Flying is never an easy way to travel. With tighter regulations and longer lines, the element of stress is at its peak when you choose to travel by air. And if you are taking your pet along with you on your flight well, your stress level can be overloaded if you don’t plan ahead.
Air Traveling with Small Dogs
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While some small dog owners might think their pup is tiny enough to ride with them in the cabin, you should check airline regulations before arriving at the gate with your pooch in your Prada. Small dogs need to fit comfortably in a carrier that is 8-9 inches high, 12-13 inches wide and 15-23 inches long. The carrier should be soft and have an enclosure so the dog cannot easy get out. In the carrier, you can incude a collapsible bowl for water to keep your friend hydrated as well as a puppy pad for any accidents he might have.
Dr. Timi Lee Tribeca Soho Animal Hospital in NYC offers some important tips for traveling with your dog. Every airline may not only have different regulations regarding carriers in the cabin however charges also may vary. Call your airline ahead of time to check rates for your pooch and while you’re on the phone with them, ask how many dogs they allow to ride in cabin per flight. Most airlines restrict this number anywhere between 1 to 7 dogs per flight.
Dr. Lee also suggests seeing your vet ahead of traveling. Domestic or international, dogs need to travel with a health certificate from your vet. Aside from the health certificate, certain destinations may require mandatory blood work, quarantines and microchips (for identification purposes). So if you aren’t sure about what your destination requires of your pooch, call your airline and check with your vet.
Air Traveling with Medium to Large Size Dogs
While small dogs might have it made in the cabin, some medium to large size dogs only have one choice when traveling by air. That is the Cargo area, which is located in the belly of the plane. This area is not accessible by people during the flight. It is completely dark though it does have the proper ventilation, heating and cooling systems required for safe pet transport. Still, some airlines do not allow pets to travel during extreme heat or cold weather.
As with small dogs, the best way to travel safe and easy to is prepare. Elise McMahon for Expert Village recommends calling your airlines ahead of traveling and asking about their crate requirements. Ask where your dog will be traveling and whether the air temperature is generally warm or on the cool side.
Wire frame crates are not airline approved, plastic crates with holes for vents are. You can include a puppy pad, a water bottle that attaches to the door and a toy for your pet and you should make sure that the dog can sit, stand and turn around in the crate for comfort.
When you have the crate all set to go, you need to call the airline and tell them the dimensions and weight of the crate with the dog in it before you arrive to fly. Also ask how many dogs will be traveling that day. There are limits to how many animals airlines allow in the cargo area.
Tips for Every Dog Owner
- Remember that for some dogs, riding in the cargo area can be very stressful. Small or big, if your dog is skittish, talk to your vet about flying beforehand. And never medicate your dog without the proper conversation with your vet first. Tranquilizers are NOT recommended since their effects at high altitudes can be unpredictable.
- Some airlines recommend, but do not require that senior dogs and cats (over 7.5 years old) receive a more thorough exam with your doctor before flying. It’s important to ask what the health check, if required, needs to involve. Continental for example, suggests that liver and kidney screens be performed on older animals before flying.
- No matter your dogs size, proper identification tags should always be on your dogs collar. If your dog spends most of his or her time in the home and does not often wear ID tags, it’s imperative that before flying you are sure it is visible on placed securely on them.
- If possible take a night fly. It is easier on your dog. Have a good walk and play during the day so your dog is tired and more likely to relax when it is time to go into the crate or carrier bag.
- Finally, some airlines recommend that you consider liability insurance for any pets flying in Cargo. It’s important to be thorough in your conversations with your airline.
Get as much information as you can ahead of time to make travel day an easy one for both of you.
