International flight with doggie

We have flown with my husband’s guide dog to Europe many times. For a 3 pm flight, my husband would give his dog half the typical breakfast and water early in the morning and take her for a good walk. He would quit giving her water at 11 am. Once at the airport he would let her relieve outside. After security he would give her another opportunity to relieve in the post security pet relief area. Mid flight my husband would offer her an ice cube but she typically refuses it. Occasionally he offers her a piece of kibble. Once we land and get through passport control, he feeds her, gives her plenty of water and then takes her out to relieve. That first day he offers her plenty of water to rehydrate.

Best not to give your dog a sedative according to our vet.

At security, my husband holds the leash and has his dog sit while he goes through the metal detector. After he clears, he then has his dog walk through and she sets it off with the metal on her harness. The agent then pats the dog. Most times the agent swabs my husband’s hands for explosives residue. Since your dog is smaller, the TSA may have you carry your dog in your arms while going through the metal carrier.

In Amsterdam, no one checked the dog’s paper work or microchip, but it is apparent she is a guide dog. She was thoroughly checked in Dublin and Lisbon. While you need the microchip and the health certificate someone may not check it.

My husband’s dog sleeps on the flight and the dog has never had an accident. Our first time to Europe we were anxious but the dog did great.

Good luck.

I would like any recommendations, such as food, no food, water, treats, anti anxiety meds (for him or for me!)

Ask your vet.... about the dog :-)

Since you are in comfort plus, just get another glass of wine!

My sister got the Thundershirts for her dogs when they flew and seemed to think they helped ease anxiety. Her dogs had to fly with cargo though

Sounds like you're pretty prepared. I'll just repost my sister's experience. She had specifically told her vet she needed the international chip, but her dog got the domestic one. When she went to fill out the forms, the chip's ID number was too short, and that's how she figured out that her dog had to be re-chipped (this time, correctly). She always emphasizes that the chip ID should be as many digits are there are blanks for digits in the form; otherwise, you have the wrong one.

I agree that for your other questions, your vet can give the best advice. My sister's dogs were too big to fly in the cabin, so she flew them as "baggage." She always avoided flying them as "cargo," which involves different procedures than "baggage" or "in cabin" pets.

We brought our dog to Europe with us on the Queen Mary 2. Here’s a link to the APHIS website that clearly spells out requirements
Aphis website

Also, be aware that your EU Health Certificate is only valid for four months so get to a Vet in Amsterdam and obtain and EU pet passport. As long as rabies is current the Pet passport does not expire. To ride public transportation with your dog, you need valid health certificate or Pet Passport.

Our Dog, Barley, has a blog and there are several posts that describe in detail the process. PM me if you’d like the Link