Nothing ruins a trip that started off great with the purchase of cheap airplane tickets, discount hotel rooms, or discount travel packages, faster than discovering your pet was injured or worse during the flight. Pet safety concerns have increased since reports of seven dogs dying recently after traveling the cargo hold of an American Airline flight to Chicago.
Most veterinarians question the wisdom of taking pets on planes. Some pets simply do not travel well. Between May of 05 through May of 10 there were 144 reported pet deaths, 122 of which were dogs, during air travel. Compared with the total number of pets that flew over these five years pet fatalities during flight is an extremely small percentage, though statistics are of little comfort to owners of pets who die.
There are steps pet owners can take prior to flying to better protect their pets:
The quality of a pet carrier is an important safety issue. A secure carrier is a must since dogs try to escape when stressed. Without a reliable carrier it can be dangerous for a pet when being transferred from the airport to a plane.
To reduce a pets anxiety, encourage your pet to get comfortable with the carrier prior to flying.
Make certain your pet is healthy enough to fly. Ill pets do not travel well. Many airlines require a certificate of veterinary inspection issued within 10 days prior to departure. It is smart to request an acclimation certificate from a veterinarian, which says that an animal is healthy enough to travel and should be able to endure the temperature changes it may experience.
Unless your veterinarian insists do not sedate pets since sedatives can lead to cardiac and respiratory depression.
The Department of Transportation has determined that short faced dogs, such as pugs and English bulldogs are more likely to die in flight. Their anatomy makes it more difficult for them to breathe easily.
Small dogs are better off in the passenger cabin.
Proper planning in advance can significantly improve your pets travel experience.
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