Is it safe for a 13 year old dog to fly?

In general, if your senior cat or dog is in good health then yes, it is safe for them to fly. However, you still want to do your due diligence to make sure they are prepared and you are making the best decision for your furry family member.



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Airplane Travel Some airlines suggest that dogs who are more than seven and a half years of age receive an extensive health screening, including kidney and liver screens, or possibly an electrocardiogram, before flying.

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It is commonly thought that older pets cannot withstand the stress of long flight, but if your senior dog is in good health, there's no reason why he or she cannot relocate to your new home with you.

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Many dogs experience a combination of motion sickness and travel anxiety, since nausea can make travel stressful to them.

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The main benefit of air travel is that it's much faster for your pet to get to their destination. The cons of flying could include the cost of bringing your pet on a plane, the stressful experience of the flight, the possible separation of your pet, and the extreme conditions your pet may endure in cargo.

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Familiarize your dog with their crate well in advance of your trip so they are comfortable spending long periods of time inside it. You might even consider taking your dog to the airport's departure area a few times so they become slightly more familiar with this strange place.

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Your pet's breed, weight and date of birth or age. If the words mix or mixed are used to describe the pet, then the predominant breed must be referenced. Animals must also be 8 weeks old in order to travel.

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While there are no weight or breed limitations for pets, they must travel in either a hard-sided or soft-sided carrier. This carrier must fit under the seat in front of you or you cannot fly with your pet. There can only be one pet per carrier, and they must be able to stand up and turn around while inside.

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We've helped many dogs and cats 10 years old and older move safely, and with the right preparation and care, it is most likely a possibility for you, too. As far as air travel, we recommend choosing a pet-friendly airline (we often use United, KLM and Lufthansa due to their pet safe policies, for example).

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Pets arriving in the UK that do not meet the UK's requirements may be refused entry or quarantined upon arrival at the owner's expense. If the pet is less than 15 weeks old and has not been vaccinated for rabies for 21 days before entry into the UK, this Member State DOES NOT ALLOW entry of the pet.

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Most airlines ensure your pet boards and disembarks the aircraft on priority. The cargo hold has a special area for pets, and your pet's crate is secured in the plane in its designated space. During the flight, the lights are dimmed, and even the most anxious of pets tend to calm down after the plane takes off.

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Dog separation anxiety, more aptly termed as separation distress or panic is real. It can happen not only when you go on vacation but also when you need to leave them in general. It is a relatively common behavioural disorder, and it is a lot more than just “getting bored”.

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Use toys or a blanket Give your dog an item of clothing with your scent on, or their favourite toy or blanket to keep them calm during the journey. A toy will also help to keep them distracted during the journey.

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It's important to take your time and acclimate your dog to the car gradually:
  1. Sit in the back seat or cargo area of the car with her. Pet her, praise her, and treat her. ...
  2. Repeat the exercise daily or every other day, for as long as a few weeks if necessary. ...
  3. Gradually increase the duration of each exercise.


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