For many dog owners, leaving their beloved pet at home during travel is not an option. But taking your dog with you, especially on a plane, brings its own set of issues. Not least of which is the need to find a place where your dog can safely pee. So, where should your dog (or dogs) pee while aboard an airplane?
Normally, dogs have to pee on a pee pad inside their cage, as most airlines do not allow pets to roam around in the cabin. If the airline allows you to take pets inside the cabin, you still need to ensure your dog pees on an absorbent pad or in the toilet.
Dogs have a smaller bladder compared to humans. So, it is no surprise that your pet dog may need to relieve itself when flying, even if it is a short flight. So, it is important to know the rules and regulations of taking a pet dog on a plane before you actually get on one.
And in this article, we are going to look at this exact matter of flying with a pet dog. We will go over the basic stipulations and requirements that should cover the majority of airlines. Hopefully, after reading this article, you can be well prepared the next time you take your dog on an airplane with you.
What to Do if Dogs Have to Pee on Planes?
Urination is as much of a basic need for dogs as it is for us humans. Having to hold one’s bladder for an extended period is not only uncomfortable but also unhealthy. So, if your dogs have to pee, you need to let them do their business. But what happens when you are on an airplane, thousands of miles in the air?
Well, this is where taking the proper preparation comes in handy. Otherwise, you may end up in a particularly messy situation that will inconvenience you, your fellow passengers, and the airline staff. So, here are some steps you can take to ensure such a scenario does not happen.
Properly Crate Your Dogs
The first and most important measure you need to take is to properly place your dog into a crate. Most airlines necessitate that any pet on board needs to be transported in a crate. From there, the destination of the crate depends on the size of the dog.
If the dog can fit into the under-seat compartment, then you can take your dog into the cabin with you. This is the case for smaller dogs that usually weigh less than 20 lbs. If it is bigger than that, then the dog will be carried as part of baggage or the cargo. This is how most airlines deal with onboarding pets.
So, before you get on the plane, you need to make sure that your dog is properly secured inside the crate. And you need to place an absorbent pad on the bottom of the crate for your dog to do their business. So, you have to make sure that the pad is thick enough to retain the fluid after your dog pees on it.
You can even put multiple layers of pads to ensure there is no leakage. If your dog travels as part of baggage or cargo, you will not be there to tend to your pet when it needs to pee. As such, you need to make sure there are sufficient absorbing materials to last the whole flight.
Use the Toilet
Occasionally, you can take your dog with you inside the cabin. But you still need to keep it in a crate and place it under your seat. In this situation, simply peeing in the crate may not be a viable option. Because the smell may likely result in your fellow passengers complaining to the staff.
So, if you do bring your dog with you, it is best to take it to the toilet when it needs to pee. Try to get an aisle seat if you are traveling with a pet, else you may not get enough time before your best friend starts to release himself.
Where Do Dogs Pee on Planes?
Barring a few exceptions, most dogs flying on an airplane will have to pee inside their designated crate. Since the majority of flights will not permit you to keep your dog free, you really do not have the option to use the toilet.
Airlines that do allow you to keep your pets outside of a crate, you can bring your dog to the toilet for peeing. Keep in mind that your dog has to be small enough to fit into your lap for this to happen.
How Do Service Dogs Pee on an Airplane?
Call them service dogs, therapy dogs, or emotional support pets, etc. – these pets are vital for the wellbeing of people going through rehabilitation, PTSD, or trauma. And a great thing about service dogs is that most of them are small enough to enter the cabin with you. Of course, you have to check in with the airline’s policy for pets before you make any decision.
Since a lot of airlines will allow you to freely keep your pet during flight, you can personally take them to the toilet. Remember to pay attention to your pet or you might miss the signs that they need to go.
You can also bring them inside a crate. But again, peeing inside a cabin may trouble the other passengers. So, the best option is for you to take your dog to the toilet. And if you cannot take it yourself, you can give this responsibility to your travel mate.
Conclusion
Traveling with your pets on an airplane can be a stressful situation in more ways than one. Remember to read up on the policy of the airline you are about to board to make informed and proper adjustments for yourself and your companion.