In The Know Article
Written by Ellie Conley
Published on December 7th, 2022
Whether you’re traveling with a dog by car or plane this holiday season, you should consider a few things before making the journey. You want your dog to feel comfortable, calm and at ease when you reach your destination, which means more than packing extra food and treats.
I recently traveled with my 6-month-old toy poodle by plane and learned a few things. For one, when I got to the airport for my return flight, my airline rejected my dog carrier and wouldn’t let my dog fly home with me until I got a new one.
Each airline outlines its carrier requirements for pets flying in the cabin, but most say that it should be small enough to fit under the seat in front of you, ventilated on at least three sides and big enough that your dog can comfortably stand up and turn around inside. Some airlines will even ask your dog to demonstrate this to fly, and that’s where we failed.
Luckily, I could purchase a larger carrier at the airport, but traveling in a new one threw my dog off. To help put him at ease, I had his favorite toy and a new chew to keep him distracted. However, I wish I had known about the “stand up and turn around” rule ahead of time. (FYI, you can call your airline to hear its specific rules or find them online.)
Based on my experience, here are seven things you should have if you’re traveling with a dog this holiday season, so you can keep your pet happy and healthy no matter where you go.
Native Pet Yak Chews, $14.99
Talk to your vet about calming supplements if you’re worried about your pet’s stress levels during travel. However, these Native Pet Yak Chews are a favorite of my dog’s for keeping him busy and distracted. They’re a high-protein, hard cheese chew made with yak milk. Unlike a bully stick, they don’t stink, splinter, or cause a mess and are easily digestible. My dog is a small, 10-pound poodle, and it takes him weeks to finish a medium-sized one.
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