How do I pick up a puppy at the airport?
Yes! every year, millions of puppies fly safely on flights. Airline employees make every effort to treat these animals with the respect and care they deserve.
But the most important is how you will go about picking up your puppy from airport. You must keep a few things in mind if you have to pick up your puppy from the airport as the Airline employees did their job, now it’s your time, but don’t worry we have got you. You must first check a few things beforehand, they are as follows:
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What Should Be the Age of Puppy If It Is Travelling by Air
First thing first, before traveling your puppy must be at least eight weeks old and properly weaned. Before traveling overseas, several airlines ask that your pet be at least 15 weeks old. The longer you wait before transporting a puppy in the cargo hold, the more their respiratory systems will develop.
Is Your Puppy Ready to Travel?
Check with your veterinarian to ensure that your puppy is healthy enough to travel. Some species, such as snub-nosed dogs (e.g., Pugs, Tzi Shuhs, Bulldogs, Boxers, and Boston Terriers), simply do not fly well since they can struggle to breathe even under normal conditions. In such instances, you should obtain a box that is one size larger than is ordinarily required. Make sure you notify your airline.
Do Not Sedate Your Puppy
Sedation is not recommended for traveling puppies due to the unpredictable effects of tranquilizers on animals at higher altitudes. Your veterinarian should decide to prescribe a tranquilizer for your pet. Many airlines would not accept a tranquilized pet in the cargo hold. We believe that an all-natural pet calmer will help to relax your pet without causing any adverse effects.
Do You Have the Required Crate?
There are different sizes of crates available in pet shops. You should check that the crate is strong, well-ventilated, and large enough for your pet to stand, turn around, and lie down freely. When standing or sitting, the top of your pet’s head or the tips of their ears (if their ears stand erect) cannot touch the top of the container. Take your pet’s measurements before buying a crate.
While this is correct, when comparing the finest airline-approved dog kennels, you should keep the following points in mind:
- Size: The first and most important aspect of your purchasing selection is the overall size and maximum weight limit of the crates you’re contemplating. Most are available in a variety of sizes. While manufacturers provide suggestions, it is also a good idea to check some customer reviews. It is not uncommon to discover that the weight restrictions quoted are less than precise. We would like to call your attention to any such crates.
- Durability and materials: Look for a crate made of toxin-free, long-lasting polyethylene. To ensure a secure confinement system, the mesh at the front should be composed of metal, such as steel. Generally, the more you pay for a crate, the longer it will endure, providing you with better value than many others.
- Ventilation: Any box you use to transport your dog within must be well ventilated. In this aspect, all of those on our shortlist perform admirably.
- Wheels: If you have wheels on your box, they must be detachable.
- Airline–approved: Make sure the crate is airline-approved. After our reviews, we’ll provide you some advice on how to make sure this is in place.
- Price/performance ratio: Because most puppy cages are not particularly expensive, this is not an area where you should purchase just on price. Instead, consider the experience you’ll be providing your pet while traveling and ask yourself how much you’re willing to pay for it. Keeping him secure is also invaluable. However, everyone shops on a budget, so instead of worrying over the price, consider the total performance and estimated lifespan to get a better overall impression of value. Let’s face it: buying a cheap crate is a bad idea since it will let you down, and it is unacceptable if it would jeopardize your puppy for the price of a few dollars!
The Picking Up Process
If you have checked the aforementioned requirements, your puppy is good to fly. After landing, your puppy will be taken to a fully secure live animal facility. Now there are many things that you must keep in mind while picking up your puppy from the airport, they are as follows.
Your puppy awaits you in the animal waiting area, so don’t rush
The animal waiting facility is temperature-controlled away from the busy airport. The puppy will stay in the crate but will be checked on and offered water.
So if you are there on time it’s good but if you are late, you don’t need to rush, your puppy is being treated well. You do not need to worry. But it is advised to be on time. So that, you don’t put yourself or your puppy in an uncomfortable situation. Your experience of picking up puppy from airport should be easy.
What documents do you need to clear your pet in airport
When your pet arrives at the airport, for domestic travel all you need to pick up your pet is showing a copy of your photo ID and the bill. But for international travel, you will have to clear your pet through customs or have arranged an agent to do it for you.
Bring Leash and collar
Because your puppy has just traveled a great distance, he or she may not have gone potty in a long time. A leash and collar will allow you to safely release your puppy so that he or she can relieve himself or herself.
Dog food and water
Always bring a little food (PawTree’s salmon, sweet potato, and pea all-life-stages chow) with you just in case the puppy acts hungry; and thirsty.
Most of the time the puppies sleep the entire time on the plane. While this is great for you, but it sometimes makes for a very hungry and thirsty puppy.
He or she may have gone hours without eating depending on the length of the flight or flights (if there are one or more connections). If you live near an airport, it is probably best to wait until you arrive home before feeding your puppy.
If you have a longer drive, though, you should offer food and water as soon as possible. Don’t be concerned if your dog appears uninterested.
He/she has had a long day and is experiencing new faces and surroundings, and some puppies may require a little longer time to acclimate. You should feed it properly after picking up your puppy from airport.
A safe journey home
Do not let the puppy run around in the car, especially if you are driving alone. While they may sleep soundly in the front seat for a portion of the trip, if they awaken, they can be a major distraction. It only takes a few seconds for eyes to be taken off the road for a collision to occur. Your dog could be thrown through the windshield and suffer serious injuries. There’s a chance the puppy will jump down and get stuck under the brake pedal.
Puppy carrier
A puppy carrier is an excellent choice for safe travel. These enclose the puppy in a cozy den-like area, allowing them to nap the voyage away.
They also provide some protection in the event of a collision and keep the pup from becoming a projectile. The seatbelt should be used to secure the carrier to a seat. Again, the back seat is the ideal option, but if you want your puppy to ride in the passenger seat, that is an option as well.
Bring someone with you
You’ll be so delighted when you see your puppy that, if you’re anything like us, you’ll want to carry it all the way home. It’s good to travel with someone so they can drive and you can snuggle and get to know your new baby.
Imagine how a new newborn is transported home from the hospital. Nowadays, you’re required to strap the baby into a crash-tested travel seat that is properly fastened to the vehicle’s seat belt system, with the airbag turned off if he or she is in the front seat. It’s all about protecting the precious new life in the event of a crash.
If you do not have someone to accompany you, we recommend taking a small kennel, tall laundry basket, soft-sided pet airline bag, solid box, or anything else that will comfortably confine your puppy and keep him/her safe while you are driving (don’t forget to line it with a soft towel or blanket).
Car sickness and the new puppy
Pups like humans can become ill while traveling in a car or even after traveling by air some pups main feel nauseous. Car sickness may make pet travel, whether short or long distance, a nightmare for puppies and their owners. There are, thankfully, things you can do to assist your puppy.
The following are the most common causes of vehicle sickness in puppies and dogs:
- Puppies ear structures for balance aren’t fully developed. This can result in motion sickness. Fortunately, most dogs grow out of automobile sickness.
- Travel sickness can be exacerbated by stress. For example, if your dog has only been in the car to go to the vet, he may become ill as a result of his anxiety and fear of visiting the vet.
- If your puppy was queasy the first few times he traveled, he may have conditioned himself to associate car travel with getting sick.
There are several treatment options available to assist your puppy to avoid car sickness. Physical comfort in the car, reconditioning, medicine, and natural treatments can all help your dog cope with car travel.
Physical Comfort in the Car
Try these options to make your puppy’s car travel as physically comfortable as possible. Face your dog forward in a moving car, your puppy will see less movement if he is facing forward.
Looking out the side windows causes objects to blur, which can create or exacerbate motion sickness. Allowing your pet to travel in the farthest backseat is not recommended because this is where there is the most motion. Opening the automobile windows slightly may help.
Medication
Medications may be required to assist your puppy during pet travel. The following are some over-the-counter and prescription drugs.
- Anti-nausea medications – decrease vomiting.
- Antihistamines Are used to alleviate motion sickness, minimize drooling, and promote calmness.
- Phenothiazine and similar medications – assist to sedate and minimize vomiting or reduce air pressure within the vehicle and allow for greater ventilation.
Always consult your veterinarian before administering any medications to your puppy to ensure that your puppy is healthy, that the dosage is correct, and that the medication will not harm your puppy. Over dosing or self-medication after picking up puppy from airport can prove lethal.
Bring toys to cheer them up
Puppies enjoy playing with their toys. Regardless of the variety of toys available at the Airport pet store, you should only give your puppy robust, durable, well-made toys that are adequately sized for your pet. Here’s a list of toys that can help you in buying a suitable toy for your puppy:
- Toys for chewing (hard-rubber)
- Toys and unstuffed animals (much safer for puppies that inevitably will chew things)
- Toy snatching (balls, flying disks)
- Toys with ropes and tugs (these help floss teeth while playing)
- Toys for critical thinking (treat-dispensing project toys)
You can buy any of the above toys for your puppy as these are safe and loved by the puppies. Sometimes puppies may act fussy after traveling so you can cheer him/her up by giving them a toy. Also, if your puppy is acting good, a toy may be a good reward for his /her good behavior.
That is all there is to it. Picking your puppy from airport to home in style while keeping them safe! It is ultimately up to you how you do it, but to secure your safety and the safety of the puppy, consider what will work best for you and the puppy.