Traveling with your dog can be a challenge, especially when your travel plans involve travel by plane. Air travel is stressful for dogs and can result in harm to your pet if proper precautions are not taken. To protect canine air passengers, the federal government has put a specific set of regulations in place. Airlines often have their own rules, as well. Before you fly with your dog, review these rules and regulations carefully to ensure you both have a safe and pleasant trip.
Preparation
Before you even attempt to fly with your pet, you need to consider whether the animal will be able to safely handle the rigors of air travel. Federal law forbids you to fly with animals under 8 weeks of age, or with animals that have not been weaned for more than five days. Also, pug-nosed breeds of dog, including boxers and bulldogs, should not fly because their shortened nasal passages place them at great risk of breathing problems during flight. Finally, very old or sick animals should not fly. Once you have determined that your animal is a viable candidate for air travel, you need to call the airline you plan to fly on and see what its policies are. Many airlines require pet owners to take their pets to a veterinarian for a checkup prior to travel. Also, you need to know if your pet will be riding in the cargo hold by itself or if it will be allowed to ride with you in the cabin.
The Cabin
Some airlines will allow you to take your dog with you in the cabin. This is obviously the most comfortable option for your pet, but to make sure the other passengers are also comfortable, there are some rules you both have to follow. First, your dog will have to be under a certain weight limit for you to bring her in the cabin. The limit is usually around 10 pounds, but this may vary depending on the airline you fly with. Your pet's kennel must be able to fit under the seat for storage, and you must ensure that the kennel is put up properly prior to take off and landing. Also, your dog must stay in the kennel the whole time. Finally, many airlines require that your pet be well-behaved and odorless, so make sure Fido minds his manners and give him a bath before the trip. Service dogs, such as seeing eye dogs, can ride in the cabin with their humans no matter how big they are or what type of dog they are. The airline may require that they be muzzled, however.
The Cargo Hold
Pets riding in the cargo hold must be placed in appropriate carriers for air travel. Kennels for air travel are required to be large enough so that your dog can comfortably stand up, sit down or lie down while in the kennel. They must also be made of a material that is strong enough to withstand being picked up, carried and loaded onto the airplane. The floor must be made of a solid, waterproof material, in case your pup has an accident midflight. Cover the floor with something absorbent, like litter or housebreaking pads. Proper ventilation is important-at least 14 percent of the kennel must consist of ventilation, and the side of the kennel must have rims that are least three-fourths of an inch wide, to make sure the ventilation is not cut off by other luggage. The kennel must have handles so that the baggage handlers can lift it without having to worry about a frightened dog attaching itself to their fingers. Food and water dishes must be attached in such a way that airline personnel can feed your dog without opening the kennel door, and you must attach feeding and watering instructions to the outside of the kennel along with a bag of food. Finally, the kennel must be labeled to say "Live Animals" in letters 1 inch high or larger. When you buy a kennel at a pet store, it will be labeled if it is approved for air travel.
Boarding
You are not allowed to give your pet to the airline more than four hours before your flight is scheduled to leave the terminal. Under federal law, you must offer food and water to your pup four hours before the flight. However, do not let him eat to his heart's content. It is best not to let him fly on a full stomach. In all likelihood, you will need to accompany your dog through security, and you may be asked to remove him from his kennel to permit a full inspection.
Unloading
If you have a connecting flight with another airline, you may need to claim your pet between flights. Check with your airline to see if this is a requirement for you. If something should happen and you and your pet are separated for an extended period of time, airline employees are required by law to give your dog water every 12 hours and food every 24 hours. If you are flying with a puppy that is younger than 16 weeks old, the airline is required to feed it every 12 hours.
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