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Flying a dog

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Originally posted by: Kelemvor
I would NEVER fly a pet. There are so many horror stories about how pets are treated on planes and how they are not the same animals mentally when you get to where you're going.

Just for the sake of my dog, I would drive wherever I had to go.
Click to expand...

There's also many horror stories about kennels and dog sitters and driving with dogs. Don't believe everything you read on the internets. Don't even believe what I'm going to say next.

That being said, my family flew two dogs and a cat twice many years ago back and forth from Alaska. There were no issues and our animals were fine. They were in Cargo from Seatac to Anchorage and just the other side of the door on the puddle jumper from Anchorage to Kodiak.

Personally, I think that if the airlines are going to treat your pets like cargo, you shouldn't have to buy them a ticket. If you have to buy them a ticket, they should get to ride in the cabin with you.
 
I don't recommend flying a dog on an airline if you can help it. Our dog flew from the States to Japan and back, and she didn't enjoy it. After she came back from Japan, she had to fly cross-country to D.C., and only the pilot saved her life when he decided that a slight problem in the cargo hold would have killed her if they'd taken off (think it was a pressurization issue).

Do NOT give a dog sedatives for a flight. I've had multiple vets recommend against that because it suppresses their breathing. Combined with the altitude, the dog can just stop breathing enroute. I've never seen a recommendation for a sedative from anyone (including US Army veterinarians, who care for all military dogs).

If your lab is sizeable, you MIGHT have to ship him as cargo which is considerably more expensive than the regular cost. Our dog is about 75 lbs, and we had the "giant" size crate for the international flight (it gave her more room). I think the limit was 100lbs, which we busted, and the charge for shipping was over $1,000 -- that was the Seattle to D.C. flight. I don't recall exactly as it's been a few years.

On the temperature restrictions, I remember they recommended we book morning flights since heat was the biggest concern. Keep in mind that the temperature in the cargo hold is CONSIDERABLY hotter than the air temperature so the restriction is pretty low. I've had to fly in a cargo plane without A/C on a hot day, and it's miserable.

Originally posted by: Raduque
Originally posted by: Kelemvor
I would NEVER fly a pet. There are so many horror stories about how pets are treated on planes and how they are not the same animals mentally when you get to where you're going.

Just for the sake of my dog, I would drive wherever I had to go.
Click to expand...

There's also many horror stories about kennels and dog sitters and driving with dogs. Don't believe everything you read on the internets. Don't even believe what I'm going to say next.

That being said, my family flew two dogs and a cat twice many years ago back and forth from Alaska. There were no issues and our animals were fine. They were in Cargo from Seatac to Anchorage and just the other side of the door on the puddle jumper from Anchorage to Kodiak.

Personally, I think that if the airlines are going to treat your pets like cargo, you shouldn't have to buy them a ticket. If you have to buy them a ticket, they should get to ride in the cabin with you.
Click to expand...

If the dog is a police or military working dog, the dog flies in the cabin. I was on a flight with a military working dog, and he rode in the seat next to his handler. Was quite funny seeing a dog sitting in the row! Someone actually moved out of the seat next to him, which I found amusing since you won't find a better trained dog anywhere.
 
I'm still considering my options. I have a vet appointment tomorrow afternoon. I do have the option of driving, and they reimburse a pretty hefty amount per mile, so its certainly feasable....it will just take 4 days instead of 6 hours.

And no, I won't change the thread title. I find it amusing.
 
fwiw - I've driven cross-country twice with my three dogs. Lots of motels that allow dogs and places to go sight-seeing with them.
 
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