Carefully choosing air travel supplies can make flights with your dog much more enjoyable – for both of you. Some helpful air travel supplies include a carrier, leashes, ID tags, food and water bowls and carriers, blankets or towels, and toys. The specific supplies you need will depend on the details of your trip, but having a basic set of air travel supplies can make trips with your dog easier.

When choosing air travel supplies, consider that the safest way for your dog to travel in the air is in an airline approved dog carrier. When looking for a carrier, be sure it is large enough to comfortably fit your dog, with enough room for her to stand or lay, and turn around. Be sure your dog’s name and your contact information, both at home and at your travel destination, is clearly affixed to the outside of the carrier. This applies whether your dog will be traveling in the cabin with you or in the cargo hold.

Always carry at least one leash with you when you travel; having a spare is always a good idea. Walk your dog immediately before entering the airport, and keep the leash with you. Do not put the leash in the carrier with your dog or attach it to the outside. Make sure you keep some type of “poop bags” in an easily accessible spot, to clean up after your dog at each end of the trip.

When choosing air travel supplies be sure your dog has two ID tags: one with your home address or contact info and one with your contact info at your destination. Many dog owners now opt to put their cell phone numbers on their dogs’ ID tags, rather than or in addition to a home number, to make an extra tag unnecessary. The important thing is that your dog can be easily returned to you if he gets away while you are traveling. Carry a recent picture of your dog, and consider attaching one to the outside of the carrier, in the unfortunate event the dog gets loose from the carrier.

To minimize some of the stress while traveling with your pet, bring both food and water from home. Unfamiliar water in a new environment can lead to unnecessary additional stress for you pet. Since travel can be dehydrating to pets and humans alike, be sure to bring along plenty of fresh water for the trip itself. Either bring along your dog’s regular food and water bowls from home, or purchase collapsible bowls that make storage during travel easy. Consider freezing a bowl of water the night before your flight, so that you can place the frozen bowl in the carrier when you bring your dog to the airport. It won’t spill in transit and will thaw for your dog to drink on the flight.

Your dog will need absorbent materials in his carrier to absorb any waste on the trip. To help keep your dog comfortable and happy during the flight, you may want to be sure to include a favorite blanket or soft towel from home. Add a few new toys as well as old favorites when choosing air travel supplies, to give your dog some distractions along the way. And don’t forget to pack some treats in your own carry-on bag, to reward her for her good behavior when you are reunited at your destination.