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Barking and Meowing in Cabin

Tips to help keep your pet calm and quiet in the cabin during a flight.

I’m worried my pet will bark or meow on the plane and annoy other passengers. Is there anything I can do to avoid this?

Traveling with pets can be stressful, especially when you're concerned about them making noise during the flight. Here are some tips to help minimize barking or meowing:

  1. Talk to your veterinarian well before travel about safe calming options for your pet. Many airlines discourage sedation for pets in flight, so always follow your veterinarian's and your airline's guidance.

  2. Consider an anxiety wrap that provides gentle, constant pressure to help calm your pet.

  3. Practice getting your pet comfortable with their carrier weeks before travel - make it a positive space with treats and familiar bedding.

  4. Bring items with familiar scents from home to place in the carrier.

  5. Exercise your pet thoroughly before the flight to help them rest during travel.

  6. Cover part of the carrier with a breathable blanket to reduce visual stimulation that might trigger barking or meowing.

Remember that some vocalization is normal due to the stress of travel. Most fellow passengers understand this is part of traveling with animals.

Before you fly, make sure your pet's PadsPass profile is complete — microchip number, first scan date, and most recent rabies vaccination (the two most recent if possible) — so your travel documents are ready to go.

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