Whenever I fly with my Pom, Danielle, she often endures intense stress. As a result, there’s so much to think about before we travel.
Your pet’s pooping and peeing habits may not be at the top of your planning agenda, but they should be. How do dogs go to the bathroom on long flights? As a pet parent, I have to worry about the bathroom time for Danielle.
I have to prepare for all these to guarantee the success of many of our trips. We love our pets. We want them to be healthy and happy, but we also want an easy ride for ourselves, right?
You ought to know the easiest way for our dogs to go to the bathroom on planes. This makes flying more pleasant for your dog and less stressful for you. If get things right and prepared, you don’t worry when they do end up pooping or peeing at 30,000 feet.
How dogs go to the bathroom on a plane
The rule is that dogs must go to the bathroom inside their carrier. This includes pets that travel in the cabin or the cargo hold, and even on cargo flights. Service dogs (and sometimes emotional support animals) are often the exception.
They may be allowed to use the airplane’s bathroom. Trained service animals can poop or pee on command and this makes it easier for owners. All other dogs must stay inside their carriers and won’t have the choice to go anywhere else but inside their travel bag or crate. This isn’t ideal.
Most dogs will be reluctant to relieve themselves, they’ll try to endure. On short-haul flights, most owners are grateful. On long-haul flights, the dog will find it more difficult.
Although most dogs won’t go to the bathroom where they have to lie down and sleep, anxiety and a desperate need to eliminate will likely override this.
If you’re about to fly with your dog, this may not be good news for you. That’s OK, though. One of the benefits of a clear and simple answer is that you can start preparing for your flight.
You have to accept that your dog may go to the bathroom on the plane so this information prepares you for it.
Or as we like to call it: the worst-case scenario.
It is also important you buy puppy training pads and line the bottom of the carrier with them. Pack a few spare ones, too, if your dog is traveling inside the cabin with you. You should also pack ziplock bags, hand sanitizer, and baby wipes.
You may not be able to control your dog’s bowel movements but you can be prepared to deal with them quickly and efficiently.
Dogs in the cabin are placed inside soft-sided carriers and these are harder to clean. The advantage you have over those owners with dogs traveling in the hold (and therefore inside hard-sided carriers) is that you can deal with the mess before it becomes…well, more of a mess.
When Dog Needs to Use the Bathroom in the Air
There is detailed information on what you must do if your dog poops on a plane by following this link. It’s a little more detailed than what’s outlined below, but we’ll list out the main details here, too.
By following some of these tips, make it less likely that your dog will need to use the bathroom.
By this time you should be used to your dog’s pooping schedule. Use this information when booking flights. For example, if your dog goes during his 11 am walk, then book flights after this time.
Let the dog poop as normal in his familiar surroundings. Don’t worry too much if this isn’t possible, but stick to a toileting routine if you can.
Do you want to fly a long-haul? Another important tip is to break the journey up in two and have a layover at a motel or hotel. Your dog is probably more likely to go on the ground than in the air.
Don’t feed the dog before the flight.
Don’t give your dog food before the flight and she’ll be less likely to poop during the trip. Make sure she has access to clean water but don’t let her go mad with her water bowl either.
This can also help reduce the likelihood of motion sickness. Your veterinarian will also be able to give you more specific advice.
Exercise the dog before the flight.
Stress him out if you can. This practice makes it easier for a dog to pass a bowel movement.
Check to see if the airport you’re flying out of has a dog toilet area. Many international ones do. Find a suitable toileting area outside the terminal if there isn’t a specific area for dogs.
Inquire about what facilities the airport has before and after security.
Space like family bathrooms and disabled facilities is worth noting before arriving. What a dog can get rid of before the flight, makes him less likely to do it on the plane.
I believe this article can help you prepare your dog for a long haul flight. Finally, train your dog to learn what to do during your flight.
FAQs
Where do dogs poop on long flights?
There should be pads in the carrier or the bathroom, this pattern is your only solution for a dog that needs to go while on a flight.
How do dogs pee on long flights?
It is typical for dogs to pee on a pad or towel in their crate when flying on a plane. Most airlines don’t allow dogs out of their crate or out from under the seat and walking into the cabin during the flight.
How do dogs go to the bathroom on long flights?
Dogs must go to the bathroom inside their carrier. This is true for pets that travel in the cabin or the cargo hold and even on cargo flights. Service dogs (and sometimes emotional support animals) are often the exception. They may be allowed to use the airplane’s bathroom.