Q. Flying with my dog onboard for the first time on Wed. Do you have any tips, from having flown with Lucy or Virgil? – Stephanie
A. When it comes to air travel, I usually try to find someone to watch the dogs (always someone they’re comfortable with already, like my parents or a close friend), because while Lucy loves cars, she hates planes…and other than when he came to NYC, Virgil’s never been on one. But sometimes you just have to take your dogs on a flight, so here are some tips that I’ve found help reduce anxiety for both of you:
– First, try to get your dog comfortable with his or her carrying case well in advance. I leave Lucy’s out in the living room for a few days pre-travel so that she can sleep in it and generally get used to having it around.
– Of course check in advance with the airline to see if they allow dogs at all, or if you need to purchase a ticket for them (in my experience they’re usually around $100 each way). Also check to see what kind of carriers they require, and what kind of space they have under their seats.
– Make sure the identification information on your dog’s collar (and microchip, if you have one) is up-to-date. You should also bring a current health certificate from your veterinarian (I’ve been asked for this a couple of times, but not always); this usually needs to be obtained within 10 days of flying.
– Always pack a cozy blanket and a chew toy in the carrier with them, and make sure to have food and water on hand. You might want to bring a wee-wee pad and some lining for the bottom of the carrier in case of an accident.
– After a bad trip during which Lucy barked hysterically THE ENTIRE TIME, I had a vet prescribe me what amounts to doggie Xanax (Alprazolam). It really helps, and I’d suggest asking your vet about this in if you have a lot of travel in your future.
– Most airlines won’t let you remove the dog from the carrier, or even allow you to move the carrier out from under the seat, which has been the hardest part for us: Lucy would be A-OK if she could sit in my lap, but when she’s stuck under the seat she gets a little nutty. Honestly? There have been times in the past (when I’ve had no one else sitting in my row) when I’ve wrapped her up (well, hidden her) in my scarf and set her on my lap just to keep her calm. Usually, though, I’ll just put my hand inside the carrier and scratch her as much as possible throughout the flight: not so comfortable for me, but it seems to relax her enough to make it from takeoff to landing without driving all the other passengers nuts with her barking.
– Click here to learn about different airlines’ policies with regards to onboard pets, and here to learn more about PetAir, a pet-only airline.
In sum: get as much info as you can from the airline prior to departure to make sure your travel plans proceed smoothly, and do what you can to keep your dog calm and happy…but know that flying is tough for many animals, and you may deal with some anxiety on both your parts. If things get stressful, just take a deep breath: you’ll be there soon.
J
