Traveling with a pet in the cabin can be a fun experience for owners that want to take a pet to visit family across the country, or simply on holiday. However, the experience may not be that fun for our dogs if they don’t have the right type of carrier for airline travel. In the right space, with the right features, pooches can feel secure and comfortable enough to get through the flight without much anxiety, and possibly even sleep for the journey. Here are some important considerations to make when choosing the best soft sided cabin carrier for airline travel.
Make sure that it is the right size
Capacity is vital with any dog or cat carrier, but even more so when taking them onto an airline. We all want our dogs to have enough space to move around and be comfortable. There is no point cramming a pet into a small canvas carrier if they don’t have the room to lie down and sleep. There is the automatic urge to buy slightly bigger to be safe. However, airlines have strict rules on the size limits of these items and they must fit under the seat in front. Make sure to check the rules with the airline before committing to a carrier. If your pet won’t fit, they can’t travel in the cabin.
There can’t be any risks of escapes
When you have found a carrier with the right dimensions to keep both airline and pup happy, you need to see how secure it is. Once a dog is inside, it can’t break out and start wandering the aisle. The best carriers have two entry points for ease of access – one on the front and one at the top – but they both need to have secure fastening and lockable zips. Some carriers also have a tether system that attaches to the dog’s harness. On the subject of things escaping, also look out for models with leak-proof bottoms in case the dog has a little accident mid flight.
The comfort of the animal is important for these long flights
All dogs need to feel comfortable on the journey and a soft sided fabric carrier can be helpful, with the right padding. Check out the cushioning on the base and around the sides to make sure that they won’t have trouble sleeping. If in doubt, additional blankets can prove to be helpful comfort items. It is also important to make sure that the carrier can keep dogs at the right temperature as they travel. These carriers need plenty of mesh ventilation for fresh air, but cabins can be a little too cold for some pups.
Finally, consider the storage options
The last thing to consider here is storage. Pockets and pouches on the side of the carrier, may seem like a bad idea if they take up more room when space is at a premium. However, you need to remember that this dog carrier could take up valuable hand luggage space. A carrier with good storage can provide a place to store items for both you and your pets for comfort and entertainment on a long flight. This includes treats, toys and water for the dog.
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