Air Travel With Your Furry Friends

I am a HUGE fan of animals and I can't imagine taking a vacation without my Yorkies (Ozzie Davis and Billy Dee) by my side. My sister is the fur mommy to two lovable Shih Tzu fur babies drove 24 hours from Houston, TX to Philadelphia, PA because she didn't want to be separated from them on her 2 hour plane ride.

These days doggies are not just family pets, they are an important part of the family. Having to leave them behind can be the determining factor in planning a family vacation.

Here are some helpful tips in planning a family vacation with your four footed loved ones. You will find that traveling with your pet is easier than you think!

Air travel with your pet falls into two catagories: In cabin or cargo.

Pets that are small enough to fit under your seat on the plane are "in cabin". Those that are too large will have to ride "cargo". If this is the case, you will need to check with the airline regarding temperature regulations for the cargo of the plane. Most cargo areas are not temperature regulated. They have no air conditioning or heat. Make sure when booking your flight to see if they will accommodate your pet. If you make your reservation online, you will have to make a separate reservation for your pet. Don't forget to make sure your pet can travel with you.

If the airline does allow pets on the plane, they will require an approved crate. Toy dogs require an "in cabin" approved crate. Check with your airline. If you are traveling with more than one pet, check the limit requirements.

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.

There are times when your pet may be more comfortable with their toys or stuffed animals inside the crate with them. This must also be approved by the airline as they may require that you pack your pet's toys with your luggage. If the airline does allow toys, it's safe put one toy in the crate with your pet. You may also want to consider adding a blanket with your scent inside the crate for your furry friend's additional comfort.

Some pets will experience a certain amount of stress when flying. 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. I'm sure this will put your mind at ease!

Don't forget to give your pet some water just before the flight and also minimize its consummation of food from around 6 hours prior the flight.

While going through the security check make sure that you have a good hold on your pet as the pet will be out of its carrier and may try to run away. Make sure the pet carrier goes through so that you can immediately put the pet in its carrier again.

Last but not the least, do not forget to consult the veterinarian for any concern or queries that you may have regarding the health or vaccination of your pet for travel purposes.

Keeping these tips in mind will make sure that you have a stress free journey with your pet. Take your pet along and make most of your holiday or vacation without any worries.