by Suzanne Fort

Created on: October 22, 2008   Last Updated: October 30, 2008

When you decide you must travel with your pet and you must use air travel, you need to first make sure the airline you are traveling on will accept pets on the flight. Some airlines allow you take small pets on the top of the plane if you use an airline approved travel pet bag. If you can't take the pet with you to the top of the plane, you need to get an airline approved carrier so your pet may go underneath the plane.

You need to make sure the place you're traveling to will allow pets into that location. Some places even in the United States need animals to be quarantined before letting your pet out of a certain area.

If you get the okay from the airline, get the correct carrier for your pet, and check on quarantine laws, then you need to get a health certificate from your veterinarian. Your vet will make sure you pet is healthy enough for travel by air. Your vet will make sure that your pet's vaccinations are up-to-date. Your vet is likely give you air travel tips for pet air travel. You also may want to put a locator chip in your pet at this time. Sometimes stories are heard of the news of animals getting loose and not being found until years later when someone checks the microchip.

The day of your flight, make sure you have your health certificate, vaccinations, and any other documentation needed available to give to the airline personnel. You should let your pet eat a very small meal before traveling to the airport. You don't want your pet to get sick on the airline because they ate too much. Some vets recommend giving medication to your pet so they won't be nervous. Other vets think that is not good. You should talk to a trusted vet about this before taking flight. Make sure your pet is able to walk around before you travel to the airport. Once you get to the airport your pet must be in the carrier at all times.

Consider putting in a small item that has your scent on it, such as an old t-shirt that you wore. The pet will feel comfortable knowing that your scent is still there. Don't put anything else in the carrier besides things that the airline may require (i.e. cloth underneath to absorb any accidents). Make sure your carrier locks well.

Sit back and enjoy your flight knowing you did everything you could to emotionally, legally, and physically to protect your precious pet. After the first time of flying with animals, you can get a better feel for what you need to get prepared.

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