I have lived in Kentucky for fifteen years, and I have no reason to leave the city. However, work has pushed me to do a series of long-haul traveling, which often leaves me exhausted at the end of my flight.
A peculiar thing about Kentucky dog and cat owners is they wonder what happens when someone puts their beloved pet on a plane.
This concern has become common as more people consider our dogs part of the family. We want to take their pet wherever the household goes.
Putting our pets in kennels can be nice, but to travel out for a long time without a cat or dog is absurd for many of us. What happens to dogs on long-haul flights?
Many pet parents, who have not traveled long distances with their pets, often wonder how they would cope with their dogs.
While I can take care of my dog when I drive long distances, I have little control over what happens when we fly.
The truth is that air travel poses serious complications. In most cases, your pet must travel in the cargo hold. They will be alone in an unknown environment.
To help you make an informed decision about whether to take your dog or cat along for your next plane trip, here are some things I want you to know about animal air travel.
Things to Know about Traveling with a Dog
It can be stressful
Traveling by air has a degree of stress attached to it. The most frequent air traveler experiences some anxiety.
You always have a few worries, from airport security searches to wondering if your flight will be canceled. For newbie travelers, these concerns are multiplied by the fear of being in the air.
Your dog or cat will suffer similar stress, just to a heightened degree. While in the cargo hold, they will feel the air pressure changing, the plane going up and down. Yet, they have no idea why they are in the air.
Some pets are fine with the altitude. Others become overly stressed trying to figure out why they are floating.
The Environment Can be Inclement
Inside the cargo hold can be very uncomfortable for the pets. Airplanes produce a lot of heat. If the temperature outside is hot, the animal can be in a life-threatening situation. This is why most airlines have a maximum outside temperature at which they will not accept any pets on planes.
Likewise, when it is cold outside, the dark cargo hold acts as a cool cellar. Pets can freeze. Some have died because of such situation. You don’t want to experience such painful exit of your dog.
Checking the weather before flying is not an assurance for other problems may arise. For example, what if the plane gets delayed on the tarmac?
I witnessed such incident on two occasions I wanted to travel. Well, your dog or cat will be forced to sit in the cargo hold that entire time. Outside temperatures will affect them more than ever while the plane is on the ground unmoving.
You have to create a solution to some of these comforts before you fly your dog. If your flight is delayed, try and exercise the dog, calm him, and take it out to get relieved.
Things You Can Do
The first thing you do is to acclimatize them to life in the cargo hold by placing them in a crate for a few minutes each day. After a few days, increase the time until they can stay for an hour or so. That way, when they are on the plane things will feel familiar to an extent.
Another way to help your pet is to fly with your pet only during the fall and spring months. Even if your airline accepts animals in summer or winter, you should think about not taking your pet along, especially here in Kentucky where we see the extremes of both seasons.
The third way to reduce the stress pets experience in air travel is to take your dog in for medical care before and after air travel. You can always talk to the compassionate staff at your vet clinic about any negative symptoms that might have been observed by you or airline personnel.
Are you thinking of flying your dog? Don’t do it if you can! This is what I tell some pet owners.
Some pets may not enjoy the flight because of their body structure. For instance, the short nose dogs like bulldogs may not enjoy a long haul flight.
Additionally, if you have someone or a place to leave your dog before you come back from your trip, you should not travel with your dog.
Some dogs may not fly with you in the cabin, making it more stressful for them. However, if you must travel a long distance with your pet, prepare the dog to get used to such containment.
FAQs
Can dogs survive long-haul flights?
Adult dogs and cats can make it through the night without having to relieve themselves, so your pet should also be OK on most very long flights.
Irrespective of this, you’ll have to line their carrier with something absorbent – a Dry Fur pad works nicely under your pet’s crate pad or thin blanket.
What happens to pets on long-haul flights?
Inside most airplanes, Pets are prioritized and should be put on last and taken off first. If it is the case with long-haul flights with transfers, the pets are checked at refuel/transfer points, and their water bowls are replenished.
What happens to dogs on long-haul flights?
During long-haul flights, like flying abroad, your dog can fly in the cabin or the cargo hold. The Cabin is reserved for small dogs that can fit in a travel carrier under the seat. Cargo is for bigger dogs that fly in an airline-approved pet carrier or kennel.
Many airlines will not let your dog fly in the cabin if the flight is over 8 hours.