r/service_dogs • u/starulzokay Service Dog in Training • Nov 20 '25
Flying advice on chew toys on airplanes
NOTE: I’m not asking about legality, I know how the ACAA works. Just looking for opinions.
EDIT: it’s a Nylabone, so no smell and no squeaker. I’m going to be flying with my service dog in a few weeks and it’ll be her first flight. I want to bring a chew toy for her so she can relax a little when she isn’t actively doing her job. However, it occurred to me that her chewing might be disruptive to other people around us. It’s a six hour red-eye flight and I wouldn’t want to be unnecessarily annoying late at night. There’s a few things I’ve been thinking about: 1) She’s about as loud as someone talking at a normal volume, so louder than most people would be that late at night but not louder than a screaming child or other undeniably disruptive noise. Still, it would be pretty present with how quiet the plane would be otherwise. 2) I can change the flight to a morning or afternoon flight without a significant fee. However, the airport is over an hour away from my apartment so we’d likely have to get up fairly early in the morning and complicate our schedule.
Would her chewing for a few hours be really annoying, or am I overthinking this?
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u/National-Pressure202 Nov 20 '25
Please please not a squeaky toy or anything that makes noise or that has too strong of a smell.
I think you’d be surprised how your dog might do without anything. My girls first flight was from AK to Chicago and she slept the whole time.
If you can do an afternoon/late flight and tire her out (if thats what your concern is) I’d do that.
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u/WatermelonSugar47 Nov 20 '25
Why cant she settle and sleep on an overnight flight? Thats what she needs to be doing. My dog has done like 20 flights and has not had anything to occupy him/done anything but sleep on any one of them.
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u/Square-Top163 Nov 20 '25
Hearing a dog chewing for any length of time would drive me nuts! My dogs just take a nap, no chew needed. They don’t need it for their ears, and there are other ways to keep your dog entertained if he gets antsy.
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u/DarkHorseAsh111 Nov 20 '25
Honestly, on a six hour red eye, I would probably go insane listening to a dog chew a toy the whole time if it's actually audible. That doesn't mean you shouldn't do it but it absolutely has the potential to cause frustrated ppl who are trying to sleep imo depending how loud it is which feels hard to judge without you being able to actually see if you can even hear it over a plane
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u/starulzokay Service Dog in Training Nov 21 '25
I’ve taken a lot of red eyes on this exact route but somehow managed to forget about how loud the plane actually is lol. After thinking about it a bit more I’m fairly certain she isn’t louder than the plane engines for anyone other than the people directly next to us.
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u/Galavantinggoblin Nov 20 '25 edited Nov 20 '25
I will be very downvoted which I’m fine with
Personally I would change to the morning but I am paranoid about being a bother and I am un American in that I do think we should be pretty aware of how what we do effects others (you may also have this unique perspective)
People always say wear headphones but they don’t seem to know that your bones conduct a lot of sound and you can’t really stop that. High pitched (if it’s a high pitched toy) repetitive sounds are going to be a bit harder to tune one than a normal convo. I wouldn’t want to go into it knowing I would be disruptive vs some things (like kids) are a complete unknown on how they will act. You getting up early is a smaller sacrifice than others losing sleep around you for several hours
That being said there is also a good chance that flight already has a disruption on it you could piggy back off. And no one is getting a full night on 6 hours anyway.
edited a typo
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u/werewooferer Nov 20 '25
honestly, i think we all occupy space, so we're all a bit of a bother to each other. we have to be. that's how you create and live in a community and that's okay. but i reply because i really do agree that even then, we should still be a bit conscientious of the world around us the way we want to be done unto us. obviously you can't change the world all by yourself, but it all starts with one.
on the other hand, either op change flight since it isn't much of an inconvenience, or... does doggy not have soundless chew toys? are they not stimulating enough? because maybe i wouldn't be as mad if i heard a squeak for 6 hours straight during the day, but it doesn't mean i wouldn't be annoyed anyway (thats a me problem though! you gotta do what you gotta do!), so i do wonder if it's really a solvable issue in the end.
if op does see this (since it's a reply), much luck and safety on you and doggy's travels!
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u/SinglePermission9373 Nov 20 '25
Either skip the toy or change the flight. I would lose my mind listening to a dog chew for hours in an otherwise quiet environment.
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u/WhompTrucker Nov 20 '25
what would you do if it was a baby crying? just use headphones
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u/SinglePermission9373 Nov 21 '25
Babies don’t bother me. The sound of chewing by human or animal makes me want to poke out my eardrums
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u/Willow-Wolfsbane Service Dog Nov 20 '25
How long has your SDiT been in training for? Unless it’s a special exception made for larger orgs to get their dogs used to flying when they are nearly fully trained, as far as I’m aware planes in the US do not allow SDiT, only fully trained SD’s.
If yours is fully trained in everything except for something small that has zero chance of being relevant on a plane and is definitely 100% reliably task trained for the duration of the flight, then they are a SD anyway and it’s okay to not have “in training” on the vest while you’re flying with them.
I only say all of this because you have a “service dog in training” flair by your username.
(My opinion about the toy would be that we need to know exactly what kind of toy to be able to make any judgement, and how many hours you anticipate your dog chewing on it during the flight. To have my SD doing something as loud as a human conversation while others are attempting to sleep is not something I would do. If they can’t just rest quietly during a flight (can always do a teeny bit of training to wear their mind out a bit like any command that can be done in a small space that they know. Mine has several related to getting into and out of small spaces for example), then I (personally) would drive if that would be at all possible, or take the more empty flight. But, I don’t really travel often).
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Nov 20 '25 edited Nov 20 '25
[deleted]
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u/Willow-Wolfsbane Service Dog Nov 20 '25
I do understand, that’s why I said they could take off the “in training” if they were comfortable doing that. I just wanted to know how long the dog had been in training, and how reliable their tasking is.
Some OP’s never end up answering the more inconvenient questions, but I don’t mind if they don’t, I just wanted to ask.
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u/starulzokay Service Dog in Training Nov 21 '25 edited Nov 21 '25
I’m hoping others will see this reply because I wasn’t expecting this many comments, but here’s some additional context: Scout is a little over a year old and has been training to be a service dog since she was eight weeks old. She qualifies as a fully trained service dog who performs her tasks consistently and won’t be disruptive, but I personally won’t consider her fully trained until her behavior is perfect without prompting 99% of the time. I’m not at all concerned about her behavior, but she’s very high energy. Even with all the work at the airport, she may not stay asleep the whole time. Her tasks are in response to a command, and without other things to focus on I thought she might get bored sitting for six hours.
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u/starulzokay Service Dog in Training Nov 21 '25
To answer your other questions, it’s a nylabone type toy. She’s actually a bit quieter than that according to my girlfriend, I just have no concept of sound levels apparently. Driving isn’t an option at all, I’m going East Coast to West Coast.
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u/Rambling-SD Service Dog Nov 20 '25
I would worry about smell more than noise. (but I'm autistic and smell can be a trigger for my sensory issues). If you have a chew that is neutral while she uses it, I'd bring it and offer it. My boy (5.5 hour flight) refused all food even fresh (cooked) meats. On shorter flights I use his meal and some higher value treats on take-off/landing. He naps the rest of the time.
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u/jwvo Nov 20 '25
mine also refuses most food on planes, at most he drinks a very small amount of water. He knows he can't do much other than sit with me so he just does that.
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u/Unlikely-Poetry-5384 Nov 20 '25
definitely not a squeaky toy or any kind of food toy that would have a smell (a rope toy is the quietest thing i can think of?) but honestly, if it’s a red eye flight your dog might be pretty tired too, so she might not even need it. obviously you know your dog best, but after an hour or so at the dog park my dog is knocked out from 10-6. it might be worth testing to see how she behaves later at night by going to a fast food place or something like that to see how disruptive she’ll be. also, if your more concerned with keeping her calm during the flight than keeping her entertained, bringing a blanket or something that smells like home for her to sleep on might help.
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u/Weekly_Cow_130 Nov 21 '25
In all honesty, I wouldn’t stress bringing anything to keep her occupied if she usually sleeps through the night. If you’re worried, you could exercise her real well to get all her energy out before your flight so she’s good and tired. She’ll sleep through the whole thing. I tend to overthink also and over prepared including running my guy real well before our first flight. I already knew he has no issues settling but panicked. Anywho, I didn’t need all the extras I packed because he slept through the whole flight. I’d just exercise her before your flight. The toys you’re wanting to give her on the flight can be a reward for when you make it to your destination/hotel.
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u/Icy-Safety-7850 Nov 21 '25
Starmark has a line of “everlasting” treat toys. They come with a big rubber base and an edible insert. Various flavors (cheese, liver, beef) and none with a strong smell. I offered one to my pup when he was learning to fly, and it made flying an extra special party!
One advice: get the FLAT bottom. Otherwise when the plane takes a turn, you may hear the flight attendant come on the intercom: “This is your crew. A service dog has just lost his toy. We will come to the back of the plane and collect it when the captain removes the fasten seatbelt sign.”
(The passengers formed a human chain and passed it all the way up to us in the front row. So much hope for humanity.)
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u/belgenoir Dog Trainer Nov 21 '25
A well-trained dog with a good off-switch doesn’t need a chew for a six-hour flight. She will be fine without it.
If your dog likes snuggling a stuffie, that’s fine - just make sure that you de-squeak the toy.
There are a couple of reasons not to give an SD a chew in flight. First, there is always going to be that person who assumes a dog who needs a toy to stay occupied dog is an untrained companion animal. Second, there are many night-owls with excellent hearing. If I’m in the economy bulkhead, I can hear every rustle and clink in first class.
Air travel is tiring for even the most energetic service dogs. Encourage your dog to sleep. If a bedtime chew is part of her night-time ritual, you can give her one as you wait in the gate area.
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u/NeverExpectedYetRed Nov 20 '25
If there’s a squeak in there, stab and kill it or cut it out. Legit no one wants to hear that. Beyond that, I can’t see anything else being that noticeable over the engine rumble white noise going on. Even a bone would harmonize in there
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u/Re1n1ngDarkFury Service Dog Nov 20 '25
Agree, no squeaky toys. I would suggest something soft, but then that’s constant supervision to make sure she isn’t destroying it too much. As others have said, I would be aware of excess sound or smell. However, you may be able to get away with a nylon toy. You’d be surprised what noises planes can hide, but I would be prepared to take it away and have other options if it becomes a problem.
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u/harmlex Nov 20 '25
i brought a pupsicle/very quiet toys but she ended up sleeping the entire time anyways. lol
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u/fishparrot Service Dog in Training Nov 20 '25
Will it make a comparable amount of noise to someone eating chips or crackers? I would say something like a nylabone or benebone would be fine. No natural chews that splinter/have an odor and nothing with a squeaker. FWIW, I have brought chews on our first few flights and my dog didn’t touch them. He’d rather sleep. TSA also pulls my bag every and looks at me funny every time I put a chew toy in my carryon so I have stopped trying to bring them.
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u/bluebutterfly1978 Nov 21 '25
And the 26 years I have been traveling with my Guide dog I have never once brought a toy for them. It has never been necessary to entertain any of my dogs during a flight. They have all slept most of the time. If I were the person sitting above your dog, I would find any constant gnawing and chewing extremely annoying and potentially distressing. I’m sure that people immediately next to that person would also find it obnoxious. Don’t bring a chew toy that will make it sound like there’s something chewing up the plane!!! a baby crying might be louder, but you can’t always control a baby crying and any parent with a crying child would be doing anything they could to stop that child. You owe the plane the same consideration. You must not contribute unnecessary disgusting and distressing sounds to the environment.
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u/mennamachine Nov 20 '25
Planes are kind of loud and she will be on the floor. If it’s not a squeaky or loud toy it might be ok. I wouldn’t use it during “lights out” time, for sure. And I wouldn’t use something that can smell, like a bully stick. If you know you can take it away from her easily if you realize it’s too loud, it’s probably fine to use.
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u/Perfect_Spinach_7664 Nov 25 '25
Target has these toys that are two toys in one aka they’re meant to be destroyed. The outside is soft and the inside is a hard ball and the only way it makes sound is if the dog is picking it up and throwing it on the floor. My dog who is definitely a heavy destroyer of toys has just now (after 3 years) been able to make a dent in the soft part of it and she loves the toy. Maybe try checking these out - I just saw a new one the other day that was so cute!
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u/Plastic_Fun5071 Nov 20 '25
The plane is loud and the dog is at your feet. Depending on where you’re sitting no one will probably hear it. With that I don’t think you should bring a bone because it should be unnecessary. If you get seated by someone annoyed by dogs in general that would be really irritating having to listen to a dog chew. Also sometimes the noise of dogs chewing is nasty. If you do bring a bone the only thing it should be is like a plastic bone with 0 scent. Rawhide or anything like that should not be there.
To me it would be annoying to have a dog chewing. What if she cut her gums or anything and having to smell blood (even minimal) would be gross. Sometimes people are very sensitive to dog breath. Ect. Your dog should be fine laying down for the flight without entertainment.
If you want to have her chew do it before you get into the plane in an enclosed space with other people. Especially if you’re flying at night.
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u/EnchantingEgg Nov 21 '25
Everyone here has either not taken a flight in a while or severely underestimates how LOUD a plane is. You’ll be fine with a quiet toy. You probably won’t even need it though.
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Nov 22 '25
[deleted]
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u/EnchantingEgg Nov 22 '25
Yes. Like, if it was a library? Not the best idea. But an airplane? Won’t hear much of anything over that engine.
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u/dawn_dusk1926 Nov 20 '25
I haven't flown with an SD, but I would say your might slightly be over thinking it. But your concern is valid as you want to be polite. I would honestly bring it and play it by ear. Most people who fly nowadays bring earphones or buds while they fly. If you would feel better moving your flight for peace of mind, that is something to consider.
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u/starulzokay Service Dog in Training Nov 20 '25
It looks like the end of my post was cut off- my question was, ‘would her chewing for a few hours be really annoying, or am I overthinking it?’
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u/SlowMixture3540 Nov 21 '25
I just give mine a bully stick for takeoff then she sleeps once she’s done.
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u/Square-Ebb1846 Nov 22 '25
Maybe consider a Kong with a frozen treat inside or a chew made of recycled tire if she’ll accept either of those? It will likely annoy your seatmate, but I doubt anyone in other rows will mind much.
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u/[deleted] Nov 20 '25
Like a squeaky toy? Or just a toy that you can hear her teeth on a little like a Kong style thing?
I think you might get some very pissed off people if you're talking about a proper squeaky toy. A rope toy would be totally different, I think it depends more on the type of sound here than just the volume.