When Pets Fly: Travel Tips

If you're about to take off and want Fluffy or Fido to come along, be sure to read what the Air Transport Association has to say. There are lots of rules and regulations about Air Travel for Your Dog or Cat.

Some airlines will allow you to bring your pet in the cabin provided it fits in a kennel under the seat in front of you. Others may make you ship your pet in the cargo hold. The association recommends you do that only if you're on the same flight.

Pets must be at least eight weeks old and weaned before they can fly. And, the site says, you should try to book a nonstop flight and avoid putting your pet on a plane when it's excessively hot or cold, even though the cargo hold is pressurized.

Be sure to check with your veterinarian before getting on board. Some dogs just don't fly well, and you'll want to ask about sedatives. The site says that most likely you'll need a health certificate issued no more than seven to 10 days before departure.