Traveling with your pet can make your vacation experience all the more memorable. With that said, there are important steps that you must take to prepare your pet for airline travel.
Many people know the general steps that need to be taken to get ready to get ready for travels with a dog or cat. However, they sometimes overlook what needs to be done specifically with a pet to prepare a furry loved one for flying.
Trim Nails Directly Before Travel
Most pet owners pay attention to trimming nails with regularity. With that noted, a pet owner needs to be sure to trim a dog or cat’s nails directly before an airplane flight.
A pet can become anxious and even agitated during the different phases of airplane flight. If a pet’s nails are not appropriately trimmed, in a state of agitation, a pet might injure his or her self, or someone else.
Meal on Day of Travel
A couple of hours before the travel process starts, feed your pet a light meal. You do not want to overfeed him. On the other hand, you do not want your pet to be hungry. If the total time on an airplane is expected to be a matter of a few hours, this type of feeding will suffice, with a caveat to be discussed in a moment.
Of course, because you are providing your pet with a smaller meal on the day of travel, you will want to be prepared to feed him or her directly after the flight ends, if at all possible. In addition, if the flight is later in the day, you may need to serve your pet a couple of small meals throughout the day and before you leave for the airport.
Feeding Your Pet the Day Before Travel
You can stick to your pet’s normal meal schedule the day before travel, but go a little lighter on serving size. This will keep your pet satiated, but also somewhat prepare him or her for the time period while on the plane when access to food will be limited.
Hydrating Your Pet Before Travel
Fully hydrating your pet before travel by air is crucial. The process needs to start at least a day before hand.
Of course, you cannot force your pet to drink. However, some pets can be encouraged to do so. Moreover, you absolutely can make sure that fresh water is readily available throughout the day in advance of a trip via an airplane.
Food and Water in Your Pet’s Crate
On the day of the airplane flight, you do want to attach a small pouch of food to the inside the crate so your pet does have a little food to eat while en route. In addition, affix a water bowl to the inside of the carrier. Freeze a small amount of water in the bowl, with the idea that it will melt and provide your pet something to drink while flying. Freezing water cuts down on spillage while the travel crate is being moved and place on the aircraft.
Sedatives and Your Traveling Pet
A number of people who travel with their pets utilize sedatives for them, particularly when the pet will the stowed in the baggage compartment of a plane. In fact, most veterinarians and the ASPCA frown on the practice of providing a pet sedatives before flying. There are a number of reasons why this is not encouraged by many veterinarians and the ASPCA.
First, there are instances in which a pet has had an adverse reaction to a sedative arising from the altitude and air pressure of the baggage compartment when a plane is inflight. Second, a sedative can otherwise adversely impact a pet, rendering him or her at least partially incapable of functioning in an optimal way while airborne.
For example, a pet’s ability to swallow appropriately may be impacted while partially sedated, raising the specter that he or she could choke on something. In addition, sedation may cause a pet to become ill, and sometimes violently so. This can prove to be a very dangerous situation when a pet is confined in a crate in the baggage compartment of an airplane.
If you think sedating your pet is the only real alternative you have available, based on prior travel experience, consult your veterinarian. Double check to make certain that there are no other alternatives available to your furry family member and sedation truly is a necessary alternative in your pet’s particular situation.
- A Dog Jacket – For cold weather destinations
- Extra Collar – You can never be too careful
- LED Collars – These can be helpful for evening adventures
- Dog Hiking Pack – It helps to have your dog carry his own small hiking pack containing essentials such as its own food and water
- Dog Bowls
Jessica Kane is a writer for Handicapped Pets, your most trusted source for dog wheelchairs and harnesses.
