How to Prepare Your Dog for Long-Distance Air Travel

How to prepare your dog for long-distance air travel | PetAir UK

Planning a long-distance move or holiday and bringing your dog along? Travelling by air with your pet can feel daunting, especially when the journey spans thousands of miles. While PetAir UK takes care of the logistics and veterinary requirements involved in flying your dog safely, there are important things you can do to help your dog feel ready, relaxed and reassured throughout the experience.

Here’s how to prepare your dog for long-distance air travel.

1. Get Your Dog Used to A Travel Crate

Well before the flight, help your dog see a crate as a safe and familiar space. Place a crate in a quiet area of your home with soft bedding, and reward your dog for spending time inside. Gradually increase the amount of time they spend in it, including closing the door for short periods. This helps reduce stress when they travel in it on the day of the flight.

PetAir provides IATA-approved travel crates tailored to your dog’s size and breed, and can advise on crate familiarisation timeframes depending on your departure date.

2. Focus on Routine and Calmness

In the weeks leading up to travel, aim to keep your dog’s routine steady. This includes regular walks, feeding times, and rest. Dogs are highly sensitive to change, so maintaining their normal schedule can help reduce anxiety.

If your household is packing and preparing for a move, try to keep your dog’s space calm and quiet. Plenty of gentle reassurance and attention will help them feel secure.

3. Book a Vet Check and Ensure Vaccinations Are Up to Date

While PetAir’s veterinary team can handle the necessary export documentation and health checks, you may wish to take your dog to your usual vet for a general wellness check. This can provide peace of mind and is a good time to discuss any concerns you have about your dog’s fitness to travel.

PetAir’s service includes full veterinary planning where required, including all vaccinations, blood tests and parasite treatments specific to your destination country.

4. Pack Familiar Comforts for the Journey

A favourite blanket or a well-loved toy (if permitted) can help settle your dog in their crate during the flight. The scent of home can be very reassuring. If you’re unsure what is allowed inside the crate for international flights, PetAir will provide guidance on airline regulations and recommendations.

5. Avoid Big Changes in Diet

Avoid introducing new foods or treats close to your travel date. Stick to your dog’s usual meals to prevent upset stomachs. If your dog will be travelling for many hours, PetAir can guide you on feeding timings before and after the flight.

6. Exercise Before Travel Day

Giving your dog a long walk and time to relieve themselves before the journey helps them settle for a long flight. If your dog is boarding with PetAir prior to the flight, you can rest assured they’ll be exercised and cared for with the same attention you would give at home.

7. Stay Calm and Positive

Dogs pick up on our emotions. Staying calm and positive around your dog, especially on the day of travel, helps them feel confident too. Saying a calm goodbye and avoiding emotional goodbyes at the airport handover can help your dog transition more smoothly.

Flying with Peace of Mind

Long-distance travel can be a big change for both you and your dog. With careful preparation at home and expert support from the PetAir team, you can ensure your dog is safe, cared for, and as relaxed as possible during their journey.

For tailored advice on your dog’s upcoming travel plans, contact the PetAir team – we’re here to help every pawstep of the way.

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How Moving Can Trigger Anxiety

How moving can trigger anxiety | PetAir UK

Pets thrive on routine. The boxes, the chaos, and the emotional tension of packing up a home all send clear signals to your pet that something is changing. Add in time apart due to air travel, and the combination can feel overwhelming.

In many international moves, pets travel separately—sometimes days before or after you arrive. This temporary separation, even if handled safely and professionally, can cause stress for animals used to being near their owners.

How to Help Your Pet Cope

1. Maintain Familiar Routines

Stick to your pet’s usual schedule for feeding, walking, and playtime for as long as possible during the move. Routine provides comfort and stability.

2. Keep Them Calm on Travel Day

When it’s time for your pet to travel, avoid long, emotional goodbyes. Stay calm and reassuring—your pet will pick up on your energy. Send them with familiar bedding or a toy that smells like home.

3. Use Pheromone Products

Synthetic calming products like Adaptil for dogs or Feliway for cats can help reduce anxiety. These can be sprayed inside travel crates or used in the home in the lead-up to the move.

4. Desensitise Them to the Travel Crate

Well before departure, introduce your pet to their crate or carrier. Use treats and positive reinforcement to help them associate it with safety and comfort.

5. Work with a Pet Travel Specialist

At PetAir UK, we handle every aspect of your pet’s journey with compassion and care. We’ll keep you informed, coordinate with trusted airlines and quarantine facilities if needed, and ensure your pet’s experience is as calm and safe as possible.

6. Reassure and Reintroduce

Once reunited at your destination, give your pet plenty of time and space to settle in. Let them explore gradually, using their familiar items to make the new home feel safe. Be patient—they may need a few days to decompress and readjust.

A Smooth Move for You and Your Pet

PetAir UK understands that your pet is family. While temporary separation can be difficult, we’re here to make the journey as smooth and stress-free as possible—for both of you.

Planning a move? Get in touch with our expert team to find out how we can support your pet’s relocation and help them feel at home, wherever you go.

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Top 5 Myths About Shipping Pets to the USA – Busted!

Top 5 myths about flying pets to the USA | PetAir UK

Travelling to the United States with your pet is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. Unfortunately, there’s a lot of misinformation out there. To help you feel more confident about the journey, here are five common myths about pet travel to the USA – and the truth behind them.

Myth 1: “All Pets Must Quarantine for 30 Days”

Busted: The USA does not require a blanket 30-day quarantine for all pets arriving from the UK. In fact, most healthy dogs and cats travelling from the UK can enter without quarantine as long as they meet the necessary health and documentation requirements.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does have restrictions for dogs arriving from countries considered high risk for rabies. However, the UK is not currently classified as high-risk for rabies, so properly prepared pets can enter without quarantine delays.

https://www.cdc.gov/importation/dogs/

Myth 2: “You Can Ship Your Pet on Any Flight”

Busted: Not all airlines accept pets on every route. Airline policies vary depending on aircraft type, weather, breed restrictions, and seasonal embargoes. Some routes don’t accommodate animals in the hold, and many U.S.-bound flights have strict requirements for pet travel.

Using a pet travel specialist like PetAir UK ensures your pet is booked on approved routes with airlines experienced in handling animals. This reduces stress and avoids last-minute issues at check-in.

Myth 3: “A Single Rabies Shot Is Enough”

Busted: Rabies is not a mandatory requirement unless travelling to Florida, Texas or Miami from the UK* (correct 20/05/2025) , No wait period is required. Unless pets are travelling or have recently been in a rabies high risk country. https://www.cdc.gov/importation/dogs/high-risk-coun

 Cats are not currently required to have a rabies vaccination at the federal level, but some U.S. states do have local regulations, so it is wise to check the rules for your destination state or rely on a pet travel agent to confirm.

CDC rabies vaccination rules

Myth 4: “You Don’t Need a Crate if Your Pet Flies Cabin”

Busted: Even pets travelling in the cabin must be in a compliant airline-approved crate or carrier. This ensures their safety, security and comfort, as well as meeting airline and border control requirements. The crate must fit under the seat and allow your pet to stand, turn and lie down comfortably.

Most pets, especially those over a certain size or weight, cannot travel in the cabin at all and must go in the aircraft hold. PetAir UK can help you determine the correct travel crate and arrange crate training in advance to ease the journey.

Myth 5: “DIY Paperwork Is Cheaper and Just as Good”

Busted: The paperwork for pet travel to the USA can be complex and time-sensitive. Mistakes can result in your pet being denied entry, delayed or even sent back. Everything from rabies vaccination dates to veterinary health certificates must be accurate and correctly timed.

While it might seem cheaper to do it yourself, using a professional pet travel service like PetAir UK saves time, avoids costly errors and provides peace of mind that everything is handled correctly.

 

At PetAir UK, we handle every part of your pet’s journey to the USA – from crate fitting and documentation to airport handling and flights. If you’re planning a move or holiday and want your pet by your side, we’ll help make it happen, stress-free.