If you plan to move overseas or visit an area for a while, you may want to bring your dog with you. After all, people sometimes register their dogs as emotional support animals (EPAs), so they must keep their dogs with them while they travel. However, if you plan to travel with your dog, you must keep your furry friend and others safe. So we sat down with dog expert Dave Miller of Cozy Crates for tips on how to fly safely with your dog.
Decide How to Transport Your Dog
Before you take your dog on a plane, you should figure out how you plan to transport him or her. For example, if you have a larger dog, you may need to put him or her on a dog-based plane focused on transporting animals. That way, you can get your dog to your next destination while knowing he or she will be safely transported there.
If you have a smaller dog, you can sometimes get approval to take him or her with you on the plane. Some will let you place your dog in the kennel and take the kennel as your personal item. On the other hand, you can purchase an extra seat for your dog and put him or her in it. Others will take their dogs in a purse and leave the purse on their laps with the zipper opened for their furry friends.
Always Leave the Leash On
As you transport your dog through the airport, you should keep him or her on a leash the whole time. Even if your dog stays with you and doesn’t cause trouble, people at the airport don’t know your dog. They could feel fear toward your dog or feel on edge, so you can keep them at ease by putting your dog on a leash during the trip.
Even as you sit and wait at your gate, you should keep your dog on the leash for safety reasons. For example, your dog can’t unexpectedly runoff and potentially bite someone. Even if you have a normally nice dog, you can’t predict how he or she will react to a new environment like the airport, so you should keep him or her on a leash.
Keep Your Dog Near You
On top of using a leash during the airport trip, you should keep your dog close to you the entire time. For example, you could place your dog in a kennel and only take him or her out to use the bathroom. You can also keep your dog close to you by using a leash or anything else to prevent your dog from running off while you go through the airport.
On top of keeping your dog safe, you can provide him or her comfort while at the airport. When you keep your dog close during your travels, you can give him or her treats along with some pets. Doing so will allow you to lower your dog’s anxiety if he or she tends to get nervous while travelling or experiencing something new.
Give Your Dog Food and Water
While you travel somewhere on a plane, you need to care for your dog’s physical needs. Some people may want to feed their dogs, but some dogs may become nervous or anxious and not eat due to the situation. On top of that, your dog could potentially face motion sickness and end up throwing up, so you should feed your dog during a stop or a few hours before getting on the plane.
You should also offer your dog water throughout the trip to prevent any dehydration. Dogs tend to get thirsty throughout the day, so you should bring some water for your dog to drink whenever you can give him or her some. After all, you don’t want your dog to face dehydration during the trip, so make sure you offer him or her some water.
Use a Muzzle When Needed
You can’t predict if your dog might become aggressive during the trip especially if someone bothers or antagonizes your dog. You don’t want your dog to bite at someone since you and your furry friend could face some problems, so you may want to muzzle your dog. While this shouldn’t be the first option you go with, you should think about how your dog will react to the situation.
For example, you may know your dog becomes more aggressive in stressful situations, so muzzling your dog might be the best choice during a flight. Doing so will allow you to keep your dog safe while also protecting the people around you. On top of that, people may feel at ease if they see a muzzled dog since they won’t get bitten.
Give Your Dog Anxiety Medication
If your dog tends to get anxious and feel nervous while travelling, you should see if you can give your furry friend some anxiety medication. Some vets will offer medication designed to help dogs relax, so the animals won’t feel as nervous while they travel. This can help you safely fly your dog since he or she won’t be as agitated or aggressive while you travel.
Luckily, most manufacturers put anxiety medication in a treat form, so your dog won’t have any issues taking it. That way, you can give it to your dog right before the trip and help him or her feel relaxed during the flight. However, you should talk with a vet before you give your dog any medication to make sure your dog can safely take it during the trip.
Conclusion
If you must take your dog with you on a flight, you should prepare him or her by using the tips above. They’ll help you figure out how you can keep your dog and others safe during the flight, so you should review each option. If you follow those tips, you can make your dog more comfortable despite the time he or she may spend on a plane.