Flying with my Fido left me worried at the onset. I wanted to know how my dog will cope with the airplane pressure. Henry has hearing issues and I didn’t want to compound its problem with airplane pressure.
Does airplane pressure affect dogs? I will talk about the experience of a dog when you fly with him in this article.
Every year, 2 million pets fly on airplanes according to estimation. Many travelers will prefer not to travel with their pets due to the difficulties involved. According to the estimation, that it is a lot of whiskers and paws in the air.
Airplane Pressure
The pressure when we fly is quite different from what we experience on the ground. The environment inside the cabin is unique and many flyers find it challenging to adjust on their first flights.
Planes may get our pets and us from A to B more quickly, but it can be a frightening time for animals, especially if they’re flying in the aircraft’s hold. If you think flying is stressful, just imagine how the experience must impact an innocent, unknowing dog or cat when packed away in the cargo hold of a commercial jet.
No matter how smooth the landing, timely the departure, or friendly the flight attendants, are, air travel is not just stressful for animals. It can be dangerous. Conditions in the cargo hold of commercial jets are not always friendly.
Temperatures can fluctuate wildly, noise can be tremendous, air pressure can drop significantly, and pets that are checked into this dark space beneath the passenger cabin sometimes die.
Apart from all these hitches, some pets adapt naturally to flying.Some pet owners fly their small planes so its no stress for their pets. We’ve met private pilots who regularly take their dogs up in the air with them.
Some movies make it more fun when I Iook at some of the adorable pictures of Labradoodles and Yorkies sitting in the co-pilot’s chair.
I don’t allow this to cloud my judgment. I take extra care when flying with my pet. If you are thinking whether the airplane pressure can hurt your dog, keep reading.
Does Flying Hurt a Dog’s Ears?
If your pet is about to take to the skies, it is the question you might ask because flying can hurt human ears and our pets have better hearing than we do.
Dogs are as sensitive to changing air pressure as humans, so flying can hurt a dog’s ears, but it doesn’t happen with every dog.
The stuffy sensation is felt in the ear when a plane climbs or descends quickly, the air pressure changes rapidly, too, and the ear can’t balance the pressure in time. It might feel as if you can’t hear properly or that something is blocking your hearing.
It can even be painful. Usually, we try to pop our ears to help equalize the pressure. You may have tried yawning or chewing. Some people suck on candies.
Dog owners can give their dogs a treat during a plane’s ascent or descent. Dogs can benefit from the same kind of action. The act of dog chewing should help alleviate some of the discomforts.
If dogs focus on the food, it will provide a sufficient distraction for them from the stuffiness in their ears. Private pilots could ask a passenger to do this. You could also give the dog a chew toy and achieve a similar effect.
Flying and Ear Protection
Do dogs need ear protection when flying?Yes, dogs need it. I have spoken about my dog having an ear issue. While most dogs may not have such medical challenges, they still need protection.
Aircraft noise can sound louder to dogs, plus the altitude and changes in air pressure make dogs feel uncomfortable. This can create stress or it could even damage the dog’s hearing. Whilst flying in the cabin on a commercial aircraft probably won’t require ear protection for your dog, you should consider it if you’re a private pilot.
However, you don’t have to be a private pilot before you care for the safety of your dog. While these pets don’t talk, they need you to support them with the best care during your flights.
Dog Ear Muffs for Flying?
Ear muffs are designed to reduce the noise reaching the dog’s inner ear and could help prevent hearing loss. You can buy it for your dog. Some dogs may not enjoy the sensation of having something over their head and ears.
You may have to persevere a little. These tend to be more popular with private pilots flying smaller planes than passengers on commercial airlines.
I have to train my dog to learn how to use ear muffs. I bought one of these products and started trying it on him at home. It was not an easy process, but I was patience and rewarding with him.
It took some days before he could comfortably use the ear muffs without pulling it off. I have seen dogs whimper when the airline is noisy. You don’t have to stress the dog without ear protection.
FAQs
Are airplanes bad for dogs?
Except your furry friend is small enough to fit under your seat, avoiding air travel with your pets is best. This is because, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) discourages air travel with large dogs that would need to go in cargo, even if it’s on a pet-friendly airline.
Is flying harmful to dogs?
Pets are required to have a health certificate to fly. This health certificate is issued by a veterinarian a week before travel which means that potential health risks are assessed, greatly reducing illness incidents
Does airplane pressure affect dogs?
Flying can hurt a dog’s ears. It doesn’t happen with every dog, but they’re as sensitive to changing air pressure as we are.
When a plane climbs or descends quickly, the air pressure changes rapidly. When this happens, the ear can’t balance the pressure in time. That’s when you get that stuffy sensation in the ears.