Air Travel – Why Are Dogs Dying On Airplanes?

Animal air travel is not always dangerous for your pet. Dog enthusiasts and breeders routinely fly their dogs without having any trouble at all. The airlines make every claim possible that dogs that travel on-board will be perfectly safe. The same claim is held by the Transportation Association of America.

The American Kennel Club feels differently. But the organization’s leading spokesperson does add that air travel may be safe provided that the owners take specific precautionary measures.

The number one suggestion to all pet owners is to completely avoid sending your dog traveling in an airplane unless it is absolutely necessary. Many veterinarians and humane organizations are constantly reporting about dog injuries from air travel, due to dogs that desperately attempt to claw their way out of the crate in order to escape. Some of them actually do escape and become injured in the cargo bay.

It is much safer to bring your dog inside your car or SUV when traveling inside the country. You can take breaks as needed, so that your dog can stretch its legs, use the bathroom and remain free of stress and anxiety. Your dog will also be surrounded by its family which helps provide comfort and security during the long trip.

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

Of course there are a large number of successful trips made by dogs on airplanes, but every now again a true horror story emerges. One of the most important things you can do is to have your dog thoroughly checked by your veterinarian for any medical issues.

This check-up should be scheduled approximately 9 to 10 days before the trip begins. Many dog owners have no idea that there pets may have a pre-existing condition that could become a problem during the flight.

A perfect example is older dogs. They could be at the beginning stages of kidney disease and you would never know because early in this condition, the dog compensates by drinking tons of water. If an older dog in this condition sets foot on an airplane without water to drink, it may experience renal failure.

Is Your Dog Safe When Traveling By Air Travel?

Just because thousands and thousands of pets are safely transferred from one destination to another via the airlines, it does not mean that dog owners are without responsible precautionary measures to ensure the safety of their family pet.

After reading through the following guidelines that should be taken before boarding your dog on a plane, you will realize just how important it is.

Listen To Your Instincts In Regards To Your Dog’s Personality

Just because they are animals, it doesn’t mean that all dogs can easily cope with the experience of being locked up in a crate during an airplane ride. Every dog owner knows what his or her dog’s personality is like. Trust your gut instincts on whether or not you think your dog can handle the flight. If it doesn’t feel right, then your instincts are trying to tell you something about your dog’s separation anxiety.

Separation anxiety is a real condition that should not be overlooked. It is estimated that almost 20% of all dogs suffer at some level from separation anxiety. These personality types make very poor candidates for airplane travel. Such dogs should not be left alone and when their condition reaches elevated levels, it is not uncommon for a dog to literally chew through a metal cage in trying to escape, causing severe injuries that can cause the dog to bleed to death.

Minimize Anxiety By Preparing Your Dog For The Experience Of Flying

It is never acceptable to force your dog to experience flying if it is deemed to have separation anxiety problems. However, there is always the possibility that you can condition it to fly without having any problems.

This can be accomplished by getting your dog accustomed to the travel carrier that it will be flying in. Simply have one located in your house and keep your dog inside as often as possible. This can be done during meals, sleep time and while driving around in the car. Eventually, it will be totally comfortable inside the crate and this will aid in making the dog feel more secure during the plane ride.

Your Dog May Get Lost When Accidentally Transferred To A Different Airplane

One of our previous tips for dog owners and air travel was to only select direct flights. Many times, passengers and their luggage may have to transfer to two or more different airplanes before reaching their final destination. It is during these times when some dogs become lost, never to be found again. They accidentally get transferred to the wrong airplane.

To minimize the chances of your dog not making its way back to you, the best thing you can do is ensure proper identification. Have a permanent ID securely attached to your pet that has your phone number, home address and any contact information about the place you are traveling to. Microchips and tattoos are also options that can be taken. They may seem extreme, but when it comes to your dog and the possibility of it getting lost during air travel, it’s definitely worth it, wouldn’t you agree?

Don’t Let Your Dog Be A Statistic With Air Travel

An alarming number of dogs and other pets become injured, lost, or even die on board an airplane when traveling. Compared to the number of successful animals transported from one location to another via the airlines, this number is low, however, it only takes one incident to change your life forever when your dog becomes seriously injured, or dies because of a lack of preparation on your part.

The most important precautionary measure to take for the safety of your dog, is to take him to the vet for a complete checkup to avoid complicating a pre-existing medical condition. Please add the following additional tips to your list:

Select The Quickest Airline Route

Researching for the flight that will make the trip for your dog go by the fastest is easy, but one that many dog owners do not think about. Take some time and research all of the options available and ask the airline which flight time is the fastest.

Additionally, avoid flights that do not fly directly to your destination. It does not happen often, but some dogs get transferred to the wrong airplane, arrive in a totally different location than the intended destination and worse yet – never make it back to its owner.

Choose Flight Times During The Morning Or Evening

As far as comfort for your dog, do your best to select a flight that is either during the early morning hours or early evening time. These are the best times during the day in which your dog will experience the most comfortable of temperatures. Avoid flying your pet during extreme weather in climates that are too hot or too cold. Remember, it will be stuffed down in the cargo area.