[stevenham]

Hi.
I will be flying internationally out of Chicago O'hare in a week with my dog. His ticket has been reserved. My destination only requires a certificate of rabies for customs, which I have.

I am curious as what I should expect to happen at the departing airport. Do I just need to drop off my dog during check-in? Or is there other animal customs related step that I need to take?

Thanks

*Edit* - I know sedatives aren't allowed, but would it be okay to give medication for anxiety during the flight?

 

[Alice Kaye]

*Edit* - I know sedatives aren't allowed, but would it be okay to give medication for anxiety during the flight?

Since it's not always the best idea to give animals medication for plane rides and what have you, I recommend giving a Thundershirt a try. It will help with the anxiety s/he'll have and be easier on his/her tummy.

 

[hast]

I wouldn't give any kind of meds ... nor would I send my dog in a thundershirt. What if she/he gets stuck while in the crate?

When I took my dog to Sweden she was actually in the air for over 8 hrs ... and had about 3 hrs on the airport before we left. She had been quite stressed and slobbered a lot. On the way back home she was much better though and there was no lasting proofs of slobber or nerves when we came back to the US.

 

[mcdavis]

Is he travelling in the hold or the plane (I know some airlines allow small dogs in the cabin)? Hamish travelled LHR - BOS a few years ago in the hold (when he was 12). We had to check him in at the Cargo terminal around 2-3 hours before the flight. We took him for a walk then they put him and his crate through an Xray machine - he looked a little shocked as the crate went in backwards but it only took a few seconds. Then they popped him somewhere quiet whilst we went and checked in. Flight time was around 6-7 hours then we had been told we should collect him at the airport however they actually ended up taking him, and 3 other dogs, out to the Cargo area and we had to clear Customs (there was a charge of around $40). Whole process took around 11 hours and he seemed totally unfazed - did a massive pee when he was released from his crate then started demanding food
The flight was arranged by an agency so they sent us the documentation then we had to have a fit to fly certificate signed by the vet. They won't fly a dog that had been given sedatives, and wouldn't allow anything in the crate apart from a crate pad and water bowls that fixed to the sides.

 

[stevenham]

Is he travelling in the hold or the plane (I know some airlines allow small dogs in the cabin)? Hamish travelled LHR - BOS a few years ago in the hold (when he was 12). We had to check him in at the Cargo terminal around 2-3 hours before the flight. We took him for a walk then they put him and his crate through an Xray machine - he looked a little shocked as the crate went in backwards but it only took a few seconds. Then they popped him somewhere quiet whilst we went and checked in. Flight time was around 6-7 hours then we had been told we should collect him at the airport however they actually ended up taking him, and 3 other dogs, out to the Cargo area and we had to clear Customs (there was a charge of around $40). Whole process took around 11 hours and he seemed totally unfazed - did a massive pee when he was released from his crate then started demanding food
The flight was arranged by an agency so they sent us the documentation then we had to have a fit to fly certificate signed by the vet. They won't fly a dog that had been given sedatives, and wouldn't allow anything in the crate apart from a crate pad and water bowls that fixed to the sides.

He has to travel in the cargo. I'm a little worried because I know he will bark non stop in his crate until he tires himself out. He's crate trained, but he gets really anxious whenever he is crated anywhere other than in my house. He will probably bark non stop while waiting around in the airport. My flight is around 13 hours. So he's probably going to be stuck in his crate for more than 15 hours. I'm not too concerned about him relieving himself.

 

[lil_fuzzy]

Usually they sleep most of the flight, the thin air makes them sleepy. I moved to Australia with two cats in 2007, and they spent about 48 hours in the crate and then 30 days in quarantine. They were fine.

 

[Nev Allen]

Google "Sentry pheromone collars" and find a supplier near you. I am confident that this will help your pooch in this situation.