Traveling with Brachycephalic Pets

posted by Victoria

What is a Brachycephalic Pet and What Does it Mean?

If you’re researching how to fly with your pet, you might have seen the word, brachycephalic in your perusings on the internet. Pets which are brachycephalic may be subject to airline and temperature regulations which could affect your pet’s flight to their new destination. So, what does this term mean and why does it matter if your pet is brachycephalic when traveling?

Brachycephalic Pets are animals which have snub-noses or shortened snouts. The term means “short-headed” in Latin and is a condition that is inherited by a dogs’ or cats’ ancestors. It’s not always obvious to some people if a pet should be classified as “snub-nosed” as mixed breed pets may also be classified as snub-nosed. For example, puggles and cavapoos may be classified as snub-nosed pets. Ultimately, it’s up to the airlines to determine whether or not your pet falls under their restrictions and regulations for their breed.

Why are Airlines Concerned about Snub-nosed Pets?

Airlines enforce temperature restrictions and breed restrictions for one simple reason- they want your pet to be safe during their flight! The number one goal of both pet transport companies, like WorldCare, and airlines is to make sure your pet gets home safe, healthy, and happy.

While your pet might not seem to have issues breathing, some snub-nosed pets have internal abnormalities which make traveling to hot places a challenge. These abnormalities are not visible externally but may make breathing difficult for your pet. Signs your pet has some difficulty breathing may include snoring, noisy breathing, and reverse sneezing. (Reverse sneezing sounds like a mix between a cough and a sneeze. Dogs can have reverse sneezing fits which can last for minutes at a time).

The internal physical characteristics of a snub-nosed pet include:

Elongated soft palates which may run deep into the back of the mouth. The soft palate is the soft tissue on the roof of the mouth and when it stretches too far back in the throat, it can cause blockages to the trachea.

Stenotic Snares might sound like a musical instrument, but the term actually refers to how some snub-nosed pets can have smaller or narrower nostrils than normal. This can impact breathing through the nose. (Since dogs and cats are obligate nose breathers, this can be a serious problem for some snubs!)

Hypoplastic tracheas are narrowed tracheas (the actual portion of the throat where air passes down to the lungs). If the trachea is narrow, airflow to the lungs can be reduced.

Brachycephalic Cat Breeds:
1. British Shorthair
2. Burmese
3. Exotic Shorthair
4. Himalayans
5. Munchkin cats
6. Persians
7. Scottish Fold

Brachycephalic Dog Breeds:
1.Affenpinscher
2. American Bulldog
3. American Cocker Spaniel
4. American Pit Bull Terrier
5. American Staffordshire Terrier
6. Boston Terrier
7. Boxer
8. Brussels Griffon
9. Bulldog
10. Bullmastiff
11. Cane Corso
12. King Charles Spaniel
13. Chihuahua (apple-headed)
14. Chow Chow
15. Dogo Argentino
16. Dogue de Bordeaux
17. English Toy Spaniel
18. French Bulldog
19. Japanese Chin
20. Lhasa Apso
21. Neapolitan Mastiff
22. Newfoundland
23. Pekingese
24. Presa Canario
25. Pug
26. Shar-Pei
27. Shih Tzu
28. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
29. Tibetan Spaniel

How Can I Keep My Snub-Nose Pet Safe During Travel?

We’re done with the bad news. Here’s some good news!
Airlines typically put temperature restrictions from May to September to ensure your pet is safe during transit. Those airlines which carry snub-nosed breeds can accommodate your pet’s needs with air-conditioned vehicles and facilities. This ensures your pet won’t wait on a hot tarmac when being loaded onto the plane and will stay nice and cool throughout the journey. WorldCare’s Pet Relocation Counselors will work with you to choose the best routes to keep your precious pup safe, happy, and healthy.

Your Pet Relocation Counselor can assist you with your brachycephalic pet’s travels and advise you of the requirements and regulations you need to follow for your pet to fly. Some airlines require specific carriers for snub-nosed pets which our counselors will assist you in choosing. Remember to contact your Pet Relocation Counselor and plan early. If you prepare ahead of time, your pet’s travels will be a breeze!