How to Prepare Your Pet for a Long-Haul Flight: A Practical Pre-Travel Guide
The flight itself is often the part pet owners worry most about. The good news: most healthy dogs and cats travel better than their owners expect. The key is preparation.
Start crate training weeks in advance
If your pet has never spent time in a crate, don’t expect them to settle calmly in one for 15 hours. Begin crate training at least 4-6 weeks before travel:
- Leave the crate open in a room your pet uses
- Feed meals near or inside the crate
- Encourage short periods inside with the door closed
- Gradually increase the time the door is closed
- Practice loading and removing your pet calmly
By travel day, the crate should feel like a familiar, safe space – not a punishment.
Choose the right crate size
Your pet must be able to stand fully, sit upright, lie down, and turn around without touching the sides or top of the crate. Measure your pet carefully:
- Height: floor to top of ears while standing normally
- Length: nose to base of tail
- Width: widest point (usually shoulders or haunches)
Add 10 cm to each dimension. When in doubt, go up a size. Airlines will reject crates that don’t meet IATA standards.
The pre-travel vet check
Book a vet check at least 2 weeks before travel – not 2 days. This gives you time to address any issues the vet identifies.
Your vet should:
- Confirm your pet is healthy enough to fly
- Check microchip is readable and matches documentation
- Review and sign the health certificate (within the required timeframe before travel)
- Advise on any destination-specific requirements you may have missed
- Discuss anxiety management options if needed
Feeding and water before the flight
- Withhold food for 4-6 hours before travel (reduces vomiting risk)
- Water should be available until departure; a small frozen water dish in the crate provides hydration during the flight without spillage
- Most crates have a clip-on water bowl – attach one, even if it’s nearly empty
What to put in the crate
Keep it simple:
- Bedding with your scent (a worn t-shirt works well)
- A small favourite toy that can’t be chewed into swallowable pieces
- Clip-on water bowl
- Live animal stickers on the crate (airlines require these)
- “This way up” arrows on all sides
Don’t overload the crate – it needs to be easy to access for welfare checks.
On the day of travel
- Exercise your dog thoroughly 1-2 hours before drop-off – tired dogs settle better
- Arrive at the cargo check-in point on time; cargo acceptance has strict cut-off times
- Stay calm. Dogs especially pick up on owner anxiety. Hand over the crate quietly and confidently.
- For cats: minimise stimulation before the journey; a quiet, darkened crate feels safer