What kind of respiratory problems can my pet face during air travel?

Due to the anatomy of brachycephalic breeds, your pet is more susceptible to respiratory issues due to their hard palate, nasal passages and sinuses being crowded together. This means that they can’t breathe as efficiently as pets with normal length snouts and require longer cooling down periods should they be stressed, anxious, active or overheated. Furthermore, if your pet is facing any high-anxiety emotions or pressure, his/her airway can actually collapse, partially or completely, which could potentially result in a temporary cut off in their oxygen supply.

Moreover, they are also a lot more sensitive to the minutest changes in air quality and temperature in the cargo hold of a plane so while it may be ideal for other breeds, your snub-nosed pet is a special case that requires measures such as considering the perfect weather conditions to fly in, the right crate and them being comfortable in it or alternatively even consideration on taking him/her in-cabin with you. Being able to see and hear you might help calm your dog. However, not every airline or destination country will allow pets in-cabin, so you will need to double check if this could be a possibility.

With the guidance of the right pet relocation agents, with an abundance of experience in transporting brachycephalic breeds, all of the prior procedures, medical condition tests and preventive measures can be taken care of prior to your pet’s travel to ensure a seamless and secure through-and-through journey.

As an end-to-end pet relocation service provider, Sandy Paws can handle a single element or the complete process required for your pet’s move. Should you require any further support or have questions, reach our experts out at bookings@sandypaws.ae to have them answered!

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