Tips for Travel with an In-Cabin Dog
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I’ll be honest; my dog is spoiled rotten and high maintenance. Panda Bear is a 13- year old Pomeranian mix who is very bonded to me (okay, okay, WE are very bonded to EACH OTHER!). In the last 5 years or so, I have even begun taking him on planes with me as I’ve traveled around on multiple trips- at this point, Panda has probably flown at least a dozen times and he’s a champ! He is a huge hit wherever we go, and I like taking him with me. He is not a dog that does well with boarding, and I have a hard time leaving him at home with someone else taking care of him. I’ve learned a few things that have made traveling by plane with a dog as easy as possible. This post applies to domestic travel within the US only, and is solely reflective of my own experience and what has worked for me. I am always open to ideas though so if you have additional tips, please share them!
First, it goes without saying that not all dogs are great travel companions. If your dog has any level of anxiety about things like car rides or being in a carrier, or if your dog is aggressive, has an illness, or requires any unusual care, it may be better to make arrangements for your pet to stay behind where they are comfortable. Do not assume that “they will be fine.” Traveling by plane can be very stressful for pets, so it is important to know your dog well!
Every airline that allows pets to travel in-cabin will have information on their website with the details on breed limitations, weight and age requirements, and if you’ll need proof of vaccination- MAKE SURE YOU READ THESE, and call the airline if you have questions. Additionally, as far as I know, every airline charges a fee to travel with a pet. In my experience, it has always been about $125.00 each way. Here are links to several airlines’ information:
United Airlines In-Cabin Pet Policy
American Airlines In-Cabin Pet Policy
Delta Airlines In-Cabin Pet Policy
Southwest Airlines In-Cabin Pet Policy
You’ll want to plan ahead as much as you can, as some of the things that make traveling with a dog MUCH easier will cost money (and you’re already potentially in for $250 just to bring Fido in the first place). Here are my top tips to reduce stress on travel day:
Get to the airport earlier than you think you need to. You will have to go through a line to check in, fill out some paperwork for traveling with a pet, and pay the pet fee (you’re also checking your bag, remember?). Feeling rushed can cause so much unnecessary stress, and can cause your pet to pick up on cues that you are stressed out. When at the airport, NEVER leave your pet unattended.
Check your luggage! The less you have to carry onto the plane, the better. Most airlines these days do charge for this service, however there are travel credit cards that offer a perk where checking a bag is free. Ideally, when you get on the plane, you’ll just have your pet carrier and your essentials/valuables in a small crossbody bag, a wristlet, or a fanny pack. I try to not even use the overhead space if I don’t need to.
Avoid the middle seat. If you need to access your pet to give a treat, water, or just a head pat, the nature of plane seats requires you to lean to one side and I find that it’s easier and less invasive to my seat neighbors when I am not in the middle. Your pet’s carrier will have to go underneath the seat, and I also find the middle to feel more squished.
Spring for an extra legroom seat (or first class, if you can). I’m telling you, a little extra room can go a long way to making you both feel more comfortable. While it does cost more (sometimes a lot!) it can be worth it. If you are fortunate enough to be able to fly in the first-class cabin, you are also usually able to be among the first groups to board and deplane at your destination, which can be nice.
Consider a potty wrap for your pet. My dog is finicky, and won’t use the pet relief areas at airports. For a long travel day, a wrap can add convenience (and honestly, Panda has never had an accident on a plane, with our longest flight to date being about 4-½ hours). Basically, it’s a diaper for your dog’s liquid waste. In addition, before heading to the airport, make sure your dog has ample opportunity to do all the necessary potty business before starting a long travel day. Here is my go-to product available on Amazon: Honeycare Male Wrap or Honeycare Female Dog Diapers. Panda Bear is a boy, so I have not used the female version but have been very pleased with the quality of the male wraps- the velcro closure stays put, it has lines that change colors when wet, and it is very absorbent.
Plan a visit to the vet several weeks prior to traveling so you can get the all-clear that your pet can safely travel in-cabin with you. Your vet may recommend medication for your pet to help them relax. For my little guy, I have used medication several times and found it helpful, as he calmly rests the entire flight. Always be sure to follow your vet’s advice and dosing instructions.
Invest in a good pet carrier. If you can, try a few and see what you like or read reviews from others. You will want to make sure your dog can stand up on all four legs and be able to turn around in the carrier. I have one that has a strap that goes diagonally across the carrier, and I found that it is not as comfortable as one that has a strap that is not diagonal. We like this one from Mr. Peanuts: Mr. Peanuts Expandable Pet Carrier because it is sturdy and has a lot of features like expandable sides, a washable pad, and a strap that enables you to slide it over a luggage handle. Don’t need expanding sides? Here is an example of one from Sherpa that has plenty of features to make your fur baby comfortable on a flight: Sherpa Carrier Bag. When it is time to get off the plane, I hold Panda’s carrier in front of me the long way, which is the easiest way to get through the aisle. Finally- be patient with yourself and your dog. The airport can be crowded, noisy and busy but if you go into it well-prepared with the right mindset, you can kick back and enjoy the journey!
A few more tips for when you are traveling:
Do your research. This is a big one, and if you have questions, ask- a little communication goes a long way! Make sure wherever you are staying at your destination is dog friendly, and that you know any potential fees up front. I have seen these go all over the place- some hotels charge a nightly fee, some will charge a one-time fee, it’s best to know everything in advance. This information can be found on hotel websites or you can call and ask a front desk agent. I have also stayed in several Airbnbs with Panda, and have had great luck finding awesome dog-friendly places. One thing to note with hotels is that they usually will not let you leave your dog in the room unattended, so things like using the hotel pool/gym and restaurants are off the table. Hopefully, where you are traveling will have places to go that your dog can go to with you- on a recent trip to California, pretty much every shop I went to allowed me to have my dog, and many of the restaurants we went to were dog-friendly on their outdoor areas. When out and about, please be respectful of others who may not be as much of a dog lover as you- do not allow your dog to approach others unless the other person initiates it. Some people are afraid of dogs or prefer to keep them at a distance, and as a responsible pet owner, please do your part to keep your dog well-behaved when out in public- and always, ALWAYS make sure you have bags to pick up any messes!
Once you get to where you are staying, give your dog some time to get used to new surroundings. Gentle praise and some playtime will help your dog feel confident in different surroundings. Remember, they rely on you, so if your first trip with your dog goes well, they are sure to be up for it again down the road!
