With a 68% increase in dog travel on board VistaJet aircraft in 2019*, catering to our canine passengers is increasingly important.
VistaJet has collaborated with experienced veterinary practitioner Dr Bruce Fogle to provide five key travel tips that will support passengers and their four-legged companions around the world.
Before traveling, dog owners should always ask themselves if it is in their dog’s best interest to travel. There are a host of diseases which could put your dog at risk. The most common to vaccinate against are:
Vaccinations should be administered at least two to four weeks in advance of your trip. Consult your vet to see which vaccinations are needed for your destination. For a summary of rules and regulations for top travel destinations, download the VistaPet travel guide.
Ensure you microchip your dog with a 15-digit 1OS 11784 compliant device and register your contact details with a licenced veterinarian prior to your travels.
More importantly, always remember to register your dog’s microchip with the country you are traveling to. Should your dog go missing within the country that you are visiting, the microchip will allow a vet or animal shelter to trace the dog back to you.
Dogs traveling privately will not need a lot of stimulation. A 30-minute walk before your flight should be a sufficient amount of exercise to keep your dog happy.
Travel with a selection of toys to keep your dog entertained. Typically, grab and shake toys work well for smaller dogs like Terriers and chew toys work well for larger dogs like Labradors. VistaJet offers a rope toy by Furzu in our pet travel bag – the VistaPet Pochette – for all passengers.
Note that over stimulation can cause your dog to pass more water. Remember to have absorbent pee pads available or take your dog to a relief station prior to and after your flight.
Flying with a scared dog can transform a perfect flight into a very long one. The good news is that dogs with fears can be desensitized through training.
VistaJet can arrange fear of flying courses for dogs, in partnership with The Dog House. The four-week course desensitizes your dog to what it could experience during a flight – the smell of fuel, the sounds of jet engines, cabin air pressure and the movements of air turbulence.
Dogs will typically gorge on food in one sitting, but are also capable of going without food for extended periods of time.
Make a note to check dietary requirements in other countries. North American dogs tend to be intolerant to beef protein while UK dogs can be intolerant to chicken protein. Look for a protein that is not very common: fish, game etc. so your dog is less likely to develop an intolerance to it.
VistaJet Members can request a dedicated balanced menu to keep their pet hydrated and healthy. The Rockster food cans and The Dog House treats are also available in the VistaPet Pochette.
The most comfortable journey with a pet starts with a simplified booking service, continues with a happy and uneventful flight, and ends at a pet friendly destination.
Let VistaJet help you fly anywhere with your pet.
