Traveling by air with your dog can be tricky. The first essential piece of equipment you’ll need is a suitable dog crate, but before you look at transport dog crates, you should make sure there are no alternatives to transporting your dog by air. Sometimes it is the only option, and if that is your situation, you should try to make the trip as worry free for your dog as possible.
Airplane travel for dogs is fraught with problems, and most pet owners who have made any enquiries about transporting animals by air are aware of dogs being injured or worse on such trips. Don’t misunderstand me, most dog air travel is incident free, but because things can go wrong, planning ahead can mean the difference between a smooth journey for your dog or one with mishaps.
Before you do anything else, you should call the airline you intend to travel with and find out their current policies on pet transportation. If you have a choice of airlines, call each one, as the policies may vary slightly. If you intend to transport a young puppy, you also need to be aware that federal regulations require that a puppy be at least 8 weeks old before it is permitted to be carried by air, and it needs to have been weaned for a minimum of 5 days prior to transportation.
Puppies and small dogs (usually less than 15 pounds in weight) can sometimes travel with you, in transport dog crates or other pet carriers, underneath your seat. If traveling with a small dog in this way, then, it is imperative that you ensure that the transport dog crate or other pet carrier’s dimensions are such that the crate or carrier will fit underneath the seat. Large dogs obviously cannot be slid under seats, and need to go in the cargo compartment of the airplane. It is still essential that the transport dog crates are of a suitable size for the dog, so as to minimize any distress caused to the dog. They need to be big enough so the dog is not completely confined, but not so big that the dog can be injured if the crate is handled carelessly.
These are some steps you can take to ensure a less stressful trip for your pet if you need to transport them by airplane:
- stop-overs and transfers extend the journey for your dog, so opt for a direct flight wherever you can.
- find out about any delays in your flight schedule before you leave for the airport. You can confirm your flight the day before but it’s also a good idea to call the airport just before you are due to leave as well, to double check whether the flight is scheduled to take off on time.
- just prior to leaving for the airport, take your dog for a walk.
- check with your vet as to feeding recommendations for your dog. Most vets will recommend that your dog travel on an empty stomach. For long flights, your dog will need to be fed, and your vet will advise you what is appropriate, taking into account your dog’s age, size and regular diet.
- ensure that plenty of water will be available to your dog during the flight to prevent dehydration.
- it’s good practise to plan to arrive early at the airport. This is especially important when you’re traveling with a pet, as there are more things that can hold you up.
- toilet your dog just before you place him in the transport dog crate if at all possible. Enquire in advance whether there are facilities for your dog to toilet at the airport. If not, get your dog to go immediately prior to leaving for the airport, or stop enroute to the airport just before you get there.
- before boarding your dog, stay with him for as long as the airport staff will allow you to. And ask whether it is possible for you to personally deliver your dog to the gate.
- tell your flight attendant as soon as you board the plane that you have a dog in the cargo area.
- upon arrival at your destination, go immediately to the baggage area to welcome your dog.
Before making a decision on transport dog crates, discover information on dog transport and stylish pet carriers at HealthierDogs.com
categories: transport dog crates,stylish pet carriers,dog transport,travel pet carriers,pet carriers for small pets,pet travel carriers,pet travel,pet transport,dog travel,dog transport,dogs,pets,pet travel,animals
Tags: animals, dog transport, dog travel, Dogs, pet carriers for small pets, pet transport, pet travel, pet travel carriers, pets, stylish pet carriers, transport dog crates, travel pet carriers