Let’s face it: no animal is ever truly going to enjoy flying, at least not instinctively. There are very few puppers in the world who are ready to climb aboard their (doghouse) plane and start flying the friendly skies. The sounds, the smells, the unfamiliar people – it all makes for an unfamiliar environment that can wig out the skittish puppy and make the calmer cat blink twice. Even so, is flying really harder on your pet than going by ground? The answer, as is typical in all debates, will simply depend.
First: Consider How Worldly Your Pet Already Is.
How often does your dog or cat leave the house? If your feline friend is like most and stays inside all the time or perhaps goes out onto its catio, it is probably not well-acclimated to the outside world and may have a harder time adapting to the world of planes, takeoffs, and landings. A dog, however, who routinely gets out and goes to different places (and not just Petsmart or the dog park) may do just fine. The more experiences the animal has already had and the more diverse those experiences have been, the greater the likelihood that it will do well in an airplane.
Don’t count out air travel, though, if your cat only leaves home once a year to see the veterinarian. Blue Collar Pet Transport says that our animals are far more capable of adapting to strange things like the world dropping from underneath them – the key is preparation. The company’s team is always happy to discuss with you ways to help your little buddy get ready for a trip and has seen many cats and dogs adjust amazingly well to the strangeness of plane flight. They say that once the initial excitement wears off, most animals simply snooze through the entire journey.
Second: Consider Your Pet’s Age and Health.
This can be a good point to discuss with your vet, whom your animal should see before any type of journey. Older pets often appreciate the familiarity that comes with a car trip, so ground travel may be the best option for them. On the other hand, if the journey will be particularly long, a brief plane flight could work much better for them. If the animal has any health issues or has just recovered from an illness or injury, whether they fly or go by ground should be decided by you and a veterinarian.
Third: Keep In Mind Your Pet’s Breed.
Some breeds of dogs might be better off traveling by ground. One example is those that are snub-nosed, who can be sensitive to changes in the quality of the air. Pet owners with flat-faced cats should also discuss with Blue Collar Pet Transport or their vet whether air travel is right for their feline friends.
Fourth: Think About How Much Preparation You Can Devote to the Trip.
Any animal that will go on a journey without you will need some help to get ready for it. This is especially true if they will be traveling by airplane. Blue Collar Pet Transport recommends preparing your pet a few months in advance so that it will do well on the day of the trip. Plane travel, of course, will need special preparation, so if your schedule will hinder this, going by ground might be the better option.
Plane or Ground: The Answer
It comes down to “it depends.” Blue Collar Pet Transport recommends discussing your options with their team as well as your vet and then making an informed choice, one that is best for your pet. Remember: no matter which one you choose, your pet will do well on the trip and forget about it almost as soon as it’s over. That is exactly how any safe, well-managed journey for your pet should be.