Flying with your dog, especially for international travel, can be overwhelming. From updating vaccinations, dog travel health certificates, and veterinarian records to ensuring you meet the travelling country’s entry requirements, bringing your dog on a flight presents a unique set of challenges to pet parents.
Before taking your dog on a plane, you should prepare a detailed checklist ahead of time to avoid any surprises. In many instances, vaccinations need to be administered 21 days before the travel date, leaving little room for error. Your dog can be refused entry into the country if vaccinations and dog travel health certificates are not up to date. As such, it is a good idea to start preparing ahead of time.
Our detailed checklist for preparing your dog before flying will equip you with expert tips to guarantee your pet’s comfort while on board, entry requirements, and ultimately, help pet parents better understand behaviours any dog should know before going on a flight. Remember to regularly check the travelling country’s rules and regulations before flying as they can often change.
Preparing your Dog For Air Travel
Preparing your dog for air travel is a crucial step before taking your dog on a flight. Whether it means consulting your veterinarian and obtaining a dog travel health certificate to familiarizing yourself with the country’s entry requirements, a little preparation can go a long way. Here are seven items that should feature on any pet parent’s checklist before boarding a flight with their dog.
1. Visit your veterinarian and update records
Scheduling a visit with your veterinarian is an essential first step before taking your dog on a flight. Simply put, the veterinarian will assess whether your dog is healthy enough to fly and ensure you are equipped with all the necessary paperwork before boarding. From microchipping your dog to updating vaccinations or obtaining a dog travel health certificate, a veterinarian visit before your flight is of the utmost importance.
In the United States, veterinarians must simply fill out a “Fit-to-Fly” letter, which simply states that your dog has not been in a high-risk country in the last six months. Keep in mind that different states have differing entry requirements, and it is always a good idea to consult them before taking off.
Flying your dog to the United Kingdom is a bit trickier. Consulting a veterinarian ahead of time ensures that you will have ample time to microchip your pet, update any vaccinations, perform the necessary blood tests, and obtain a valid dog travel health certificate.
2. Understand the entry requirements for the country you are visiting
Entry requirements for travelling with a dog on a plane differs from country to country and state by state. Failure to meet import requirements can ultimately result in problems upon your arrival, and in some instances, your dog may be refused entry into the country. Understanding each country’s entry requirements and preparing the appropriate paperwork is yet another crucial step for preparing your dog for travel.
Whether that means taking the necessary steps to microchip your dog before entering the United Kingdom, or having your veterinarian fill out a “Fit-to-Fly” letter before visiting the United States, dog travel requires significant preparation, particularly as it applies to meeting entry requirements.
Entry requirements for dog travel are always evolving. It is always recommended to regularly consult government resources as close to the travel date as possible and ensure that everything is in order before boarding the flight.
3. Consider your dog’s comfort
With your paperwork in order, the next step is to consider your dog’s comfort level on a plane. After all, it may be your pet’s first experience travelling on a flight. From changes in air pressure to adapting to an unfamiliar environment, dog travel can be extremely stressful for your pet.
However, there are many steps you can take before taking your dog on a flight that can best prepare it for air travel. Arriving ahead of time will help your pet familiarize itself with other dogs on the plane, making for a seamless experience. Consulting a veterinarian about food and water intake as well as exercise is also recommended, ensuring your dog is ready for the flight.
Another great way to prepare your dog for flying is to gradually teach it behaviours conducive to smooth air travel. Whether that means desensitization to noises to conquering separation anxiety, and learning to play with other dogs, socializing such behaviours before dog travel is crucial.
4. Keep your dog as active as possible before boarding
Veterinarians typically recommend keeping your dog as active as possible before boarding a flight. Taking your dog on a long walk before boarding a flight will help your pet burn off excess energy and reduce anxiety and stress levels, guaranteeing its comfort on board. Once again, it is crucial to arrive at your flight ahead of time, leaving ample room for a walk or to socialize with fellow dogs on the plane.
Ultimately, a tired dog makes for a pro-traveller. That being said, there is no need to overdo it, as an extra 15 to 20 minutes of playtime depending on the size of your dog should do the trick.
5. Discuss with your veterinarian if a tranquilizer or medication is needed before a flight
In some instances, all the preparation in the world could still result in an unpleasant flight experience for your dog – especially for elderly dogs suffering from increased levels of stress and anxiety. In these cases, it is a good idea to discuss potential medication or tranquilizers with your veterinarian before the flight to ease your pet’s nerves.
If the veterinarian deems it necessary, training your dog on a tranquilizer or natural CBD oil before your flight can be an important step for dog travel. In doing so, you will gain a deeper understanding of how your dog responds to such medication and whether it is a viable option before bringing your dog on a plane. While it may not be for every pet parent, it is typically encouraged, ensuring a calming flight experience for your dog.
6. Pack your dog’s favourite toys and snacks
Keep in mind that while flying may come second nature to you, this is not the case for your pet. Packing your dog’s favourite toys and snacks will ensure your pet feels right at home, whether it is at the airport or on board, bringing them some much-needed comfort. Note that certain toys and loose objects may present a hazard and may not be permitted on board.
As such, every pet parent should be in touch with their airline to be best prepared.
Snacks and treats are yet another way you can reward your dog for good behavior throughout the flight. Once again, however, proceeding with caution is recommended as overfeeding your dog is not ideal, especially on longer flights.
7. Monitor your dog’s food and water intake on the day of the flight
Monitoring your dog’s food and water intake in anticipation of the flight is yet another crucial step for dog travel. Typically, it is not recommended to feed your dog less than four hours before a flight. In fact, the USDA requires that you give your dog food and water within four hours of check-in, but not fewer than four hours before the flight.
Flying on a full stomach may upset your dog, particularly as it applies to the rapid change of altitude. Planning your dog’s meals from 48 hours until the flight to boarding time can result in a positive experience, ensuring your dog is adequately fed and hydrated prior to boarding and could limit potty breaks. Consulting your vet prior to dog travel is essential in finding the perfect balance of food and water intake for your pet.
Importance of preparing your dog for air travel
The importance of preparing your pet for air travel cannot be overstated and should be at the forefront of any pet parent’s checklist before taking your dog on a plane. Preparation ultimately helps reduce stress and anxiety levels for your dog and ensures your pet flies in complete comfort.
From socializing important behaviours before boarding to taking the necessary steps to assure your dog in a new environment, preparation will ultimately lead to a positive experience for everyone on board. It is also important to give your dog ample time to learn essential behaviours conducive to seamless air travel. This can include desensitizing your dog to loud noises, altitude changes, or even conquering separation anxiety.
US Entry Requirements for your Dog
Flying with your dog to the United States is a straightforward process, as long as you come prepared. While the CDC does not require a general dog travel health certificate to enter the United States, certain states have different entry requirements. As such, it is best to stay atop these requirements and regularly check for any changes before your departure date.
Currently, the “Fit-to-Fly” letter is the only requirement needed for your dog to safely enter the United States. This letter simply confirms that your dog is healthy enough for travel and states that your pet has not been in a high-risk country in the last six months. As always, a veterinarian must complete this form and can help you consult state requirements.
UK Entry Requirements for your Dog
Entering the United Kingdom with a dog is, in fact, trickier than its American counterpart. Currently, dogs cannot enter the United Kingdom in the cabin of a commercial flight. Instead, a sharted private charter is the only option to enter the UK with your dog. The United Kingdom has strict entry requirements for dogs that must be met.
Your dog may enter Great Britain if they meet the following requirements:
Identification with microchip
Rabies vaccination
21-day waiting period following vaccination
Have a USDA Accredited Veterinarian or Military Veterinarian issue the UK Health Certificate
Have APHIS endorse (counter-sign and emboss/seal) the UK Health Certificate
Tapeworm treatment
In addition to these entry requirements, you will need to fill in a declaration if you are not planning on selling your pet. Failure to meet these entry requirements could result in your pet being put into quarantine for up to four months, holding the pet parent responsible for any fees.
Respecting the appropriate timelines is yet another consideration to make before taking your dog on a plane. Microchipping and the rabies vaccine must be administered 21 days before your departure, while tapeworm treatment must be done between one and five days before bringing your dog on a flight.
Travelling with your Dog
Taking your dog on a flight can be a stressful experience, however, preparation can help ease all your concerns. From updating vaccination records and dog travel health certificates to regularly consulting your veterinarian, we hope our comprehensive checklist for preparing your dog for air travel has answered all your questions about bringing your dog on a flight.
Mikojet has simplified travelling with your dog helping you fly with your dog in-cabin, hassle free. Providing pet-friendly private charters, including flights between New York City and Paris as well as Europe to the US East Coast and back again, we have you covered.
Mikojet is also currently in the midst of launching new routes between the United States and the United Kingdom, helping you bring your dog on a plane wherever you may be heading. Have any questions about Mikojet or bringing your dog on a flight? Our FAQs and About Us section should best equip you with everything you need to know.
A private charter ultimately ensures easy and quick boarding and disembarking of the jet, all-while avoiding hectic lineups in busy airport terminals. Get in touch with Mikojet with all your dog travel transportation needs and we’d be happy to discuss.
Comments