[childlessdoglady]

I’ll be taking my dog on a flight for for the holidays and wondering if anyone has an tips for us to make it easy/stress-free!

[Sadie Cornelius]

How fun! We fly with our dog often and here are some tips!

Contact the airline ahead of time to ensure that your pup meets the airline’s size/weight requirements and fill out the associated paperwork (if needed). There is no FDA standard, and each airline sets its own rules, which are constantly changing, so please double-check ahead of time by contacting them directly.

Fees also vary based on airlines, so check out our article dedicated to pet fees for flying.

If you are traveling with a pet, waiting in long lines at the ticket counter, security line, and boarding can be stressful. You might consider paying for upgrades like expedited services (TSAPrecheck, Clear, or through your airlines) to get through the process faster. Pre-boarding also allows you to get settled in and comfortable before taking off. One other upgrade worth considering is extra legroom in premium seating (either in economy plus or first-class). Your pup (and feet) will thank you.

Get to know where the pet relief areas are at the airports you will be traveling to ahead of time (including layovers). Most smaller airports will only have them outside. In this case, if you need to take them out, ensure that you have plenty of time to leave and come back through security.

If your dog has anxiety issues, speak to your vet about possible anti-anxiety medications they could take. We also recommend CBD oil or essential oils to help calm dogs who might be nervous.

Flying with a dog (or other pet) can be a fun experience if you plan in advance and follow these additional flying with dogs tips. If all that sounds like too much, you might consider driving instead. We’ve got a whole article dedicated to traveling with dogs in cars, including specific gear, safety precautions, and more.

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