Can Dogs Share a Crate for International Travel? Answers To Your Pet Travel Questions
Traveling with your furry friends can be both an exciting and daunting prospect. It’s understandably a situation that raises a lot of questions for pet owners. This can be even more so the case if you’re traveling with multiple dogs.
At Pet Express, as a leading pet transport service for international pet travel, we get asked a lot of questions about travel for pets. We are very experienced in this area and are always happy to answer your questions. Our mission is to provide you with the information, services and advice that help to reduce the stress of international travel with pets.
One of the questions that pet owners with multiple dogs often ask us is, “Can dogs share a crate for international travel?“, or “Can you put two dogs in one crate on a flight?”. In this article, we’ll answer these questions, and provide our recommendations as international pet travel experts.
Can two dogs share a crate? Or does each dog need their own crate?
Before going into the specifics of international travel for dogs, let’s take a look at the TLDR answer to the question, “Can dogs share a crate?”.
When it comes to the question of “Can two dogs share a crate”, the answer isn’t as simple as a clear yes or no.
The answer is that it depends on several factors. In this article, we’ll take a look into those factors, what the outcome usually is for traveling with multiple dogs, and our recommendations on whether each dog should have its own crate or whether two dogs can share the same crate from a comfort and wellbeing perspective.
What the regulations say about putting two dogs in one crate (or more)
The official IPATA guidance for crating more than one dog in a crate relates back to the U.S. Animal Welfare Act. This legislation states that the only time two dogs (or two kittens) should travel together in one crate is when they are:
- Two puppies or kittens
- Weighing under 9kg
- Of a similar size, and
- Aged between eight weeks old and six months old
This IPATA recommendation is followed by most airlines as a standard practice. Some airlines, however, will refuse to transport two pets in the same crate, even if they meet the size, weight, and age criteria. Some airlines will require that only one dog is in each crate, so that each dog can have their own personal space and room to move, and so that there is less chance of aggression between dogs.
Before planning your crate travel for your dogs, it’s important to check with the airline about their specific pet crate policies. At Pet Express, we are here to help make your pet travel as stress-free as possible, and can confirm the airline requirements with you. We’ll also provide our recommendations as to what is the best method, and whether your dogs meet animal welfare regulations for travel together in one crate. Just get in touch with us, and we’ll make it happen.
The practical answer: determining factors for two dogs being able to share a crate for air travel
Factor #1 — It depends on the airline
Many airlines with animal transportation services have policies against allowing two animals to share a single carrier when flying.
This is mostly due to the unique stresses that animals experience during international journeys, where they are taken from familiar surroundings into unknown environments.
For dogs that usually get along with one another, the stresses of travel, new sights, sounds and experiences may mean that adding another dog into their close space (even a dog they are used to) may just be the tipping point that could trigger an issue to occur, namely aggression and fighting. As most experienced dog owners would be aware, a usually calm dog can, at times, snap if they feel overwhelmed or overstressed. For this reason, many airlines do not even allow two dogs to share a crate, and require one dog to each crate. Which brings us to factor #2.
Factor #2 — It depends on your dogs’ temperament under pressure
Airline rules aside, if you’re considering putting more than one dog in a crate, it’s important to carefully consider the temperament of each dog under pressure before deciding if they should share a crate or not.
Placing two animals together in the same carrier under high-stress circumstances, like the new environment of a plane’s cargo hold, is generally considered risky, as the dogs might become hostile towards each other, potentially causing harm to one another. This risk is there, even if the two dogs are from the same home and used to each other. If the dogs ever growl at each other (at dinner time for example), crating them together is probably not a great idea.
The easiest way to explain this to a pet owner is to ask them to imagine being in a confined space with someone who is uncomfortable and agitated; it’s hardly an ideal situation for anyone.
It’s never recommended to crate an aggressive dog together with another dog in their personal space.
Factor #2 — It depends on the size of your dogs
Dogs that are small, sociable, and generally peaceful may be able to share a crate comfortably. Two young puppies that grew up together and are used to one another being in their personal space may find comfort in being in the same crate.
Larger dogs and adult dogs, particularly those with more assertive or dominating personalities may find crate sharing more challenging. This is why the Animal Welfare restrictions are so strict when it comes to which dogs are able to share a crate for travel by plane.
Factor #3 — It depends on your dogs’ existing relationships
The existing relationship between the dogs is also crucial. Dogs that have grown up together, or are used to sharing their space, are more likely to handle crate sharing well compared to dogs that haven’t had much interaction.
As we mentioned, young puppies who have been raised together from birth and who are used to each other can often quite easily share crates.
Dogs that get along well, sleep together in the same sleeping area or dog bed, eat together without competitiveness, and never have issues with one another are much better placed to share a crate well than two dogs who sometimes clash with one another.
It is often risky trying to crate two dogs together due to the stressors and the impact this can have on each dog’s temperament, so if there is even the slightest resistance in your dogs’ relationship with one another, it’s likely not the best idea to crate them together.
Factor #4 — It depends on the space available in the crate
When preparing dogs for travel by air, it’s crucial to ensure that the crate offers enough space for your dog. If you’re looking to see if your dog crate can hold two dogs, it’s important that you consider the room that each dog would have within the crate when crated together.
Each dog should be able to stand, sit, lay down, and turn around comfortably within the crate. This must be possible when both dogs are in the crate, for it to be considered okay for travel together. One dog may fit perfectly in a crate by themselves, with plenty of room to spare; but when the other dog is in the crate and laying down, it may become impossible for your dog to have the room to freely move and turn around.
Our recommendations as pet travel experts: Should two dogs share a crate when traveling with multiple dogs
The short answer? Yes, it’s possible, but with a caveat: it must always be done with care for the dogs being at the forefront of the decision making process. Close monitoring, ensuring enough space and comfort, and being ready to separate them if signs of discomfort appear are vital aspects of crating two dogs together.
Crate training is important so that you can see how your dogs respond to being in a crate, and how well they respond to being crated together. Even with one crate per dog, crate training is important before international pet travel, as crate training helps your dog to feel more comfortable and more normalcy in their crate. As we mentioned, the new sights, smells and experience of travel by air can be a lot for a dog to take in, so feeling comfortable in their crate and familiar with it can go a long way to reducing the stress of the process for the dog.
The crate training process
Acclimatizing pets to their crates before international flights can significantly enhance their comfort and reduce stress during the journey. A well-trained pet will view its crate as a safe haven, helping to alleviate distress associated with travel.
It’s important to start the process of crate training several weeks before the travel date. This gives your dog time to get used to the crate before you travel.
Before you start to crate train your dogs, you should ensure that the crate/s comply with IATA standards and that they are appropriately sized.
Each crate should offer enough space for the pet to comfortably turn around, lie down, and stand up.
Good ventilation is crucial, so be sure to check that the crate has vents on all sides.
How to crate train for two dogs in one crate
It’s crucial to crate-train dogs individually before crating them together. This allows each dog to have a positive association with the crate, reducing potential stress when they’re finally put together.
When you start to crate train your dogs for travel, first start with acclimatizing each dog to their own crate.
Crate training is centered around the process of making your dogs gradually familiar with the crate. The main purpose of this training is to help decrease potential stress during travel and increase comfort levels of your dogs, so it’s important to start slowly.
When each of your dogs are used to being in a crate of their own, you can start to introduce the other dog into each crate, and crate train your dogs together.
When two dogs share a crate, whether it’s during the crate training phase or during the travel itself, they must be monitored closely for signs of distress or aggression. This is essential. It’s important to ease into this and closely monitor each dog for stress, snappiness and aggression.
Stress indicators in dogs
It is crucial to know the signs of stress in your dogs. This could be excessive panting, drooling, whining, or even aggression. If you notice any of these signs, it may be better to provide separate crates for your dogs.
“But what if I want to crate two dogs together to comfort each other?”
Many pet owners express concern about the wellbeing of their pets during flights, particularly when they are alone in a crate for extended periods. This concern is heightened for those whose pets are undertaking long-distance journeys.
While placing two pets in a single crate might seem like a good idea for mutual comfort, a more effective approach is to ensure that your pets are used to their crates before you travel.
If your dogs are traveling together, you can request the airline place them close together, and in some circumstances they may even be able to face each other for visual support.
You can also place comfort items such as favorite blankets and toys with your dogs in their crate, provided they will still have enough room.
At Pet Express, we are familiar with all of the key airlines and what they can and cannot accommodate. We’re able to help address any special requests or concerns you may have, and can even help you select an airline that is going to work best for your requests and requirements.
Pet Express: safe pet transport specialists
Understanding and navigating the complexities of pet transport, particularly international travel, can feel overwhelming. But with Pet Express, you’re not alone. Our extensive industry experience and deep understanding of pet needs ensure a seamless journey for your furry friends.
Choosing the right crate size, understanding airline rules and regulations, answering complex questions— we walk with you through it all. Even for questions as intricate as this one, “Can dogs share one crate for international travel?”, we’re here to provide guidance and solutions.
We can provide guidance and advice, for everything from the best airlines for your dogs’ comfort, to the size of crate required for adult dogs of your dog’s species, to advice and guidance on dog crate training. At Pet Express, we specialise in getting pets from point A to point B safely and securely.
Ready for a stress-free journey?
Are there more questions on your mind, or do you need help with pet transport? Don’t hesitate to reach out to Pet Express today.
International dog and pet travel is our area of expertise. We can ensure that your dog’s journey is as stress-free as possible. Our focus is on your pets’ safety and comfort, and reducing your stress.
Get in touch with us today and we’ll take it from there.
