What You Need To Know About Flying With Pets
Guinea Pigs Care Information
These days more and more people take their pets with them on vacations and business trips that it's almost hard to remember that not too long ago the only way pets were allowed on airplanes were if they were either a seeing eye dog or locked in a small cage beneath the plane with the luggage. Over time it's been discovered that the luggage compartment can sometimes be a health hazard to any caged animal as temperatures run the risk of fluctuating from extreme cold to extreme heat if not properly insulated. This has lead almost all the airlines to drastically alter both the way they build their planes to the way they train their employees. Now most airlines train their flight attendants as well as baggage handlers in how to treat both a well-behaved and ill-behaved pet whether their traveling in a kennel below or a small dog carrier in the cabin. We're also starting to see airlines coming out with new ways of insulating storage containers to stop the fluctuation in mid-flight temperatures which will help keep your pet calm and happy for the duration of the flight.
If your traveling companion is a small dog then you most likely will be able to them them with you onboard the plane just so long as they meet the requirements put forth by the airline. Most airlines will let you travel with a small pet as long as the pet and carrier have a combined weight of less than 40 pounds and can fit securely underneath the seat in front of you. Due to passenger discomfort and allergies there usually is a limit to the number of animals allowed on each flight so make sure to contact your airline early on so that you can be sure to get one of those pet-friendly spots.
Each airline has a different set of policies towards traveling with animals, covering both the smaller pets who are allowed in the cabin all the way down to larger pets who have to travel in kennels beneath the plane. To be on the safe side make sure to contact your airline ahead of time to learn both what their policies are as well as what type of conditions your pet will be encountering if they are traveling in the luggage carriage. Most airline employees will be more than happy to cool any worries you might have about harsh conditions or ill-treatment. Some airlines even train their employees to help passengers schedule flights that are best suited for traveling pets. An example would be early morning or late-evening flights during the middle of summer when the mid-day heat can be scorching.
Regardless of how your pet will travel, there are precautions owners need to take to be sure traveling is safe and healthy for the animal. AAHA suggests, and major airlines require, that traveling pets be examined by a veterinarian no more than 10 days before to the date of departure. You will also be required to provide the necessary rabies vaccination certifications when you check in to the airport prior to boarding. Because their feeding schedule might be affected ask your veterinarian for tips on how to keep your pet fed and happy. The age and size of the pet, time and distance of the flight and regular dietary routine all will play a part in your pet's well-being. There is also a Federal Regulations that states that dogs and cats must be at least eight weeks old and weaned at least five days before flying. If you're meeting your pet at the airport on a different flight, you will need to be there when it lands. No late-pickups!
A sturdy pet carrier or kennel, available from most airline or pet shops, is another important precaution to ensure a safe flight. The carrier should have all hard sides-with the exception of soft-carriers for pets small enough to travel in the cabin, those are specifically designed for airline travel and will help keep your pet calm and content during the trip. These pet carriers or dog kennels should be ventilated on at least two opposite sides (to allow for a steady flow of air), with exterior rims or knobs to prevent blocked airflow, and its also very important that the carrier or kennel is large enough for the pet to stand up, turn around and lie down in. This more so applies to dogs traveling in the luggage compartment but it also will keep your small cabin-traveling dog comfortable as well. Both the kennels and dog carriers should have water resistant bottoms with plenty of soft material at the base, this will help contain any potential accidents due to your pet getting startled during flight. Your kennel should also be marked with a large, highly visible label reading "Live Animal," at least one inch tall, including arrows indicating the carrier's upright position. Finally, both the pet and the carrier should be well marked with the owner's name, address, and phone number, and the pet's updated health certificate and the feeding plan from the veterinarian should be posted on the carrier.
Taking your pet on a vacation with you is a rewarding experience and in the end you'll be the only one who can truly judge whether or not they'd be able to handle themselves on the flight. There are a lot of both dogs and cats who are overly sensitive to changes in cabin pressure and flying may not be for them.
Still have pet questions? Head on over to OnlinePetAnswers.com and submit them to be answered for free by our online veterinarians.
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