Flying with my Frenchie this Thursday! Need advice!

[OliveOyl]

Hello everyone!

Olive is going to go on her first plane trip this Thursday (flying with me in the cabin, of course) and I am on the fence about sedation. I have an all natural remedy called "Pet Calm" that is only Chamomile and Valerian Root. I read somewhere that sedating a dog while in flight is bad for their breathing, but my vet said it would be ok to give her half a benadryl- has anyone had experience traveling with their Frenchie in cabin? Thoughts on sedation? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

[carmiesmommy]

A half a benedryl won't do any harm. Giving sedatives is not recommended. What I do is wear them out the day before you fly so your baby is nice and tired and will sleep during the flight.

[OliveOyl]

Thanks for the quick response, Carmie! Have you ever given your Frenchie a benadryl before flying with no problems? I think that is probably my best bet but want to make sure no one has ever had a problem with it before. Thank you again!!

[carmiesmommy]

I never had to give him anything. He loves loves loves to fly with me! Like I said earlier, if you exercise him/her really well the day before you leave, sleep will overtake them soon after take off. Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you that a few days before I leave, I take out his travel bag and let him roll around in it, so he knows he's going on a trip! So cute. Don't worry about the benadryl. You could also rub a little "rescue remedy" in her ears too! Have fun!

[yomshanti]

Winston and I flew to Minnesota a few years ago for French Bulldog Fun Camp at my breeders. He was a real champ, considering our connecting flight from Minnesota to Bemidgi was cancelled and he was in his carrier longer than necessary.

But, I did give him Rescue Remedy and it seemed to help. When we were in the plane, I also let him pop his head out every now and then for air. People loved seeing him!appicon
Anyway, best of luck!

Diane

[OliveOyl]

Has anyone given their dog Comfort Zone or any sort of spray with Pheramones? I just don't want her to be completely freaked out, but also would rather not drug her and Rescue Remedy is nowhere to be found!

[carmiesmommy]

That comfort zone stuff looks kinda weird to me. You can find rescue remedy at any health food stores (whole foods, etc.) or you can order online at several different websites. It is made by BACH.

[knuckles]

I just wanted to share a little bit about my puppy and I's first experience flying over Christmas. We flew from Lubbock, TX to Los Angeles, CA on Southwest and I couldn't believe how easy it was. First off, let me say that Knuckles, my 4 and half month old Frenchie puppy is a pretty mellow dog. He's very sweet but definitely has his energy bursts which I was just hoping wouldn't come out on the plane. He went to doggie day care for 1 and half days before the flight and it really helped. The vet gave me some pills I could have given him to calm him but I never ended up needing them.

I put him in his travel bag, the Sturdibag size large, at home and let him get a few whines and barks out on the drive to the airport. Once there, I checked my bags, Knuckles never made a peep and literally not one person knew I had a dog with me. Security was easy, and he slept the whole way both legs of the flight. Each leg of the flight was about 5.5 to 6 hours of travel time including changing planes but he did great. After flying with him this time, I'd bring him along anytime. No one was bothered by him and like I said, no one even knew he was with me. Highly recommend the Sturdibag, it was a fantastic purchase.