What to Expect when Flying with Pets

Pets are no longer shipped as checked baggage on days that have extreme hot or cold weather conditions. This has been put into place for the safety of the animal! However, there are many airlines that have implemented special programs that will allow you to ship your pets as cargo during times of the day when temperatures are the most moderate such as early morning hours or late night hours. It is not recommended to fly with your pet, but if it is an absolute necessity, there are few items to consider for safety and comfort.

There are three basic ways you can choose to transport pets on airplanes and aircraft which include traveling with your pet on a commercial flight, hiring a charter airline company to fly you and your pet to your intended destination and the third option is to have a professional pet transporter take care of everything including picking up your pet from your house, ensuring it has been properly placed on the correct flight and the safe transport to its destination and back home. It is up to you on how you decide to transport your pet, just make sure that you do your research before you make your final decision.

If you ask any veterinarian about sedation of your pet during air travel, you will more than likely hear that they suggest not doing that, this is for the animal’s safety. If you are concerned about your pet being over anxious during travel, then please make sure you discuss this issue in depth with your veterinarian as he or she may have some alternative suggestions to relieve your pet’s anxiety. Make sure that your pet’s nails are trimmed to avoid snagging on the travel crate’s door or some other object and double check to make sure that you have all the necessary health certificates and documentation.

Commercial airlines have minimum standards that your travel crate should meet in order for your pet to be able to travel. The minimum requirements are that the crate is large enough for your pet to lie down comfortably, turn around and stand freely. You must mark the crate with “Live Animal – This Side Up” and include your name, telephone number and address. This information will be useful in the event that the pet gets lost or misplaced during transportation. Placing an old blanket and toys inside of the crate may help your pet feel more comfortable during the trip.

Many pets get upset stomachs while in the air, to avoid this, do not feed your pet before you travel. A good idea is to give your pet some frozen water in a bowl or ice cubes to lick while in the travel crate. This will help make sure that they do not get too thirsty. In addition, plan out your trip in advance and make sure that you adhere to the regulations of the airline. Early check-in will ensure that you have everything situated for your trip and you can make sure that your pet is safely onboard.

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