Like anyone else, your pet is part of your family, which is why most people enjoy traveling with them. Air travel is a stressful process for most people. Now imagine moving, yet you cannot read or understand all the noise around you.
That is precisely what your pet will experience when you travel by air. While you can soothe yourself by playing games on online casinos like EasyBet Casino on your phone or listening to your favorite playlist, they cannot.
The trip will often take a toll on them and may cause anxiety and distress. So it is vital to ensure that you plan well in advance to make the experience as smooth as possible for your pet.
Apart from helping make your pet comfortable during the flight, these measures will safeguard their health and well-being throughout the trip and simplify things for you.
Here are a few valuable tips to prepare for your pet's air travel.
1. Consult the vet
Before the trip, make an appointment with your vet and take your pet to be examined. It is standard for pets to have a travel health certificate to indicate that they are healthy enough to travel. Have two copies of this certificate.
Tape one copy on the pet's carrier and keep the other one with your other boarding documents. If you have any specific questions or concerns about their health, discuss them with the vet.
If your furry best friend becomes easily agitated during air travel, the vet might suggest effective behavior-modification techniques to reduce stress levels.
If your pet doesn't have a microchip, you can discuss getting one while at the veterinarian's office.
2. Keep it normal
Instead of packing hurriedly on the eve of the trip, consider doing it over an extended period. This way, you will help reinforce that this is just part of the routine. It is essential, especially if you are going to be away from home for a longer time, which means more packing.
Making it a short-term routine will keep their stress levels low. If your pet is a cat, bring their carrier out a few days or weeks before the trip so they will get used to seeing it around.
Also, please keep your pet's food, medicines, and essential supplies in a separate bag, such as their favorite toys. Locating them later, during, or after the flight will be easier.
3. Know the rules
Knowing and understanding the rules pertaining to flights for different pets is vital. Each airline has specific policies.
Generally, your pet needs to be older than 12 weeks and have certificates of good health vaccinations. They also need plenty of water and food for long flights. Further, some airlines allow travelers to bring their pets to the cabin while others don't, and you should know this beforehand.
It is necessary to mention that some airlines have a bad record regarding safely transporting pets in cargo, so you should be wary. A little online browsing will uncover this information.
Most airlines readily have information on pet travel on their websites, but if you are still unsure about specific details, you should call their representatives, who can quickly clarify everything.
4. Begin socializing with your pet
Some pets are timid. It means they will have a more challenging time adjusting to change, and so long-distance air travel might be too stressful for them. An excellent way to improve your pet's travel experience is to help them develop their socialization skills beforehand.
It makes it easier for them to be comfortable in unknown and new situations. Take your pet to pet-friendly restaurants, parks, or even daycare. Being around other pets and new faces will make their travel experience better.
Before you're up in the air to your vacation destination, take your pet on a short road trip and observe their reaction to the movements, sights, and sounds. Reassuring your pet and giving them positive feedback helps them to be more comfortable in such situations.
Lastly, socializing them in advance is essential if they will be handled by staff at the airport and accommodation and they are not used to being in big crowds.
5. Have all the necessary documents for their air travel
You must be prepared for your and your pet's air travel beforehand. Be sure to double-check the rules and regulations the night before your trip. Remember to have your pet's special travel documents at hand.
6. Water and food
Avoid feeding your cat or dog approximately 5-6 hours before your flight. However, giving them a little drinking water is alright. The reason for this is potty breaks at the airport are a challenge.
If they will be traveling in the plane's cargo area, secure a bowl for food and another for water inside their carrier. You can then fasten a serving of food on the carriage's exterior for the flight attendants to use in case your flight experiences delays.
Take away
Animals have feelings and enjoy good experiences as much as humans do, so taking them on your next vacation is an excellent way to bond with them and show them what the world has to offer. With these six tips, you and your pet can expect a breezy trip.
