Recently, certain airlines announced that they would not be allowing puppies under four months, even if they are service animals. And while it may be disappointing, there are some safety issues that owners should be aware of.
With more and more companies cracking down on bringing animals into establishments without being registered as actual service animals, it makes sense that the major airlines would also weigh in on bringing dogs on board flights. And while there are still airlines that allow everything from dogs and cats, both United and Delta have issued a ban on bringing puppies and kittens under the age of four months on any of their flights, even if they are service animals.
This might be disappointing news for their owners, the fact is that flying isn’t really safe for puppies that young anyway. As Travel & Leisure explains, there are actually a number of reasons why it is not safe to fly with animals this young, with the number one concern being the cleanliness of the airplane.
We all know that flying is not always the cleanest activity. How often do we complain about getting sick after traveling? Well the same holds true for our furry friends as well.
There are a lot of germs and illnesses that are carried aboard airplanes, and this includes diseases that are dangerous for our puppies, such as Parvo, which is easy to transmit and also very deadly. This is especially critical if your puppy has not received their vaccinations yet, which is also problematic.
Another problem that often arises is the fact that under four months old, puppies can have a hard time when it comes to control of their bladders, as the muscles that control bladder function don’t mature fully until the six month mark. This means that accidents can (and will) happen, and with all of the new stimulation of airline travel, your puppy will likely have an even harder time controlling themselves.
With puppies unable to control themselves, flights can turn into something extremely uncomfortable, especially if they have to sit in their own pee or filth. And not only is that not good for their overall health and well-being, but it is also unfair.
As pet owners, we are our furry friend’s biggest advocate, and that means being responsible for their safety and comfort. Airplanes are hard enough on children, older animals, and even ourselves, and the last thing we want is to see our puppies suffer because of our travel plans.