It is safest for pets to travel in their own designated crates and airlines will place pets from the same family together in the cargo hold. Airlines have their own rules, and it is a good idea to check with your airline before flying your pups or kittens together in the same crate.
Be aware of the dangers of flying your pet in a cargo hold
While most animals flown in the cargo area of airplanes are fine, you should be aware that some animals are killed, injured or lost on commercial flights each year. Excessively hot or cold temperatures, poor ventilation and rough handling are often to blame.
Large breed puppies, for example, will need a bigger, sturdier crate than their smaller companions. The pet carrier must fit under the seat in front of you, and most airlines require that the pup weigh less than 25 pounds and be able to stand up in the crate, turn around, and lie down.
Pets are placed in “hold 5”, at the rear of the plane. It is part of the cargo area underneath the cabin, but it is separated and it is heated. It is kept at the same temperature and pressure as the cabin, since the captain is notified of animals on board, and will make sure of this.
While flying can be stressful for puppies, with proper preparation, it can be a safe and comfortable way for them to travel with their owners.
Just like humans, a dog's ears are vulnerable to high altitudes. Flying can cause mild pain for your dog if it has trouble equalizing its ears. Luckily, the dog's outer ear canal equalizes pressure in the dog's ear naturally, so if your dog's ears hurt during the flight, it will pass within a few minutes.
Flying is an incredibly stressful experience for all dogs, but it can be especially upsetting for elderly dogs, as well as pups with health or behavioral challenges.
Kirsten Theisen, director of pet care issues for the Humane Society of the United States, believes air travel is simply too stressful for most animals, especially when they are placed in an aircraft's cargo hold. “Flying is frightening for animals,” says Theisen.
As loving pet parents, we want to ensure the best possible travel experience for our furry friends. That's why the American Veterinary Medical Association strongly advises against using tranquilizers or sedatives. In fact, airlines won't even accept sedated or tranquilized dogs and cats.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), sedatives should not be dispensed for transporting animals except in rare circumstances. Cargo holds in aircraft are pressurized at high altitudes, and the effects of sedation at 8,000 feet or higher are poorly understood.
The main benefit of air travel is that it's much faster for your pet to get to their destination. The cons of flying could include the cost of bringing your pet on a plane, the stressful experience of the flight, the possible separation of your pet, and the extreme conditions your pet may endure in cargo.
Fitness and eligibility to fly
All pets need to be at least 12 weeks old and for pets older than 12 years, you'll need a certificate stating your pet is healthy enough to fly.
Carrier requirements may change from airline to airline, but dogs should be able to stand naturally and turn around inside it without touching the sides or top. Can my cat or dog sit on my lap? No. Pets are required to stay in their carrier throughout your domestic flight, stored under the seat in front of you.
Dogs can fly long distances, but they can find it a little stressful. A 12-hour flight with them in a cargo hold is going to be much more unnerving for them than a 1-hour flight in a pet carrier on the seat next to you.
Dogs and cats flying in cargo must travel in a well-ventilated, rigid (a.k.a. hard-sided) kennel. Soft-sided carriers are not allowed for safety reasons.
A flight is a highly stressful situation for any animal, and this will be far worse if your dog already associates their crate as a scary place. It's a good idea to start crate training well in advance. The aim is to spend time to make your dog feel like the crate is a safe and comfortable space.
Trazodone (brand name Desyrel®), gabapentin (brand name Neurontin®), and alprazolam (brand names; Xanax®, Niravam®) are examples of medications that are sometimes prescribed by veterinarians to reduce the anxiety that some dogs experience when traveling.
Most airlines require that pets travel with a small zip-lock bag of their food attached to the top of the crate - but they are not provided food to eat during the flight. Again, this is to avoid an upset stomach or going to the bathroom inside the kennel.
Adult dogs and cats easily make it through the night without having to relieve themselves, so your pet should also be OK on most very long flights. Regardless, you'll have to line their carrier with something absorbent - a Dry Fur pad works nicely under your pet's own crate pad or thin blanket.
Chew toys. Chew toys will help keep hyper dogs quiet and busy during a flight, but they can also help keep your dog comfortable. “I always recommend having a chew toy available for your pet when flying.
Travelling in Australia with your dog or cat is simple; if you are flying with your pet, you can check your pet in as excess baggage. Customers in Australia will need to enlist a pet relocation agent for domestic travel only if they are not travelling on the same flight as their pet dog or cat.
Dogs have very sensitive hearing and, just like us humans, need noise protection while in flight. Several companies provide dog earmuffs, but cotton balls will also do the trick. Just like easing your dog into a flight, repeat that process for the ear protection.
Have your dog examined by your veterinarian in advance of the trip, especially if it has been more than a few months since his last health check, or if your dog has any health problems. Travel by airplane can pose a health risk to dogs with heart or kidney disease, or with some other pre-existing medical problems.
Abnormal Dog Behavior After Boarding
Changes in behavior or abnormal behavior can indicate mental trauma. If you notice your dog seems to be depressed or scared, is having accidents, or is shaking after returning home, book an appointment with the vet to eliminate a potential medical cause.
After the Flight
Seasoned pet travel pros recommend taking some wet wipes to clean the container (and your pooch or puss) at their destination. After they are out and about, give them a little light exercise, keep them hydrated and treat them to a good meal.