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Merci in her travel kennel

Merci is an avid world traveler. She has flown with us many times domestically and internationally, most of which has been in the cargo hold. The thought of flying with your dog in cargo can be scary. With preparation and the right gear, you and your pup can fly safely.

For more tips about preparing for flying, check our articles:

The Ultimate Guide to Flying with a Dog

8 Tips for Flying Travel with Your Dog

Here is our packing list of gear for flying with your dog in cargo!

REQUIRED KENNEL EQUIPMENT

Petmate Sky Kennel Portable Dog Crate

When we travel with Merci, we use the Petmate Sky Kennel Portable Dog Crate. The kennel comes in multiple sizes. Merci uses the Intermediate size.

This crate meets all of the IATA standards and is approved by all airlines.

The crate also comes apart for easy storage when not in use. The standard crate comes with plastic hardware, so you will need to upgrade to metal hardware.

I use a permanent marker to write Merci’s name and our contact information, including our international phone numbers. That way the airline staff knows how to contact us in case of an emergency. You could also create a small document with your dog’s name, and contact information to tape onto the crate.

Before flying with your dog, it’s important to ensure that they are comfortable inside the crate. Take time to work on crate training with your dog.

Hero Dog Fleece Crate Pad

We use the Hero Dog crate pad for Merci. It is lightly padded and has a coating on the bottom to help prevent it from moving. The pad comes in multiple sizes to fit any dog– we use the 36-inch pad for Merci. It can also be tossed in the washing machine for easy cleaning in case of any accidents.

Live Animal Sticker Set

There are two types of stickers included in this kit – Live Animal stickers and a Shippers Declaration & Feed Water Instruction sticker. Kennels need to have Live Animal stickers attached on all sides of the crate.

If it takes longer than 12 hours to reach your destination, IATA requires a Shippers Declaration & Feed Water Instruction sticker attached to the top of the kennel. This helps the airline know the last time your dog had food and water. We have used these for all of our international flights with Merci.

Metal Food Bowl

Food bowls are required to be attached to the kennel and accessible from the outside. We use a metal food bowl that clamps to the door of Merci’s crate. These bowls could also be used as water bowls. Pro tip – if you use these bowls for a water bowl, fill up the bowl and freeze it before your flight. This will keep the water from spilling out and will slowly thaw allowing your dog access to the water.

If you are traveling for more than 8 hours or in case of a delay, duct tape a Ziploc with one meal to the top of the kennel. The feeding instructions for the airline staff will be included on your Shippers Declaration and Feed Water Instructions sticker.

Water Dispenser

We use a water dispenser, similar to one used for hamsters, because it is spill-proof. I like to use the 32-ounce dispenser because it supplies enough water for Merci on a long flight.

If you use a dispenser like this, it is important to train your dog to know how to drink from the dispenser. We used peanut butter and chicken broth to encourage Merci to lick the nozzle where the water dispenses.

Zip Ties

The airline will require the kennel door to be secured using zip ties. This ensures that the door won’t swing open in transit and is just an extra layer of protection. You will also need four to six zip ties to secure the door. I usually bring a few extra in case one gets broken.

Potty Pads

Crates are required to be lined with something absorbent in case of an accident. We use two potty pads to line Merci’s kennel underneath her pad. This ensures that there is an absorbent layer to help keep the kennel dry. I also keep a few spare in my carry-on to help clean up. 

Nuthin and Merci in Kathmandu, Nepal

COLLAR AND LEASH

Leather Collar

Merci wears a leather collar for identification purposes. The leather is easy to clean and incredibly durable. She keeps her collar on while flying in cargo.

Silidog Silicone Pet Tag

Merci has a Silidog silicone pet tag for identification. I like this tag because it is quiet but also fits a lot of information on the tag. It has her name, our international phone numbers, and her microchip number. She wears this attached to a locking carabiner on her collar.

Locking S Carabiner

We use a locking s carabiner to attach Merci’s dog tags to her collar. This ensures that the tags won’t fall off.

K9 Tactical Gear BioThane Beta Leash

Biothane leashes are a great option for traveling. They are lightweight, easy to stow, and easy to clean. You can select the length, width, and color that best fits you and your dog. I use a leash that is ½ inch, 4ft in length for Merci.

FOOD

Primal Freeze-Dried Nuggets

Dog food regulations are different for each country, so it is important to check the regulations when you are traveling. Generally, we pack about 5 days worth of food. This allows us time to find good quality dog food and Merci time to transition. The Primal Freeze-Dried Nuggets are a high-quality food and one bag lasts her about 5 days, making it a convenient  option. 

SeaToSummit X-Bowl

We have two of these bowls for Merci – one for water and one for food. These bowls have a hard-plastic bottom and collapsible silicone sides. I’ve tried other bowls but found them to be too flimsy. These bowls are easy to stash and travel with.

Nuthin and Merci at Hierve al Agua in Oaxaca, Mexico

MEDICAL

Credelio

This is chewable Merci takes once a month that prevents fleas and ticks. I bring enough for the duration we will be gone. Note that this medicine requires fleas or ticks to bite before they die. If you are traveling in areas where fleas or ticks are known to be prevalent, it is best to use Credelio and some form of repellant as well.

Interceptor Plus Heartworm Medicine

This is a routine chewable she takes once a month that prevents heartworms. We switched to this heartworm medicine because it also prevents hookworm, roundworm, whipworm, and tapeworm. I bring enough for the duration we will be gone.

Bottle of vitamin B12 and syringes

Merci has a genetic disorder that requires her to get a B12 shot once a week. Both of these require a prescription which I also carry in a plastic bag at the bottom of her travel bag. If needed, these prescriptions can be filled anywhere there is a pharmacy.

MISCELLANEOUS 

REI Co-op Roadtripper Print Pod – Medium

This bag is a canvas bag with a zipper and a handle on one side. It was in the travel section and fits everything on this list (except the crate). It is 10.5 inches x 5 inches x 5 inches and fits nicely in a backpack. 

Flea comb

Merci has long hair, so brushing is important. A comb is the best of both worlds and helps to rake out the undercoat when needed, clean out debris, and is still small and portable.

Nail Trimmers

I used to have a groomer take care of Merci’s nails because I was always afraid of cutting her nails too short.  With traveling it was just one more thing to track down, so I got her nail trimmers. This style is nice because there is a nail guard so that you can’t cut the nails too short.

Your Dog’s Favorite Toy

Bringing your dog’s favorite toy helps to create a routine and normalize travel. Having their favorite toy helps to provide a bit of familiarity to a new routine. For Merci, we bring a tennis ball or a frisbee since they pack up well!

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