Should You Sedate Your Dog Before Flying?

I get asked this question a lot. “My dog gets anxious — should I give them something to calm them down before the flight?” And the answer depends entirely on what “something” means.

Natural calming supplements? Worth considering, with your vet’s guidance. Actual sedatives or tranquilizers? No. Hard no. And here’s why.

What Airlines Actually Say

Most major airlines explicitly prohibit sedated pets on their flights. This isn’t a suggestion — it’s policy. American Airlines puts it plainly on their website: “As recommended by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), we don’t accept pets that have been sedated or tranquilized. Pets that have been given sedatives or tranquilizers are at a higher risk of respiratory and cardiovascular problems at high altitudes.”

They’re not making this up. At cruising altitude, cabin pressure is equivalent to being at around 6,000-8,000 feet elevation. Sedatives slow down a dog’s respiratory system. Combine reduced oxygen availability with suppressed breathing, and you’ve got a genuinely dangerous situation. The AVMA — the actual veterinary medical authority — backs this position.

If an airline discovers your pet is sedated, they can refuse boarding. You lose your flight, your pet fee, and your plans. It’s not worth the risk.

The Real Risks

Sedatives and tranquilizers affect a dog’s ability to regulate their body temperature, maintain blood pressure, and breathe normally. At ground level, these effects are usually manageable under veterinary supervision. At altitude, in a pressurized cabin, they become unpredictable.

A sedated dog can’t brace themselves during turbulence, can’t adjust their position if they’re having trouble breathing, and can’t communicate distress to you. You’d essentially be putting an incapacitated animal under the seat and hoping for the best for several hours. That’s not a plan — that’s a gamble.

I’ve never sedated Sami, and we’ve flown 20+ times. Not once has sedation felt necessary, and every vet I’ve spoken to has advised against it for air travel.

What to Do Instead

The good news is that there are effective, safe alternatives that actually work.

Carrier training is the most powerful tool you have. A dog that views their carrier bag as a safe, familiar space will be calm in it during a flight. This isn’t wishful thinking — it’s behavioral conditioning. Start training at least two weeks before your flight, and your dog will treat the carrier like a cozy den, not a prison.

Physical exhaustion on flight day is the second most effective approach. A long walk, a play session, zoomies in the park — whatever it takes to tire your dog out. By the time you board, they should want to sleep. For more on this, see our full guide to keeping your dog calm during a flight.

CBD oil is what our vet recommended for anxious dogs. It’s a natural supplement that can reduce anxiety without sedating. I tried it with Sami once and didn’t notice a difference (he’s already calm), but our vet says it works well for dogs with genuine flight anxiety. Always consult your vet before giving your dog any supplement, and always do a trial run at home first — never try something new on travel day.

Calming chews are available at most pet stores and contain ingredients like chamomile, L-theanine, or valerian root. They’re gentle, over-the-counter options. Again — trial run at home first.

Adaptil spray is a pheromone-based calming spray that mimics the scent nursing mothers produce. You spray it on your dog’s blanket in the carrier about 15 minutes before putting them in. It’s subtle, but some dog owners swear by it.

Dog earmuffs sound like a joke, but they’re real and they work for noise-sensitive dogs. The engine noise on a plane is loud and constant. Earmuffs dampen that noise and can help your dog feel less overwhelmed. Get your dog used to wearing them at home before the flight.

What About Prescription Anti-Anxiety Medication?

There’s an important distinction between sedatives (which suppress your dog’s central nervous system) and anti-anxiety medications (which reduce anxiety without heavily sedating). Some vets will prescribe mild anti-anxiety medication for dogs that are genuinely anxious flyers, after ruling out sedation.

This is a conversation to have with your specific vet, about your specific dog. They’ll consider your dog’s age, health history, breed, and the duration of the flight. If they do prescribe something, the same rule applies: do a trial run at home, well before the flight. You need to know how your dog responds to the medication in a controlled environment.

The Comfort Factor Matters More Than Medication

In my experience, most dogs who are anxious on flights aren’t anxious because of the flying itself. They’re anxious because the environment is unfamiliar and they feel trapped. The carrier is strange. The sounds are new. They can’t see you.

Address those root causes and you address the anxiety. A familiar carrier with a blanket that smells like home. A toy they love. The ability to see or smell you through the carrier mesh. Treats that create positive associations. A pre-flight routine that tires them out. These things aren’t fancy — they’re basic — and they work.

Medication should be the backup plan, not the first option. And sedation should never be the plan at all.

What If Your Dog Is Truly Not Suited for Flying?

Here’s something nobody wants to hear: some dogs genuinely shouldn’t fly. Brachycephalic breeds (flat-faced dogs like Pugs, Bulldogs, Boston Terriers) already have compromised breathing, and the altitude stress makes it worse — which is why many airlines ban them from flying entirely. Dogs with severe anxiety disorders, heart conditions, or respiratory issues may also be poor candidates.

If your vet advises against flying with your dog, listen to them. There are alternatives — road trips, pet sitters, boarding facilities. Forcing an unsuitable dog onto a plane, medicated or not, isn’t fair to anyone.

Skip the sedatives. Train the carrier. Tire the dog. Use natural calming options if needed. And talk to your vet — they’ll help you find the right approach for your dog specifically. Every dog is different, but the answer is almost never tranquilizers.