Archive for March, 2010
Travelling With A Large Dog Cage
Dogs are an extremely popular choice of pet with over 70 million in the world, 44 million of those being owned in America.
With dogs being so popular, there is a huge market for dog accessories and one of the most important of those is a dog cage. Dog cages are vital to prevent accidents occurring when travelling with your pet as if you are trying to drive with a dog on the loose in your car it can lead to all sorts of mishaps and accidents. If the dog you have chosen is a large breed then of course it is important that you get a large dog cage so that they might have enough room to lie down in comfort without being too squashed up.
Dogs today usually travel in dog cages. Whether it’s a quick trip to the vet, visiting the local great dane rescue center, a trip across country or travelling via air, dog cages are the way to go.
No matter how far you are travelling, such as a short hop to the vetinary surgeon or a long haul trip to the other side of the country, a cage is very important. If you are using it in your car or just short journeys then there aren’t really any guidelines to follow. However, if you are using it on aircraft then there are certain safety measures that the airline is impose.
Dog Cages Approved by Airlines
When flying with your dog then certain procedures need to be followed:
First off, contact the airline with which you plan to be travelling and get first hand information about their methods of transferring animals. This is important because not all airlines have the same regulations and you want to ensure there will be no surprises, especially if you can’t be without your dog.
You also have a responsibility to your dog. As humans, we should be all aware of problems that are associated with flying and that is no different with your dog. Humans can get cramped and the same applies to your dog. Ensure the cage you purchase is big enough so that your dog can lie down to rest easily but also has enough room to stand up and also to turn around if they feel the need. Your dog will probably be in his container a lot longer than you will be on the aircraft so comfort is of the utmost importance.
The large dog cage should be made of a hard, durable material that will stand up to the rigours of being moved around during loading and unloading of the aircraft. The best material to use is normally hard wearing, durable plastic as fibreboard and wire grates are not usually strong enough. It is incredibly vital that the cage has sufficient ventilation on all sides of it so that your dog will not overheat or be starved of oxygen.
Try to make sure that the fasteners and locks on the cage are suitably strong and are not prone to being loosened or even undone by a smart dog. If you think they are not strong enough then you are probably right and you need to look at a different cage for your dog.
Ensure that whilst the cage offers adequate ventilation, that there are not areas of the carrier that can allow the dog to stick any of its body out and get caught. Make sure the ventilation holes do not allow Fido to stick out it nose or even a paw that could get caught up.
As well as ensuring your cage is strong enough and meets the airlines restrictions, try to make it comfortable for your dog. Add a blanket, some homemade dog treats, a few soft dog toys to keep them entertained and make sure food and water is easily accessible where appropriate. The main thing is to ensure the safety of your dog whilst in transit.