Flying with a puppy can be exciting and rewarding, but when it comes to safety, there are numerous factors to consider. While it is possible to fly with a puppy, it is important to research and understand the associated risks before making a decision. This blog post will discuss the potential risks and benefits of flying with a puppy, as well as provide tips and advice on how to maximize the puppy’s safety and comfort when flying. We will look at the regulations and restrictions for airlines, and what to do if the puppy is too young to fly, as well as how to prepare the puppy for the journey. By the end of this blog post, you should have a better understanding of the risks and rewards associated with flying a puppy on an airplane, so you can make an informed decision about whether or not it is safe for your puppy to travel by plane.
Understand health requirements, restrictions
To ensure that your dog is healthy enough to fly, consult your veterinarian. Many airlines don’t allow certain species, especially pug-nosed canines like boxers and Boston terriers, to fly because it can be difficult for them to breathe at high altitudes.
According to airline industry group Airlines for America, a health certificate from a veterinarian may also be required seven to ten days prior to your flight.
Make sure you are aware of any additional potential rules, restrictions, and guidelines in addition to health and breed. Visit the website of your airline to learn more about your particular trip.
How stressful is flying for dogs?
All dogs find flying to be incredibly stressful, but it can be especially upsetting for senior dogs and puppies with health or behavioral issues.
Consider this: When traveling by plane, pets are taken from their familiar environments and are then placed in unfamiliar environments with unfamiliar sounds, sights, and smells as well as changes in air pressure and cabin temperature and limited access to restrooms. In addition to being separated from you, their favorite person, in a terrifying environment, dogs that must fly in the cargo hold.
Also, think about whether your dog will be able to participate in all the planned activities once you get there. “Boarding or hiring a dog sitter may be better options to consider rather than putting the stress of flying on the pet,” says Jennifer Bruns, a veterinarian at PetSmart. “If the destination is somewhere where the pup will be alone inside all day.”
It’s probably best to leave your pet at home unless you have a really good reason to bring them. Even though you might feel disappointed for a few days, your pet will almost certainly benefit in the long run. Think about hiring a pet sitter, asking a dependable friend or relative who already knows your dog to watch them, or boarding your dog at a permitted facility. Or, if you really want your dog to go on the trip with you, think about driving if your budget and schedule permit—and your pet tolerates car travel well.
Bottom line: Before you book a trip, think long and hard about whether it’s essential to bring your dog along for the journey. “In general, I recommend not flying with a pet unless absolutely necessary,” says Justine Lee, veterinary expert for Pumpkin Pet Insurance. “Ideally, pets should not fly unless an owner is moving permanently or taking a long trip—two to four weeks minimum.”
And if you do decide to proceed with flying with a dog, consult with your vet about food, water, exercise, and medication ahead of time. Experts are divided on whether travelers with pets should sedate or tranquilize their dogs before a flight (even the American Veterinary Medical Association offers a slightly murky answer to this question), so weigh the pros and cons with an expert who is familiar with you and your animal. Also know that there are health risks involved with sedation, and some airlines prohibit this practice or require a veterinarian’s note.
Look for nonstop flights with no transfers to lessen your pet’s discomfort and avoid traveling during peak holiday times when airports and airlines are busier than usual to help minimize the possibility of anything going wrong. Consider the weather in your destination if your pet needs to travel in cargo. Look into early morning or late evening flights for vacations to warm-weather locales when temperatures won’t be quite as high; in contrast, book flights to cooler locales during the day when temperatures are at their warmest.
As checked luggage or shipping cargo
The only other choice for larger dogs is to fly as cargo in a pressurized, temperature-controlled space that is similar to the passenger cabin. As shipping cargo, also known as manifest cargo or air freight, these dogs essentially travel as checked bags on the same flight as you or unaccompanied. Again, check with your airline. For instance, Delta Air Lines won’t let you reserve a pet shipment through Delta Cargo until 14 days prior to departure.
Although the Humane Society of the United States generally advises against it, larger dogs can only be transported in this manner. Also not all airlines will transport dogs as cargo. For instance, Southwest Airlines and JetBlue Airways only provide in-cabin transportation for small dogs and cats.
You must abide by airline regulations regarding your dog’s age and weight regardless of whether you choose cabin or cargo. United Airlines, for instance, demands that puppies be at least 2 pounds or 10 weeks old.
Using a dedicated pet shipping company is another way to go. You can find one at International Pet and Animal Transportation Association, an industry organization.
FAQ
Is it safe for a puppy to go on a plane?
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, puppies must be at least eight weeks old and weaned for at least five days before they can fly. S. Department of Transportation. There might be minimum requirements for age and weight if the dog is a small breed. All dogs entering the country must have rabies vaccinations, according to the CDC.
Is it traumatic for puppies to fly?
Therefore, the answer is YES, of course – there is stress involved whenever your dog boards a plane. Once more, the entire airport experience is important, including check-in at the desk, waiting to board, and deboarding the aircraft.
Does flying hurt your dog?
Know the risks of transporting your pet in the cargo hold While the majority of animals transported in the cargo hold of aircraft are safe, you should be aware that each year, some animals are lost, hurt, or killed on commercial flights. Extreme heat or cold, inadequate ventilation, and rough handling are frequently to blame.