How Stressful Is Air and Car Travel For Dogs?

If you have a vacation or work trip coming up, you may be asking yourself if taking your dog with you is an option. This can work well for some dogs and cause extra stress for others, so let’s take a look at some of the concerns with air and car travel when bringing your pup along. 

Is It Stressful for Dogs to Fly? 

Air travel can be very stressful for dogs, especially older ones. Planes and airports are filled with all sorts of unfamiliar people, smells, sounds, and often other animals. All of this can create stress for dogs when flying; understandably, they may become frightened or overwhelmed in an airport environment. 

About 44% of dog owners report their dog experienced a drastic increase in stress and abnormal behaviors while traveling by plane — with 15% of them reporting that their dog experienced separation anxiety during and after the flight. If you’re trying to avoid being separated from your dog, make sure to talk with your airline to see if your dog will be able to stay with you at all times throughout the flight and check-in.  

Most major airlines allow 1-2 small pets to travel with you during your flight. They must fit comfortably in a carrier that fits either under your seat or the seat in front of you. Sometimes, there may be weight or size restrictions as well. Your dog will need to stay in their carrier at all times during the flight and any delays. When calculating their time-in-crate, add at least 2-3 hours to the duration of your flight. Even for a short flight, this nets out to a minimum of 4-5 hours in a crate, which is too long for most dogs. 

To see if flying will be stressful for your dog, think about or test their reactions to crowds, waiting in long lines, and being in a crate for an extensive period of time. Suppose your dog will be riding in the cargo hold. In that case, you also need to know how many hours your dog is comfortable in their crate, specifically in an unfamiliar and industrial environment. Outdoor concerts, street fairs, or other crowded areas with other pets nearby can be good test runs to practice waiting patiently and meeting strangers at the airport. 

It’s important to keep in mind that air travel is relatively safe, with fewer than ten dog-related incidents occurring yearly across all U.S. flights, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. In some cases, your vet may be able to recommend anti-anxiety medications that can reduce stress during flights. 

Are Long Road Trips Stressful for Dogs? 

Unlike air travel, you’re more likely to know if traveling by car is typically stressful for your dog. When planning your road trip, ask yourself these questions:  

• How is your dog with regular car rides of less than 1 hour?
  If your dog experiences car stress in short, everyday rides, then they are not good candidates for a road trip. Look for signs that your dog is shaking, barking excessively, and panting in addition to cowering. Sometimes, stress can look like excitement at first, or your dog may want to be with you instead of in the backseat. Dogs who are comfortable in the car often sleep or are indifferent to their surroundings. 

• How long is the trip? Longer trips can add an unpredictable element. Extended stays in a car may not get anxious dogs used to the experience, and being cooped up for longer than normal may cause otherwise calm dogs to act out. 

• Are you in a rush? Most adult dogs will need breaks every 4-6 hours at a minimum. Puppies and older dogs may need extra stops, sometimes as frequently as every 1-2 hours. These also need to be more than just a quick stop, as they’ll need to still be able to get some exercise while you’re traveling, and going to the bathroom may take longer for them in unfamiliar territory. It is also important to give your dog extra sniff walks to help manage their anxiety while traveling.

• Is the route familiar to you? Not all public spaces allow dogs, so you’ll need to make sure there are good places to take those breaks along your way. Interstate rest stops will have facilities for you and your pets, and larger towns you pass through may have public dog parks. 

• Is your car safe for your dog? The Center for Pet Safety is a great resource to make sure that you have the proper safety harness or crate to keep your dog safe in the event of an accident. Typically, it’s recommended that pets stay within a crate or carrier during all car trips. 

• Is the destination also going to be fun for your dog? While some hotels allow pets to stay with you, will your dog have fun staying at the hotel while you go sightseeing? If you’re staying in an Airbnb or a friend’s home, is the space set up to be safe for dogs? There may be some vacations, like trips to national parks or summer lake houses, that are ideal for the family dogs to tag along on. However, others may leave their dog alone in a new place for long periods. 

Making sure that your road trip plans keep you and your dog in mind can go a long way toward lowering stress, but even with the best setup possible, not all dogs enjoy car travel. 

What If You Can't Bring Your Dog on Vacation?

If you need to leave your dog at home during your vacation, your main options are boarding facilities or in-home pet sitting. Some dogs may thrive in kennel environments and enjoy making friends with new dogs, but others may be intimidated in these situations. 

If your dog does best in familiar environments, experiences separation anxiety, or doesn’t do well with other dogs, in-home pet sitting may be your best option. This allows your pet to have companionship and stay where they’re comfortable. Pet sitters are also ideal for older dogs or those with a medication schedule. 

If you live in San Francisco and want to ensure your dog receives the best care possible while you’re on vacation, reach out to Grand & Graham Pet Sitters today. We offer booking up to a year in advance, so you can get back to choosing between that window or aisle seat.