Our team at Bored Panda has collected some of the most wholesome and adorable photos of animal companions that people brought with them on their flights. Scroll down to take a look and don’t forget to upvote the photos of the bestest boys and girls. Warning: your heart might melt from all the good vibes. (PS—tell your pets we said hi!) The friendly team at the PDSA kindly explained to Bored Panda how owners can prepare their pets for travel by plane because it can be stressful for them and complicated logistically. You’ll find the advice that vet nurse Gemma shared with us as you read on. That means that if you plan on flying anywhere with your pet, you ought to do some research beforehand about your country and airline’s rules, including fees and size and weight limits. In some cases, you’re allowed to bring your pet onboard the cabin (often, in an approved carrier bag). Elsewhere, your animal companion will have to travel in the cargo hold. Meanwhile, some exceptions might also be made if you have an emotional support animal or a service animal… or if you pay for a pet-friendly charter flight! “We would only recommend taking your pets on flights if the journey is unavoidable. However, there are things owners can do to hopefully make a pet’s first flight a little easier. We’d recommend, if possible, owners try and make the very first flight a short one. This way you can see how your pet responds to being on a plane. If on a long-haul flight for the first time, there’s no exit, and being stuck on a plane for hours could be a stressful experience for pets," she shared with us. Your first step should be to talk to your vet and ask them for advice. “This is especially important if you know they [your pet] can be anxious with travel, [so ask] for any recommendations that might help your pet during the journey. You will also need to consider your pet’s specific health needs. There may be some circumstances where your vet will advise against travel for your pet’s wellbeing,” Gemma said. She continued: “In circumstances where your pet has to travel with you no matter what, such as you are relocating and the only mode of transport feasible is a plane, you want to make sure you have everything you need for your pet to hand. Avoid feeding your dog for a few hours before travel, as flying on a full stomach could be uncomfortable for them. They can have water up until the flight, and try to make sure they have the opportunity for a toilet break shortly before boarding.” According to the PDSA, if your dog is traveling in the cabin with you, you may want to pack a ‘doggy bag’ with everything they might need. “This includes an airline-approved pet carrier and bedding, a water bowl, [and a] supply of sealed snacks in case your pet gets hungry, but it’s important to keep in mind [that] what food products you can take will depend on where you are flying from and your destination,” PDSA vet nurse Gemma advised Bored Panda. Gemma urges pet owners to get their dogs used to the airline-approved carriers before the trip to help keep them calm during the actual flight. “You want your pet to feel safe, happy, and comfortable with the carrier, so this may take a bit of time and training. Dogs are likely to find the experience less stressful if they are already crate trained,” she said. “Any kind of first-time travel is bound to be a little nerve-wracking for pets, as they’ve never experienced it before, so keep this in mind and ensure your pet has everything you know they need to keep them as happy as possible. For dogs, a good walk and playtime before a flight is a great idea to burn off any energy. Perhaps also [pack] a puzzle toy or an enrichment game they can easily play with on the flight that doesn’t take up too much space.” The PDSA pointed out that your pet might be vocal on the flight or they might want to pace around. “The best thing to do is remain calm with them and try to comfort them how they prefer. Getting frustrated and angry with your pet will confuse them and may make them more upset and unsettled. However, remember, in most cases, your pet will need to remain in their carrier.” First of all, you’ll have to inform the airline that you’re taking your pet with you as you’re booking your tickets. Furthermore, you have to have the proper documentation ready. If you’re traveling within the European Union, ID-marking microchips, pet passports, and anti-rabies vaccinations are mandatory. Smaller animals flying with airBaltic have to be placed within a bag or container. The pet has to stay within it for the entire duration of the flight. What’s more, the container has to be well-ventilated, the animal must be odorless, and any fellow passengers sitting nearby should not object to the pet being onboard. Having your pet in the cabin also means you have to pay an additional fee. Meanwhile, larger pets are placed in animal-friendly containers in the cargo hold. According to Pettable, you should first check with your airline what their animal travel policy is like. It’s better to be diligent now than run into problems later. Send emails. Call the airlines. In short, get some clarity on their rules, as well as their fees. For instance, some airlines might allow you to travel with your emotional support animal free of charge while others might ask you to pay a one-off fee. Different airlines will also have different rules regarding whether or not your pet can stay with you in the cabin. United Airlines charges $125 each way for traveling with pet dogs or cats. But if you have a service animal, you will not have to pay a fee, just fill out some forms. If you happen to be traveling with two pets, you will have to book two seats. Meanwhile, Delta requires that any dogs or cats that fly be older than 8 weeks old and fit into a soft-sided carrier no bigger than 18 by 11 by 11 inches. You’ll also have to pay $95 for your carry-on companion. On these flights, your pet does not have to be in a carrier and can sit on your lap, seat, or bed. When you’ve enjoyed this list to the fullest, check out Bored Panda’s other posts about animals on transportation! Follow Bored Panda on Google News! Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda! Please use high-res photos without watermarks Ooops! Your image is too large, maximum file size is 8 MB.
