Traveling with a cat, dog or other animal can be tricky and many pet owners are nervous before their first flight with a pet. But understanding what to expect and how to prepare for the plane ride can help make for a more enjoyable flight for both owner and pet.
Dr. Michael Levine, DVM, offered several hints dog owners, cat owners and owners of other small pets whose travel plans will take them aboard an aircraft.
Acclimate the Pet to the Crate or Carrier
Prior to an airplane ride, the pet should be allowed access to his crate or carrier. Throughout the day, place treats inside the crate for the pet to find and enjoy. Feed the pet inside the crate. Place toys or a favorite blanket inside the crate so that the pet begins to associate the crate with pleasant experiences.
Withhold Food and Water Before a Flight
A pet should not be given access to food within 12-18 hours of a flight; water should be limited during this time period. Withholding food and limiting access to water before the dog's flight will help lessen the likelihood of an accident while the pet is on the airplane.
Exercise Pets Before the Flight
Shortly before leaving for the airport, exercise the pet who will be flying.
Take your pet for a long run, or play a long game of fetch at the park. This will help drain some of the pet’s energy, making him more likely to sleep and relax during the flight.
Line the Bottom of The Pet’s Crate or Carrier with Puppy Pads
When flying with a pet, there's always a chance that he'll have a bathroom accident. On the day of the flight, puppy pads can be used to absorb any unplanned messes, making for easy disposal, while also keeping the pet relatively clean and dry.
On top of the puppy pads, place a thick hand or bath towel (depending on size) or a folded fleece blanket, which can serve as a comfortable, yet absorbent surface for the pet to relax.
Pack Pet Supplies for the Flight
A scared or nervous pet may urinate, defecate or vomit due to nerves. So it’s vital that pet owners take along at least two extra puppy pads and two extra towels (of sufficient size to line the bottom of the pet’s crate or carrier. If you plan to keep any soiled towels from the crate bottom (instead of disposing of them), bring along a plastic zip-lock bag to contain moisture and odor.
Also bring along a package of baby wipes to clean your pet following any unexpected messes. Dry cabin air, combined with panting that often results from stress, can lead to thirst, so also bring along a portable pet water bottle, with fold-down drinking reservoir.
“I think the most common request I get from pet owners scheduling a trip is concerning tranquilizers. But a cat or dog that’s been tranquilized will be more likely to die during the flight because the medication changes how the body reacts to stressful situations,” explained Dr. Levine.
He added, “Tranquilizers don’t usually have much effect anyway. If you’ve taken sleeping pills and your house is on fire, you’re not going to have any problems staying awake when you’re running out the door. The adrenaline overrides the medication. The same goes for a pet who’s experiencing stress during a flight – its body will override the effects of the drug.”
In addition, pet owners should also visit the airline’s website for information on regulations concerning travel with pets.
The airline’s website will list all required documentation that pet owners must present, along with information on dimensions for in-cabin crates and carriers. In short, if your crate won’t fit under the seat, it will be transferred to cargo, so ensuring that a crate is the correct size will help pets and owners to avoid unpleasant changes in plans.
Related Reading:
* Planning an Airplane Trip With Your Pet
* Pet-Friendly Hotels in Boston
Mia Carter - Mia Carter - Journalist, Producer/Editor & Web Writer. Carter's work has appeared on CBS and CNN.com.
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