How To Keep Your Pets Safe When Flying
Up until just recently, pets have only been welcome on airplanes if they’re flying with the luggage stored beneath the plane. One of the main concerns we have with this old practice is that most luggage compartments aren’t properly shielded to keep out the extreme hot and cold temperatures that occur during flight. This then goes from bad to worse if they’re forced to remain locked in their cage for hours on end when your flight gets delayed. While you’re up in the terminal trying to finish that book you brought they’re suffering in a dark compartment with practically no room to move around. If a traveling pet becomes ill during flight there is no way of monitoring, let alone being able to assist the animal until the flight has landed in their scheduled destination. As you can imagine this has resulted in countless tragic pet deaths over the years. Due to the growing concern for animals traveling with their owners in the air, most airline companies now enforce stricter training for their baggage handlers, even requiring them to report any adverse incidents to the Department of Transportation. In addition to that most will refuse passage to animals during extreme weather and during the hottest months of summer.
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.
Every airline tends to have different policies towards people traveling with their pets which include both pets traveling in pet carriers as well as larger dogs who have to travel in kennels beneath the plane. To be on the safe side, always contact your airline ahead of time to learn what their policies and conditions are so that you won’t run the risk of endangering your pet. Airline personnel can also help you find the best flight time available to keep any changes in temperature to a minimal. For instance flights in the early morning or late evening are the best during the summer seasons.
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!
As for what type of carrying case or crate you should secure them in for traveling on a plane that all will be determined by the size and breed of your pet. You can’t go wrong with any of the sturdy pet carrier most commonly found at any pet store but just make sure that they have all-hard sides and at least two ventilation ducts on opposite sides of each other. If you have a small pet then you should look into getting a soft leather dog carrier to keep your four-legged friend happy and content for the duration of the flight. Whether it’s a dog kennel or pet carrier, it’s important that you make sure it has a water resistant floor as well as soft objects all over the place to help pad any turbulence. All kennels should have the proper large signs attached to them that read “Live Animal” complete with a copy of your travel itinerary, contact info and way to reach you while on your trip.
Just always keep in mind that you know your pet better than anyone so it will be up to you as to whether or not your pet is right for air-travel. Some dogs that are perfectly healthy in any other situation end up becoming traumatized due to the environmental changes that takes place during flight from the varying degree switches in temperature to the changes in cabin pressure.
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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