Pet Cargo Travel: What You Need to Know Before Flying Your Dog

When you’re planning a trip and can’t bring your dog in the cabin, pet cargo travel, the process of shipping a dog in the cargo hold of an airplane. Also known as airline pet transport, it’s a common but often misunderstood way to move pets across long distances. It’s not just about packing a crate and dropping your dog off at the airport. There are real risks—temperature extremes, delays, rough handling—and airlines have strict rules that change often. If you’re considering this option, you need to know what actually happens behind the scenes.

Dog cargo flight safety, how secure and humane it is for your pet to travel in the cargo hold depends on three things: your dog’s health, the airline’s policy, and the weather. Not all breeds can fly this way—brachycephalic dogs like Bulldogs or Pugs are often banned because they struggle to breathe in low-oxygen environments. Airlines like Delta, United, and American have different rules, and some won’t fly pets at all during summer heatwaves. Even if your dog is healthy, a delay on the tarmac or a misrouted crate can turn a routine trip into a nightmare.

Airline pet policies, the specific rules airlines enforce for transporting animals in cargo are more detailed than most people realize. They cover crate size, weight limits, documentation, feeding schedules, and even the type of bedding allowed. Some airlines require health certificates issued within 10 days of travel. Others won’t accept pets older than 15 years. And yes—they check the crate at the gate, not just at check-in. A carrier that looks right might still be too tall, too wide, or have the wrong ventilation holes.

Many pet owners assume cargo travel is the only option when flying long distances, but it’s not always the safest. Pet air travel, the broader category that includes both cabin and cargo options for flying with pets gives you choices. Road trips, professional pet transport services, or even ferries might be better for your dog’s stress levels and health. But if cargo is your only path, you need to prepare like a pro: pick the right crate, avoid peak travel times, and know the airline’s emergency contact inside and out.

Below, you’ll find real guides from pet owners and vets who’ve been through this. Whether you’re worried about your dog’s anxiety, confused by airline rules, or just want to know if it’s worth the risk, these posts give you the straight facts—not marketing fluff. You’ll learn how to pick a safe carrier, what to do if your pet gets sick after the flight, and which airlines actually treat pets like living beings—not baggage.