Tips to prepare your pet for air travel
You’ve decided to pay the extra airline fee to take your pet along for a trip. But what now? While some incidents can’t be avoided, preparation, experts say, is the key to having a safe and uneventful flight for your pets. Here are some basic tips to ensure happy trails in the air.
Make sure your pet is fit to fly. Have a veterinarian examine your pet and give a clean bill of health before the flight. Most airlines require health certificates. You may also have to bring vaccination records.
Make sure your pet can fly if you have a snub-nosed dog or cat, like a pug or Persian. Check with your vet. Some of these types of animals have breathing troubles that could be complicated at high altitudes.
Consider microchipping your pet. The device, about the size of a grain of rice, can be implanted for less than $100. And because the process gives the pet a unique ID that can be accessed if your cat or dog gets lost, chances of finding them can grow exponentially. Also make sure all tags and licenses are up-to-date with your most recent address and contact number.
Try to choose a less hectic time to travel to avoid stress on your animal. Weekdays are ideal.
Choose a nonstop flight whenever possible.
Schedule a flight in the early morning or evening during the summer, when temperatures are lowest. If you’re heading out in the winter, aim for a midday flight. Because the temperature in the cargo areas can be extreme, most carriers only allow pets on board if the air temperature is greater than 45 degrees or less than 85. That excludes a lot of the peak summer and winter travel season, so it’s best to keep an eye on the forecast before going to the airport.
Let the airline know you are traveling with a pet when you book, so you can make sure there is room for your dog or cat onboard.
