Transport Dog Crates and Other Dog Transport Travel Pet Carriers
You may have heard statistics about dogs in transport dog crates being injured or lost, and even dying on board airplanes. These statistics crop up from time to time, usually in the context of a fresh injury, loss or death. Airlines do generally attempt to do their utmost to ensure that dogs traveling by airplane arrive at their destination safely. In fact, dog breeders and other dog enthusiasts often use airplanes as dog transport for their dogs, without incident. And compared to the proportion of dogs in transport dog crates and pet travel carriers being successfully tansported, the proportion of mishaps is pretty small.
Even though thousands of pets are safely transported via rail or air every year, this is not a signal to pet owners that they can become complacent if they need to travel with their pet, or send their pet via dog transport methods alone. Think how you would feel if disaster struck while your dog was traveling, and you had not properly prepared for the dog transportation.
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 which desperately attempt to claw its way out of the crate in order to escape. Some of them actually do escape and become injured in the cargo bay. Travel pet carriers have a much better track record, simple because they are by nature smaller, and pets in travel pet carriers usually travel in the passenger compartment under your seat.
Before proceeding with dog transport of any type, it's a wise decision to see your veterinarian for a general checkup for your dog to ensure that he is in fact in good health, and well enough to travel safely. He could be suffering from a medical condition that could put him at risk during travel that has never been pointed out to you, or that has only recently arisen.
The best time of day for your dog to travel is when the outside temperature is at a medium level. So if you're traveling in a warm climate, early morning or the evening are the best times. Conversely, if you're traveling in especially cold weather, the middle of the day is best. This will help ensure that your dog does not overheat, or catch a chill.
It may seem like common sense to advise this tip, but it does happen at times where puppies are loaded in a crate and do not handle the flight very well. Always fly your puppy with you in the cabin area so that you can keep the dog comfortable with small treats and affection. A puppy's early weeks (and months) are a very crucial time in its life. Everything that the dog experiences becomes downloaded into its memory. It's called socialization and a traumatizing flight that keeps a puppy in a constant state of shock and anxiety for hours on end may have disastrous results that could last a lifetime for the pup.
Dogs of any age can suffer from separation anxiety, and some are much more prone to this than others. If your dog has ever shown signs of separation anxiety in any situation, you can be fairly certain that such a condition will be exacerbated if he is locked into a transport dog crate and left alone in the cargo section of the plane.
If you anticipate that there is any possibility that your dog will suffer from separation anxiety whilst in the cargo part of the airplane, investigate the possibility of treating him with a course of natural anti-anxiety treatments. Discuss this option with your vet. If your dog is prone to anxiety, your vet may even suggest that your dog be sedated. This is a last resort measure, but you should be guided by your vet's advice, particularly if your vet knows your dog well and is making this recommendation.
Luxury pet carriers are popular today. But if you're doing any serious travel with your dog, or dog transport, you may want to forego stylish pet carriers for heavier duty transport dog crates.
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