Have you wanted to visit friends or relatives, or perhaps hike the trails at a scenic park? Did concerns over leaving your pet behind prevent you from going? Traveling with your pet is easier than you think.



Air travel with pets falls into two categories, in-cabin and cargo. In-cabin pets must be small enough to fit into a carrier that will slide under the seat in front of you. Pets too large to fit comfortably in a carrier must travel in cargo. If your pet needs to travel in the cargo area of the plane, you will need to check for temperature restrictions. Most cargo areas are not temperature controlled. They do not have air conditioning or heat.

When you make your plane reservations ask if the airline will accommodate your pet. Some airlines do not take pets. If you purchase your airline tickets through the Internet, make sure your pet will be able to travel with you. You will need a reservation for your pet as well as yourself. You will need to inquire of the airline’s specific requirements such as plastic crate or soft-sided carrier. Ask the airlines what size will be required for your specific pet.

Airlines have restrictions on the number of pets they will carry in order to provide safe travel for all. Therefore, making your pet's reservation at the same time you purchase your ticket is a good idea. Extra charges for both in-cabin and cargo pets will be assessed.

You will need a health certificate from your veterinarian. Health certificates are good for ten days. If your trip will be longer than that you will need to purchase another health certificate for the return trip. Cost of a health certificate varies by location and vets. Cost can be anywhere between $15 and $45.

Most airlines require a soft-sided carrier for in-cabin pet traveling. Some soft-sided carriers come with wheels just like luggage, which makes it easier to transport your pet through the airport. A soft-sided carrier also reduces the amount of “pet space" under the airplane seat. Window and middle seats have more room underneath than aisle seats due to seat configurations.

Toy breed dogs traveling in cargo will need an airline-approved crate. Generally, these are hard-sided, non-collapsible crates. The airlines usually require the toy breed dog be able to stand and turn around comfortably in the crate. Some airlines will not allow toys to be inside the crate. You may have to pack your toy breed dog’s toys separately with your own luggage. Be sure to ask about the airline’s requirement of toys inside the crate when you make your reservations. If the airline does allow toys, it is nice to supply your toy breed dog with at least one companion toy for the trip. The crate will also need to have one water dish and one food dish attached to the front of the door. Most airlines will require you to place a bag of food on top of the crate and some inside the food dish. You will also need to provide soft, absorbent material for the bottom of the crate. A soft blanket with your scent works well.

Be sure to provide your toy breed pet Nutri-cal before the flight and as soon as you able to reunite with your pet regardless of whether or not they ride in the cabin with you or in the cargo area. The Nutri-cal will help keep their blood sugars level. Toy breed dogs are more susceptible to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar attacks), which sometimes occur during the stress of traveling. Do not give your toy breed dog tranquilizers.

The motion of the airplane has a soporific effect, which may cause your pet (and people) to drift off into a sleep. Once in the air your toy breed pet will probably sleep most of the trip.

You will probably want to train your toy breed pet before the trip to make your pet a better traveler. There are many resources available that will show you how to accomplish this. One way to help your pet get use to traveling inside a hard-sided crate or a soft-sided carrier is to pack the crate or carrier just as you would for the airplane trip. Take your pet for several trips in the car before you actually go on the airplane trip. Take your toy breed pet to the vet in the same carrier or crate you will be using for the airlines. A soft blanket with your scent is nice to place in the bottom of the crate for your toy breed pet’s comfort. Time spent training will definitely pay off for you and your toy breed pet.

Don’t hesitate to travel by air with your toy breed pet. A little preparation and planning before the trip is all that is usually required. Flying with your toy breed pet is safer than traveling in an automobile. Don’t forget to check with your motel to see if pets are welcome!

Author: Connie Limon. Please visit us online at: http://www.abouttoydogs.com We are an article and dog training resource directory all about toy breed dogs. Sign up for our bi-weekly newsletters.

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