It’s no secret that flying with your dog can be a stressful situation and the best thing you can do is prepare ahead of time and know what to expect beforehand.
One of the most common questions that many people ask themselves when flying with their dog is How do dogs go to the bathroom on an airplane?
You may be wondering this since your dog will not have access to the outside while in flight and we all know that dogs will need to relieve themselves at some point.
Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed to roam free in the cabin so in most cases, dog owners will lay down pee or poop pads in the carrier before taking off so their pets can do their business.
It’s a dirty job, but somebody has to do it and for those who have had the unfortunate experience of experiencing an in-flight accident from a dog then you know it can be very unpleasant.
If you’re a pet owner with a fear of flying with your dog for this very reason then fear not! In this article, we have some helpful tips and advice on what to do and how to keep your pup clean and smelling good.
To avoid your dog going to the bathroom on a plane it’s best to walk them first before you board and not to give them any food or drink 30 minutes before departure.
Where Do Dogs Go To The Bathroom On A Plane?
Dog owners often face the challenge of finding a place for their dogs to go potty when they take them on a plane.
This is not an easy task as most airports and airplanes have restrictions about pets being in certain areas on a plane.
There are many pet owners that end up having to put their dog in the cargo hold and this is mainly due to the pet size.
However, some people also do this because there are unsure what to do if your dog needs a pee or poop while in the cabin.
Dogs that are allowed in the cabin have to be small enough so they can fit under the airplane seat while in the pet carrier. So if there are any accidents then it will be minimal so to speak.
Now, as we said at the start of this article dogs are not allowed to roam freely or be allow out of their carrier while in the cabin so the only place your dog can go toilet is in the carrier.
This is where it’s very important to prepare yourself before your flight and make sure you have everything you need in case this happens!
If you are on a flight that’s only a couple of hours then your dog should be fine and won’t need the bathroom.
“But” If the flight is longer than a couple of hours then your dog will need to do its business on the plane at some point.
You’re probably thinking at this point that this is easy to solve just don’t feed or let your dog drink until you land right?
Well, this is a bad idea for one what if your flight is in the afternoon?
your dog can’t go all day without eating or drinking and even if your flight was in the morning you may find that your dog will start whining on the plane because they are hungry or thirsty.
How Do Service Dogs Go To The Bathroom On The Plane?
So how do service dogs go to the bathroom on the plane? Because of their size, service dogs are not required to be in a kennel or carrier and can accompany their owner to the cabin.
However, the airline may require your service dog to be harnessed or leashed while in flight which can make things difficult if the dog needs the bathroom in a hurry.
Like smaller dogs that you can take on board in a carrier, service dogs can wear a diaper to do their business.
But if this does happen it’s best to dispose of the diaper in a plastic bag asap.
You should do this in the bathroom to avoid upsetting any passengers because of the smell.
“But” the best option would be to use the toilet on the plane! There have been cases where flight attendants have kindly let the dogs use the disabled toilet in an emergency.
Another option you have is to lay pads on the floor under where your dog is laying in case your dog doesn’t give you much time and has to go there and then on the floor. Just remember to come prepared!
What To Do If Your Dog poops In The Carrier On the plane?
We all know how much of a hassle it is to fly with our pets and we also know how stressful it can be when they are afraid and try to run away from us at the airport. But what happens if they poop or pee in their carrier while on the plane?
Well, for many people, the idea of transporting their dog on a plane whether it’s a long or short flight can be horrifying.
That consent thought of thinking that your dog pooping or peeing in the carrier when everyone is seated.
The good news is if your dog does poop or pees in the carrier you have one of two options on what to do next. The first option is to just leave it be and continue as normal.
“But” the problem you have with the first option is people will complain about the smell and you will be told to take your dog to the bathroom and clean the dog and carrier.
The second option is to clean the carrier soon as you have noticed your dog has had an accident. You can do this by using wipes or paper towels with some water and scrub down the area where your pet went potty.
If that doesn’t work, try using an enzyme cleaner like Nature’s Miracle or Simple Solution to clean up any mess.
How long can dogs hold their Bladder?
Peeing on a plane is not only uncomfortable for dogs but also for their owners.
It’s important to know how long can dogs hold their pee and what you can do to prevent your dog from having an accident in the cabin of the plane when flying with them.
If you’re planning on taking your dog with you on a plane and are wondering how long they can hold their pee for, it’s important to know the answer before boarding.
Dogs have smaller bladders than humans so if they don’t go potty often enough it will force them to urinate while in flight.
The only thing worse than the fear of flying is the thought of your pet being in pain and unable to relieve themselves on their flights.
To avoid any accidents during takeoff or landing, make sure that your pup has gone at least once every hour since the last feeding time.
How To Avoid Your Dog Going To The Bathroom On A Plane?
So, you and your dog are finally on the plane, and after waiting in line for what feels like an eternity.
You’re finally on board and are about to settle into your seats and starting to relax.
The flight attendants take their safety demonstration, you buckle up and get ready for takeoff… then it happens.
Your dog starts sniffing around, circling a few times getting ready to do its business.
Unfortunately, dogs are notorious for having accidents when they are nervous or scared and it is no surprise that some pet owners have had to deal with this problem on a flight.
There’s nothing worse than sitting in your seat and then hearing the sound of something hitting the floor, only to realize it was your dog’s poop!
Even if you can clean it up quickly, there is still an odor left behind which is sometimes difficult to rid of.
So the question is what can you do to avoid this?
Reduce Your Dogs Food
The best way to stop your dog from going to the bathroom on a plane is by reducing their food intake.
For example, if your flight is only a couple of hours and is a morning flight then it won’t hurt your dog if you reduce their breakfast.
This will force them to eat less which means there won’t be any mishappenings in the cabin.
Just make sure to reward your dog when you land and treat them to a big lunch.
Exercise Your Dog Before The Flight
We know that you’re busy and have a lot on your plate but if you don’t take the time to go for a short walk with your pup before boarding the plane, they may become restless or anxious in their crate while flying.
When dogs get restless or anxious in the crate before take-off they can end up having a poop or pee,
and exercising your dog before a flight will not only help them sleep but also help them go to the bathroom ahead of time.
Encourage Them To Go To The Bathroom
Dog owners often face the difficulty of trying to find a place for their dogs to poop before a flight.
This is why it’s a good idea to encourage your dog to go to the bathroom when their one available.
By encouraging the dog to the bathroom before your flight will save you all sorts of trouble later on down the road.
Not to mention any cleaning of the carrier if there are any accidents.
Use The toilets In Airport Before Boarding
As mentioned, it’s not always easy to find a place for our dog to go toilet during travel.
This is especially true when you’re traveling by air and don’t have access to your car or home.
So the next time you’re flying with your dog try using the airport restrooms before boarding so they can relieve themselves one last time.
Consider The Age Of The Dog
If you’re considering flying with your pet, the first thing to consider is how old they are and if they can handle a flight.
Puppies under 6 months of age should not fly as it could be too much for their immune system.
Older pets need some time to adjust to being in an airplane cabin, so leave at least 48 hours before the flight and boarding.
Conclusion
So, you now know how dogs go to the bathroom on the plane? It can be hard to know how your dog will behave on a plane. You may want to avoid taking them if they have sensitive bladders.
This blog has covered so much information on where do dogs go to the bathroom on the plane and how you can avoid it.
It is important that we cover some of these tips for people who are traveling with their dog soon or have been recent.
It’s not the most pleasant topic, but it is worth a short discussion:
Dog accompany their owners on a plane is becoming more and more popular and if you don’t want your dog to go to the bathroom in the cabin then hopefully these tips will be helpful.
Just remember different airlines have different requirements for bringing your pet on a plane with you.!
These rules can vary depending on whether or not your dog is considered a service animal, what type of carrier is used, and how many dogs are traveling together.
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