A significant benefit of owning a tiny dog is that you can fly with them as cabin baggage rather than as an onboard pet. Not only is cargo very expensive, but it is also a very stressful and frightening experience for dogs. Flying with a dog in the cabin in the US typically costs $250 roundtrip; all you have to do is make sure they are booked on the aircraft, pay the pet fee at the airport, and place them in an airline-approved pet carrier.
It's not quite that easy, of course. Dogs can become agitated when confined in a carrier, and you might have to put up with their whining and barking during the flight. As well as packing extra items for your pet, you must ensure that your dog has the necessary documents for the location you are traveling.
Before takeoff
Check to see if your dog is a good fit for flying
Some dogs are relatively quiet and hardly ever bark. You're blessed to have a dog like this. Other dogs can become restless during the journey since they are feisty and high-energy. Or they just don't like being contained in a carrier.
Consider using Rover to find a pet sitter or asking a friend to keep your dog if you think the trip will be too stressful for them or they'll make too much noise. You must also consider the expenditures. Flying with your dog is perhaps more affordable if you're traveling for a long time.
If the journey is brief, though, you would be better off leaving your dog at home. Dogs enjoy their routine, and travel can seriously disrupt it.
You should get an airline pet carrier as soon as you obtain your dog or puppy. Soft-sided carriers are always preferable to hard-sided carriers since they are more flexible and can fit under the front seat. There are a few stringent regulations for pet carriers from airlines:
it must not leak
sufficient ventilation must be present, typically on three sides.
Dog must be able to turn around and stand up comfortably inside the carrier.
Must tuck beneath the front seat.
You should check with the airline you're going on before your trip as each one has different maximum carrier dimensions for taking a dog in the cabin. Sometimes the flight and type of aircraft decide the maximum dimensions.
Although the maximum measurements suggested by Delta are 18 x 11 x 11, I frequently discover that some of their aircraft have very little space behind the seat in front. Despite customer service's assurance that my bag's size is OK over the phone, I discover that it is too large for the area when I board the plane. The bag needs to be squeezed a little bit from time to time, but I also don't want to hurt Luna, so I just leave it poking out.
Ensure that your dog has received all necessary immunizations.
Make important to find out which vaccinations your dog requires in order to fly because they will be required for rabies and other illnesses. Consistently check that your dog has received all necessary immunizations, and always travel with documentation of administration.
To obtain the necessary travel documents, go to a veterinarian.
When you fly with your dog, some airlines may require you to carry a pet health certificate. Although other airlines restrict domestic travel, Delta, which I currently fly, does not. You must schedule a trip to the veterinarian in advance if a certificate is necessary. Check to determine whether the place you're going has any additional documentation requirements.
Book a flight for your dog.
Normally, you'll need to phone the airline to reserve a seat for your dog. Make sure you do this long in advance to ensure that you may bring your dog with you. Airlines have a limit on the number of pets they can accept in the cabin.
I always call Delta as soon as I purchase my ticket, but you can call them in advance to confirm there are still openings. Usually, the customer support agent asks me for the size and weight of my carrier, as well as the weight of the carrier with my dog inside. You must check your pet in at the airport and pay the pet fee because Delta does not accept payments over the phone.
Select a window seat.
Your dog will be bothered by the food cart and the footsteps of other passengers if you choose to sit in the aisle. My dog dislikes lying on the ground in the aisle and gets a little frightened by the noises. Reserve a window seat to ensure you have plenty of privacy and that no one will comment if your dog pokes its head out of the carrier.
Get your dog used to traveling in its crate.
You should begin acclimating your dog to its pet carrier a week or two before your journey. In your home, keep the carrier out and occasionally fill it with snacks. Take your dog outdoors in the carrier with you while leaving the door open, then practice closing the door afterward. This step is crucial since you don't want your dog to panic during the travel.
Think about the dog food you'll bring.
If you feed your dog a specific brand of food, you may want to bring some on the plane in case you can't find it where you're going.
You may easily take this in your carry-on or checked suitcase if you give your dog dry food. It's a little trickier to prepare wet meals. If your dog food needs to be frozen or refrigerated, you can bring it in your checked suitcase, but if it's canned, it will spoil during the trip. Not to mention that it could make a little mess inside your bag. If your dog consumes fresh food, you should definitely stop by a pet store when you arrive there or order it in advance and have it delivered to your lodging.
Put only the necessities in your bag.
The necessities for your dog should be packed in your luggage or their pet carrier. This contains a ball, a toy, a foldable water dish, a harness, a leash, poop bags, and travel bowls. Luna despises using the restrooms provided for animals at airports, so I always bring pee pads along with me. They're awful!
Exercise your dog a lot before the flight.
Prior to the flight, try to exhaust your dog as much as you can to make sure they burn off any extra energy. The ideal situation is for them to be so exhausted that they just nod out in their carrier. Give them a puzzle toy, go on a long walk with them, and play fetch. I frequently take my dog to a friend's house or out into the city with me to make sure she is as exhausted as possible because my dog tends to get fatigued after interacting with lots of people.
As a final option, think about using sedatives.
Some pet owners take their animals to the doctor to get a sedative so they may travel calmly. In reality, this should only be utilized as a last option. If you choose to take a sedative, be sure to verify the amount and give it to yourself before the trip.
Before entering the terminal, take your dog for a walk.
Give your dog a brief stroll once you get to the terminal before going inside. Prior to the travel, you must provide them with as many opportunities as you can for urination and defecation. The very last thing you need is for your dog to need to relieve himself before the flight!
Check in your animal
You must register your pet once you are inside the terminal. Just let them know you have a pet when you check in at the counter. Your boarding pass will be printed, and you'll also receive a tag to attach to the airline pet carrier. The pet charge can also be paid with a debit or credit card. If you have a return flight, you'll need to repeat the process when you get home.
Bring your dog through the checkpoint.
Put your dog through the scanner after you pass through security without doing so. You'll have to carry your dog through and take them outside. Typically, a security guard will pull you aside, direct you to walk through a different lane, and then swab your hands.
Before boarding, take them to the pet relief area.
I give my dog a little bit of water and a few tiny goodies because I normally give myself a couple of hours at the airport to unwind, eat, and relax. I always have a collapsible bowl of water with me, which I fill at the water fountain.
Before boarding, I take her to the pet bathroom. Just keep an eye out for the signs to identify the pet relief zones spread out throughout the airport. Warning: these are disgusting! They typically have a phony fire hydrant and a piece of grass, but it simply stinks so bad. I laid a pee pad on the floor because my dog is picky and won't use it at all.
Throughout the flight
Underneath the seat in front of you, tuck the carrier.
Airlines mandate that you keep your dog in its airline carrier at all times when flying with it in the cabin. Additionally, you need to zip up the carrier and store it under the seat in front of you. In actuality, the majority of flight attendants ask that the carrier stay under the seat in front during takeoff and landing, but they frequently let you put it on your lap while you're flying.
Place the bag on your lap throughout the trip.
You can typically place the carrier on your lap once the flight has taken off and you are in the air. Simply because it's dark down there and she wants to be able to see, my dog doesn't like to be on the floor. Naturally, if a member of the cabin crew informs you that something is not appropriate, follow their instructions and put the carrier back down. If not, keep it on your lap the entire flight so that your pet feels secure.
Put your hand inside the carrier if your dog is whining.
You might try slightly unzipping the carrier and placing your hand inside if your dog is whimpering or barking. Pet your dog softly to comfort them, or give them a few snacks.
Don't disturb your dog if it is dozing and peaceful.
However, if your dog is content and napping, you should let them be. Keep your distance from them and leave the bag on the floor. Let sleeping dogs lay, as the saying goes.
Give your dog a chew toy to help him unwind.
A dog may become anxious when flying since they are unable to comprehend what is happening. To calm them and keep them active during the flight, try offering them a chew toy.
Bring your dog to the restroom so they may urinate on lengthy flights.
I bring pee pads with me when I fly. If your dog is trained to use a pee pad, you may bring the carrier to the onboard restroom, unzip it, and place a pee pad on the floor so your pet can relieve himself. Your dog can generally hold it on short flights, but on lengthy ones, they might need to go potty. If you can't take the dog outside to use the restroom, line the carrier with a pee pad or blanket so you can remove it quickly if they accidentally soil it.
Following the flight
hydrate your dog.
Take them to the closest restroom as soon as you step off the plane, and then give them some water. Due of the dry cabin air, your dog may feel extremely thirsty and dehydrated.
Purchase dog food now.
If you need to buy dog food, head right to the store once you get there. So that you know exactly where you're going, research the opening times of the pet stores in your area. It's recommended calling the store ahead of time to make sure they have your preferred brand of dog food if your dog is picky and you want to stick with it.
Allow your dog to adapt
Your dog will need some time to become used to its new surroundings. When my dog is in a new environment, she frequently refuses to eat for the first several days. Don't worry if your dog behaves this way. Try again at the following meal if your dog still won't eat. Give your dog its favorite treats and some time to settle in.
Do not immediately leave your dog unattended.
You'll eventually need to leave your dog in the new area you're staying while you go away for a few hours. Don't leave them alone on the first day so they can get used to their new surroundings or they can become anxious. Bring them along when you go exploring to get a sense of the area.
One more thing regarding taking a dog in the cabin:
It takes some extra preparation and can be a little stressful to fly with a tiny dog, especially if it's your first trip. There are extra items you need to bring and sometimes babies just won't cooperate, just like when you fly with them. To ensure that you aren't running around too much while traveling, be sure to prepare in advance of your trip and allow plenty of time for the airport.
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