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Moving Cross-Country With Dog... Tips?
Hi all,
Any tips from those of you who have done a major move with your pets? We are moving this summer from California to Massachusetts (back home for me!), and want to make the move as seamless as possible for our little one.
Chessie is about 10 lbs and I'm pretty sure she is small enough to fly cabin, so we were planning to fly. I have heard horror stories about pets flying cargo so we would definitely not feel comfortable having her fly that way. Cabin seems to be ok. We are a bus or walk only family, no car, so she is used to going in her carrier. It's a soft-sided one from Sherpa. It looks like her carrier meets the requirements for underseat carry-on items for some airlines but not others... we're happy to shop around.
Any tips for flying with a pet in the cabin? Recommendations? I plan to ask our vet about keeping her anxiety level low during the airport and flight process but I'd like to learn a little bit more so I show up at his office armed with information and can ask good questions about his recommendations. She is up to date on her shots but I assume we need paperwork of some sort to verify with the airline.
So... tips? Tricks? If the cabin thing doesn't work out for some reason we would opt for some kind of ground transport for her, but driving is unfortunately not an option for us. TIA.
Re: Moving Cross-Country With Dog... Tips?
I've found this site to be fairly helpful and accurate wrt to policies. Of course, airlines change so often, that you're right, best to shop around. But this might be a good starting place: http://www.pettravel.com/airline_rules.cfm
Good luck with the move! Hope your pup likes the Bay State (what's not to like?! I grew up in WMass)!
We did a very similiar move - LA to DC a couple years ago. We flew and shipped our cars. G was too big to fit in cabin so she flew cargo, but she's flown in cabin before when she was a puppy.
I think your Sherpa bag will likely be fine - that's what we used when we flew G in cabin - but it'll be good to double check when you call, since some airlines might require a waterproof kennel. Gloria slept the entire time and didn't have any accidents, though you could bring some wipes just in case. You could ask your vet about a sedative to have on hand, but I really don't like the idea of using them because you're giving your dog and articifical "downer" when she's in a situation where she's naturally "up." If you're really worried about her getting upset, you might try to get a direct flight, or consider doing it over night so she'll be more likely to sleep.
Call your airline ahead when you book your flight to let them know you have a dog - they won't let you secure a place for her until the day of the flight, but I feel better calling in advance. Make sure you have extra time at the airport, you'll pay for her ticket when you check in, then take her with you through security. You'll have to take Chessie out of her bag and run the bag through the x-ray machine - unless they've changed the procedures, but otherwise it's pretty simple.
Also, ask which seat has the most leg room. I believe it's the middle seat, but it's good to double check, you probably don't was an isle seat because I know those have less leg room and someone might bump her bag. You may want to bring something to tie the zippers shut in case she tries to get out.
It's really easy to fly with a dog in cabin, good luck with the move!
PPs covered most of what I was going to say - call ahead to make a "reservation" for your pup (many airlines only allow a certain number of pets per flight). Each airline lists the charge for flying a pet in the cabin with you on their website (I've paid anywhere from $75-$125 each way). I have flown with one of my dogs a few times (using a Sherpa carrier), and he is 17 lbs, so you should be totally fine with a 10 lb. dog. in terms of meeting the guidelines and fitting under the seat.
Most airlines say they require a health certificate from your vet, but I have never had anyone actually ask for the certificate. Still, better safe than sorry.
I didn't medicate T when I flew with him. He is a great traveler and very laid back. If you do decide to medicate, definitely talk to your vet, and I would suggest trying the meds at least once before the actual trip. Some meds can actually make a dog more anxious because the effects are scary (feely drowsy and disoriented, etc.).
If possible, give your pup a potty break as close to the time you have to check in at the airport as possible and immediately upon arriving at your destination. I also carry a travel-sized bottle of Nature's Miracle with me just in case there are any accidents.
I'm originally from MA and moved back to Boston about 4 years ago after being in NY and NC. GL with the move, and a preemptive welcome home!
Thanks everyone! You are all so helpful, and it's good to hear from "real" people that it's pretty painless. I have spent too much time looking around the internet and come across some really horrible stories of people who had a super rough time of it and it's easy for me to get stressed out about it, especially with all the other things there are to think about.
VABeach08 - so funny you grew up in W MA! I did as well. I also went to college in the Pioneer Valley, so I'm happy to be moving back after a couple years out here on the west coast. Boston is an awesome city.
Has anyone used a natural calming method for dogs during flight? I agree that a sedative might not be best, and I've heard it's not good to sedate them during flight, but what about something like rescue remedy or a thunder shirt?
Chessie is usually super calm, and she is usually fine inside her carrier on the bus (we go a couple of times a week, about 1/2 hour to an hour each ride) because the motion puts her to sleep. She just sleeps right through. The bus is loud and vibrates, but not as much as a plane does IMO. She is also on my lap on the bus and could see me through the bag if she wanted to. I'm nervous about how she will react to being under the seat and not being able to see me well.
Thanks again for all the pointers!
You should be fine with a Sherpa under the seat, just shop around for an airline that allows the specs of the bag that you have.
I flew with my puppy in a Sherpa. I would get a health certificate just in case, although I wasn't asked for mine. It helps to have a rabies certificate with you.
As for calming, I think you are already one step way ahead because your dog is used to the carrier and being in it. I wouldn't worry too much. You can always reach down and keep your fingers in the carrier to help calm. I think Rescue Remedy is worth trying. I would try it out before hand to make sure that she does fine with it but generally it's well tolerated. I've tried it on myself too - you want the alcohol free version so either the pet or kid version. If she is used to being on a bus, I wouldn't worry too much that she is going to have a rough time with the flight.
Plan ahead for going through security. She has to come out o fthe carrier and walk through the metal detector with you while you also need to do everything else at security. To me, that was the most chaotic to handle him, the carrier, and my stuff so pack as well as you can so you don't have many things to handle. I would keep some supplies with you for her, like paper towels or a bad to line the carrier.