Preparation is the whole game
The difference between a distressed traveller and a bored one is almost never the flight — it's the weeks before it. A pet that already loves its crate, is well-hydrated, and has a clean bill of health treats a long-haul to Taiwan as a long nap. Here's how to get there, starting about a month out.
Start with the crate
The travel crate has to become your pet's den, not a box it meets on flight day. Introduce it early: open, at home, with meals and bedding inside, until your pet chooses to sleep there. Dogs benefit from a structured plan — our 4-week crate-training guide lays it out day by day. It must also be IATA-compliant and correctly sized: your pet should stand, turn and lie down naturally, with no more room than that. See whether the crate is provided by your mover.
Body and health
- Fit-to-fly vet check. A pre-travel exam to rule out heart, respiratory and other issues — the foundation of travel health.
- Feeding & water timing. A light meal several hours before travel, not right before; water available up to departure. A full stomach on a plane invites nausea.
- Exercise first. A good walk or play session before check-in burns nervous energy so your pet is ready to rest.
- No sedation. Airlines and vets advise against it — sedatives are risky at altitude. Ask your vet about mild calming aids instead.
What goes in and on the crate
| Inside | On the outside |
|---|---|
| Absorbent bedding, a familiar unwashed T-shirt for scent, spill-proof water bowl clipped to the door | "Live Animal" labels, directional arrows, your contact details, feeding/watering instructions, a photo of your pet |
The night before, and the pet-specific tweaks
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Everything in this article is work 886JetPet does daily on the Taiwan corridor — the paperwork, the calendar, the airline, the arrival. One quote, one team, door to door.