Chow Chow cargo flight crate — overheating risk

Travel crates have very specific requirements depending on whether your dog is travelling by car, in a plane cabin, or in the hold — and airline regulations vary significantly, so getting this wrong can mean your dog simply can't travel. Before I point you anywhere, I need a few details: what breed and size is your dog, how are you travelling (car, cabin, or hold), and if flying, which airline are you using?

That's a really important concern and you're right to flag it. Chow Chows are a brachycephalic-adjacent breed in terms of heat tolerance — that dense double coat means they retain heat fast, and a summer cargo hold is one of the riskier environments for them. British Airways cargo follows IATA Live Animals Regulations, which means the crate needs to be IATA-compliant: rigid, ventilated on at least three sides, with a secure door and no protrusions. At 28kg she'll need an IATA size 5 or 6. Can I ask — has your vet signed off on her flying in summer? And do you know what the cargo temperatures will be like at your departure and destination airports?

Good that your vet is on board. Heathrow to Vancouver in July is a long haul — typically 9 to 10 hours — and British Airways has a temperature embargo policy for cargo animals: they won't accept pets if temperatures exceed 29°C at either airport on the travel day. July at Heathrow can get close to that threshold, so it's worth having a backup plan or choosing an early morning flight when it's cooler. Now, for the crate itself: the product I'd recommend is the Ferplast Atlas 80 Professional. It's IATA-certified, fully rigid, has ventilation grilles on all four sides which is exactly what a heavy-coated dog needs for airflow, and at size 80 it comfortably fits dogs up to 30kg. The door is secure and tamper-resistant, and it comes with the attachment bolts airlines require. The four-sided ventilation is the key differentiator here — most basic IATA crates only ventilate on three sides, and for a Chow Chow in summer, every bit of airflow counts.

Yes — a few practical things. First, don't add thick bedding; a thin absorbent mat is better than a fleece that traps heat. Freeze a water attachment to the crate door the night before so it thaws slowly and she has cool water available. Some owners freeze a flat cooling pad into the floor of the crate, but check with British Airways cargo on permitted accessories. On the day, get her to the airport in the coolest part of the morning, keep her calm before check-in to avoid her arriving already overheated, and don't feed a large meal within four hours of flying. The Ferplast Atlas 80 has a front-mounted water tray bracket built in, which makes the hydration side straightforward.

Yes, and airlines are strict about this. You'll need to attach a 'Live Animal' label to the top and at least one side — British Airways cargo will often provide these but bring your own to be safe. You need a label with your name, address, destination contact details, and her feeding and watering schedule. Attach her health certificate and any vaccination documents in a clear plastic wallet to the outside of the crate. Write 'THIS SIDE UP' with arrows on all four sides. The Ferplast Atlas 80 has a flat top surface that makes labelling straightforward, and the bolt holes are pre-drilled so assembly at check-in is quick. Get everything ready the night before — cargo check-in windows are tight and you don't want to be scrambling.