hy in the world would you ship your dog as cargo? The main reason is that the dog is too big for the cabin or to be checked as baggage.

A little understanding of airline rules and regulations, plus a few good tips will help to make the journey much easier for your dog and a lot less stressful for you.

TIP 1

Make a reservation for your dog. Most airlines require the reservation to be made at least 3 days in advance of the flight. Only a certain number of animals are allowed on the flight. Without a reservation, the rest of your planning is for nothing.

TIP 2

Your dog must have current and up to date health records. A trip to the vet a couple of weeks before the trip will make certain that your dog is fit to fly.

TIP 3

Be sure to check on the temperatures at the departure and arrival points and in between if the dog is to be transferred between airplanes. Airlines will not transport your dog if temperatures are over 85 degrees or below freezing. If your dog will sit in the cargo area or on the airport ramp for any length of time, their health could be in danger if the temperatures are one extreme or the other.

TIP 4

The crate you will be shipping your dog in should not exceed the following dimensions 40 X 27 X 30. These dimensions are pretty standard but check with the airline for exact size requirements.

TIP 5

The main reason that a dog will be shipped as cargo is the weight of the dog and crate combined. Your dog and the crate can't exceed 100 pounds combined weight. Someone has to move your dog and crate so the weight restriction is for safety of the cargo movers.

TIP 6

Do not sedate your dog.

To understand the reason for this, put a toy dog in the crate and then shake it up and down as well as around. See how the toy has been thrown all around the crate. This is what will happen to your dog if they can't control their balance and control their movements.

Even if you can't travel with your dog on an airplane, the dog can still be shipped as cargo. Many people are afraid to send their dog in this manner because they are afraid that the dog will suffer injuries or something worse. The good news is that airlines ship thousands of dogs as cargo each year. Every airline is committed to providing your dog with a safe and hazard free trip. Follow the airline dog policies along with these tips and your dog should have a safe and comfortable trip.