How to Fly With a Dog or Cat: Tips and Tricks

Many of us wouldn't consider taking a trip without our pets, whether traveling across town or the country. Fortunately, with some preparation and planning, it's possible to avoid kenneling and take our dogs and cats almost anywhere.

The safety tips below can help ease stress caused by pet travel — and ensure a safe and memorable trip for all. Before you head out, it's a good idea to find and book your pet-friendly accommodations, parks, and activities.

How To Travel With A Dog Or Cat: The Secret Is Preparation

Preparation is key! Whether you are jumping in the car for a long road trip or preparing for international travel, here are some tips to help both you and your pet get ready for adventure:

Make sure dogs and cats have a microchip and wear a collar with an identification tag that includes your name and phone number.¹

Keep your pet at ease by bringing along a familiar bed, pillow, blanket, and favorite toys.²
Keep dogs and cats safe and secure with a well-ventilated crate or carrier, and be sure to label it with proper identification.²

Be ready to help your pet conquer the outdoors if you'll be spending more time than usual outside. Don't forget to bring a leash!³

Maintain regular diet routines to lend some comfort when your pet may be feeling disoriented in a new territory.²

How To Fly With A Dog Or Cat

Air travel comes with its own set of challenges and guidelines. Consider these tips if you're boarding a plane with your dog, cat, or service animal:¹

Book a direct flight whenever possible.
Before your flight, complete all your pet's required health paperwork and make sure your pet carrier complies with the airline's regulations.
Don't feed your pet before your flight, since traveling on an empty stomach can help reduce nausea.
Bring small pets with you in the main cabin, where they can ride under your seat (larger dogs must fly in the plane's cargo area).
Become familiar with your airline's pet policy and whether they allow pets.
Bring any necessary paperwork, as required, including any type of vaccine or health certificates.

Flying With A Pet: Vet Checklist

Before you fly, be sure your dog or cat is healthy enough to take to the air.¹ In addition to a health check-up, your vet can recommend strategies to reduce your pet's stress, including options like a Thundershirt®, pheromone collar, or anxiety medication.⁴

Some questions you can ask your vet before you travel:

Is your pet healthy enough to travel?
Are your pet's vaccinations up to date?

Can your vet provide a copy of your pet's medical records?
How can you access veterinary care away from home?

What kind of medication, sedatives, or alternatives are best to help your pet feel less stress and anxiety while traveling?
If you have a larger pet (who must fly in the cargo hold rather than the main cabin), what can you do to help them feel safer and more comfortable?
Is there anything else your veterinarian recommends to make traveling more manageable and less stressful for your pet?

Pet-Friendly Airlines And How Much It Costs For Your Pet To Fly

Many airlines charge a fee for flying with a pet. Here are a few examples of in-cabin fees (as of publication date) from popular airlines in the United States to give you an idea:

Delta: U.S. $125 each way | International $200 each way⁵
Southwest: U.S. $95 each way | International Not Allowed⁶
United: U.S. $125 each way | International Based Aircraft⁷
American: U.S. $125 each way | International to Mexico, Central America, Caribbean $125 each way⁸
JetBlue: U.S. $125 each way | International $125 each way⁹

For more information on flying with pets, especially internationally, read more on the U.S. Department of Agriculture pet travel pages.

How Can CareCredit Help With My Pet?

The CareCredit credit card can help you to pay for services and products at veterinary practices in the CareCredit network.* That means you don't have to wait to help your pet take to the skies comfortably and safely. And you can use your card at enrolled providers both at home and during your travels.

Use the Acceptance Locator or download the CareCredit Mobile App to find a nearby practice that accepts the CareCredit credit card.

Author Bio

Kristin Driver is a digital writer with CareCredit. She specializes in writing about health care, finances, and pet care. Her work has been published by Cedars-Sinai, UCLA Health, Stanford Health Care, Pets Best, Risk & Insurance, Modern Health Care, Risk Insider, CIO Review, and more.