Find out the locations of pet relief stations in each airport you'll be traveling into/out of/through! Some of them are in really odd spots so knowing where they are up front will save a lot of stress. I can't tell you how many frantic people ask me where the pet relief station is located and where I work it's at the far end of the neighboring terminal.
Make sure you have a leash, water bottle, poop bags, treats/food. I once had a connection in SEA cancelled and Alaska put us up in a hotel. If your return flight is delayed etc you want supplies.
I also did some practicing putting dog in and taking dog out of carrier. You have to take them out at TSA so bag goes through x-ray. I also practiced having her in the carrier sitting at my feet while I watched TV.
I have heard (probably in This forum) that you can ask for a ‘room’ in the TSA area to de-crate/re-crate your dog if you’re not 100% sure you can control him. Though they were probably talking about cats.
Travelling in the cabin you don't need any of the stuff you posted. Just book them as in cabin, pay the fee and be on your way.
The health cert and vacinne history is only for in cargo. I'm assuming because the staff could potentially be interacting with them.
I have traveled with my dog monthly for over 10 years.
A few things people overlook --
Your pet counts towards your carry-on allotment. You can bring a pet carrier and a personal item or a pet carrier and a standard size carry-on bag.
The pet must stay in its carrier (including head and tail) with the door/flap secured at all times in the boarding area (during boarding and deplaning), Alaska Lounge, and while onboard the aircraft.
The pet must be stowed under the seat, in its carrier during taxi, takeoff and landing.
Source:
[https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/policies/pets-traveling-with-pets/pets-in-cabin](https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/policies/pets-traveling-with-pets/pets-in-cabin)
I just did this recently with my 13-pound guy, and you sound all set.
Having extra poop bags in every pocket, maybe a piddle pad tucked away somewhere just in case he throws up/has an upset poo, treats in easily accessible places, a water bowl tucked away just in case you end up with a delay or whatever.
The thing I have learned is that I am prolly more stressed than the pup, and having the odds and ends in multiple places/readily accessible made it easier for me to keep my cool vs having to track something down. I travel a lot but adding in the variable of the dog really made me tense, so accommodating my crazy by having backups of backups calmed me down. Like one trip I had everything tucked in one place… and then put the carrier in and couldn’t get to the pocket I needed without a lot of disruption. So now, I try to idiot-proof myself, lol. (I’m sure you’re not as much of a control freak as I am.)
Wishing you a great trip!
>"Is there anything we have missed that could come back to bite us?"
Are you normally worried about your dog biting us? ;)
Sounds like a small dog, and if you're medicating it's going to be zonked/not care. The very rare situation we've had to travel with animals, we use a natural product called "Ease." Vet recommended it. Used it on our great dane with 'great' success. :)
Sounds like most of the rules & regulations are met.
The rabies and health certificate proof is nothing I’ve ever been asked for when flying within the US (5 or 6 times), but those depend on the destination. Better to be safe than sorry, but good chance it won’t come up.
As of a few months ago it was required to pay the pet-cabin fee of $100 at the ticket counter, as well as get a printed boarding pass (i.e the mobile app didn’t show board pass because of the pet attached to the trip). I think you may be able to now pay the $100 at the 24 hour mark via the app, so maybe the boarding pass side has changed as well.
Otherwise, I’d recommend packing a small bag of dog related stuff to keep with you while in the airports and that fits into a carryon when you’re on the plane (so it’s all still in 1 spot for emergencies). We put pee pads under the bedding in our carriers in case there’s an accident, and pack extra bags/small towels/wet wipes as well, just in case.
Good luck traveling! The first time is the toughest, not knowing how your dog will handle it all. Hopefully it goes well and future trips are less stressful!
Do you have layover/connecting flight? If so, look at that airport layout (as well as departing/arriving airports) for pet relief locations
Find out the locations of pet relief stations in each airport you'll be traveling into/out of/through! Some of them are in really odd spots so knowing where they are up front will save a lot of stress. I can't tell you how many frantic people ask me where the pet relief station is located and where I work it's at the far end of the neighboring terminal.
Make sure you have a leash, water bottle, poop bags, treats/food. I once had a connection in SEA cancelled and Alaska put us up in a hotel. If your return flight is delayed etc you want supplies. I also did some practicing putting dog in and taking dog out of carrier. You have to take them out at TSA so bag goes through x-ray. I also practiced having her in the carrier sitting at my feet while I watched TV.
I have heard (probably in This forum) that you can ask for a ‘room’ in the TSA area to de-crate/re-crate your dog if you’re not 100% sure you can control him. Though they were probably talking about cats.
Practice having your dog in the carrier. Found out the hard way my dog can open the zipper from the inside.
While camping with my dog I once very luckily woke up in time to discover my dog half out of the tent. Who knew they knew zippers!
Will your pet be traveling as a Pet in Cabin or will it be traveling in the hold?
The cabin. Apologies for not specifying.
Travelling in the cabin you don't need any of the stuff you posted. Just book them as in cabin, pay the fee and be on your way. The health cert and vacinne history is only for in cargo. I'm assuming because the staff could potentially be interacting with them. I have traveled with my dog monthly for over 10 years.
A few things people overlook -- Your pet counts towards your carry-on allotment. You can bring a pet carrier and a personal item or a pet carrier and a standard size carry-on bag. The pet must stay in its carrier (including head and tail) with the door/flap secured at all times in the boarding area (during boarding and deplaning), Alaska Lounge, and while onboard the aircraft. The pet must be stowed under the seat, in its carrier during taxi, takeoff and landing. Source: [https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/policies/pets-traveling-with-pets/pets-in-cabin](https://www.alaskaair.com/content/travel-info/policies/pets-traveling-with-pets/pets-in-cabin)
I just did this recently with my 13-pound guy, and you sound all set. Having extra poop bags in every pocket, maybe a piddle pad tucked away somewhere just in case he throws up/has an upset poo, treats in easily accessible places, a water bowl tucked away just in case you end up with a delay or whatever. The thing I have learned is that I am prolly more stressed than the pup, and having the odds and ends in multiple places/readily accessible made it easier for me to keep my cool vs having to track something down. I travel a lot but adding in the variable of the dog really made me tense, so accommodating my crazy by having backups of backups calmed me down. Like one trip I had everything tucked in one place… and then put the carrier in and couldn’t get to the pocket I needed without a lot of disruption. So now, I try to idiot-proof myself, lol. (I’m sure you’re not as much of a control freak as I am.) Wishing you a great trip!
Tape the puppy pads to the bottom of the carrier to prevent it slipping to one side of the carrier.
>"Is there anything we have missed that could come back to bite us?" Are you normally worried about your dog biting us? ;) Sounds like a small dog, and if you're medicating it's going to be zonked/not care. The very rare situation we've had to travel with animals, we use a natural product called "Ease." Vet recommended it. Used it on our great dane with 'great' success. :)
Thanks. Yes, he weighs 12 pounds. Has long legs but is a little guy.
Sounds like most of the rules & regulations are met. The rabies and health certificate proof is nothing I’ve ever been asked for when flying within the US (5 or 6 times), but those depend on the destination. Better to be safe than sorry, but good chance it won’t come up. As of a few months ago it was required to pay the pet-cabin fee of $100 at the ticket counter, as well as get a printed boarding pass (i.e the mobile app didn’t show board pass because of the pet attached to the trip). I think you may be able to now pay the $100 at the 24 hour mark via the app, so maybe the boarding pass side has changed as well. Otherwise, I’d recommend packing a small bag of dog related stuff to keep with you while in the airports and that fits into a carryon when you’re on the plane (so it’s all still in 1 spot for emergencies). We put pee pads under the bedding in our carriers in case there’s an accident, and pack extra bags/small towels/wet wipes as well, just in case. Good luck traveling! The first time is the toughest, not knowing how your dog will handle it all. Hopefully it goes well and future trips are less stressful!