Flying with pets (cat and dog) + buying tickets

[Ksandra]

OK, my parents are coming out to CA from CT for a month this summer. They have left me with the mission of finding them some tickets, but I have a few questions that I'm unsure of.

The major thing (as the title says) is they will be bringing their cat and dog (toy poodle) with them. Now, I know some airlines let you put the animal on your lap in a carrier (or under the seat) for an extra fee. However, it seems like it's no longer considered good to give animals a pill/shot to get them to sleep while flying.

There is no doubt in my mind that if these animals don't have something they will make a fuckton of noise, so I'm not sure if that's even possible. At the same time, my parents are insanely paranoid about having them in cargo since it's guaranteed that they will have at least 1 layover and don't want them getting lost in baggage.

As well, looking for tickets on normal sites (expedia/orbitz) there's no category or w/e about pets. So is that something like, you just show up with them and pay an extra fee? Or have to contact the airline ahead of time? Can you not buy the tickets through these sites because they don't mention it?




tl;dr

1. Is there something that is still ok to give pets to calm them down while flying?

2. Do most airlines still allow pets on their lap/under the seat if they stay quiet?

3. If they pay for the pets on the lap and the pets make too much noise what happens? (or can you like pay the lap fee then have the stewardesses set them aside somewhere where they won't distract people?)

4. is there a way to have it where they get the pets back during layover if they are placed in cargo or something) to make sure they don't get lost?

5. How does it work when buying tickets off of expedia/orbitz/et. al. when they don't include the pet fee? (aka do you just show up with the pets, or contact the airline ahead of time after buying the tickets, etc.)


Any helps is appreciated as I've never had to do this before.


Oh, and as a note, the dog is diabetic. Not sure if that means anything as he will easily get his shots before and after the flight, but I don't know if there's any danger in anything he could take/having him on the plane.

[Dantrag]

Questions. What kind of dog? How much does it weigh?

Usually only lapdogs are allowed on planes and usually in crates. You can get some puppy xanax or w/e to help calm them if need be.

[Ksandra]

Questions. What kind of dog? How much does it weigh?

Usually only lapdogs are allowed on planes and usually in crates. You can get some puppy xanax or w/e to help calm them if need be.

It's a toy poodle so easily under 10 lbs. Do they not allow cats as well? I never thought of xanax, but I know the sleeping pills they used to give are no longer allowed on some airlines because of safety.

[Melena]

Have them talk to their vet. They can usually give them a tranquilizer to give them to keep them mellowed out for the trip. As for pet rules, it varies. I know southwest the carrier has to fit under the seat, so anything more then a single carrier will fit.

[Sera]

tl;dr

1. Is there something that is still ok to give pets to calm them down while flying?

2. Do most airlines still allow pets on their lap/under the seat if they stay quiet?

3. If they pay for the pets on the lap and the pets make too much noise what happens? (or can you like pay the lap fee then have the stewardesses set them aside somewhere where they won't distract people?)

4. is there a way to have it where they get the pets back during layover if they are placed in cargo or something) to make sure they don't get lost?

5. How does it work when buying tickets off of expedia/orbitz/et. al. when they don't include the pet fee? (aka do you just show up with the pets, or contact the airline ahead of time after buying the tickets, etc.)

step 1: don't tie the dog to the roof of the plane.

But seriously,

I took my siamese cat and my wheaten terrier with me to Italy for nearly a year in 2008. Some guidelines might have changed since then though so check for updated info to make sure. Jade (the cat) was small enough to ride in the cabin with me. Your toy poodle may also fit that guideline. I can't remember the exact guideline but I'm fairly certain it was by weight. They didn't check the weight of my cat when I got there, they just wanted to make sure she was comfortable in the carrier I had her in. They just check to see that she can stand up, turn around and lay down comfortably in the bag or case you have her carried around in.

Basically if your pet can fit in an appropriate carrier that is also a carry-on bag, they can just be another carry on bag. You pay a fee (back then it was $75) and you just take her on like you had paid for an extra carry on. I had a bag like this one for my cat. She was SUPER OLD so she didn't require any sedation as she was so freaking old she barely even bothered to meow/pay attention to anyone or anything at all anymore. (People kept asking me on the plane if my cat was still alive. Hilarious.)

They DID say however that only ONE pet was allowed in the cabin PER traveler, and up to I think 2 or 3 total per flight, so again you have to reserve their place early to ensure that they have a spot. Potentially, your Mom could carry one animal and your Dad could carry another -- so long as they planned enough in advance to find a flight that had enough "pet spots."

This is something you NEED to call the AIRLINE DIRECTLY to do ahead of time. Those travel sites don't really allow for special instructions etc like that. I think what we did was called the airline, asked about the accommodations, booked the tickets through a site, and called back after we had flight information to "add on" my dog and cat to my itinerary. You need to make sure you contact the airline FIRST though and ask how THAT SPECIFIC AIRLINE wants to do it. For instance, Continental airlines makes you buy a completely separate ticket...

my post was longer but someone keeps fucking with it and I don't feel like retyping.

You don't need to tranq any animal. Rescue remedy and Thundershirt, baby benedryl will work, just ask your vet for doses.

[Sera]

The other part that somehow got deleted is that if you check an animal as cargo they have to be in a carrier that is big enough for them to sit, stand, turn all the way around once and lay down in. It needs to have a water dish or bowl and someplace to put food too. Tape the food to the top of the carrier in a baggy. If there's a layover, the staff will feed, water and walk your animal during layover stops. If you check your pet as cargo, you WILL NOT get it back during layover, but don't worry, they take good care of them. Write the animal's name on the carrier. It helps the handler get acquainted with the animal and helps the animal feel calm.

[Dantrag]

It's a toy poodle so easily under 10 lbs. Do they not allow cats as well? I never thought of xanax, but I know the sleeping pills they used to give are no longer allowed on some airlines because of safety.

Check with the airline about their policies for pets.

Check with vet for a sedative.

Do not feed the dog the day of the flight. Do not give them water. Give them a few ice chips every now and then.

[Athas]

I don't think vets will give your pet anything that will knock them out, in case of some emergency they won't be able to respond. When I asked the vet about taking my dog on a long car ride, she told me to give him benadryl 1mg per lb.

[Apelila]

Benadryl also works on cats.

Protip: The cat might freak out and/or foam at the mouth after being dosed. Just be prepared for that.

[shepardG]

To piggie back on ksandies topic: what about a 85lbs boxer?

[Dantrag]

To piggie back on ksandies topic: what about a 85lbs boxer?

Would probably have to go in the cargo bay. Unless it's ATF, search and rescue, or a working dog.

[Amelya]

It's been a while since I read up on the guidelines, but I seem to recall they wanted the animal to remain in the carrying bag for the duration of the flight. So no holding it on your lap, letting it run around, etc. I would absolutely call the airline and find out exactly what their policies are before hand. I would also ask your vet before giving any type of sedative, usually they don't recommend it if they're in the cargo area, but maybe in the cabin is different.

A boxer would definitely have to be in a crate in the cargo area. Some airlines won't take brachycephalic breeds at all though.