Are you thinking of taking a plane to go on vacation? Know that you can travel with your 4-legged friend without any problem!
And today we're going to tidy up a little bit of information that will enable you to make the best of your trip.
Let's start with the basics: you must first register your presence on board (this is done in various ways and depends on the airline).
But how does the dog travel by plane? The modes vary according to weight, and there are three:
- cabin: small dogs (8/10 kg) can travel on board inside a special carrier;
- cargo hold: dogs over 8/10 kg will be transported in the cargo hold, where, however, temperature and pressurization are about the same as in the cabin, ensuring your dog's smooth and peaceful journey;
- as cargo: if your dog weighs more than 75 kg it will have to be transported as cargo by a shipping company.
Remember that there are also a number of rules related to the carrier!
As for dogs in the cabin, the carrier can be soft, semi-rigid (maximum dimensions for both are 40x20x28cm) or rigid (40x20x24cm), durable, waterproof and well ventilated;
In contrast, dogs in the cargo hold require a rigid, wheelless (or wheel-locked) carrier with metal side vents and a centralized locking system that locks the two locking points in the door.
Let's move on to the documents!
Your 4-legged friend needs, in order to travel, all the necessary documentation!
For travel in Italy, a health card is sufficient;
Instead, a passport is required to travel in Europe, issued by the authorized veterinary agency following microchip and vaccination check. In this regard, the rabies vaccine is mandatory for travel and must be given at least 21 days before the passport is issued.
But do dogs pay for plane tickets? Yes, but it is one of the most variable information, closely related to the size of the dog and the airline itself, so we always advise you to check with the latter!
Before we conclude, we give you some useful tips to make your dog's journey peaceful and pleasant:
To ensure a comfortable start, start gradually getting him used to the carrier and make sure it is sturdy enough and suitable for his comfort, perhaps with some toys to remind him of a familiar and recognizable environment!
- Before traveling, it is best to consult your veterinarian and if he or she deems it necessary to make an examination to ascertain the state of your health;
- Try to feed your dog only up to 5 hours before departure, but take some travel snacks with you!
- And finally, of paramount importance especially on long trips, never let your dog run out of water!
Well, now all you have to do is get on board and enjoy fantastic experiences together with your best friend!
