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Tips on Flying with Your Pet

The amount of preparation that is needed for traveling, especially when it comes to flying with pets, can often be stressful and overwhelming. We all want the best for our furry friends, so it is important to consider your pet’s needs and safety.

Air travel can be dangerous for pets, especially those with brachycephalic or “pushed in” faces such as pugs, bulldogs, and Persian cats, whose short nasal passages put them at greater risk for oxygen deprivation and heat stroke.¹ If you have the option of keeping your pet at home, consider obtaining a small dog door or cat flap to give your pet freedom of mobility while you are away.

Flying with Your Pet

Standard Regulations

Cats and smalls dogs—and usually comfort and service animals—are pets which can travel with you in the cabin. You will need a carrier to hold your pet and, depending on the airline, it can be either hard or soft sided. At no point during the flight can they be taken out of the carrier.

If you are flying with a large dog—which, for most airlines, is more than twenty pounds—they must be checked in as baggage and will fly in the cargo hold.²

Traveling in the Cabin

Here are a few tips to keep your pet calm during a flight:³

Book your flight as early as possible to ensure you pick a seat away from all the traffic of oncoming passengers.
Offer plenty of vocal reassurances in a soothing tone to your pet.
Give your pet a few treats throughout the flight.
Offer a head scratch now and again to let your presence be known.
Insert a piece of clothing with your scent or their favorite toy into their carrier.

black cat and dog sitting together

Traveling in the Cargo Hold

Here are a few tips if your pet is flying in the cargo hold:¹

Use direct flights.
Avoid busy travel times and seasons (e.g., holidays).
Travel on the same flight as your pet.
Choose flight times which will accommodate temperature extremes (e.g., an afternoon flight during winter).
Place a travel label on the carrier and collar of your pet.
Carry a photograph of your pet.
Do not feed your pet 4–6 hours prior to the trip.
Ensure your pet is carrier-trained.

NOTE: You should always check the pet policies of your airline and call in advance to book your pet’s place, as some airlines have a limitation to the number of pets in the cabin and seasonal restrictions for cargo.¹

There’s more helpful information on pets, and you can also explore our site’s wide variety of affordable pet doors to maximize your pet’s mobility.

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