Pet Travel Question: Finding a Flight for My Pug

Hi PetRelocation,

I'm having a really tough time trying to find a flight for my Pug. The Shih Tzu weighs under 25 lbs so I can fly her in the cabin. As for the Pug, he's closer to 50, and I cant take the chance of having him ride cargo. The Pug is my life, and I'd do whatever I can to move us out there to Hawaii.

Thank you!

Mike
 

Hi Mike,

As you know, flying with Pugs (and other brachycephalic breeds) can be especially challenging, as many airlines have restrictions concerning those breeds. This is due to the delicate nature of snub-nosed breeds' respiratory systems, which can easily become problematic if the dog is stressed or overheated. Because of the risk of breathing difficulties, many airlines won't fly snub-nosed breeds, especially during the summer months.

Because your flight will be domestic, we would normally recommend flying with United Airlines, as they are what we consider to be a pet-friendly airline. However, out of concern for the safety of pets, United has an embargo on flying adult Pugs between May 15 - September 15. It looks like the safest option is to wait until the weather gets cooler so that your Pug may safely ride as cargo. 

We do recommend discussing any concerns you have with your vet, and for more information and advice you can review these tips for flying with snub-nosed breeds. It can be a little more stressful to fly with a Pug or other snubbie, but in our experience it can be carried out safely, as well. 

If you think you'd like help moving your dogs to Hawaii and want to learn more about our door-to-door pet shipping services, you're welcome to contact us for a consultation.

Thanks for your question and good luck with your move!

Pet Travel Question Details:

Name: Mike
Number of Pets: Two
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Pug & Shih Tzu
From: Ohio
To: Hawaii

Editor's Note: This post was originally published in July 2013 and has been updated with new information. (Photo credit: Jaime Gonzalez/Flickr.)