If you are lucky enough to travel with your pet, then there are a few things you should keep in mind for your pet’s safety and well-being! This particularly relevant in the world of today where the usual summer vacation is no longer just for human solo travelers.

However, it can also raise issues about getting your pet to a destination. In turn, it can be more than just flying with a puppy in the cabin. It is contributed to by the fact that the transportation of pets on commercial flights has become more complex, demanding and expensive!

The primary airline carriers have all raised their charges significantly for onboard traveling pets. In some instances, the cost for your large dog can compare or even surpass, the usual surcharge for a child flying alone.

Travel With Your Pet Safely

Among the issues that receive serious attention from the airlines are those associated with pet safety. Major incidents related to animals;

  • Injuries
  • Lost
  • Fatalities

Although the numbers involved are a relatively small percentage of the many thousands of animals flying every year. However, this does not imply that airlines do not anticipate the potential risks associated with traveling with pets.

Determined Safety Precautions

In general, airline carriers do not accept pets as checked baggage or cargo in the event of:

  • The temperature forecast exceeding 85-degrees
  • Below a forecasted 20-degrees temperature
  • Temperatures are relevant to any stated destination for an animal

Besides, various airlines will decline to accept snub-nosed pets as cargo, such as;

  • Bulldogs
  • Persian cats, as cargo

It is on the premise that they have a tendency towards breathing problems, which reportedly has resulted in animal fatalities. This factor may also apply to certain mixed breeds of dogs, and it is. Therefore, wise to determine animal status before a flight booking!

Determine Your Carrier Animal Travel Requirements

The requirements for your animal flight experience will vary according to the airline concerned. Therefore, it’s wise to ascertain beforehand the precise nature of how to prepare and travel with your pet to meet the carrier requirement. For example: determining the maximum carry-on kennel size!

Various sources indicate that preparing your pet for travel should be undertaken. For example, acclimatizing it to the carrier, this can be achieved by placing it on the floor of a car for instance. This will help enable the pet to experience a similar vibration to that of an aircraft.

An owner should remain calm, and ensure your pet is given additional exercise, designed to reduce their energy levels. This will help in making it more likely they will sleep and be composed during the flight.

Pre-Flight Pet Sedation and Support

This is a contentious issue, but according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), a dog sedative should not be administered during travel by air. It is regarded as having the potential of increasing the risk of respiratory and heart problem!

Many pet owners have found that by placing toys inside the proposed pet container, the animal is encouraged to explore and pre-flight familiarize itself within the surroundings.

Encouragement for the pet can be given by:

  • Feeding it within the container
  • Initiate this by placing a feeding bowl just on the inside at the usual meal times
  • Gradually place the bowl further into the interior of the container on sequential days

Your pet will become familiarized with its new surroundings and adopt it as a safe and secure refuge for the flight ahead.

Pre-Flight Readiness

The long flight with a dog in the cabin – it’s a question of trust and acceptance between owner and pet. Therefore, combine these factors with acts of training.

When your pet has become familiar and comfortable within this new environment attempt to retain them inside it with the door closed and then progress, begin with a few minutes and then increase the time levels as the pet further adapts. Depending upon the progress made, you can then load the pet in the traveling crate into the car and take some short drives.

This will encourage it to accept the crate as a secure environment.

Better Sooner than Too Late

Greater is your pre-flight pet travel preparedness, better will it be on flight day. Familiarization with the situation is a combined effort between you and your pet, with confinement for an extended period posing an issue for many animals. Therefore, before the travel with your pet, be prepared and both of you will have a relaxing and enjoyable journey.