The good news is that if your dog or cat weighs fewer than seven kilogrammes, many airlines will allow you take it with you in the cabin instead of packing it up in a plastic crate and unceremoniously dumping it in the hold.

But, as the owner, you are responsible for making sure your pet has a smooth ride and doesn’t end up in the cargo. Here’s what you need to know before flying.

Check the airline rules

Before you book your flight, check that the airline accepts pets in the cabin.

Some airlines – my best experiences have been with Air Malta, Lufthansa and SAS – are very ‘pet-in-cabin-friendly’ and transport thousands each year.

Others are not. Most low-cost carriers like Ryanair and easyJet, and the UK and Irish airlines (the UK and Ireland are not in Schengen so have different rules regarding the shipment of animals than the rest of Europe), do not allow pets in their cabins.

If the airline does, then you need to call them after you make your own reservation to book your pet. Normally, this should be done within 24 hours.

If, for any reason, the airline cannot accept your pet – Lufthansa, for example, has a limit of just two per flight – they will usually allow you to change or cancel your reservation, as long as you are within the 24-hour period.

Once your pet is confirmed in the cabin, make sure you receive an e-mail, which you should print. You will also need to pay an extra fee for your pet – this varies from €50 to €70 each way depending on the airline.

Some airlines – such as Air Malta – expect you to pay when you book your pet; others, like Lufthansa and SAS, will take payment at the airport on your departure date.

Just like you need to make sure you have the right suitcase for your trip, your pet needs to have the right travel bag.

Most airlines specify the size needed on their website – they want to ensure your pet has enough space during the journey and also that the bag is not so big that it won’t fit under your seat.

So don’t show up with one that is too large or small – or one which does not close. If you do, you might not be allowed to board the flight.

Prepare your pet

Make sure your pet is micro-chipped and that it has been vaccinated against rabies.

The vaccination must be renewed every year. You also need to have an EU pet passport, which most vets can provide.

In addition, check if the destination country needs any other vaccinations or tablets before entering.

For example, Malta is still one of the few EU countries that requires your pet to have a worm tablet and tick treatment at least 24 hours before arriving.

This means you will need to go to a vet, get the necessary medication and have your pet’s passport stamped before you travel.

If it has not been given the necessary vaccinations or medicines, this can cause a lot of emotional stress both for you and your pet when you arrive; in the worst case scenario it may have to be put into quarantine.

Fill out the paperwork

Paperwork can be tedious and you might be tempted to try to sweet-talk the customs guys or try to get away with hiding your pet when you arrive at your destination, but really, it’s not worth it.

During the flight you will be stressed wondering whether there will be a customs officer waiting to greet you and worried that someone will spot your pet.

Your pet will pick up on your anxiety and also get stressed.

So make sure, at least two weeks before you fly, that you have read up on the rules for bringing a pet into the country, completed the necessary paperwork and printed any approvals or certificates which you have been sent.

Make the trip comfortable

Travelling is tiring for your pet, particularly if you do not do it regularly.

As the owner, it’s your responsibility to make its trip as easy as possible for it.

Make sure that it eats and drinks the day before travelling as the chances are high your pet will not eat or drink much during the trip.

Bring its favourite snack, a small portion of regular food and a small travel water dish in case of delays.

Malta is one of the few EU countries that requires your pet to have a worm tablet and tick treatment at least 24 hours before arriving

Encourage it to drink some water to avoid dehydration and make sure you give your pet a toilet break just before leaving and as soon as you land – most small animals can generally hold up to seven hours.

Make sure your pet is comfortable with its travel bag. If you fly regularly with your pet, it will be used to the travel bag.

If it’s the first time, try to get your pet used to it beforehand by letting it sniff the bag, putting a favourite toy inside and let your pet in and out of the bag to get familiar with it.

During the flight, if your pet gets stressed, gently stroke it during take-off or landing.

My chihuahua gets sleepy and relaxed when I rub his throat gently and doses off.

Once the flight is airborne, the pet will generally sleep. Let your pet know you are there and try to relax it, but do not fuss the entire flight, otherwise it will not sleep.

If you know your pet gets extremely stressed when travelling or flying, it might be worth giving it a tranquiliser during the trip. Your vet can advise on this.

When you land

Be super-nice to your pet by giving it a treat and petting it, telling it how good it was and how well it behaved.

Give your pet a toilet break as soon as possible and a nice walk to stretch its legs.

But, remember even a two-hour flight for your pet may feel like a 12-hour long-haul flight for a human being and it might be absolutely exhausted.

Give it fresh water and food and let it relax quietly for a day or two at home after the journey to recover from the stress.

Note: This article is written based on the writer’s personal experience of flying to and from Malta and within Europe with a small chihuahua.