Tips For Flying With Your Pet

As we make our travel plans, we humans often take for granted the fact that we can buy a ticket, bound on a plane, and reach far away purposes in meager hours. What made difficult matters is the need or desire to bring along your beloved pet. Suddenly the rules change; the effortlessness and comfort of travel become less clear. Questions arise that you never had to think about before, and you're abruptly unsure about the whole thing. Well, you're surely not alone! Transporting pets via the air has become a contentious topic lately, with the health and safety of the animals foremost on people's minds. If you are planning a trip soon with your pet and will be flying, there are several safety measures you should consider, and a bit of in order you may want to absorb before making a final choice.

Tips For Flying With Your Pet:

• Don't fly during high temperature.
• Never assume your dog has in fact been put safely on the plane without verifying it yourself (you visually see the dog go onto the plane), or through someone in power.
• This is especially important if you have a stopover or have between flights and have to switch planes. Ask an employee to check for you before you take off. Keep trying until you get the corroboration you need.
• Give your dog a good walk before plank.
• Try to get a direct flight. If that is not possible, avoid any long layovers.
• Make sure your dog has all current shots/vaccinations, and bring a health certificate or other proof with you.

Tips for crating your dog before flying:

• Don't anesthetize your dog; some medication can lower the respiratory rate and cause complexity breathing at high altitude.
• Beautify your dog's crate with bright, colorful designs and specific instructions to personalize it and help draw attention to it.
• Make sure your dog has a supply of water. Ice cubes will help keep it cool, but you can also congeal a bowl of water ahead of time. This can also help prevent falls.
• Make sure the crate is unbreakable to prevent breakage or accidental opening during transport. Don't put back screws with with plastic tie-ons. They are temperature responsive and can become brittle and break off.
• Attach a package of dry dog food to the outside of the crate (a ziploc bag works well) just in case it's needed.
• Never use a pegboard or wire crate. Toes and nails can get stuck in these during rough flights. Be sure to use a thick layer of absorbent bedding in the crate.
• Use a 3" clear plastic tape to secure the crate door. Don't block the air vents, but wrap it completely around the crate. Airline personnel sometimes like to open crates to pet the dogs or give them water. The tape will act as your "security" and prevent the crate from being opened unnecessarily. This lowers the risk of your dog getting lost, yet the crate can still be opened in case of an emergency.
This may sound like a lot to think about, but an ounce (or two) of prevention helps bring peace of mind. Happy and safe travels