Long Airplane Flight with Puppy: How do we do this?

[HallTx1203]

Great advice from all posters...I traveled with my toy poodle, Romeo....I did not use water...I used ice chips....Flight Attendants were great about giving us ice chips....And he usually slept most of the flight...We flew from Texas to Maryland with an occasional layover in Atlanta....We never had any problems....

[bettyeanne]

Originally Posted by bettyeanne

"I want to bring the Nutri-Cal but it's in a 4.5 oz. tube, and the airlines allow only 2 oz. of liquid/gels in a container. If I put some Nutri-Cal in another container, it won't be labeled, and that could cause problems (been there, done that). Do they make travel-size tubes of Nutri-Cal?"

You might could just take a 1/2 tube, roll the bottom up and if they question it, just tell them your pup has to have it. I get Toto's from her vet [vet formula] ... I'll give him a call and ask!

It doesn't come smaller but there are some excellent posts as to solutions. I certainly wouldn't leave home without it!! Another thing I remembered ... especially travelling during the holidays and when all the "weather" delays begin. Be sure to have some of his food packed in your checked luggage. I was caught offguard once with Toto and what should have been a short few hours hop from B'ham. to Denver and home to GJ, turned into a nightmare two days!! When they finally got us to a hotel at almost midnight, the only thing I could get from room service, because they were closing, was an awful salad with no meat! So ... Toto and I had a little salad, some crackers and the only thing I had that really interested her were some treats! That little sweetie did loan me her brush ... I seldom pack anything like that because I keep duplicates of everything at home in AL!!!

[Bruce's_Mom]

Bruce has safely and contentedly made a 12 hour flight directly from Seattle to Amsterdam, then with only a 2 hour break outside the carrier flown to Paris which was another 2 hours...Basically here is how I handled the following.

Before the flight we went on a very very long walk about 2 hours. I then fed him those natural yeast treats that are supposed to calm them down, and they worked...For the first three hours he slept...I then took him into the bathroom of the plane and let him pee on pee pads and did this twice through the flight. To keep him hydrated I would also give him water when we were in the bathroom...While in his carrier I would offer him ice chips, and instead of nutrical (which I packed in my checked bag) I stopped at Starbucks and got several of those small packets of honey which are under 3oz and can be brought onto the plane, I would dip little bits of solid gold jerky in it and feed him those. On our layover we let him walk around the airport on a leash, Europe is more liberal but I have never had a problem here in the U.S. either, and we fed him his regular kibble meal for that day. At the airport I just had him go to the bathroom on a potty pad in the restroom. Once we got to our ultimate destination he was a little bit hyper and required a lot of exercise but he was safe and not overly stressed...

[a_jgonzalez]

Originally Posted by bettyeanne

I That little sweetie did loan me her brush ... I seldom pack anything like that because I keep duplicates of everything at home in AL!!!

Funny!! been there done that, poor Toby has even had to borrow our brush too hehehehe

[yorkiesmiles]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Some airports have little "dog yards" - so you could take him outside. There are also ususally pee areas designated outside by baggage areas (for traveling dogs). So, you'd have to go back through security - but at least he could get out, stretch his legs.

I've taken my carrier INTO the bathroom, on the plane - to see if he wants to potty, drink water (do NOT give water from the plane's faucet though), take him out for a bit.

For flight travel, I bring: pee pads, baby wipes, extra towel, brush, extra dog food (in case of major delay), small treats, Nutrical, "hamster" water bottle, childrens benadryl, chew toy, pepto, id tags, harness, leash.....I THINK that's it.....

Thank you for the list. And Stewartslucy - thank you for the insight!! I started a thread last week - about travel - because I'm trying to do this with 2 small yorkies in one bag. Flying Northwest to Florida & trying to make sure the dogs make it ok.

Has anyone flown Northwest?? I had to prepay for their ticket. I bought one ticket for both -- I'm concerned about what happens when I get to the airport. Will they want to see the dogs out of the carrier at the ticket counter?? Will they weigh the dogs & the carrier - the gal I booked the ticket thru insisted I had to tell her how much the bag would weigh & I had to guess because I haven't bought the carrier yet.

I realize I will have to take them out to go thru security. But what happens at the gate? Do they check the dogs again?? And once on board, do the flight attendants know who is bringing a dog on board? Will they come & check on us?? Also, Northwest says they don't require a health certificate, but I'm trying to figure out whether I should get one anyway, just in case.

OP - sorry, didn't mean to steal your thread!

[shelbell77]

The nutrical in a smaller bottle shouldn't be an issue...if someone has had a problem with that you had a bad TSA agent. All my shampoos and hair products are in small unlabeled travel bottles and no one has every stopped anything from going through.

I'd say with a 3 hour layover...you have PLENTY of time to get the dog OUTSIDE the airport and get back in through security for your next flight. You can walk it on the leash up and down the outside sidewalks (or better yet if the airport has a dog area outside go there) which will give it plenty of outside potty time, as well as lots of good exercise to exhaust it before the long flight. If you exercise it enough during layover it will probably sleep through most of the flight.

[celstu1]

I am flying to New Mexico from new Hampshire next month with 2 boys. (I hope LOL). This is what I was told to do. My flights are 2 hours on one leg and 2.5hours on the 2nd leg. I was told to put belly bands on them, then during the layover let them out in the ladies room for a bit, put down a wee wee pad and keep them on a leash but let them out to poop, pee, eat, drink, etc... I guess this is what Im going to do for my flight as well. Good Luck!

[celstu1]

Originally Posted by yorkiesmiles

Thank you for the list. And Stewartslucy - thank you for the insight!! I started a thread last week - about travel - because I'm trying to do this with 2 small yorkies in one bag. Flying Northwest to Florida & trying to make sure the dogs make it ok.

Has anyone flown Northwest?? I had to prepay for their ticket. I bought one ticket for both -- I'm concerned about what happens when I get to the airport. Will they want to see the dogs out of the carrier at the ticket counter?? Will they weigh the dogs & the carrier - the gal I booked the ticket thru insisted I had to tell her how much the bag would weigh & I had to guess because I haven't bought the carrier yet.

I realize I will have to take them out to go thru security. But what happens at the gate? Do they check the dogs again?? And once on board, do the flight attendants know who is bringing a dog on board? Will they come & check on us?? Also, Northwest says they don't require a health certificate, but I'm trying to figure out whether I should get one anyway, just in case.

OP - sorry, didn't mean to steal your thread!

This is not a great idea. Technically they only allow 2 dogs when they are under 6 months of age. I am flying Northwest next month. I am taking my 2 2 year old boys. I paid for both of them ($160). Northwest does not require health certs, but check your landing destination, they may require one. New Mexico requires a health cert (although I doubt they figure out how to follow up on a visiting dogs health certs). Anyways, from what I was told, they probably won't even look at your bag or weigh it. I bought myself a backpack type bag so I can strap my boys on my back (easier to carry them that way) but they weigh more than 15lbs (about 17lbs with the carrier) so I HOPE & PRAY that they don't weigh the bag ... although I wonder if they'd let 17lbs just go. I know you have to take them out at security and thats it. Not boarding and not at the ticket counter. I pray this works out for me and for you! Id hate to miss going home for the holidays but I did buy a refundable ticket for myself in case they do turn me away! Its the 7 Ps of life "Proper Prior Planning Prevents P*ss Poor Performance" LOL

[s13silviagirl]

Originally Posted by yorkiesmiles

Thank you for the list. And Stewartslucy - thank you for the insight!! I started a thread last week - about travel - because I'm trying to do this with 2 small yorkies in one bag. Flying Northwest to Florida & trying to make sure the dogs make it ok.

Has anyone flown Northwest?? I had to prepay for their ticket. I bought one ticket for both -- I'm concerned about what happens when I get to the airport. Will they want to see the dogs out of the carrier at the ticket counter?? Will they weigh the dogs & the carrier - the gal I booked the ticket thru insisted I had to tell her how much the bag would weigh & I had to guess because I haven't bought the carrier yet.

I realize I will have to take them out to go thru security. But what happens at the gate? Do they check the dogs again?? And once on board, do the flight attendants know who is bringing a dog on board? Will they come & check on us?? Also, Northwest says they don't require a health certificate, but I'm trying to figure out whether I should get one anyway, just in case.

OP - sorry, didn't mean to steal your thread!

First off, I second the Thanks to Stewartslucy!!!! And like celtsu1 has said, the majority of airlines only allow them in the same bag if they are under 6 months of age, and the pets count as your carry on. I am getting ready to fly back to the US from Japan and am doing a lot of research on this... with that said, iirc, they only allow ONE pet in the cabin for the flight...someone please correct me on this if I am wrong. But, to this point, that is what I have been told by most airlines that I have been calling. Now, I just had my psychiatrist write me a "prescription" to allow me to have both of my dogs in cabin, as they are extremely helpful with my condition (acute anxiety disorder and OD). I need to call back and see if this will help any... but I am not sure how much it will help. With your concern as to why the lady wanted to know the exact weight, it has to do with weights and balances on aircraft. They need to account for the baggage on the plane and the weight differences.


Hope that helps some, and again, Stewartslucy~ you have given me a LOT of extra info that I had not already gotten, and to you I give you a huge hug and a big thank you!!!!!

[Mayas Mommy]

Great Info Everybody !!!

We are also flying with Maya next month. We have a 13 hr. Flight and my Vet and I have been talking about that a lot. My only concern is that Maya will be upset with us cause she is constantly with one of us 3 all day. She loves to sit with my daughter and have her read books but I dont think she will be sitting on her lap in that plane. I don't think she will like it to be locked up for that long- this is the first time we take her to the US. She is a spoiled little Princess after all !

[mizzwanned]

I would say take Nutrical, treats, food and peepee pads to put in the carrier incase they pee on themselves. Good luck!

[shelbell77]

Originally Posted by Mayas Mommy

Great Info Everybody !!!

We are also flying with Maya next month. We have a 13 hr. Flight and my Vet and I have been talking about that a lot. My only concern is that Maya will be upset with us cause she is constantly with one of us 3 all day. She loves to sit with my daughter and have her read books but I dont think she will be sitting on her lap in that plane. I don't think she will like it to be locked up for that long- this is the first time we take her to the US. She is a spoiled little Princess after all !

Make sure you are giving her lots of practice time in the carrier before the trip so she starts to get used to it!

[puppy_Love08]

Thank you SO much for all the advice! I have made notes and hope to use the information some day.

But for now, I have decided not to take the trip with my husband because between the hotel fee ($50) and Delta fee ($150), it would cost too much ($225) to take the dog with us.

Also, someone advised walking Logan during the long layover. He is so tiny and will not walk on a leash! I would have to drag him, and I'm sure that is not good for his little neck.

[s13silviagirl]

Originally Posted by puppy_Love08

Also, someone advised walking Logan during the long layover. He is so tiny and will not walk on a leash! I would have to drag him, and I'm sure that is not good for his little neck.

These little guys shouldn't be walked with a collar, it can seriously hurt them. You should try a harness, one that doesn't put stress on their neck. Those are the best thing for walking them. (If I mis-read what you wrote, forgive me, as I am oh so tired right now. lol)

[shelbell77]

Agreed! Get a harness. Elphaba started walking GREAT once I got a harness that fit her right. Before that, she was only allowed in a small pen in the back yard because tiny dogs like that shouldn't have leashes attached to collars.