Will my dog get sick in a airplane? ( 3 questions)?

Question

I'm going to Germany next month, And I wanted to know. Will my dog get sick on the airplane? I'm going to hate having my dog not being with me during the flight (They put dogs in a basement...right?)...Is there anyway i could have him next to me?

Answer 1

You will have to check animal restrictions on your flight. I flew Delta when I went to pick up my puppy from the breeder (they were going to ship her, but I wanted her with me, not in cargo)

I have to pay $50 to bring her on the plane with me, and you need to have a pet carrier that meets carry on restrictions. So if you have a large breed dog it will have to go in cargo. I beleive the weight limit is 20lbs.

The dog must remain in its carrier in the terminal and on the plane. I unzipped one side of the carrier so I could pet her, but not let her out (she was only 8wks).

What age is your dog? Ask your vet about anything he would suggest for a long flight to make them more comfortable. My flight was 4hours, he didnt want to give her anything because of her age and she slept the whole time anyways.

Make she to have some toys and treats with you. And also baby wipes! In case of accidents, I was definitaly glad I had brought wet wipes along (she pooed all over her crate during our layover!)

Also, only a certain number of animals are alowed on each flight, so call ahead and get your pet added to your ticket to ensure you can bring it on. Good Luck!

Answer 2

Get him used to his crate beforehand, lots of car trips in it so that it isn't something new. If he's a little dog, you can take him as a carry-on and just stow him under the seat :) Otherwise, he'll fly in the cargo hold down below with the other luggage. If this happens, make sure that he gets a chance to potty just before you drop him off. Also, if the flight(s) total more than 8 hours or so, teach him to drink out of a water bottle that's used for rabbits, being summertime you don't want him to overheat. Just put something tasty on the tip so that he'll lick it, and teach him that he can get water out of it. This is a spill proof way to make sure that he stays hydrated. Don't feed him the day of if it's a later flight and if it's an early flight don't feed him the night before. Good luck, he should be just fine. Talk to your vet for other tips :)

Answer 3

Unless you really have to take him (life you are going to Germany to live) I would not take him. It's a very long flight for a dog. He's going to be very upset and nervous at best.

They do indeed travel with the cargo. There is no special place like some airlines lead you to believe for them to go.

If he is under 15lbs some airlines (it's getting less all the time) will let you have him in a pet taxi under the seat in front of you. He's not allowed on the seat unless you are in first class and pay for a first class seat for him. Even then only some airlines will let you do that first class.

It's really better for him to stay at home unless you are not coming back.

Answer 4

I've flown with many pets and they've all been fine. The cargo area is dark, and between the darkness and the constant whirr of the engines, they tend to just sleep the whole time.

Don't give your dog any medication. You never know how they will react to it, and a sedative is more likely to make your dog sick than the trip itself. Although he'll be somewhat anxious as he separates from you and is loaded onto the plane, he's likely to relax once he's settled in the cargo area, and just go to sleep.

Sedatives can be useful to calm nervous animals on car trips. You are there to watch them, and cars are more stressful. There is too much to see, smell, and hear, and they feel the car move around much more than they do the plane.

Good luck. I'm sure he will be fine.

Answer 5

Not the basement but the cargo area of the plane.
If he can fit in a crate under the seat, you might be able to go that way. Lots of airlines are stopping that tho, not wanting any dogs in the plane amongst the passengers.
He might throw up, he might not.. How is he in the car? Don't drug him before the flight if you don't want him throwing up

Answer 6

My dogs flew with us from the UK to Canada. They flew as excess luggage, in the cargo hold, and came through the journey very well.
We had one hyper 2 year old Doberman, and a 7 year old very worried cross bred. We made sure that they were well used to their crates before the journey, and stopped on the way to the airport to give them a last run. They were in the crates for nearly 12 hours in the end, they weren't sick, neither of them had made any mess, but they were real glad to see us when we got to Calgary.

EDIT.
We were strongly advised NOT to give the boys any sedation for the flight, they are better off being in control of themselves. There are lots of English families in this area, who have dogs that made the transatlantic flight in cargo, with no problems at all, apart from a bit of jet lag.

Answer 7

Go to the vet and get something to make your dog relax for the trip. They put almost all animals in the cargo area of the plane. Unless your dog is really small and can fit under your seat and if your airline even allows animals with passengers.

Answer 8

Most lilkely not...if your too worried you could always get the dog something to put it to sleep on the flight...And unless its a really really small dog it isnt coming next to you sorry.

Answer 9

Your dog would have to be a registered service dog to fly on board the passenger level without having to pay any extra fee. People who own service dogs have the right to bring them on board with them.

Answer 10

I read about plenty of people that have taken there pets on airplanes only to arrive to find them dead from heartattacks.
I'd research that abit if I were you before you took your dog with you.