Essential Items you Need when Flying with a Puppy

Flying with a puppy is stressful for both you and the pup. When I first started traveling with puppies regularly, there was a huge learning curve to it and I was constantly forgetting things at home. Being prepared and having everything you need will go a long way to make the trip less stressful for you guys.

Soft-Sided Crate

If you don’t have a medical reason to need a service dog with you on the plane, the only other way to have one with you is to put the dog in a crate under the seat in front of you. And if you’re traveling with a Newf, you have until they’re about 10 weeks old before they’re too big for the crate and space under the seat.

You need to have a soft-sided carrier that fits within the dimensions of 12inX12inX18in. This is about the size of the space under the seat in front of you. Though it is important to note that on some planes, the space under the aisle seats is a bit narrower due to the installation of electrical outlets.

The best pet carries are ones that have netting all the way around giving the puppy plenty of fresh air.

Pet carriers don’t have to cost more than $40 unless you opt for the kennel with rolling wheels which I cannot recommend enough! The wheels really make the long treks through the airport less of a hassle.

Training Pads

In order to have a successful trip, you need training pads. And at least five of them.

I keep one wrapped around the bottom insert of the carrier. That way if the puppy can’t hold it the entire flight, clean up is so much easier. Don’t forget to wrap another around the base after you clean the soiled one out. That’s two training pads.

I also use them on the floor in the bathrooms during layovers. But when flying with a puppy you cannot count on the pup to use the pad. Every single time I put the puppy down, he runs to the farthest corner to pee nowhere close to where I put the pad down. In that case, I usually need two to mop the mess up.

That leaves me with one left just in case I need it.

Rescue Remedy

Rescue Remedy is a lifesaver when it comes to calming anxious pets. And children. I remember a couple of times Mom gave it to me as a kid. It’s all-natural, pet safe, and really works.

Just a dropper full in the mouth and it does take a little bit to take effect. But with the continuous noise on the plane, it usually lulls the pup to sleep.

Rescue Remedy is similar to us drinking chamomile tea to calm us before bed.

Baby Wipes

Baby wipes are a must!

You never know what kind of mess your puppy might get into or make for that matter. Or even where it will happen. You might not be anywhere near a place where you can get soap and water.

One horror story of flying with a puppy that thankfully isn’t mine, but I did have to help clean up in the airport bathroom on the very short layover.

The puppy pooped on the first flight. But it was so anxious it wasn’t regular poop, it was explosive diarrhea and it smelled bad. My sister and I worked together to clean it up best we could in the airport bathroom. But eventually, it was as good as it was going to get and we each had separate other flights to catch.

Mine left on time, hers was delayed. Because of her stinky puppy. She was banished to the back of the plane and they cleared out two whole rows all the way around her it smelled that bad.

Moral of the story, always bring something you can clean up with. I recommend getting the baby wipes made for sensitive skin.

Collapsible Water Bowl

Puppies get just as dehydrated on planes as humans and you need to be giving them plenty of water to re-hydrate throughout the trip. Collapsible water bowls are the best because they save so much space. Just be aware that if you have a water dog, like Newfoundlands, they may try to swim in the bowl and spill most of the water. And that is not so fun while you’re on the plane.

If you do forget to bring a water dish, ask any flight attendant for a cup of water (no ice) for your puppy. And if it’s a long flight, don’t be afraid to keep asking for water. But be aware you might have to take the puppy to the bathroom which gets tricky on the planes.

Empty Water Bottle

Airports are expensive. A bottle of water can cost upwards of $3 and you aren’t even getting a full liter of it. Not to mention the whole environmental aspect of more plastic going into our landfills.

I always bring a Nalgene bottle with me when I fly.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the straw in my Camelbak, but I have found the changing pressure in the plane causes the bite valve to leak. My backpack ended up soaked one time!

Many airports nowadays have water bottle filling stations making it cheaper and easier for you to bring your own.

Food

Puppies need to eat too. Make sure you bring at least a quart zip-lock of food for your puppy.

Even if you are convinced that everything will be okay and you’ll get from point A to point B as scheduled and on time, remember that stuff happens. A thunderstorm could pop up out of nowhere. Where I live on the northern plains, they do that, pop up out of nowhere. Mechanical delays are also a possibility. Flights could be ridiculously oversold and you get bumped off, leaving you stranded in the airport.

The point is, make sure you have food for your puppy.

Carabiner Clips

Carabiner clips are amazing.

I clip them to everything because I never know when I will need to clip something to my bag. Things that usually need to be kept accessible like a water bottle or my travel pillow.

And I usually always have at least two with me all the time.

Toy or Chewy Bone

You bring a Kindle or maybe an iPad to occupy your time on the flight, what is your puppy going to do? Chew through the side of the carrier? Thankfully, I have never had this happen, but I have been close to disaster a couple of times.

Give your puppy a toy or something to chew on to keep them occupied. Odds are the plane will lull them to sleep, but just in case it doesn’t, you don’t want the flight attendant to wake you up because your puppy has escaped and ran to the other end of the plane.

Don’t forget to get something without a squeaker! I can guarantee your fellow passengers will hate you with a passion if you give your puppy a toy with a squeaker.

Travel Pillow

The travel pillow is for you and trust me you will need it. Especially if you take the first flight of the morning. The one linked is my favorite and it’s called “World’s Best” for a reason!

Any questions about flying with a puppy? Leave them in the comment section or shoot me an email and I will reply!

Looking for an experienced pet flight nanny? I have over 5 years of experience transporting puppies to their forever homes. Please send me an email so we can discuss it further.