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Do dogs get water in cargo?

Your pet will be loaded into the cargo hold, though their crate will be secured in an area apart from the rest of the luggage. The USDA also requires that you give your pet food and water within 4 hours of check-in, but not within 4 hours of the actual flight.



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Most airlines will not transport pets between mid-May and mid-September or when temperatures exceed 85 degrees F. The danger to your pet is not so much when they are in the air, it is before and during storing, loading and taxiing. This is for the safety of your pet. Also avoid holidays and high-traffic periods.

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In most cases, if the layover is under 3 hours and if your pet is traveling in the cargo hold as checked baggage or air cargo, it will be transferred from one airplane to the next as long as you are staying on the same airline.

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The cargo hold is climate-controlled and will not be colder or hotter than cabin temperature. A pet-friendly airline will make sure your pet is comfortable at all times. Many airlines have temperature embargoes to deal with extreme temperatures.

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Dogs and cats flying in cargo must travel in a well-ventilated, rigid (a.k.a. hard-sided) kennel. Soft-sided carriers are not allowed for safety reasons. Most airlines required that the kennel have a solid top and base (i.e. without ventilation openings) and at least three sides with ventilation.

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Because flying in cargo can be stressful for your pup and could aggravate underlying health conditions, having a recent exam prior to flying protects both your pet and the airline from dealing with health emergencies.

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Sedation risks for dogs and cats The cargo hold is temperature controlled and dark, and even the most excitable or anxious pets commonly calm down once they are settled in the hold. Sedating pets before travelling by air is a big no and is not recommended by experts.

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You can, and should take safety measures such as acclimating your pet to its crate in advance, making sure your pet is healthy, and traveling when temperatures are moderate; but cargo should be your last resort, not your first.

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An additional 170 animals were injured in transit and 20 pets were lost by the airline. However, that number is still relatively low when you consider the total number of pets that fly each year and that between 4,000 - 5,000 human passengers died while flying in the same 10 year time period covered by the study.

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The whole process of flying can be stressful for a dog, but those levels of stress can be greatly reduced with a few simple home comforts and reassurances. Ensuring your flight is a non-stop flight rather than one with changeovers can be a huge benefit to your dog, as can looking to travel at a suitable time.

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Does my pet get food and water in cargo? Yes, but every airline pet cargo policy differs. American Airlines Cargo, for instance, requires pet owners to provide two dishes (one for food and one for water).

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How Do I Prepare My Dog For Flight Cargo? A Step-By-Step Guide
  1. Choose an IATA-Compliant Crate.
  2. Acclimate Your Dog to the Crate.
  3. Visit the Veterinarian.
  4. Review Airline Policies and Documentation Requirements.
  5. Provide Comfort Items and Essentials.
  6. Exercise Your Dog Before the Flight.
  7. Arrive Early at the Airport.


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Airlines That Allow Pets in Cargo
  • Hawaiian Airlines Pet Policy.
  • Alaska Airlines Pet Policy.
  • American Airlines Pet Policy.
  • Delta Airlines Pet Policy.
  • United Airlines Pet Policy.
  • Southwest Airlines Pet Policy.


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The exact temperature can vary depending on the airline and type of aircraft being used for transport, but it's usually somewhere between 10-20 degrees Celsius (50-68 Fahrenheit).

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Pets travel as cargo if they are not allowed to travel as luggage. This can be the case when they are either too large or too heavy; or because of the destination they are flying to, or because they are travelling on their own.

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Undeniably, cargo is the more dangerous option for pet travel. The safest way for any animal to fly is in the cabin as carry-on luggage, provided that's an option.

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A common standard is 10 days. Some states have specific health requirements as well. Check with both the destination state and your departure state to ensure you have the necessary documents ahead of time.

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The cargo area of the plane is pressure and temperature controlled and, with pet-friendly airlines pets are the last to be loaded and the first to be removed upon arrival. They are situated securely and carefully with the pet's safety and comfort in mind.

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When it comes to flying with pets, one common question that pet owners often ask is whether they should sedate their pets during air travel. At PetRelocation, our straightforward answer is NO. Sedation carries various risks and is not recommended for pets during air travel.

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Medication prescribed by your veterinarian: trazodone (brand name Desyrel®), gabapentin (brand name Neurontin®), and alprazolam (brand names: Xanax® and Niravam®) are examples of medications that are sometimes used to reduce the anxiety that some dogs experience when traveling.

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Thanks for your questions/concerns about the safest method of travel for your dog! Many other pet owners have pondered the same question, and we're happy to provide some guidance. Having your pet travel via cargo instead of checked baggage would be best.

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Many are surprised to hear that the cargo hold in the belly of an airliner is pressurized. Conditioned air is directed from the cabin, so the air tends to be a little cooler by the time it reaches the cargo areas, which are also less insulated than the cabin.

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