lot of maintenance.
6. Call Well Beforehand To Reserve A Space For Your Dog
Although animals are made to fly cargo in most of the airlines, but there are some that offer extra facilities. In this utilitarian day and age, certain airlines have allowed a certain section, where you can fly with your pet near you. These fly-in cabins have a small seating arrangement for both the human and dog passenger. Most of the times it is booked. Make sure you have booked yours also, well in advance.
7. Give Some Time In Locating animal Relief Areas On The Airport
Finding an animal loo in an airport terminal can be a tough job. But there are many airports which incorporate such spaces. All you need to do is perform a recce and see if the airport has such relieving areas or not. If you have enough time to board the flight, make sure your dog has peed well in advance. Or you could use a dog diaper for the flight instead.
8. Feed Your Dog Well Beforehand
If you are thinking that you will feed your dog just before a flight, then that may be a bad idea. Your dog should have eaten 1-2 hours prior of the flight. You should also ensure you have given it a walk and some fresh air before both of you board the flight. In case you don’t follow this strictly, motion sickness in the plane could result in a puking dog.
9. Make Sure That Your Dog’s A Bit Tired Before Boarding The Flight
Exercise has many benefits before a flight. If your canine has drained off its excess energy, then he may have a calm sleep during the flight. Not only would it give it some necessary sleep, the whole flight could be uneventful, both for you and your dog.
10. Do Not Forget To Take The Chewy Toy At Any Cost
Just like humans, dogs also have a pressure buildup in the air during take off and landing. That could be especially painful for the animal, and you need some handy remedies, so that you can help your dogs with this discomfort. Take a chewy toy with you so that your dog can gnaw upon it to relieve some stress. An ice pack or an extra blanket could also be equally effective.
11. Plan The Food And Water Schedule
We have already told you about the way you should plan to feed your dog before the flight. But what about the water intake. Surely, you wouldn’t like your dog to be dehydrated at the end of the trip, would you? At the same time, it would also be inadvisable to give it extra water intake. If you do so, then it would pee here and there. Skip breakfast and hold back water two hours prior to the flight. If it is a long flight, then provide your dog access to food and water(around 2-3 times for a 10+ hour flight.)
12. Plan Strategic Pooping Stops For Your Pooch
Having a dog on a flight is very similar to boarding a plane with a baby in tow. You know that airports have them. But were you aware that even flights have relieving areas. Make sure that your dog pees and poops lest it might feel uncomfortable blocking all exits to answering nature’s call.
13. Consider Your Dog’s Temperament
So what kind of mood does your dog generally have? If it is calm and serene, then you need not worry. However, if it is the frisky type, then there’s a huge probability that it could have some anxiety issues. Again, it is better to consult your vet before embarking on the trip.
14. Give Your Dog Some Exercise Beforehand
Yes, we have discussed one advantage of getting your pooch some exercise before the flight. It may help it to get some sleep. But did you know that exercise is extremely effective in combating anxiety as well? Apart from draining off the extra nervous energy, exercise helps in secreting some stress-relieving hormones as well. This in turn makes your dog all calm and relaxed.
15. Board The Flight Early
Reach the airport well before it’s time! That’s because you have an extra passenger in tow. It’s always better to reach the airport early, so that you do not have to go through the last minute hassles. Moreover, it gives your dog some time to get accustomed to that space.