Safe Air Travel for Pets
My-Dog.info > Traveling With Your Dog
As a rule, pets travel very well but air travel can be a very
stressful and traumatic experience for them. In order to minimize
this stress, some guidelines should be followed.
The hazards of air travel are usually not in the actual
flying, but rather during the down time when your pet is being
loaded or unloaded from the airplane, or when it is waiting.
Delays can result in extra time spent on the runways before
take-off or after landing. At these times the cargo holds are not
pressurized and the surrounding temperature can vary from very
hot to very cold. In fact, because of this, some airlines will
not permit pets to fly during certain times of the year. For this
reason, it is best to contact your airline to make sure that no
risk is involved and to confirm that they will accept your pet on
the flight.
If your pet is small enough, some airlines will allow you to
take your dog or cat on board, provided that the carrier fits
under the seat in front of you. Check with your air carrier.
It is also a good idea to have your pet examined by your
veterinarian prior to departure to ensure that it is in good
health and able to endure the rigours of air travel.
Tranquillizers and sedatives are not usually recommended for pets
except on the advice of your veterinarian. This is because
sedation can result in serious complications. For example, it can
inhibit your pet's ability to regulate its body temperature or
cause breathing problems.
For the actual flight, make sure that your dog is secure in an
approved carrier, purchased either from the airline, a pet store
or an animal hospital. Introduce your pet to the crate several
weeks before departure to get him or her accustomed to it. Ensure
that all the screws on the crate are secured and tight. Carriers
should be labelled "Live Animal" and "This End
Up" in letters at least 3 cm high. Also tape some
identification (name, address, destination) to the crate. Ensure
that fresh water will be made available to your pet at some time
during or after the flight.
It is best to travel in off-peak hours and on non-stop
flights. Ideally, your pet should be last on and first off the
plane. Remember to notify the flight attendants that you have a
pet on board just in case there is a flight delay.
Reprinted with permission from www.animalhealthcare.ca
|
 |
|
|
Save big on quality brand name pet meds and other pet supplies!
Pet Shed is the premier source for discount pet supplies on the Internet. Heartgard heartworm, Frontline Plus flea control, Advantage flea control, Revolution flea & heartworm, and many other pet medications.
|
