Some dogs are very sensitive to noises, and flying is particularly difficult. For Asta, she would shake the whole flight. Of the four ideas below, I found for Asta that the Mutt-Muffs helped a lot! The benadryl took the edge off her fear, too.
Here are few ideas that may work for you.
(1) Mutt-Muffs. In airplanes, there is a constant droning noise that can be a very irritating sound for dogs. Mutt Muffs were designed by private aviators for dogs who fly with their owners. In a commercial aircraft, the noise is definitely less, but still loud. You may be sceptical a rambunctious pup - or even subdued fuzz-ball like Asta - would tolerate these over her ears, and you may be right....until the engines are fired up. After the introduction of the engine noise she let may let you fit them on her head and not touch them for the rest of the flight. One user of Mutt Muffs even noted that she has heard that these have been successfully used on cats! For Asta, it is a choice: funny things on her head, or unbearable noise!
(2) Benadryl. If your veterinarian oks the use for your dog, the Benadryl will not knock your dog out, but certainly will calm her down. Make sure you get benadryl only (not "benadryl allergy" or something else) - the active ingredients should include only diphenhydramine. The rule of thumb is 1 mg MAX for each pound of weight for your dog (so, for a 12-lb dog, 12mg of benedryl.) You should absolutely ask your vet about this, and you may want to try out a half dose to see how your dog reacts.
Note that if you need to have your dog alert during the flight for medical assistance, this may not be the route for you, or you may wish to go with a lower dose.
D.A.P. (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) Collar. Pheromone therapy has been effective in treating phobias and stress experienced by dogs. For dog appeasing pheromone therapy, pheromones are taken in through the nasal passage of the dog to produce a calming effect on one part of the brain that is connected to the dog’s behavior and emotion. Pheromone therapy has had mixed results in calming a dog on an airplane. I can't say it really did much for Asta.
(3) Thundershirt. This a proprietary light -weight dog jacket that when worn, applies a constant pressure around the dog’s body. It applies a gentle, constant pressure has a terrific calming effect on many dogs, something like swaddling does for a baby.
(4)
Note that if you need to have your dog alert during the flight for medical assistance, this may not be the route for you, or you may wish to go with a lower dose.
D.A.P. (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) Collar. Pheromone therapy has been effective in treating phobias and stress experienced by dogs. For dog appeasing pheromone therapy, pheromones are taken in through the nasal passage of the dog to produce a calming effect on one part of the brain that is connected to the dog’s behavior and emotion. Pheromone therapy has had mixed results in calming a dog on an airplane. I can't say it really did much for Asta.
(3) Thundershirt. This a proprietary light -weight dog jacket that when worn, applies a constant pressure around the dog’s body. It applies a gentle, constant pressure has a terrific calming effect on many dogs, something like swaddling does for a baby.
(4)
