How to travel with your dog
How do they do it? A thought that may have crossed your mind when you see someone at the airport traveling with their pet. It is a bit of an anomaly since you do not see dogs at the airport every time you travel. You may see a service dog; even this is a rare sighting. Does the guilt overwhelm you when you think of being away from your pet for a month? Why didn’t you think of this? The good news is, yes, you can travel with your pet.
There are a few things for you to consider. If you have a Great Dane, it is unlikely that you will be able to travel with your dog since it is a large dog. Although, we cannot say it is entirely impossible. Before you book your trip and show up at the airport with your dog, you need to do some research. There are a lot of regulations and guidelines you need to follow. You also need to know which airline allows pets. In addition, the duration of travel is another determining factor. Is it a national (state to state) or international flight?
What you need to know before you travel with your dog:
- Ask the doctor: Take your dog to the veterinarian for a check-up. See if there are any underlying health conditions you may not be aware of that could impact your pet during travel. Also, is your pet suitable for travel? Pets with existing health conditions may not be able to travel for longer flights. In addition, most countries require certain health tests before entry. Health certification must be conducted ten days before your departure. Ask your veterinarian and find out the rules and documents needed for entry to your destination.
- Pet Identification: Does your pet have proper identification? Make sure your pet identification is up to date. Some pet owners use a microchip. Pet passport or a health certification document information will be available on your country of origin’s official government website.
- Crate & Carrier Requirements: It is easier to travel with smaller dogs since their carrier can fit under the seat in front of you. For your trip, you will need an airline-regulated crate or carrier. Each airline will have its requirement. This includes the size and the weight of pets allowed in the cabin.
- Book A Pet Reservation: Do not show up to the airport with your pet and assume it is fine to bring them along. You must book a reservation for your pet. You will be informed of any requirements you must follow when you book. There are no exceptions to this rule.
- Air, Land & Sea: Driving across the US with your pet is a stress-free choice. Buses do not allow dogs or cats unless it is a service dog. For trains, large dogs are not permitted. Your dog must be under 20 pounds. There are pet-friendly cruises like Cunard’s Queen Mary 2. The downside, your dog cannot stay with you in your cabin. You can visit your pet who will be taken care of by crew members. There are also fees for train and cruise companions for you to look into when you book your trip. A cruise may not be ideal since your pet will stay in a kennel for the duration of the trip.
