What Time Should I Feed My Pet Before a Flight?

One of the most common pre-flight questions we hear is: “When should I feed my pet before their flight?”

Whether you're flying your dog or cat yourself, or they're traveling with one of our trained flight nannies, meal timing plays a big role in their comfort and safety. Here's what we recommend based on experience across thousands of successful pet transports.

Feed 4 to 6 Hours Before Takeoff

The sweet spot for feeding your pet is about 4–6 hours before their flight. This allows time for digestion, a potty break, and settling in without the discomfort of a full stomach.

For example:

• If the flight departs at noon, feeding between 6:00–8:00 a.m. works best.

• For a 4:00 p.m. flight, feeding around 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. is ideal.

This window helps avoid:

• Nausea or vomiting due to motion or nerves

• Potty accidents in the carrier or airport

• Cramping or discomfort from flying on a full stomach

When your pet is flying with PetCommute, we confirm the feeding time with the sender and ensure your pet gets a potty opportunity before check-in.

Don’t Feed Your Pet Right Before the Flight—Here’s Why

It might be tempting to give your pet a last-minute meal, but feeding too close to flight time can backfire. Stress, noise, and motion may cause them to vomit, refuse food, or have an accident mid-flight.

Instead, stick with their usual food and normal feeding habits, just shifted earlier to fall within that 4–6 hour window.

What About Water?

Hydration matters, and PetCommute handles that for you. We offer water:

• Before TSA, once your pet is safely inside the terminal

• During layovers, when appropriate

• After arrival, before handoff

We use collapsible bowls and offer water at key points throughout the journey, without overfilling the carrier or creating messes.

Should I Send Extra Food?

Yes, just a small amount. We recommend packing a small, labeled baggie of your pet’s food in the travel bag in case of unexpected delays or rescheduling. We’ll only use it if absolutely necessary and according to your instructions.

Avoid bulky containers or new treats. Keeping it simple and familiar helps us manage your pet’s digestion and stress.

Let Us Handle the Logistics

At PetCommute, we do more than fly your pet safely- we care for them the way you would. From confirming meal timing to handling potty breaks and hydration, our trained flight nannies manage the entire travel day with professionalism and heart.