Nov25
Dog Kennel or Pet Carrier – How To Fly 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 traveling companion is a small dog then you most likely will be able to them them with you onboard the plane just so long as they meet the requirements put forth by the airline. Most airlines will let you travel with a small pet as long as the pet and carrier have a combined weight of less than 40 pounds and can fit securely underneath the seat in front of you. Due to passenger discomfort and allergies there usually is a limit to the number of animals allowed on each flight so make sure to contact your airline early on so that you can be sure to get one of those pet-friendly spots.
Before booking any flight you should call your airline and discuss with them what their policies are for traveling with pets. Each airline is different in their policies towards pets both traveling in the cabin as well as stored underneath the plane. Airline personnel can also help owners choose a flight that will be most comfortable for their pet. Try to aim for a flight in the early morning or late evening during the summertime as it’ll be the coolest during those hours. Any airline representative should be able to assist you in picking a flight that is right for your animal/situation so contacting them should be one of the first steps in your travel preparations.
Regardless of how your pet will travel, there are precautions owners need to take to be sure traveling is safe and healthy for the animal. AAHA suggests, and major airlines require, that traveling pets be examined by a veterinarian no more than 10 days before to the date of departure. You will also be required to provide the necessary rabies vaccination certifications when you check in to the airport prior to boarding. Because their feeding schedule might be affected ask your veterinarian for tips on how to keep your pet fed and happy. The age and size of the pet, time and distance of the flight and regular dietary routine all will play a part in your pet’s well-being. There is also a Federal Regulations that states that dogs and cats must be at least eight weeks old and weaned at least five days before flying. If you’re meeting your pet at the airport on a different flight, you will need to be there when it lands. No late-pickups!
As far as what to look for in dog kennels just make sure whatever you get is a sturdy container with hard-walls and ventilated on at least two opposing sides (to allow for proper airflow circulation). Being free from any knobs on the outside is handy as it will catch on surrounding items less often when moving it. In addition to that your kennel should be marked with a large label at least one inch tall that reads “Live Animal” to let any baggage handler immediately know to take care when moving the container. For pet carriers you should look for ones that are just big enough to where your pet can stand up on all four legs, turn around and lie down without much maneuvering. Almost all pet carriers these days are made with airline regulations in mind so the key thing is to look for one that’s sturdy on the outside by soft on the inside. That way your pet will have a little cushioning in case of a bumpy ride. Lastly both the kennel as well as any pet carrier should have a water-resistant bottom lining to contain any accidents that might occur if your pet becomes startled mid-flight. Even some of the best house-trained animals will have accidents sometimes when startled by a rough case of turbulence so it’s better to be on the safe side. With both kennel and carrier you should also have papers either taped to the outside or placed in one of the side-zip compartments detailing your vet’s contact information, any important medical or dietary requirements that your pet might require as well as a copy of your entire travel itinerary.
Taking your pet on a vacation with you is a rewarding experience and in the end you’ll be the only one who can truly judge whether or not they’d be able to handle themselves on the flight. There are a lot of both dogs and cats who are overly sensitive to changes in cabin pressure and flying may not be for them.
To read more pet-related articles or to even have your own questions answered by our veterinarian online for free head on over to OnlinePetAnswers.com.
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