Is My Pet Too Old To Travel?
Can a pet be too old to travel? They absolutely can be, but deciding what age is too old for the journey can be difficult. There is no standard age that denotes a dog or cat being too old, as it depends on several factors.
For one, animals age differently. Cats are considered seniors when they reach 10 years old. For a dog, it depends on their size, as large and giant dogs can be considered seniors around 7 to 8 years of age, medium sized dogs around age 10, and small dogs at age 11. There’s a lot of variability in this general guideline, as genetic components of each breed can also play a factor in aging, and not all dogs of the same breed or size will age the same.
You’ll actually need to consider the medical issues of your aging dog or cat. Some animals can lose their sight or hearing, gain weight, develop painful joint issues such as arthritis, or have problems with holding their bladder or bowels. Older animals can also develop heart or breathing problems, diabetes, or mobility issues. These medical conditions can severely limit your dog or cat in what they can do, and are a much better indicator of whether or not your pet can handle a trip.
And don’t furget about your dog or cat’s temperament. Do they accept new situations with ease, or do they get anxious and confused? Or are they experiencing cognitive dysfunction syndrome, or dementia in pets, which can make any environmental change traumatic.
You see, it’s really more about your pet’s particular situation, not just their age, that will tell you if they are able to travel with you, or if they’d be better off staying at home. Let’s take a look at the rigors of traveling to see if your dog or cat is up for the ride.
One of the first things you’ll need to consider when planning a trip is how you’ll get there. Whether flying or driving, each way has its own set of challenges for you and your older pet.
Traveling by Plane
Traveling by Car or RV
You’ll need to take all the issues your dog or cat is currently experiencing and decide what is the best way to travel for their needs. Often, traveling by car or RV is the better route, as you have much more control over the daily routine and their comfort level, and can immediately deal with situations as they occur.
But if your dog or cat cannot handle being in a carrier for long hours, can’t take sedatives to relieve anxiousness, or needs round the clock medical care, they may very well be too old for the trip. In these cases, it may be better to leave your dog or cat at home with a reliable pet sitter or boarder where they will be comfortable and safe.
Now, sniff out my 25 tips on flying with a senior dog below:
Before you book any flight with your senior dog, make sure he is clear for air travel by his veterinarian. Be forthcoming about your travel plans and address any pending health issues with the vet. If you are flying internationally with your dog from the States, you’ll also need a vet health certificate signed off by an accredited vet within 10-days of travel.
If your vet advises AGAINST flying with your senior dog, please follow their advice and do NOT take the risk.
Flying with your senior dog should mean flying in-cabin with your senior dog.
Heat strokes, injuries, broken crate escapes, etc. – we’ve all heard horror stories of dogs and cats disappearing, suffering from injury, or even dying in cargo. Unless you absolutely must, please do not fly your dog in cargo. In cargo, all animals are placed (typically alongside baggage) under the cabin without being monitored by a single human during the flight. As temperature changes can be unpredictable, accidental injuries and deaths have occurred. Due to affiliated risks, the outcome of cargo transport may be unforeseeable. It can be a traumatizing experience, even if your senior dog makes it to the destination safely.
Although hundreds of thousands of animals are transported safely via cargo every year, the risks are significantly higher than flying your senior dog in-cabin where you can keep an eye on him. Cargo risks for snub-nosed/brachycephalic breeds like boxers, pugs, and bulldogs are so high that many airlines have proceeded to ban them. Air travel-related animal deaths are primarily affiliated with cargo, not in-cabin.
The bottom line is if your dog isn’t physically with you throughout the flight, please carefully consider your decision.
#17 Place a PEE PAD in the Carrier
Although my vets advised me that healthy adult dogs should not have a problem holding their bladder for 10 hours, I exercise this practice with extreme caution – especially in senior dogs with pre-existing conditions. Place a pee pad in the carrier just in case your senior dog cannot hold it. Do NOT punish your dog for relieving himself on the flight as it could be a combination of stress and inability to “hold it” for such a long period. Think about how your dog feels! Always only use positive reinforcement to train your dog or correct any “undesired” behavior.