Carrier Requirements For Travel Dog Crate

By Author: Vikram kumar
Total Articles: 9701
Comment this article

You need to read through this article in case you would like to travel with your dog using air transport. There are strict requirements set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) that regulate usage of travel dog crate. There are those for individual airline companies but these ones are more general and will apply universally. So, don’t just carry your dog to the airport and expect to have it admitted to the plane easily. It has to go through normal checks like other passengers regardless of whether you will have it as cargo or baggage.

One of the standout requirements is on size and IATA demands that the crate must be spacious enough. This means that the dog must have the freedom to lie down, turn and stand without being inconvenienced. Most of the airlines don’t allow wooden crates with the recommended material being metal mesh, plastic and fiberglass. The floor of the crate has to be leak-proof as well as solid with the understanding that the dog is most likely to urinate while on transit. The handles have to be well visible on the sides of a travel dog crate with the handling space big enough. That ...
... will be all for your comfort when carrying the crate and not in the interest of the airline.

The strength of the crate is another requirement that an airline will have to check before admitting your dog to a plane. IATA requires that the design of the crate to be sturdy and not stacking. The rooftop has to be solid but allows for ventilation provided that will not affect the strength of the whole structure. There are crates designed with their doors on the top side but that is no allowed so you should change if that is what you have. For the travel dog crate door, it should have a strong spring loaded all round. Airlines are very concerned about the security of these doors to make sure the dog does not sneak out while the journey is on. It can cause a lot of unease to passengers in case that happens.

The positioning of food and water bowls inside the crate is another requirement that you must adhere to. IATA requires the two to be strategically located at the inside part of the door such that one can access them without necessarily opening it. Airline staffers are the ones tasked with the responsibility of feeding these pets and this requirement favors them whenever they are refilling. To avoid misplacing your travel dog crate, it should be labeled with the name of the dog, that of the owner as well as information through which they can contact you when required.

Be prepared to undergo thorough checks for your travel dog crate anytime you are boarding a plane. The airlines are very much concerned about what they carry especially live pets like dogs and it will not be admitted in case the set requirements are not met in full. Have that in mind when buying dog cages for your pet.