Sedating Your Pet For Air Travel

For air travel in particular there are already stresses on your pet s body from changes in air pressure and temperature.

Sedating your pet for air travel.

Pet air travel regulations. No sedation when flying pets. Curbside and self service check in are not allowed. Pet travel specialists like door to door pet travel service owner kevin o brien of pet relocation says sedation is dangerous for pets and the.

A variety of pet tranquilizers are available by prescription from your veterinarian and are administered orally or by injection. Tips for air travel with pets. Except in unusual circumstances veterinarians should. We don t mind if you take a valium before the flight but don t give your pet tranquilizers just because you re nervous.

Don t take a valium. This is particularly true for very young old infirm or short nosed dogs. Here at petrelocation we are constantly asked about sedation or the use of tranquilizers when flying our customers pets. Cat sedatives are designed to get your cat relaxed so it isn t stressed out or make them sleep.

Individual airlines may impose further restrictions or fees for flying with your pet. How to crate train your cat. The united states department of agriculture usda regulates air transportation of pets within the u s. Further adding respiratory and heart rate changes can spell disaster.

Passengers with pets must check in at the counter. Cats may need sedation for road trips air travel or going to the vet. And all airlines are required by law to follow the guidelines below. According to the american veterinary medical association avma sedating cats or dogs during air travel may increase the risk of heart and respiratory problems.

Simply the answer is no. Although whether to sedate your pet for travel is still a hotly debated subject many veterinarians and pet relocation specialists appear to side with the no sedation camp. Always have your pet s leash and collar easily accessible for walking prior to departure but do not take the pet out of the. High altitudes and sedatives are a dangerous combination and should never be mixed.

Most airlines recommend arriving two hours before your flight when traveling with a pet. Here are some general airline travel tips for pets to bear in mind. Never sedate your pet on a flight. Say no to sedation and yes to crate acclimation and hydration.

Exercise your dog as best you can on the day of travel and then as close to flight time as possible find a place for your dog to take a walk relieve itself and get some fresh air. In fact most airlines will not fly a sedated pet as over sedation can be a cause of animal death during air transport.