According to the Air Transportation Association, more than 500,000 pets travel by plane every year in the United States of America alone. However, traveling is very stressful for a pet. Imagine the stress you are under when you travel and multiply it a thousand times and this is how your pet feels. So if you’re planning to take your pet on your next trip, this article will give you the good, the bad, and the ugly of traveling with your pet.

The good

  • You don’t have to go through the pain of trying to find a trustworthy pet sitter or trying to find a trustworthy friend/family member who will remember to care for your pet.
  • Being able to travel with your pet can reassure you. This means you don’t have to worry about how your pet is doing at home or with a pet sitter while you’re on vacation.

The bad

  • Not all airlines allow pets. Some airlines do not allow pets on their flights.
  • Depending on the airline, but those that allow pets on board will often charge around $125 – $250 each way (this also depends on where you are flying).
  • Pets experience a lot of stress when they travel. There are a host of environmental stressors that are present when pets travel on an airplane, such as changes in temperature, noise, and changes in movement.

The ugly one

  • According to statistics released by the Department of Transportation, 122 dogs died in the cargo holds of US airlines between May and July 2010.
  • In 2011, 35 pets died on a plane, and more than half died on Delta flights.
  • Airlines are not required by law to report pet mishaps, such as accidents, losses, and fatalities.

Now that you have an idea of ​​what traveling with your pet might be like, here are some things to know when you decide to take your pet on a trip with you.

Pre-flight preparations

  • Since traveling is already difficult for your pet, consider other factors that could add more stress before making a decision about whether or not to bring your pet with you. If your pet is too old or too young, consider leaving it with a neighbor or relative. The same is true if they are in heat or pregnant.

  • Take your pet to the vet for a checkup. This is to ensure that your pet’s health is in good condition for travel. Also, get the required vaccinations for your pet before you leave on your trip. You can request a health certificate to present at the counter before boarding your flight.

  • Book your flight in advance. Since different airlines have different policies regarding bringing your pets on board, it would be much better to make arrangements in advance. An easy way to do this is to make a reservation online. That way, you can learn more about your options with not only their pet policies, but their pricing as well.

  • Airlines have different policies on the size of carriers they allow inside the cabin. Check with your airline about sizing and requirements before purchasing a carrier. Remember that a carrier is under the same regulations as a carry-on. You can refer to the FAA’s policies on carry-on rules for reference.

  • Some dog trainers recommend training your pet especially for travel before your flight. Some suggested techniques are to place them on the floor of your car while you are driving. This gets them used to the changes in motion they are likely to experience on a plane. Others also recommend using a partnership scent on your pet, such as lavender oil. You can put a drop of the oil on your hands before mealtime or take them out for a walk. Doing so allows them to have a positive association with that scent. So if your pet is going to be separated from you, you can put a drop of lavender oil in her carrier to keep her calm during the trip.