Flying with a small dog
Flying With A Small Dog – Tips and Tricks
Do you love to travel, but hate to board your small dog? Or have you imposed on family and friends to watch your fur baby, one too many times? Use these Tips and Tricks to make traveling with your small dog a breeze.
Pet Travel on Airlines
Most airlines will allow a limited number of pets on their aircraft. Most carriers limit onboard pets to dogs, cats, and household birds. Sorry, no rodents or snakes, for most carriers.
Typically, for flights within the US, paperwork is not required, however, it’s always a best practice to carry a copy of the shot record with you. You may never need it, however, it’s just good to have.
Most airlines will charge a fee to bring your pet on board. Allow extra time to check in and pay the pet fee at the ticket counter on the day of departure.
Airlines allow a limited number of pets per aircraft so please be sure to reach out to customer service to reserve your pet.
Your pup must be able to move around inside the carrier, comfortably. Pets that are 20 pounds, or less, will typically be just fine. Pups over 20 pounds may not be comfortable and could be denied boarding by the airline.
Pet Carriers / Kennels
Not all pet carriers are created equal. Some are like a duffel bag that you carry on your shoulder, others have wheels that you can pull behind you. Regardless of the type you choose, be sure it will meet the dimensions of the under-seat space on your airline.
Generally speaking, the pet carrier you choose should be soft-sided, not rigid plastic and the dimensions should not exceed 18″L x 11″H x 11″W. On some small aircraft or regional planes, this may be too large, still.
We chose the Snoozer brand pet carrier. It has wheels and can be pulled behind, but also, it can convert into a backpack. It’s very versatile and has lasted us several years and several dozen flights.
Things to pack when traveling with your pet
Make sure you have the right supplies, and of course, treats are important, but you don’t want to be bogged down with a bunch of stuff.
Currently, there is still a 3.4 oz. limit on liquids, creams, and gels, when going through TSA security. We carry a doggie water bottle that can be filled up once we’re through security. It has a reservoir and locks, so the water doesn’t leak all over.
Don’t forget the leash and harness. Going through TSA will require the dog to be removed from the carrier.
I carry a few miscellaneous items with me like a couple of paper towels, a few treats, a small amount of kibble, Spinnaker’s favorite blanket, and one toy.
As mentioned earlier, paperwork is typically not required for flights within the US, but I do carry a copy with me just in case.
POOP BAGS! Don’t forget the poop bags!
During the Flight
For the safety of the flight crew and fellow passengers, airlines require the pet to stay zipped inside the carrier for the duration of the flight.
The under-seat space is approximately the same size whether you’re seated in a window, middle, or aisle. This choice is really your preference, however, I prefer the pup under the window seat on longer flights. If my seatmate needs to get up, there is no chance of the pup getting stepped on.
If your pup has anxiety when traveling in the car, perhaps a visit to the vet for some medications would make your pup relax during their flight.
Enjoy The Journey!
I think some of our friends are jealous that our dog travels more than they do! That’s okay, we enjoy taking our furry family member along as often as we can. We love to post pictures of Spinnaker’s adventures.
Pet Sitting services while away
There are times when we need to find pet care for Spinnaker during a trip. Our favorite resource for this is the Rover app. I take some time to read the reviews of other customers and pick the provider that I feel will be the best match. We’ve used the Rover app in Salt Lake, Newport Beach, Key West, and Las Vegas. Check it out!
Breakin’ It Down: Traveling With Your Small Dog – Tips and Tricks
Traveling with your small dog can be easy and enjoyable with a few tips and tricks to make your journey smooth and enjoyable.