Flying your Pet - what you should know.

Sedation Many people are still under the impression that sedating a pet for flight is good for their pet. Actually it can be harmful. Traveling in cargo can be stressful on your pet. Your pet is isolated from you in unfamiliar surroundings and possibly exposed to extreme temperatures. Under such stresses, a pet's body reacts by adjusting its respiration. Sedatives lower a pet's respiration just when they need it the most. A lowered respiration rate under stress may result in harmful physiological effects.

What you should know before putting your pet in cargo.

Heat Prostration Heat Prostration is a very real danger for pets flying in cargo. We all know how hot our cars get, even on a mild day. It is worse in the cargo hold of the plane. Once the cargo door is closed, the temperature can rise rapidly. When it does, your pet is in danger of heat prostration.     Confinement Many pets that do not have experience traveling in pet carriers, may react adversely to being confined. Aside from the stress of confinement, pets may hurt themselves trying to get out of the pet carrier. Many pets try to bite through the plastic of the carrier and end up harming themselves in the process.     Escape Artists Pet carriers can only do so much to keep the pet inside, especially if the carrier is poorly built or if a pet weighs more than 30lbs. A heavy pet pushing at a pet carrier door can easily "pop" the door open and escape. It happens a lot and now the pet is loose and on the run. Another alternative to putting your pet in cargo is to use Pet Airways. To learn more about Pet Airways, click on the link below and watch a quick video of how Pet Airways works, or visit their Facebook page.       Max's Tip: Get 5% off at Pet Airways when you mention 1800PetMeds! *May not to be combined with any other offer