How to Transport Your Pet by Air
There are a number of ways to transport your pet by air.

 

This method is a safe and humane way  to transport your Teacup Maltese Puppy. Contact your airline directly to determine the best option for you and your Teacup Maltese.

Questions to Consider When Your Teacup Maltese Puppy Travels with you.

Is your pet old enough to travel?
APHIS requires your Teacup Maltese puppy or pet to be at least eight weeks old and fully weaned before traveling by air.

Which flights are easier on your pet?
Whenever possible, book a direct, nonstop flight and avoid holiday or weekend travel. Consider schedules that minimize temperature extremes. For example, try to avoid travel during excessively hot or cold periods. Morning or evening flights are preferable during the summer.

Is your Teacup Maltese puppy healthy?
Check with a veterinarian to be sure that your Teacup Maltese puppy is fit to travel. Some species – for example, pug-nosed dogs (e.g., Boxers and Boston Terriers) – simply do not fly well because they may have difficulty breathing even under normal conditions. You will need a health certificate, provided by your veterinarian, in order to comply with the rules of most airlines, as well as state and federal rules. To be valid for your trip on most airlines, the certificate should be issued no more than seven to 10 days prior to departure. Be sure to check with your airline to get the exact amount of time they require before your pet’s trip.

Should you sedate your Teacup Maltese puppy or  pet?
Most veterinarians advise against sedating your puppy since the effects of tranquilizers on animals at higher altitudes are unpredictable. The decision to prescribe a tranquilizer for your Teacup Maltese puppy should be made by you and your veterinarian. If you believe that some form of sedation might be helpful, be sure to obtain and follow a veterinarian’s advice.

Prepare in Advance

Do you have the proper kennel for your Teacup Maltese puppy?
You and the airlines must follow APHIS regulations on the size of kennel for your puppy. The kennel must be sturdy, properly ventilated and large enough for your pet to freely be able to stand, turn around and lie down. The kennel must close securely with a mechanism that requires no special tools to operate. APHIS regulations require that the kennel have projecting rims or spacers to ensure that the kennel’s ventilation slats cannot be blocked by adjoining kennels or cargo. Appropriate kennels are available at pet stores and from most airlines. Remember to check with your airline because airline policies can vary.

Is your Teacup Maltese puppy or pet comfortable in the travel kennel?
As far in advance of the trip as possible, let your Maltese puppy get to know the travel kennel. Veterinarians recommend leaving it open in the house with an old sock or other familiar object inside, so that your pet will spend time in the kennel. It is important for your Teacup Maltese puppy or cat to be as relaxed as possible during the flight.

When your Teacup Maltese puppy  travels, the kennel should

• Clearly display your name and address

• Use arrows or other marking to indicate the top of the kennel

• Include food and water dishes (both empty), which are secured inside the kennel and accessible from outside

• Show a food and water schedule and, if any food is necessary, include an ample supply in a bag attached to the outside of the kennel

• Contain no more than one adult dog (or puppy between eight weeks and six months old that weighs more than 20 lbs.) or one cat per kennel. (Two puppies or kittens that are between the ages of eight weeks and six months old and under 20 lbs. each may share the same kennel if they are personal pets of comparable size and are socially compatible with one another)

• A general rule of thumb is that your pet must be able to stand comfortably in the kennel and be able to turn around while standing in the kennel

• Contain absorbent material or bedding, such as newspaper

• Display labels on top and on at least one side with the words LIVE ANIMALS printed in 1-inch-high letters

Have you made advance arrangements for your pets?
At the time you book a trip on which you plan to transport your pet, advise the airline directly that you will be traveling with a pet either in the cabin with you, as accompanied baggage in the cargo hold on your flight, or as cargo. Be sure to contact your airline again 24-48 hours prior to departure to reconfirm your pet’s transportation plans. This is important since airlines will transport only a limited number of pets on each airplane.

Please note that advance arrangements do not guarantee that your pet will travel on a specific flight. Airlines reserve the right to refuse to transport a pet for reasons such as illness, poor kenneling or extreme temperatures at origin, transfer or destination airports.

Ready for Flight

Acceptance of Pets and Teacup Maltese puppies
An airline cannot guarantee that it will accept a Teacup Maltese puppy or pet that it has not seen. Since an airline cannot transport a pet that is violent or dangerous, important considerations for acceptance of pets include the pet’s health and disposition. A health certificate will help to address any concerns. An airline must also determine that all paperwork is in order and that the kennel meets all requirements.

Food and Water for your Maltese puppy
USDA requires that you offer your Teacup Maltese puppy or pet food and water within four hours before check-in with the airline. Do not overfeed your Maltese at this time. A full stomach is not good for a traveling pet. When you check in with the airline, you must sign a certification of the time when you last offered food and water to your pet. (Do not leave food or water in the dish in the kennel. It will spill and make travel unpleasant for your pet.)

Arrival and Check-In
Get to the airport with plenty of time to spare so that there will be no rush. If your Teacup Maltese puppy  or pet is traveling as unaccompanied baggage or by special expedited delivery service, check-in will usually be at the passenger terminal. If your pet will be traveling through the cargo system, you may need to go to the air freight terminal, which typically is located in a separate part of the airport. Be sure to check with your airline for the acceptance cutoff time for your flight, and the location from which you can retrieve your Teacup Maltese puppy  at the destination airport. Note: You may not give Teacup Maltese  to the airline more than four hours before flight time (six hours by special arrangement).

Security Screening of your Pet
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations require physical screening of all pets and their kennels whether transported in the passenger cabin, as accompanied baggage or air cargo.

• It is a good idea to carry a leash or harness with you on a trip so that you may walk your Teacup Maltese  before check-in and after arrival, and so that you can secure your pet during security screening. (Do not keep the leash with your Teacup Maltese puppy, either inside or attached to the outside of the kennel.)

• Do not take your Teacup Maltese out of its kennel inside the airport unless TSA personnel ask you to do so. In keeping with airport regulations and out of courtesy for other passengers, you should let your pet out of the kennel only after you leave the terminal building. Some airports offer special pet relief areas. Check with your airline or the airport information desk when you arrive at the terminal.

• You should clearly mark the kennel with your pet’s name.

• In addition to showing your name and address as required by APHIS, you must mark the kennel with the telephone number of a person at the destination who can be contacted about your pet. This is especially important if you are sending your Teacup Maltese puppy unaccompanied through the cargo system, because you will not be at the airport to claim your pet upon arrival. It may be helpful to contact a pet travel service to handle an unaccompanied pet, since these services manage pick-up and delivery and can advise on quarantine requirements for international travel.

• If your Teacup Maltese puppy is traveling in the cargo system, remember that there is a processing period for cargo after arrival, which may vary depending on the airline, the airport, and whether your Teacup Maltese puppy is arriving from a domestic or international location.

• If you have questions, be sure to contact your airline.

• Remember: Even under the best conditions, air travel can be stressful on your pet. Be sure to talk to your veterinarian before transporting your pet by air to make sure that your pet is sufficiently healthy to withstand the stresses associated with air travel.