You may have heard statistics about dogs in transport dog crates being injured or lost, and even dying on board airplanes. These statistics crop up from time to time, usually in the context of a fresh injury, loss or death. Airlines do generally attempt to do their utmost to ensure that dogs traveling by airplane arrive at their destination safely. In fact, dog breeders and other dog enthusiasts often use airplanes as dog transport for their dogs, without incident. And compared to the proportion of dogs in transport dog crates and pet travel carriers being successfully tansported, the proportion of mishaps is pretty small.
Even though thousands of pets are safely transported via rail or air every year, this is not a signal to pet owners that they can become complacent if they need to travel with their pet, or send their pet via dog transport methods alone. Think how you would feel if disaster struck while your dog was traveling, and you had not properly prepared for the dog transportation.
The best precautionary measure you can take, of course, is not to transport your pet at all. The next best is to drive to your destination and take your dog in the car with you – you will preferably need to use pet travel carriers for this purpose, but your dog will be right alongside you all the way. If you have a puppy, or small dog, then the trip will not be so traumatic for your dog if he is allowed to travel in the passenger compartment with you, tucked safely underneath your seat. There are some really stylish pet carriers you can use for this purpose, as well as the very small sized transport dog crates.
Before proceeding with dog transport of any type, it’s a wise decision to see your veterinarian for a general checkup for your dog to ensure that he is in fact in good health, and well enough to travel safely. He could be suffering from a medical condition that could put him at risk during travel that has never been pointed out to you, or that has only recently arisen.
As far as comfort for your dog goes, do your best to select a flight that is either during the early morning hours or early evening time. These are the best times during the day in which your dog will experience the most comfortable of temperatures. Avoid flying your pet during extreme weather climates that are too hot or too cold. Remember, he will be stuffed down in the cargo area.
Puppies, in particular, are likely to suffer from stress or anxiety if put into transport dog crates in the cargo area of the plane. Unless your puppy is already very large, it is really important to ensure that if flying is your only option, that you will be permitted to bring him with you in the passenger compartment.
Dogs of any age can suffer from separation anxiety, and some are much more prone to this than others. If your dog has ever shown signs of separation anxiety in any situation, you can be fairly certain that such a condition will be exacerbated if he is locked into a transport dog crate and left alone in the cargo section of the plane.
In such a case, consider carefully whether there is any other option. If there isn’t, speak to your vet about either natural travel and/or anxiety remedies for dogs, or even a sedative if your vet thinks it necessary. Take these steps, and you will minimize the possibility that your dog will ever be one of the statistics.
Luxury pet carriers are all the rage today. But if you’re doing any serious travel with your dog, or transporting your dog anywhere, you may want to skip stylish pet carriers for less flexible transport dog crates.