Air Travel Safety for Dogs and Cats

Not Every Pet is an Ideal Airline Passenger

by Dr. Jessica Vogelsang of  Pawcurious.com

As more and more pet owners eschew boarding their pets in favor of taking them with them on the road, the issue of travel safety for dogs and cats has become increasingly relevant. For long distances, air travel is still the preferred method for most people, and the good news is thousands of pets travel safely in the skies every day. On the other hand, there are specific instances where travel by air is not the safest choice, and owners should be aware if they have a pet who might be safer on terra firma.

1) Brachycephalic breeds

Any “squishy nosed” dog or cat is particularly at risk during air travel. Think pugs, bulldogs, and Persian cats as an example. These pets often have extra tissue in their sinuses and soft palate that restrict air movement compared to other pets. These animals often have a difficult time dealing with temperature extremes and can easily overheat. Without someone in the cargo hold to see a problem developing, these pets can get into trouble fast.

2) Extreme temperatures

Airlines request “statements of acclimation” from veterinarians on health certificates for a reason: they know pets are susceptible to heat stroke in the summer and hypothermia in the winter. Small pets, young animals, and brachycephalic breeds such as those listed above are particularly prone to problems due to their impaired ability to maintain a normal temperature. Even though cargo holds on planes are temperature controlled, delays on the tarmac can result in a pet sitting in extreme hot or cold for unplanned amounts of time, particularly during layovers.

3) Very stressed pets

Owners often ask about sedation for pets who are heavily stressed by travel. Vets usually do not recommend this, as the risk of respiratory depression outweighs the benefit of the sedation, especially when a pet is unsupervised during air transport. An alternative for these pets is a supervised flight with a company such as Pet Airways, or hiring a transport company who can take the pet by car.

Safe and happy travels!

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Jessica Vogelsang, DVM, is a veterinarian and the publisher of the pet-centric website pawcurious.com.