Let’s face it, traveling with pets can be a hassle.
But we want to make sure your vacay is stress-free, and your pet is as safe as can be.
Just like humans, dogs should never freely roam in a moving vehicle. In the case of an accident, they could be badly hurt.
If your dog is going to sit on a seat, they are much safer in the back seat, as the air bag would crush most dogs instantly.
Dogs are safer riding in crates or in harnesses that are buckled in with special seatbelt harnesses, such as the ones Kurgo makes. Smaller dogs can be placed into special small-dog car seats or harnessed in, depending on their size, but big dogs can sit right on the seat while being secured in place. This makes sure that in the case of an accidence, our fur babies are just as protected as we are.
Air travel can be pretty difficult with pets, but if it’s something that must be done, it’s important to weigh all the risks.
Some dogs have shorter nasal passages, and may be more vulnerable to oxygen deprivation or heat stroke while on a plane. These are usually dogs with “pushed in” noses such as pugs. If a dog must fly with you, choose the cabin whenever possible. If you have a dog small enough to be inside your carry-on bag in a carry-on crate, always choose to do that rather than kennel them down below in cargo-hold somewhere. This will put them in less anxiety, and make sure that they’re safely with you the whole time.
While most animals in cargo-hold are completely fine, it is important to realize that just like luggage, some animals have been lost before, and others have been killed or injured due to excessive hot or cold temps, poor ventilation, or rough handling. If this is your only option, it is recommended to study the performance record of any airline before choosing to fly your pet in a cargo-hold, as every airline is required by law to report all companion animal incidents that occur inside the cargo-hold.
If your pet must travel inside a cargo-hold, make sure that the flight is direct so there is less chance of it getting lost during a transfer, and so that it has less time away from you –being in these strange areas alone is very anxiety inducing for them. Notify the captain or flight attendant that your pet is onboard, because they may take extra careful precautions if they are aware. Don’t feed your dog up to six hours before so that they don’t get sick on themselves inside their tiny crate.
It is also recommended that the crate have all of your contact information attached to it in case something was to happen. Giving your pet at least a month before the trip to familiarize itself with the crate before the trip will also insure that it goes through the least amount of anxiety possible in a situation like this.
As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to your local pet store if you have questions on this or any pet related topic.