Air Travel Guide with Animals

Practical tips for airing your pet

Tip 1: Air travel can be dangerous for some animals!

If your pet belongs to the category of short-nosed (or so-called Brachycephalic) breeds such as the Bulldog, Pug or Persian cat, air travel may be a nuisance. Due to the shortness of the nasal passages, these animals are very sensitive to lack of oxygen and heat shock, and this can endanger their lives. So in such cases, it is better to think about air transportation alternatives. If you want to take your pet on vacation with you so that he can have some fun, traveling by car is a better option. But if you find traveling by land difficult, it may be best to leave it to a reputable animal nurse or boarder.

But there are times when you have no choice but to airlift your pet, in which case be sure to read the rest of this article.

Tip 2: If possible, take the animal with you to the passenger cabin.

Although it is not allowed to take an animal into the cabin on Iranian airlines, on some foreign airlines, it is possible to take cats or small breed dogs into the cabin with a suitable box. You can ask the airline about this before buying a ticket, and if possible, be sure to use this method.

Tip 3: Be careful when passing X-ray devices.

Crossing X-ray machines used at airports to inspect people and their luggage can be dangerous for animals. It is better to consult and cooperate with the relevant authorities at the airport so that your pet gets the least damage.

Tip 4: sending an animal through cargo has its own risks!

Although airlift is one of the fastest and safest ways to move animals in the world, it should be noted that this route is not completely safe and  from time to time animal casualties are reported in the cargo area of ​​aircraft. These cases are usually caused by very cold temperatures, very hot temperatures, poor ventilation of the cargo area of ​​the aircraft, as well as harsh and inappropriate treatment of cargo operators. Therefore, you should be very careful in choosing a carrier and it is recommended that you leave this task to reputable companies with trained staff.

Now that we are talking about air transfer, let me make a series of very important recommendations that, if followed, will minimize the risk.

• Use direct flight: The fewer stops along the way, the less likely it is that the animal will be harmed.
• Preferably travel by the same flight you send your pet.
• When boarding a plane, notify the pilot and stewardess of your pet's presence in the cargo area; In this way, the aircraft crew monitors the temperature and ventilation conditions of the cargo area more closely.
• It is strongly recommended that you do not send short-nosed animals (such as bulldogs, pugs and Persian cats) by air.
• Be careful when choosing summer and winter flight times: The best flight times in summer are early in the morning and late at night. In winter, it is better to choose afternoon flights (between 13:00 and 16:00).
• Before flying, be sure to plant a microchip and activate it for your pet.
• Stick the identification tag (including your name, address and phone number, final destination as well as name and caller) on the box.
• Trim your dog or cat's nails before traveling.
• If possible, at least one week before the flight, get your pet used to the attack box that is to be used: To do this, you can place the box among the other items of the animal and put the container of water and food in it.. Doing so will help reduce your pet's stress and make him or her more relaxed during the journey.
• Do not use sedatives for the animal under any circumstances: this will increase the risk of the animal dying during pregnancy.
• With 8 hours left to fly, no more food for your pet: a full stomach increases the risk of nausea. Of course, there are no restrictions on water, and you can give water to the animal whenever necessary.
• Avoid traveling during busy times of the year, such as the Nowruz holiday: at these times, due to the crowded airports and high workload, you are more likely to encounter your pet inappropriately.
• Always have a new photo of your pet with you: This photo can be very helpful if your pet gets lost.
• As soon as you reach your destination, pick up your pet, take it out of the box and check that there is no problem: If there is a problem, see a veterinarian immediately and while treating the animal, give them a certificate (on a date with a date, stamped). and sign) so that you can follow up if necessary.

Finally, know that air travel with your pet has its troubles, but by following the tips above, you can have a safe and enjoyable trip.

Hoping for a pleasant trip with all the good memories for you and your furry friend!