Welcome to the second post of a 4 series post about safe travel with your pets. In this series I will cover:

• How to prepare and plan for pet travel
• Pet travel by Air
• Pet travel by Car
• Pet travel by train and buses

Moving forward with the series, let’s get started with the second post discussing air travel and your pet.

Travel by Air

Travel by air for your pet is arguably the most convenient for you but the most stressful for your pet (and possibly you as well!). I for one have never enjoyed putting Charlie our Tonkinese in the carrier and into the hull of the plane however the convenience of flying (particularly when travelling long distances) is too much to deter me. Air travel can however be a safe and comfortable method of transport for your pet as long as you are prepared.

Airlines

Airlines all have their own specific requirements in regard to travelling with your pet, and this varies from country to country. For this reason it is vital that you confirm with your chosen Airline what is allowed and required in relation to pet travel prior to purchasing any tickets, to avoid disappointment.

General guidelines

The below are some general guidelines around how to prepare your pet for air travel. I have found that most airlines’ regulations are consistent with the required preparation noted below.

Minimum age to travel

Many airlines will have a minimum age of your pet before it will allow it to travel. As a rule of thumb, most airlines adopt an 8 week minimum age for most pets.

Health certificate

Some airlines, particularly in the USA have a requirement that your pet must have a health certificate from your vet within 10 days prior to travel date. This I must add is not however a requirement of most Australian airlines when travelling with small pets such as a cat. The regulations may have changed however so once again, best to check with your airline.

Approved pet carrier

Having an approved and quality pet carrier, specifically designed for pet transport, is good insurance for your pet’s safety. This is the very reason that almost all airlines will insist that your pet is contained within an approved pet carrier, that the carrier can be locked and that your pet can stand up, turnaround and lie down within the carrier. In addition, your pet carrier should be well ventilated and the base covered with absorbent and comfortable material. Make sure that the carrier also has your pet’s contact details clearly labelled.

It is also a great idea to get your pet used to being inside your carrier.  We often leave Charlie’s carrier open so he can climb in whenever he likes.  We often find him sleeping in the carrier so as a consequence when it comes time to travel we have no problems with getting him inside. 

Preparing for flight

It is a great idea to arrive early for your flight and to give your pet plenty of exercise prior to checking in. Typically it is also recommended that your pet travels on an empty stomach and the use of pet tranquillisers (in an attempt to calm them) is not recommended (due to the increased chances of heart or breathing problems during flight). Again when in doubt, consult your vet for specific requirements and advice.

Checking in

Try to check in promptly and minimise the length of time that your pet spends in the airport terminal. Personally put your pet on the luggage crate when checking in your pet and promptly collect your pet when arriving at your destination.

Other thoughts

Some other points worth mentioning are to always try to book non-stop flights whenever possible and avoid travel during very busy holiday travel times.

That completes the second post of our 4 post series on safe travel with pets. If you enjoyed this post, please stayed tuned for the next in the pet travel series - Pet Travel by Car.

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