Preparation: Check airlines’ requirements
There are certain legal guidelines and restrictions for pet air travel. The airlines themselves have varying regulations, so always contact airlines well in advance to get specific information about procedures, requirements and charges. Keep in mind also that rules may change, so ensure you have up-to-date information.

Airlines may have any of the following transportation options for your pet: in cabin, checked baggage, or as cargo. Regardless of which option will be used for your pet, reservations are required well in advance as each flight can only transport a certain number of animals in each cabin class and cargo hold. These capacities vary by airline and aircraft

If you are traveling with a puppy or small dog many airlines allow you to bring your dog in the cabin as “carry-on” luggage, provided the dog is in an airline approved pet carrier. The general rule is one dog per person. You must be on the same flight as your pet and the carrier in which the pet is to travel must fit entirely under the seat in front of you. The size and weight limitation varies and weight restrictions may also apply. Make sure you have an acceptable crate or bag and that your dog does not exceed the weight limit.

When booking let the airline know the your dog’s size, weight, and health as well as the type and size of carrier. Be sure to reconfirm with the airline 24-48 hours before departure that you will be bringing your pet.

Selecting a airline carrier
There are a variety of different types and styles of dog carriers that are approved by airlines, including kennel-type carriers, totes, and in-between. Some of the carry-on approved airline carriers are similar to handbags and are obviously intended for only the smallest of dogs. Others include the kind that look similar to a duffel bag, but have breathable mesh or netting so that your dog is as safe as they would be in a traditional dog carrier.

When selecting a carrier for airline travel consider the following:
Size: Airlines approve dog carriers to be checked as carry-ons only if they are small enough to fit under the seat in front of the traveler.
Safety:  Strong, durable high-impact shell and windows to let in fresh air when rolled down
Easy of carrying:  Lightweight and balanced, with handle and padded shoulder strap for carrying
Easy of use: Removable and washable bedding
Practical extra features:  Some have shoulder straps that detach to serve as a leash

Before you leave
Take a care kit in your carry on – bottled tap water from your home, baby wipes (good for accidents or when something ‘comes up’), and a cookie or treat.

Prepare your dog for its journey by reducing the quantity of food (not water) the day before flying. You will also want to give your dog a light meal a few hours before check-in. A heavy meal might make your pet sick during the trip. Walk your dog before leaving for the airport and then again before check in.
Take your dog for a walk before you place it in its carrier so that it may relieve itself.

Make certain that your pet is wearing a collar with identification in case it escapes. If traveling in cargo the safest type of collar for air travel is a paper collar you make yourself from a strip of paper and tape with identification written on the paper. This will prevent your pet from accidentally strangling itself in its collar. Never muzzle your pet as its ability to breathe and regulate its temperature by panting will be severely restricted.

Make certain to have a leash or harness with you as most airports will require that the pet be removed from the carrier at the security screening checkpoint so that the carrier may be sent through the x-ray machine. Your pet will not be allowed out of the carrier during the flight.

Dogs have the same sleep patterns as humans. When they first go to sleep, they enter the quiet (slow wave) phase of sleep. They lie still, breathing slows, body temperature drops and heart rate decreases. After about ten minutes, they enter the active (REM) or stage of sleep. During this phase they may bark, whine, jerk their legs. The brain activity is similar to that seen during the dreaming sleep of humans, and is seen as evidence that dogs have dreams.

Style of dog bed

Just like people, different dogs have different comfort positions for sleeping. A comfortable and supportive dog bed provides a place where your dog can rest and relax. Also think about where the bed will be kept, or example if the bed is going in the corner of the room then you might want to purchase a bed that is made to fit in a corner. If you have more then one animal and they tend to sleep together then you also need to take this into consideration.

Nest & Bolster style dog beds

Some dogs sleep all curled up nose-to-tail. If your dog likes to sleep curled up then check out a donut bed or nest bed.

Pillow beds, Cushion or mattress style dog beds

If your dog tends to sprawl try an oval or rectangular pillow bed, or cushion style dog bed.

Sofa bed

Some dogs like to keep their heads propped up as they nod off, or like to sleep both stretched and curled. In this case then you might want to consider a sofa bed, these beds usually have the length for stretching plus the raised back and arms give them the option to snuggle against something should they choose to do so.

Materials

Regardless of the type of material you choose, is should be easy to clean, preferably 100% washable. Consider purchasing a bed that is made of tough material such as corduroy or cotton in order to withstand a hard time.

Size

Size is the most obvious thing to consider when purchasing a dog bed. Check the dimensions of the thoroughly before buying, when checking the width of the bed take into account the breed of the dog you have and how much space it will be comfortable with. Remember that it is better to select a slightly larger size then a small one in order to avoid discomfort. If your animal is still growing then you also need to take this into account.

Make sure you measure your animal correctly before picking the bed size, if you are purchasing a mattress make your animal stand up and measure from the tip of the nose to the base of the tail. Add about 25-30 cms to these measurements and then use this as a guide for selecting the correct sized mattress.

If your dog likes sleeping curled up then you need to measure from the top of their head down to the base of the tail. Add approx 20 cm to this measurement and use this as a guide for selecting the correct bed.

Stainless steel dog bowls

Traditional stainless steel bowls are economical, durable, long lasting and are great if your dog tends to nibble on her bowl! Look for bowls with a rubber rim that will keep them from tipping and getting nosed around. They are easy to clean and are the easiest to sanitize, which is why they are the choice of many veterinarians.

Ceramic dog bowls

Ceramic bowls are sturdy, come in a wide variety of colors and designs, you can even get them personalized. Often they come in handy sets with treat jars as well. Ceramic bowls and crocks are good for dogs that like to move their bowls around. Since ceramic is the heaviest of materials used for feeding bowls, your dog will eat her food without moving across the floor at the same time. These bowls are very durable and long lasting, unless of course your drop them. Because they are very porous, it is critical that they be cleaned and sanitized daily. It is recommended that a cracked ceramic dish be replaced because it is likely to harbor bacteria in the cracks.

Plastic dog bowls

Plastic and ceramic dog bowls come in an array of colors and often have decorative patterns.
Plastic bowls come in a variety of colors and are lightweight, unbreakable, and economical. Plastic bowls are not for dogs that tend to chew on their bowls, as small fragments of plastic could be chewed off and swallowed.

Raised dog feeders

Raised dog feeders not only feature some really eye-catching designs, they also help in digestion, since your dog stands up straighter to eat. This type is also good for older pets with joint or arthritic problems to dine from.

Travel dog bowls

If you’d like to bring your dog with you when you’re on the go, there are several different types and styles of travel bowls available, from collapsible nylon bowls that are light weight and take up minimal space to portable raised feeders.

Accessories

Placemats

Don’t forget the placemats that go under the dishes, it makes cleanup a little easier.

Food Storage

Finally, when considering bowls for your dog to eat and drink from, don’t forget about a storage container and scoop if your dog eats dry food. Keeping the food in a container with a lid extends the life of the food, reduces the breakdown of vitamins, and maintains freshness.

Material

Leads come in many different materials, the most common are nylon, leather and cotton. When choosing a material consider the flexibility of the lead. If the lead is too hard or too stiff it will be uncomfortable for the dog and impractical for you.

Nylon Lead

The most popular lead is the nylon lead. Its low price tag, along with the variety of colors and designs makes it a popular item. They are used in every day situations as well as dog training. the drawback is that nylon can be rough on hands with extended use.

Leather Lead

Leather leads are attractive, strong and generally get softer and better with use. But if your dog will be around water often, a leather dog leash won’t hold up as well as a nylon one.

Cotton Lead

There are also leads made out of cotton, which are easier on the hands than nylon. Cotton training leads can be bought in very long lengths, making them ideal for training outside.

Another variety of cotton leads are the cotton canvas leads. They come in a variety of colors and styles.

Size

Width

The size of the lead depends on the size of your dog and personal preference. The bigger your dog, the wider his leash should be. If you’re choosing a leash for a puppy, buy with his adult size in mind whenever possible.

Length

One good factor to consider is the length of the lead. It is of course important to know how long the dog lead will be so that it won’t throttle your dog, and of course you don’t have to stop to much with a longer lead.