Flying with your pet for the first time? Avoid these 5 common mistakes that can cause both of you trauma

After the flight, she was greeted by a rather terrified dog.

 Reflecting on her first flight with her dog from Delhi to Dubai, Dubai-based Kirthi Ramakrishnan recalls, “I focused solely on the paperwork, not focusing much on my dog’s psychological comfort. I feel so guilty when I think about that first episode.”

 In her frazzled state, she didn’t crate train her four-year-old dog in time for the flight. “That’s something you need to start months ahead, especially if your dog is prone to separation anxiety” says Ramakrishnan. “Dogs mirror our emotional states and the four-hour flight didn’t help. When I saw her again, she was crying, whining, and huddling in a corner for days.”

 Pets, like Ramakrishnan’s, can be deeply affected by long flights, especially when not properly prepared. Katrin Jahn, a Dubai-based animal psychiatrist and veterinarian, explains, “Air travel is stressful for even the calmest pets—new sights, sounds, and separation from their caregivers add to the anxiety.”

 So, how can you make it easier for your furry friend? Jahn and other UAE-based pet owners share tips on navigating this travel challenge.

First, know your rules before you book

 Dubai-based Drishti Israni Parnani did extensive research before taking her dog, Niyana, on a flight from Dubai to Mumbai. “Every airline has different policies when it comes to pet travel,” she explains. “Some allow small pets in the cabin, while others require all animals to fly in cargo. Niyana had to fly with us in the cabin, which meant following an extra set of rules—like getting a specific carrier.”

 As Niyana’s travel bag needed to meet size restrictions, Israni had to buy a soft-ventilated bag no larger than 18” x 18” x 12.” When booking flights, always research the airline’s specific rules regarding pet carriers, documentation, temperature restrictions, and breed restrictions (snub-nosed pets, like pugs or Persians, may face stricter guidelines due to respiratory concerns).

 Pro tip: Book a direct flight if possible to minimise stress and reduce the risk of transfer mishaps.

 Visit the vet and get the paperwork

Schedule a vet check-up 2–3 weeks before your trip. Most airlines and destinations require a health certificate issued within 7–10 days of departure, along with proof of rabies vaccination, microchipping, and possibly quarantine clearance. Dubai-based Connie Rey, who relocated from Canada last year, emphasises asking your vet about motion sickness options and ensuring your pet’s comfort through the entire process, from paperwork to psychological needs.

Get your pet travel ready

Familiarise your pet with their travel crate long before the flight. Jahn advises, “The key is to make the crate a ‘safe place.’ Work with a trainer to understand how your pet feels in the crate to help them feel more comfortable.”

 Leave the crate open with treats and toys inside so your pet associates it with something positive. Start with short durations in the crate, gradually increasing the time as the flight approaches.

 Tip: Choose an airline-approved carrier that’s well-ventilated and just big enough for your pet to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably.

The need for diffusers, pheromone products

 Check with your vets before you use, them, but pheromone products generally help in reducing stress, explains Jahn. “Plug in diffusers can be used in the new home and the spray can be used in the travel carriers. Remember to always make sure to leave 15 minutes between spraying the carrier and placing the animal inside.

Pet travel checklist:

The night before you leave: Keep them calm

 Pets, especially dogs and cats, tend to get anxious on seeing suitcases, recalls Rey. Her own labrador would start pacing up and down the house, the moment she saw any form of luggage. Just remember to find ways to keep them calm, stick to your regular, feeding and walking schedule. “Give your pet lots of exercise earlier in the day to help them feel more relaxed. Avoid feeding them 4–6 hours before the flight to reduce the risk of nausea. But make sure they’re hydrated,” adds Rey.

 At the airport: Early arrival is key

Arrive at least 3 hours before your flight if your pet is flying cargo, advises Rey.  For in-cabin travel, 2 hours should be fine.  “Carry all documents in a dedicated folder, you might be asked to show them multiple times,” says Rey, admitting that the first time, her documents were in different folders and she started holding up the queue, while frantically looking for the right documents.

Once on the flight: Keep calm and carry treats

If your pet is in the cabin, avoid taking them out unless allowed, explains Israni. Her dog was quite anxious on the flight, and Israni and her husband, had to keep reassuring her with pats and gentle conversations, so that she wouldn’t get more anxious.

 Remember: Don’t feed them during the flight unless it’s absolutely necessary.

 Once you land: Reunite and reassure

Once you arrive, reunite with your pet as soon as possible, especially if they traveled in cargo. Check on them, give them water, and offer comforting words. Keep their first few hours in the new place calm and familiar—stick to their routine to help them settle.

We spoke to the experts at VistaJet, a private aviation company known for its luxury pet travel program, VistaPet. In such airlines, the cabin hosts are trained in pet first aid, including CPR and recognising stress signals, while the cabin itself is designed for comfort – with handmade sleep mats, calming essences in the air, and in-flight meals crafted with vets. There’s even a grooming kit to help soothe and bond during the flight.

Snub-nosed breeds, like pugs or fluffy cats, which are often banned or forced into cargo on commercial airlines, fly alongside their humans in a pressurised, temperature-controlled cabin. “It’s a completely different way to fly — one designed around the unique safety and wellbeing needs of every pet,” explains global chief marketing Officer, Matteo Atti.

The truth is, when pets are happy, their owners can finally relax too – and that’s what really makes the journey memorable.

Of course, not every flight is just about the destination. One member once asked if her cat could join her for a formal dinner at 40,000 feet. A place was set, a glass of milk poured – and the two dined in peace, together, above the clouds.

If pets are family, their travel should feel like it too.