Why you might want to think twice before flying with your pet

There’s nothing more exciting than going on vacation with your little furry friend! Although spending time with our furry babies and not being separated from them is a priority for many of us, it is always better to decide according to travel conditions.

You may want to think twice before going on a vacation with them for the very first time. You should have a lot of information about which pets can be transported by plane, the necessary documents, the features of the carrier, and more.

However, you do not have to be afraid because if you are a rule follower, you will be safe. So, what should you pay attention to for having a safe and comfortable flight experience with them?

If we start with the simplest, when you want to travel with your pet, you should definitely pay attention to the airlines' pet transportation rules. These rules may vary depending on whether the flight is domestic or international, the flight duration, transportation fees, accepted animal species, transport carrier bag conditions, documents, and cabin and cargo compartment restrictions.

For example, in the cabin, the animal travels with the passenger. It is generally preferred for small-sized pets. The carrier bag has certain size and weight restrictions (for example, eight kilos).

If you choose the cargo section, the animal travels in that section of the aircraft. It is preferred for large-sized pets or animals that are not suitable for in-cabin transportation. For their safety during the flight, they have specially designed cages.

The rules regarding transporting pets on the plane vary depending on the airline's pet policy. For example, if you have a banned breed, you may be rejected from a flight you purchased even though it transports dogs. American Pit Bull, American Bulldog, and Caucasian Shepherd are some of the dog breeds that are not allowed to be carried on airplanes.

With the appropriate conditions and permits, many types of animals can be transported by plane. For example, cats, dogs, birds, small rodents (rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs), exotic animals (reptiles, crocodiles, snakes, turtles), service dogs, and emotional support animals.

Service dogs and emotional support animals often have privileges when it comes to pet transportation. However, rules for emotional support animals have also become stricter in recent years.

Service dogs trained to assist visually impaired or disabled individuals may be carried in the cabin with their owner on most airlines. There is no extra charge for the service dogs. They can stay in a designated area in the cabin. However, the dog must be trained and have the appropriate certifications like others.

In the past, emotional support animals had similar privileges to service dogs. However, with new regulations over the years only animals that meet certain conditions can travel in the cabin. Passengers who want to transport an emotional support animal are usually required to provide a medical report and documentation regarding the animal's training.

As everyone knows, if you want to travel by plane with your pet, you must have certain documents. These documents show your pet’s health, vaccination status, and suitability for travel. They should meet various health and vaccination documents for transportation on both local and international flights.

• Health report: It is important to obtain a health report and vaccination record when traveling with your pets. Because pets’ health conditions determine their resistance to the difficulties they may encounter during the journey. Airlines and international border gates require this to prevent the spread of diseases and to ensure the safe transportation of animals.
• Documents from a vet: Documents issued by a vet prove your pet's health and capability for travel. These are standard documents usually requested by airlines.

Additional documents are required for international flights with pets. Each country’s pet acceptance requirements may vary, so it is important to do your research and gather the necessary documentation before flying internationally. The most common documents requested for international travel are:

• Microchip
• Rabies Vaccine
• Blood Test (Titration)
• Health Certificate (European Union Pet Health Form)
• International Pet Passport
• Country of Origin Approval and Import Permit

Now you know why you should think twice before buying them plane tickets. It is not always possible to finish everything on time and meet all the requirements. However, if you start early or already have most of the required documents, you can safely plan the rest of the best vacation of your life!