Air Travel With Your Dog

BY | September 19 | COMMENTS PUBLISHED BY

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Planning to travel by your pooch on the plane? It isn't as easy as it sounds! Dogs are naturally restless animals and containing them in a crate for long journeys is not an easy task. Sometimes, it can even be traumatizing for them as they have to stay in a new environment with other animals for long periods of time and little comfort. On the other hand, many owners do not want to leave their pets behind when they go for long holidays. To make sure that your pooch is more comfortable and calm, there are quite a few things that you could do:

  • Pick the right airlines: Different airlines have different rules for pets. Some airlines allow pets in the cabin; others require them to be kept in a crate in a separate compartment. To keep your pooch comfortable, look up the right airlines and book ahead so that they can fit him/her in. Airlines will charge extra for this.
  • Airlines have rules that your pet must have gotten all the latest vaccinations. This is to make sure that the other pets and passengers on the plane do not get infected. This is especially true for international flights so make sure you take your dog to the vet before traveling.
  • When preparing for the journey, exercise your dog adequately. Tire them out so that they aren't overly energetic and will most likely sleep on the plane. This can also help reduce restlessness.
  • For air travel, it is necessary to put your dog in a crate. To do this successfully, present the crate as a positive thing. It is recommended to do this before entering the airport to reduce the chaos.
  • Make sure that your dog does not have a full bladder or a full stomach before traveling. No one wants to be greeted at the end of a journey with pee or poop all over the crate. Dirty environments will also make the dog more uneasy. Water needs to be accessible to your dog at all times; just enough to keep him/her hydrated but not full.
  • Be calm when you say goodbye to him/her in the crate. The more upset you are, he or she will also likely get upset.
  • When putting your dog in a crate, make sure there is at least one item to make him/her feel more comfortable. This could be a blanket, a stuffed toy, or a toy bone.
  • Remove leashes and collars before putting your dog in the crate to avoid choking while moving.
  • Dogs can also be medicated to keep them calm during long journeys but that may or may not be a good idea. Do your research before administering them.

Best Airline Approved Travel Bags for Dogs

Itโ€™s hard to imagine going for an overseas visit or a long vacation without taking your canine friends along. We always consider dogs to be a part of our family and we want to share our experiences with them. However, when you are planning on taking a flight, you need to think about how you will take your four-legged friends. Travel bags for dogs are one the best safe and secure ways to take them on a plane. Here is our list of the top four best airlines approved travel bags for dogs.

  1. Sleepypod Air In-CabinAre you looking for an in-cabin carrier for your canine friend that will leave it feeling comforted and refreshed? If your four-legged friend loves sleeping, there is no better choice than Sleepypodโ€™s air in-cabin carrier. It is one of the highest-rated travel bags for canines at the moment as you can compress it to make it fit in the cabin. On top of that, you can carry it comfortably as it has a padded shoulder strap and it is machine washable.
  2. Bergan Comfort Soft-SidedThe Bergan Comfort Soft-Sided travel bag is made for dogs who weigh not more than 22 pounds. The travel bag is machine washable and has a unique design. One side of the travel bag can only be opened halfway whereas you can fully open the other side. If you feel your canine friend is feeling left out, you can talk to it through an exclusive side zip. The travel bag is perfect for long journeys as it has maximum ventilation.
  3. Pawhut Deluxe Dog Travel Carrier BackpackIf you are looking for a travel bag that can carry dogs weighing up to 20 pounds comfortably and in style, then you will love the Pawhut Deluxe Dog Travel Carrier Backpack. It comes with a pair of wheels and telescopic handles, making it one of the best travel bags for dogs. It has vents on the side for good ventilation and there are zipped mesh doors to protect your canine friend. It is waterproof and can be used for heavy-duty.
  4. Sherpa Original DeluxeThe Sherpa Original Deluxe is one of the biggest travel bags in the market for your canine friend. It comes in three different sizes and can accommodate canines that weigh up to 22 pounds. It can be compressed easily and the ventilation is good. Sherpa Orignal Deluxe is approved by airlines throughout the world. These are the best airline-approved travel bags you can find in the market for your canine friend. With these bags, you will find it easy to take your four-legged friend for your long vacation!

Dog Travel Bags for International Travelers

Traveling with your dog means you have to take along a lot of its stuff. The list ranges from leashes and collars to sunscreen to poop bags. All these items must come along with the animal. This is why it makes sense to purchase a dog travel bag. If you go on frequent overnight trips, it is a good idea to purchase a quality dog travel bed. Small dog travel bags could fit into a suitcase. A large container can hold much more than the canine necessities. It is essential to know the advantages of each travel bag from a number of bags before zeroing on to one.

Wahl and PetParty

Most seasoned international travelers recommend Wahl company manufactured bags. These bags bring to the paw a mix of easy-to-use features along with portability. A lot of things can fit into the bag without cramming. The two padded carrying handles make transporting the dog easy. If your dog is small, you can use the padded shoulder strap which comes in matching colors. The presence of a number of external packets means you can fit a number of things including documents. There are both zippered and slip pockets. The bag has more than ample space for fitting the essentials. There is no need to worry about taking a heavy bag complete with many things which you do not use. Since the bag is dark-colored, it hides stains well.

The Petparty company manufactures bags known to be stylish. Go for these bags if you own a smaller dog. This bag has many features which are normally available in more expensive carrying cases. The Petparty products are stylish with metallic leather and two-tone vertical stripe highlights. The combination of this design with a clear logo and white zippers projects a keen fashion sense which most dog travel bags usually lack. The oversized and rounded handles of the bags are their best feature. The soft leather coating around the handles serves as padding for your shoulders and hands. Metal connector brackets add extra security and make the bag more durable. The external pockets have zippers to make sure that you do not lose any object while you travel.

Budget choice

If you are on a budget, go for a Hubulk product. This company's bags are fashionable and make carrying your dog much more comfortable. In case you wish to replace the old dog travel bag with a new one, consider a Hubulk one. The shoulder straps are rounded with a tan brown finish. A medium-sized dog can be carried in the center pocket. The pet supplies can be carried in a number of external pockets. These pockets can be button shut.

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