13 Hour Flight... Need Tips
 

Good Day YT,
I'm new to the community and also a new Yorkie owner. I decided to purchase my yorkie before I transfered overseas (US Navy headed 2 Bahrain) since the Vet there recommended if I was looking for a specific breed to purchase and travel with him. We have had Storm now for a little over a month and he is so much a part of the family. I was looking at some travel tips since I was told that he could be in cabin with us during the flight but I need 2 know which travel crates are best and which water and food carriers would work great with them... Thanks so much for your Tips!!

Make sure you have travel water containers, and food. Also, would be good to have nutrical on hand. Are you in the Navy? God bless you and thank you for your service. I have never traveled with my yorkie, so hopefully eons else can give you some better tips!

Thank you for your service! Check out Sherpa brand carriers.

Try this site, it has lots of tips and she even reviews carriers.

Dog Jaunt : Taking a small dog on a plane: How it works : Traveling with a small dog

After reading a lot of reviews I have decided that a Sherpa is a must... I'm sure he will do well because he hardly barks and will stop when told. My other worry is that sometimes he gets car sick so I can only imagine a plane ride.

I will be sure to check the site out today.. We have a few more months before we transfer but I like to be prepared for almost anything esp. since this is our first travel with a pet.

Post a thread in the health and diet section to ask about possible meds to prevent or alleviate travel sickness. I believe there is something that some people give their dogs that are prone to this.

Where/how is he traveling in the car with you? Many pups get car sick when enclosed in a crate. If they are elevated and can see out (as in a Snoozer or Pet Gear car seat) the windows, the sickness goes away.

Many pups who get car sick do not get sick on flights - you just don't know until you fly with them. I would recommend having several disposable pee pad on hand. Line the carrier with one - in case of sickness they can easily and quickly be changed. Make sure you have wet wipes with you for clean-up purposes as well. Pee pads are also about the same dimension as the floor of a plane bathroom. As he will most likely need to releave himself on a 13 hour journey, you can take him (in the carrier) to the bathrom, place a pee pad on the floor and then him on the pee pad. This will also allow him to stretch his legs.

Do not place water or food directly in the carrier. Rather, offer him water and food while in the bathroom. Most flight attendants will not allow you to have the carrier open while in flight (FAA regulation) so it can be difficult to give food/water otherwise. Many pups will drink out of the cap of a water bottle but will not out of a strange bowl. You can also carry a syringe to force fluids if you feel it necessary.

The potential problem with a sherpa carrier (unless it is the extra small which is hard to find) is the dimensions are such that the length it too long to fit completely under the seat of any plane. Anything under the seat must be able to completely fit underneath without any part sticking out into the foot space (FAA regulation).

Good luck on your journey and thank you for your service to our country.

I would take a few potty pads so you can keep the bottom of the travel carrier lined in case of accidents. To give him a break from having him in the carrier under the seat, take him and a potty pad to the rest room and let him walk around for a bit of exercise. Give him about five minutes anyway.
Also put a little sweater on him because it can get pretty chilly on those flights, especially by the floor. Take along something he can chew on, but not eat, and maybe a tiny toy. What I did with Zada when she was a little puppy was put a blanket over my shoulders and front, and put her in my lap. No one could see her and she slept so good. ;) (I'd take the sweater off while he's sleeping on your lap though).

I hope he is small enough to be able to ride in the cabin with you and not in the baggage section. When we moved to Wales, Eddie was just big enough he had to go in baggage. He had to have a hard crate that was ventilated on all 4 sides and they told me to put his water in his water bowls the night before and freeze it. That way it would take it at least until he was settled in on the plane before it unfroze and he would have water for the trip. I also painted a day glo pink strip around the air kennel and wrote his name and my name and address both US and UK in indelible ink on the side of the crate in case the paper work they affixed got peeled off somehow. It didn't but it make me feel better. Getting a dog into the UK is almost impossible but it was worth it.

Eddie made the trip like he did it twice a week. No problems. I hope you can take your furbaby on the plane with you and that will help so much.

You may want to check out this website. My cousin is in the Navy and i remember when he went over to Bahrain his Italian Greyhound had to do the Quarantine for a month. I believe it is navy regulation that they must go thru quarantine unless otherwise permitted to do so. Overseas Pet Quarantine Regulations for US Navy Personnel ~ Pawprints and Purrs, Inc.

Thank you so much for the Step by Step advise I feel much better now that I have a better ideal on how to handle the situation.

Good thing we are taking a military flight, I called and the lady that answered the phone said once I have my literary to call and they will reserve an in cabin spot, Storm is only 2.6 pounds and not very long so we should be okay.

He will have to be quarantine for 30 days but the quarantine can be in my home of hotel to where I can only take him out for a brief walk in the area.

I am so happy for you. It is much harder even taking one to Hawaii. They must have a FAVN that is a least 6 months before travel date, must travel in luggage, etc. It's great your pup can be with you all the time.

Thank you for your service and I hope you both have a very uneventful trip.