Diapers for Traveling Dogs?

[ramama]

There was a whole section of diapers for dogs at PetSmart LOL. But seriously, we are taking our dog on her first airplane trip (in-cabin) and wondering if diapers are a good idea or not. They even had cloth diapers for dogs LOL. She travels well in the car, but has never traveled in a dog carrier, and we don't know how she will handle herself on the airplane.

[Ola_]

I think doggie diapers are normally meant for dog who are incontinent or in season. In the carrier I wouldn't use it. How long is your flight? I'd make sure to give her a chance to potty right before the flight and right after.

Is she accustomed to using potty pads? If so, you could bring a couple and try to get her to potty on them in an airport bathroom. Having a potty cue word would be extremely helpful in this case, whether you potty indoors or out, as some dogs will refuse to go in a strange place or on an unfamiliar surface. If you haven't taught her this I'd start asap. Some dogs will hold it even if you give them the option of potty pads, and in that situation just get her outside as soon as you can.

Most dogs won't soil a crate/carrier out of instinct. I'm assuming she is used to being in the carrier? If not, you need to acclimatize her to being in there asap, otherwise it could be an unpleasant trip.

[ramama]

Thanks for the response! She is not used to the carrier, but we'll start working on that today. I don't think she would intentionally pee or poop in the carrier. She does, however, excitement-pee and I'm-in-trouble-pee, so I don't know if she'll this-is-scary-pee.

We have two legs of our flight, one about 1hr 45min, the other nearly 3 hours. Our layover is 1 hour, which is enough time to take her outside IF our first plane gets in on time.

She is not accustomed to pee pads, but we have some and I think I'll line her crate with them so that if she does go in the carrier, at least I can freshen it up and not smell up the whole plane.

[Ola_]

I think instead of the pee pads (which can have a substance in them to attract dogs to pee there) I'd use a regular blanket in the carrier. I'd have a spare one in your carry-on along with a ziplock bag to put the wet one in just in case you need to.

That's not that long of a trip so you should be ok. Definitely get her accustomed to the carrier, and I'd put the blankets you're going to use in there as well (or on her regular bed at home) so that they have the comforting smell of home for when you're on the trip.

[lifeguard]

I wouldn't use the diapers. My pup would be very distraught if I put something like that on her & guaranteed she would shred it to bitty pieces & make a big mess.

Good luck with your flight.