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• Method 1 of 2: Transport your cat in the cabin
• Method 2 of 2: Transport your cat in the hold

It is not advisable to bring your pet with you when you are going to fly, unless there is absolutely no other option. It can even be dangerous for flat-nosed animals such as bulldogs, pugs and Persian cats, as they can experience breathing difficulties while flying due to their deformed airways and stress. But if you are going to emigrate and the cat has to come along, there may be no other option than to take him on the plane. There are tons of horror stories about transporting cats by plane, but with the right preparation, your furry friend will arrive safely at his destination.

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Method 1 of 2: Transport your cat in the cabin

1. Talk to the airline about taking your cat into the cabin. Contact the airline you are flying with to ask if you can bring your cat in a bag if you put it under the seat in front of you. Try to avoid having the cat in the hold.
   • Most airlines allow the carriage of a cat in the cabin for a small fee. Call the airline well in advance, as only a limited number of pets are allowed in the cabin per flight.
2. Book your flight early. Some airlines limit the number of pets allowed in the cabin on a flight. If you book early, you have a better chance that there is still room for your cat. When choosing a seat, remember that you cannot sit by an exit or by a bulkhead, as there must be a seat in front of you for your carrying bag.
3. Ask what the exact dimensions are under the seat. The airline should be able to give you the exact dimensions of the space under the seat. Then you know how big the carrier bag for your cat can be.
4. Ask what kind of carrier bags are allowed in the cabin. Most airlines only accept carrier bags with hard or soft sides. Carrier bags with soft sides can be slid under a chair more easily. But there are also companies that only accept carrier bags from specific brands. So ask which types or brands can be transported in the cabin before buying one.
   • From a month before departure, give your cat his food in the carrier bag, so that he starts associating the bag with something positive. Play with your cat in the carrier bag and let him sleep in it. Then he will see the carrying case as a nice place.
5. Practice getting in and out of the carry bag with your cat. Then he gets used to the bag and it becomes part of his routine. Practicing getting in and out of the bag is also good preparation for security checks, when your cat will have to get in and out on command.
6. Make an appointment with the vet just before departure. You should ask the vet if all your cat's vaccinations are still valid and have a vaccination booklet made to take with you on a trip. The airline requires these documents if you want to take your cat on the flight.
   • Your vet will give you a health certificate to confirm that your cat is in good health and has no parasites. All vaccinations must still be valid, including the rabies vaccination.
   • The vet may also suggest microchipping your cat to make it easier to find if it gets lost while traveling. That is actually a lifelong passport for your cat. The chipping is a simple procedure, in which the vet places a microchip the size of a grain of rice (12 mm) under your cat's skin, between his shoulder blades. This does not hurt and does not require an anesthetic.
7. Do not feed your cat on the day you leave. If your cat has an empty stomach, it will be less nauseous. You can bring some cat food with you in case he gets very hungry during the flight.
   • Don't forget to bring his medicines with you if your cat needs them, in a clear plastic bag.
8. Line the bottom of the carry bag with absorbent potty training mats. These will absorb the urine if your cat cannot hold it during the flight. Pack some extra mats in your carry-on, as well as a few plastic bags, paper tissues, and latex gloves in case you need to clean up.
9. Attach a luggage tag to your cat's carrier. Then you can find it more easily if it gets lost during a transfer or at the airport. Put your name, permanent address, telephone number and final destination on it.
10. To be on the safe side, bring a harness. The carrier bag will have to go through the X-ray machine at the airport, but your cat will not. Therefore, put a harness on him with a strap so that he cannot escape when you take him out of the bag. You must carry your cat in your arms when you go through the metal detector yourself.
    • Prepare yourself and your belongings to go through security before removing your cat from the carrier bag. Take off your shoes, take your toiletries and electronics out of your bag, and put them in the trays that go through the X-ray machine.
    • Then take your cat out of the carrying case, with the harness on, and let the carrying case pass through the device as well.
    • Carry your cat when you go through the metal detector. Then wait for the carrier bag and put your cat back in before you gather your own things.
11. Give your cat a sedative if prescribed by your vet. Most cats can travel without medication. But some cats get very stressed when they have to fly. Speak to your vet if you are concerned about your cat's fear of getting on the plane.
    • The vet can prescribe Buprenorphine, Gabapentin, or Alprazolam for your cat. Give the cat a dose at home to see how it reacts to the drug.
12. Feed your cat or use a pheromone spray to calm him down. If you don't want to give medication, you can use a Thundershirt that swaddles your cat, just like a baby, so that it calms down.
    • You can also use a pheromone spray on the carrier before you fly to help your cat be less frightened.
    • There are also collars with pheromones that you can put on your cat so that it is calmer during the flight.

Method 2 of 2: Transport your cat in the hold

1. First ask the airline for a report of all accidents that have happened to pets in the hold. Although not ideal, your cat can also be accommodated in the cargo hold if it cannot come into the cabin. Most airlines are required to report all incidents involving pets in the hold. See how well the airline is performing. Choose an airline that has had few pet accidents in the hold.
   • Every year pets are lost, injured or even killed if they are transported in the hold. Extreme temperatures, poor ventilation and rough moving are often the causes of these incidents. Yet nowadays there are also luggage compartments that have the correct air pressure and a certain degree of air conditioning. Consult with the airline about security measures in the hold that can make your cat's flight more comfortable.
2. Try to book a direct flight. Then you will have to go through security checks with your cat less often. Your cat will also have to spend less time on the plane, especially if it has to be in the luggage hold.
   • Always travel on the same flight as your pet. You can find out for sure by asking the airline if you can see your cat being loaded into the hold before you get in yourself.
   • In the summer, try to book an early morning or late night flight as it will be a bit cooler for your cat. In winter, opt for an afternoon flight as the luggage compartment is less cold.
3. Put a strap on your cat with your contact information. Make sure to choose a strap that cannot get stuck to the carrying case. Include your name, address, telephone number and final destination.
   • Also put a luggage tag on the carrier bag with the same information on it in case the carrier bag with your cat gets lost during the trip.
4. Trim your cat's nails before flight. Then you prevent his nails from getting stuck in the zipper or holes of the carrying case.
5. Make an appointment with the vet just before departure. Your vet must provide a vaccination record and health certificate for your cat. You are obliged to hand this over to the airline your cat flies with.
   • The vet must provide a health certificate stating that your cat is in good health and free from parasites. All vaccinations must still be valid, including the rabies vaccination.
   • The vet may also suggest microchipping your cat to make it easier to track if it gets lost during the trip. That is actually a lifelong passport for your cat. Chipping is a simple procedure, in which your vet places a microchip the size of a grain of rice under your cat's skin, between his shoulder blades. It doesn't hurt and you don't need an anesthetic.
6. Don't feed your cat 4 to 6 hours before the flight. If your cat travels on an empty stomach, it will be less nauseous. You can give your cat a little bit of water, or put some ice cubes in a water bowl in the carrier bag to keep it from drying out.
7. Bring a recent photo of your cat. If your cat is lost in flight or after landing, a photo can help locate it at the airport.
8. Bring a cat harness to go through security checks. Your carrier bag has to go through the X-ray machine at the airport, but not your cat. So it is useful if he has a harness with a strap on so that he cannot escape. Carry your cat in your arms when you go through the metal detector yourself.
   • Prepare yourself and your belongings before going through security and before removing your cat from the carrier bag. Take off your shoes, take your toiletries and electronics out of your bag, and put them in containers that go through the X-ray machine.
   • Then take your cat out of the carrying case, with the harness on, and let the carrying case pass through the device as well.
   • Carry your cat when you go through the metal detector. Then wait for the carrier bag and put your cat back in before you gather your own things.
9. Let the pilot and at least one flight attendant know that your cat is in the hold. Do this when you board the plane. The pilot may be able to take special precautions during the flight, such as avoiding high turbulence areas.
10. Give your cat a narcotic if prescribed by your vet. Your vet can prescribe a medicine especially suitable for air travel, such as Buprenorphine, Gabapentine, or Alprazolam.
    • Give the cat a dose at home to see how it reacts to the drug.
11. When you get off the plane, open the carrying case immediately and examine your cat. If something appears to be wrong with him, take it to the vet immediately. Have the vet record all findings, with the date and time, in case you want to make a complaint to the airline about how your cat was handled in the hold.