Flying with a yorkie
 

Hi, need some advice about flying with my yorkie in the cabin. She sometimes gets nervous in new situations and will whine or bark. I want her relaxed and sleeping most of the way so they won't decided to not let us on the flight. Can anyone recommend medication over the counter rather than a med from the vet? Has anyone had experience using Benadryl for a flight? She weighs a little under 4 lbs. The flight would be about 3 hrs. Would appreciate any input.

I've used Benadryl a couple times in the past for one of my dogs that has difficulty with traveling. We had a vacation planned where i rented a house because i wanted to take all of the dogs with me and we were driving 16 hours. I was really concerned as she would start stressing and get sick 10 minutes into a carride. I talked to my vet and he told me that Benedryl often helps them so I decided to try it. I gave it to her about an hour before we left and then again at the 1/2 way point. She threw up only once at the beginning and was a lot less stressed about the trip. She was a barker too but she really didn't bark for that trip. I'm not sure if that was also an effect of the benadryl which helped calm her.
I found this link with some info and dosage amount.
Benadryl for Dogs ? BENADRYL FOR DOGS

Another thing I've heard about is using a product called "Rescue Remedy". You can google info on that.

Your vet can also prescibe something stronger but i always worry how some of the stronger meds can affect these little guys. Even with the benadryl, I never gave the full recommended dose. Either way, I would get your vets opinion.

Don't feed before the flight and bring nutrical to give her before and after. You don't want an unexpected sugar drop. She's on the smaller side so she has greater potential for that.

Good luck. Let us know how your trip goes!

Sorry can't advise about benadryl. Noah was a nervous traveler and my Vet always gave me two pills one for going and one for the return flight. He slept and was mildly groggy for a few hours.

Thanks for the reply. I will check out the link for the Benadryl. I have tried the rescue remedy but doesn't seem to have much of an effect with her. I like the idea of test trying something first before we actually fly.

Glad to hear from someone who also has a nervous traveler. Do you know the name of the little pills the vet gave you? I want to get something that I know will work. It will make me less nervous too.:)

Whatever you decided to use you need to make sure you try it before you go on your trip to see if it works and make sure they dont have any reactions to it.

I tried it once, but my arms got tired!

Maxine has a lot of air miles from many round trips from Chicago to Phoenix. She did great every time. However, she insisted on the Red Carpet Club prior to departures.

Maybe this will help?
Dog Calming Pills - Calming Dog Food Available Online from PETCO.com

Update...Tried Benadryl 2.5mg and put her in the carry case and did a trial run to walk around the airport. Didn't seem to have any effect at all. She was whining and barking. Help, I don't want our trip to be a nightmare.

My Westie used to take Benadryl for his allergies. Not only did it not help his skin allergies; it defintely did not have a sedating effect.

In fact, quite the opposite.

If you are worried about whining and barking during a long flight; I would consult with my Vet to see what they recommend. Is there not something they can prescribe that won't put her totally out?

Benadryl is usually sedating but it can have the opposite effect and really jack them up. Vets often give Ace Pro.

I would agree, check with the vet. Probably can give a mild sedative.

Benadryl did nothing for Ian on our flight from Atlanta to Hartford, CT. He did fine, but was very alert. We tried again on the return flight, and as long as I held hin, he was fine. (Bring a large shawl!)

I have a nervous dog as well. My only advice is take a late flight (red eye) and exercise the heck out of your dog. I can't even walk my dog down a busy street without him freaking out. Yet, our flight went smoothly. He slept and I snuck him out of the carrier and he enjoyed looking out the window. He slept on the pillow I got on the plane.