If you’re concerned about your dog’s safety before you board your first flight with pets, read this article. Just because thousands and thousands of pets are transferred safely from one destination to another via airlines, it doesn’t mean that dog owners lack responsible precautionary measures to ensure the safety of their family pet.

In fact, after reading the following pet air travel guidelines to take before boarding your dog on a plane, you’ll realize just how important it is.

Listen to your instincts regarding your dog’s personality

Just because they’re animals doesn’t mean all dogs can easily handle the experience of being locked in a crate during air travel. Every dog ​​owner knows what his dog’s personality is like. Trust his gut feeling on whether or not he thinks your dog can handle the flight. If he isn’t feeling well, then his instincts are trying to tell you something about your dog’s separation anxiety.

Dog separation anxiety is a real condition that should not be overlooked. It is estimated that almost 20% of all dogs suffer from some level of separation anxiety. These personality types are very poor candidates for air travel. These dogs are not to be left alone and when their condition reaches high levels, it is not uncommon for a dog to literally bite through a metal cage in an attempt to escape, causing serious injuries that can cause the dog to bleed to death.

Minimize anxiety by preparing your dog for the experience of flying

As mentioned above, it is never acceptable to force your dog to fly if he is deemed to have separation anxiety issues. However, there is always the possibility that you can air-condition it without having any problems.

This can be accomplished by getting your dog used to the travel pet carrier that it will be flying in. Just keep one in your house and keep your dog inside as often as possible. This can be done during meals, at bedtime, and while driving the car. Eventually, it will be totally comfortable inside the crate, and this will help the dog feel more secure during air travel.

Yes, your dog can get lost when accidentally transferred to a different plane

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

To minimize the chances that your dog will not return to you, the best thing to do is to ensure proper identification. Have a permanent ID that is in an airline travel kit securely attached to your pet that has your phone number, address, and any contact information about where you are traveling. Microchips and tattoos are also wearable options. They may seem extreme, but when it comes to your dog and the possibility of it getting lost during a plane ride, it’s definitely worth it, don’t you think?