"Cargo holds are not the same as passenger compartments; their temperature swings can be extreme and they receive less oxygen at high altitudes," explains CJ Puotinen, author of The Encyclopedia of Natural Pet Care (Keats, 1998). In addition, noise levels in the cargo holds can reach deafening proportions. So the stress and discomfort Sparky experiences may actually be tougher on him than a week without you.

If you must ship your pet by air, find the most direct flight to minimize travel time. If your animal's carrier is small enough to fit under the seat in front of you, many airlines will allow you to bring her aboard, but confirm this ahead of time and be sure the pet carrier is big enough for her to turn around and move a bit.