Sedating Your Pet For Air Travel

Here are some general airline travel tips for pets to bear in mind.

Sedating your pet for air travel.

Tips for air travel with pets. Curbside and self service check in are not allowed. We don t mind if you take a valium before the flight but don t give your pet tranquilizers just because you re nervous. Cats may need sedation for road trips air travel or going to the vet.

Always have your pet s leash and collar easily accessible for walking prior to departure but do not take the pet out of the. How to crate train your cat. This is particularly true for very young old infirm or short nosed dogs. Pet air travel regulations.

And all airlines are required by law to follow the guidelines below. Don t take a valium. A variety of pet tranquilizers are available by prescription from your veterinarian and are administered orally or by injection. Exercise your dog as best you can on the day of travel and then as close to flight time as possible find a place for your dog to take a walk relieve itself and get some fresh air.

Further adding respiratory and heart rate changes can spell disaster. Here at petrelocation we are constantly asked about sedation or the use of tranquilizers when flying our customers pets. Except in unusual circumstances veterinarians should. In fact most airlines will not fly a sedated pet as over sedation can be a cause of animal death during air transport.

For air travel in particular there are already stresses on your pet s body from changes in air pressure and temperature. It is best to purchase an approved crate prior to travel at the airline or local pet store so you have time to let your pet get used to the crate and be comfortable. Passengers with pets must check in at the counter. Although whether to sedate your pet for travel is still a hotly debated subject many veterinarians and pet relocation specialists appear to side with the no sedation camp.

Say no to sedation and yes to crate acclimation and hydration. Simply the answer is no. No sedation when flying pets. The united states department of agriculture usda regulates air transportation of pets within the u s.

Most airlines recommend arriving two hours before your flight when traveling with a pet. Individual airlines may impose further restrictions or fees for flying with your pet. Never sedate your pet on a flight. High altitudes and sedatives are a dangerous combination and should never be mixed.

Pet travel specialists like door to door pet travel service owner kevin o brien of pet relocation says sedation is dangerous for pets and the. If your pet is small and can fit comfortably in an airline approved carrier your pet may be able to travel with you in the cabin.