The desire to travel with your Labrador Retriever is tempting. Many people love to travel with their pets but dog owners should always remember that not all pets can or should travel by plane. Before deciding to fly with your four-legged friend, you need to consider various factors such as your pet's age, breed, size and health.

Age.

Some laws require that only animals at least eight weeks old and fully weaned are allowed to travel in the cargo hold of a plane. Vets also discourage air travel for elder pets.

Prepare your pet.

Before making any plan, have your Labrador Retriever checked out by your veterinarian. Most airlines require that should have a full physical examination and be tested for various diseases prior to the flight. Make sure your pet has updated his vaccines against distemper, parvovirus, rabies and others. Ask for the exam certificate or the papers to prove the vaccinations and that your pet has been tested as these papers are required by most airline. The date of the exam certificate should be within a certain amount of time before the date of the flight.

Contact the airline.

Requirement for transporting dogs vary among airlines as well as countries. Speak to your particular airline and ask about specific requirements.

Flying Alone.

You cannot send your dog across the country without you. Unaccompanied dogs must be transported by a licensed pet transportation company. But as much as possible, always travel on the same flight as your pet. To be sure, ask the airline if you can watch your pet being loaded and unloaded into the cargo hold.

Identification.

One of the most important things to remember when traveling, even just a trip to the nearest grocery store, is your dog's identification collar. Securely affix two ID collars to your dog- a permanent ID with your name, home address and telephone number, and a temporary travel ID with the address and telephone number where you can be reached in case of emergencies. Make sure to provide a collar that can't get caught in carrier doors.

Motion sickness.

Avoid feeding your pet four to six hours before the flight to prevent motion sickness and vomiting. Small amounts of water can be given before the trip. You can give him anti-motion sickness medications to help settle the stomach and prevent drooling. For added preparation, just bring old towels or a roll of paper towels to clean your dog's mess just in case.