What You Need To Know About Flying With Pets

These days more and more people take their pets with them on vacations and business trips that it’s almost hard to remember that not too long ago the only way pets were allowed on airplanes were if they were either a seeing eye dog or locked in a small cage beneath the plane with the luggage. Over time it’s been discovered that the luggage compartment can sometimes be a health hazard to any caged animal as temperatures run the risk of fluctuating from extreme cold to extreme heat if not properly insulated. This has lead almost all the airlines to drastically alter both the way they build their planes to the way they train their employees. Now most airlines train their flight attendants as well as baggage handlers in how to treat both a well-behaved and ill-behaved pet whether their traveling in a kennel below or a small dog carrier in the cabin. We’re also starting to see airlines coming out with new ways of insulating storage containers to stop the fluctuation in mid-flight temperatures which will help keep your pet calm and happy for the duration of the flight.

If your travel companion is a small pet then it’s much easier to take them with you in a soft dog carrier. The majority of airlines will allow passengers to bring a small dog, cat or other pet into the passenger cabin as long as it is quiet, odorless and and above all restrained in their carrier for the duration of the flight. While you might cringe at the thought of keeping them in their dog carrier for a long flight, it is worlds better than the alternative they would have faced traveling with your toothbrush and shoes downstairs. Now in order for you and your pet to qualify for passage on an airline the pet and carrier must have a combined weight of no more than 40 pounds and must also fit underneath the seat in front of you. Because a lot of the airlines have a limit to the number of pets that they’ll allow in the cabin for any given flight, if you’d like to take your four-legged friend with you on the plane make sure to notify the airline as soon as possible so that you can be guaranteed one of those slots.

Each airline has a different set of policies towards traveling with animals, covering both the smaller pets who are allowed in the cabin all the way down to larger pets who have to travel in kennels beneath the plane. To be on the safe side make sure to contact your airline ahead of time to learn both what their policies are as well as what type of conditions your pet will be encountering if they are traveling in the luggage carriage. Most airline employees will be more than happy to cool any worries you might have about harsh conditions or ill-treatment. Some airlines even train their employees to help passengers schedule flights that are best suited for traveling pets. An example would be early morning or late-evening flights during the middle of summer when the mid-day heat can be scorching.

Wether your pet is traveling with you in a pet carrier or below in a dog kennel there are a few precautions you should follow so that the experience is a pleasant one for both you and your four-legged friend. Make sure that you have your pet examined by a veterinarian no more than 10 days prior to your departure day. While they are there make sure your pet is all caught up with their shots, especially any rabies vaccinations as you’ll be required by law to show proof of vaccination when you first arrive at the airport (so make sure you still have all the necessary papers, if not then have your vet provide you with temporary copies to use for the trip). It’s also important to know that federal law prohibits airlines from allowing any animal thats younger than eight weeks old to travel on a commercial flight. Lastly, don’t show up late to pick up your pet once they’ve arrived. It’s not the airlines responsibility to take care of your pet once the plane has landed not to mention the animal is most likely in need of a bathroom break so be on time!

A sturdy pet carrier or kennel, available from most airline or pet shops, is another important precaution to ensure a safe flight. The carrier should have all hard sides-with the exception of soft-carriers for pets small enough to travel in the cabin, those are specifically designed for airline travel and will help keep your pet calm and content during the trip. These pet carriers or dog kennels should be ventilated on at least two opposite sides (to allow for a steady flow of air), with exterior rims or knobs to prevent blocked airflow, and its also very important that the carrier or kennel is large enough for the pet to stand up, turn around and lie down in. This more so applies to dogs traveling in the luggage compartment but it also will keep your small cabin-traveling dog comfortable as well. Both the kennels and dog carriers should have water resistant bottoms with plenty of soft material at the base, this will help contain any potential accidents due to your pet getting startled during flight. Your kennel should also be marked with a large, highly visible label reading “Live Animal,” at least one inch tall, including arrows indicating the carrier’s upright position. Finally, both the pet and the carrier should be well marked with the owner’s name, address, and phone number, and the pet’s updated health certificate and the feeding plan from the veterinarian should be posted on the carrier.

At the end of the day you need to remember that not all pets can handle the experience of traveling on a plane at high-altitude. Anything from sudden changes in cabin pressure to being in a confined space can result in your pet having a negative reaction to the whole experience. If your pet is the type that is sensitive to loud noises or other environmental changes then you might want to talk it over with your vet before committing to any travel plans.

Still have pet questions? Head on over to OnlinePetAnswers.com and submit them to be answered for free by our online veterinarians.

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