The pet set
Flying with four-legged friends is easier than you think
HEN I took my dog, Duncan, to Miami on his first-ever flight, my main concern was whether a sedative would be needed.
For myself, that is, not for him.
In the weeks leading up to the trip with my 8-year-old Maltipoo, I was a bundle of nerves and questions. What kind of paperwork would he need? How would security work? Where could he go to the bathroom before boarding? And, like me, might he need medicine to stay calm?
With the holidays upon us (read: extended visits with friends and families, and booked kennels), it’s likely some of you have the same questions. While it’s a must to check with your individual carrier, as guidelines vary, why not learn from my (fairly smooth) experience? Here, an easy guide to flying the skies with your favorite companion.
FIRST, RELAX
People tend to project their anxieties onto their pets, says Dr. Joseph Kinnarney, immediate past president of the American Veterinary Medical Associa- tion ( AVMA.org). “It’s like [with] your kids: if you become a bundle of nerves, they’re going to be a bundle of nerves,” Kinnarney says. His tip? Stay cool — chances are your pet will, too.
WHICH PETS CAN FLY?
More than 2 million live animals are transported incabin or as cargo every year, according to the US Department of Transportation. A spokesman for the carrier I took, American Airlines, said it flew about 125,000 pets in-cabin last year. But while the volume is high, each airline has its own restrictions. (“Snakes on a Plane” likely took liberties.) Check with the carrier.
IN-CABIN VS. CARGO
There are health risks involved with pets flying cargo, which is why the ASPCA ( ASPCA.org) and Humane Society ( HumaneSociety.org) recommend keeping larger pets at home. If you need to go cargo, though, don’t fret;
the Humane Society offers guidelines to keep things safe.
“I deal with a lot of showdog people and bigger dogs who can’t fly [in-cabin],” says Kinnarney, whose Scottish terrier, Peggy Sue, won Best in Show at Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 1995. “They handle it really well.”
THE COST
In general, travelers can expect to pay between $75 (Frontier) and $125 (American, United, Delta) to bring their pets on board. International fees can be higher.
GET A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH
For domestic travel, a majority of states require that your pet have a health certificate signed by a veterinarian within 10 days of the flight. For international travel, requirements vary by country, according to the USDA ( aphis. usda.gov).
SECURITY DETAIL
It was simpler going through security than I’d expected. Duncan’s carrier was X-rayed like any other piece of luggage. All I had to do was remove his leash and collar, then carry him through the metal detector. The sight of a 6-foot-4 man carrying a Maltipoo made the day of the TSA agents, who collectively said, “Awwwww,” as I received a swab test for trace explosives.
CARRY AND LOAD
With the exception of service animals, a pet must remain in his carrier. Maximum dimensions vary, but in general, it should be no larger than 19 inches long, 12 inches wide and 10 inches tall. Kinnarney, who often travels with his standard poodle, Pierce, says to have them practice being in the crate, and suggests even letting them sleep and eat in it. In the plane, they’ll feel like “they’re going to bed,” he says.
PEE FACTOR
A growing number of airports have pet-relief areas, including LaGuardia, JFK and Newark.
For obvious reasons, walk your dog “at the last possible minute” before boarding, says Kinnarney. “It [also] kind of relaxes them.”
And be prepared for inflight accidents. “I carry paper towels or wet wipes in baggies,” he says. “On a 16-hour flight, something’s going to give; if it’s an hour-and-a-half flight, you’re probably not going to have an issue.”
KEEP PETS DRUG-FREE
The AVMA recommends not sedating your pet as cardiovascular or respiratory issues could arise. In a majority of cases, there won’t be need for it, anyway.
“Most cats will curl up and really don’t have an issue,” says Kinnarney. “With dogs, seldom do you see an issue with them barking or disturbing [other passengers].”
While Duncan’s veterinarian cleared him for a small dose of Dramamine, I opted not to give it to him. He fared well, with the exception of a two-minute period on the Miami-bound flight when he let out some yelps. He calmed down when I let him smell my hand through his mesh carrier — and was far calmer than the crying baby six rows ahead of us. “I’ll open the door a little and pet them. It’s just [to] know you’re there,” says Kinnarney. “It’s not really the anxiety from the flight [that upsets them]; it’s more separation anxiety.”
Of course, he adds, “if they’re so bad that they really, really need drugs, you need to consider whether you should be flying with them.”