Traveling with Your Pet in a Pet Kennel
For the mobile and adventurous pet owner, it may become difficult to leave a beloved pet behind as you go on another adventure. Aside from worrying over your pet’s safety while at home, you may also miss your face licking sessions or your fetch the stick games. You may just consider bringing your pet instead of leaving it behind. If this is the case, the right pet kennel may be the answer to the dilemma of pet portability. There are of course, a couple of things you should know about your pet kennel even before you think of shoving your pet in one.
Before You Travel
Before you even hit the road or the air, your first consideration should be the accommodations of your pet. Some pets are just not comfortable being in a pet kennel. Also, there are pets that shouldn’t travel in a pet kennel at all because of certain medical conditions. You should check with your vet first and give details about your trip to make sure that your pet will be okay in a pet kennel. Pugs for example, regardless of their health condition should not be kept in a plane’s cargo hold. The structure of their noses will make it difficult for them to breathe. If you have a perfectly healthy pet that is scared of kennels, you may have to buy a kennel days or even weeks before you travel. You can gradually train a pet to use a pet kennel by letting it sleep inside for a couple of nights.
Kennel Rules On Air
If you’re traveling on the road, your only problem may be choosing a pet kennel that is easy to secure with a seat belt. If you are going to board a plane however, you may want to check with the airline first. Some kennels may only allow pet dogs and cats. They may also have their own rules about pets traveling with you in the cabin or in the cargo. Check their requirements and do not just assume because different airlines may have different rules. At the same time there are also federal rules for cargo kennel specifications. These government rules are very specific and give details on pet kennel size, strength, floor, ventilation, grips and markings. Your airline may include these rules when they brief you. If they do not, specifically ask them for all federal requirements or check out the regulations yourself with the US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
Remember that over and above your own need to have your pet beside you as you enjoy your trips, you should put your pet’s safety and comfort first. A pet kennel will be its home for what may be long hours. You so not want to traumatize your pet.