Flying with your furry friend may seem stressful. One thing that may pop into your mind is if their ears will be okay. Here we will tell you everything you need to know about protecting dogs’ ears on flights!
Do Dogs Need Ear Protection When Flying?
Dogs’ ears are up to 4 times more sensitive than human ears!. Being up at an altitude of 30,000 feet will affect their ears! Also, the engine noise especially on small aircraft can damage ears. Therefore while not a legal health and safety requirement, ear protection is recommended, but not 100% necessary, though you could be causing damage if you do not use anything to protect their ears.
Can Flying In A Noisy Small AirCraft Like A Cessna 172 Hurt A Dog’s Ears?
Flying in a small noisy craft can almost be more damaging than a commercial airplane. Since the small aircrafts are much louder and you’re closer to the engine. If you are to take a dog on a small personal aircraft definitely use some sort of ear protection for your dog.
Can Flying Permanently Damage A Puppies’ Ears?
You can take a puppy on board a plane as well. It is highly recommended to use ear protection for the puppy since their ears are a bit more sensitive. However, there is no data saying that flying will permanently damage hearing, BUT there will be a guaranteed temporary hearing loss. It could last for a few days.
How Can I Protect My Dogs Ears When Flying In Noisy Small Air Crafts?
There are a few products that you can use to protect your dogs ears when flying.
- Happy Hoodie
- A fabric sleeve that you put over a dogs head, covering his/her ears
- Mutt Muffs
- Dog ear protectors! They look like headphones with a strap that goes under the dogs chin.
- Cotton Balls
Usually airlines will provide some sort of ear protection for your dog. Cotton balls will work just fine as well. But prepared and bring something just in case.
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What Are Mutt Muffs? How Do They Protect?
Mutt Muffs are a brand of dog headphones. They look like normal human headphones with a strap that goes under the dogs chin to keep them in place. They are made with the same foam found in commercial headsets for humans. Science shows that Mutt Muffs have a decibel reduction of 25-28.
Mutt Muffs don’t only just work for planes, they also help dogs around fireworks, parties, concerts, or any other loud event occurring around them!
Do Dog’s Ears Pop Like A Humans With Elevation/Altitude/Height?
In fact, dogs’ ears do pop just like ours so when we reach that elevation so quickly.
Can You Teach A Dog How To Equalize Its Ear Pressure When Flying High?
Equalizing ear pressure is something the body does on its own. Humans can’t equalize their own ears, though we do certain things to help like chewing gum. Since dogs can’t chew gum it may take longer for their ears to equalize. Dogs’ ears will pop just like a humans when flying and it happens naturally.
Diy Dog Hearing Protection For Flying?
Are you in a pinch and need something ASAP to cover your dogs ears? The quickest thing would be to get cotton balls and stuff a few in each ear.
Please note: cotton balls are a last resort. It is never suggested to put anything in your dogs ears. And make sure to never push them down too far!
If you have a little bit more time, you can get a face sleeve (maybe 2 or 3 to be safe) and slide those over your dogs ears. If you have a small dog, take an old sock and cut one end and put that over their head.
Can Dogs Use Ear Defenders Like The Ones Used By Workmen?
You should only use out of ear protection. If it’s last minute, cotton balls may be okay since they’re a bit bigger than ear defenders. But it is never recommended to put anything in dogs ears! Ear defenders are built to mold to human ears. Dogs have a different design in their ear and ear defenders could easily slip in too far or slip out.
Can A Dog Fly With An Ear Infection?
If your dog has an ear infection it should be okay to fly as long as the eardrum is still intact. Ask the vet for some painkillers to ease the pain while flying. And definitely make sure they wear ear protection now more than ever to make sure to not cause any further damage.
Dogs have extremely sensitive ears and although they can fly without ear protection, it is highly recommended to use some sort of Mutt Muff or sleeve over their ears to help block out any loud noises. Since dogs can’t chew gum and regulate their hearing, it’s important that you give them some sort of relief when on an airplane with them.
References
https://www.dogstravelguide.com/does-flying-hurt-dogs-ears
https://m.safeandsoundpets.com/page/page/4851794.htm
