Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Preparing your cat for a flight
• Part 2 of 3: Making other travel preparations
• Part 3 of 3: Preparing the cat for the day of the flight
• Tips
• Warnings

Like their human counterparts, cats can experience stress and anxiety when traveling. Removing your cat from its familiar environment can confuse the animal. That's why you should carefully spend time and attention preparing your cat for air travel. Your extra effort will help make the travel experience less stressful for both of you.

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Part 1 of 3: Preparing your cat for a flight

1. Take your cat to your vet. Traveling, especially flying, can be difficult for cats. You want to make sure your cat is healthy enough for the run. Your vet will examine the animal and make sure it has had all vaccinations. If your cat has an illness, ask your vet how to manage or treat it (if possible) prior to your flight.
   • Your vet may need to fill out a health certificate for your cat showing that he is healthy enough to travel and has had all the necessary vaccinations. Health certificate requirements may vary depending on your destination, so check these requirements with the airline prior to your appointment.
   • There are time restrictions for completing health certificates. Airlines typically require health certificates to be completed 10 days or earlier prior to a flight, but check with your airline.
   • Ask your vet to microchip your cat for easy identification. If your cat has already been microchipped, consider asking your vet to scan the microchip to make sure it can be read.
   • If your cat needs medication, ask your vet about how you can continue to give your cat medication on the day of your trip.
2. Buy an airplane approved travel basket. If you haven't been on an airplane with your cat before, you may need to purchase an airplane approved carrier. Call your airline or search the airline website for cabin and cargo hold requirements for pets. In general, a "cabin" travel basket should be made of a durable fabric (eg, nylon), be well ventilated, and have a zip top and side door. Your airline may also require the carrycot to have a soft, removable cushion.
   • A good carrycot for the luggage compartment should be made of sturdy and durable plastic and have a secure closure.
   • Make sure the carrier is large enough for your cat to move around and sit comfortably.
3. Encourage your cat to spend time in the carrier. Your cat needs at least a month to prepare for a flight. During this time, encourage your cat to spend more time in his / her carrier. Make the basket look inviting by tucking in some of the animal's familiar items, such as comfortable bedding and favorite toys.
   • Leave the carrier open at all times in a place where your cat resides, such as her bed or a scratching post. This allows your cat to explore her carrier at her leisure, without worrying about closing the door when she steps in.
   • Consider spraying cat pheromones into the carrier to make it smell familiar.
   • Feed your cat in the carrier so she can have a positive association with it.
   • Practice closing the door when she's inside (after giving her time to explore the basket). Start by holding the door closed for a few seconds, then open the door and then immediately give your cat a treat. Extend the number of seconds you keep the door closed and give the animal a treat each time.
4. Take your cat on car rides. When your cat is used to the carrier, put the pet in the carrier a few times before a car ride. Start with short car journeys - just around the block and back. If your cat is more comfortable traveling by car, take the animal on longer car journeys.
   • Secure the carrier in the car with a seat belt.
   • Take your cat to a comfortable location, such as back home - not to the vet. Give the cat a treat at the end of the drive if it is well behaved (no scratching or incessant whining).
   • Sitting still in the carrier while the car is moving can be a little confusing for your cat at first, but it will get used to it over time.
   • Try to have the car rides take place at least a few weeks before your flight.
5. Get used to loud noises. Not only is the plane noisy, but the airport can be very noisy. Once your cat is used to the car rides, take the animal with you to the airport (if possible) and sit outside with your cat in the carrier. The loud noise and commotion can be terrifying for your cat at first, so you will probably have to go to the airport a few times before your cat gets used to the loud noises.
   • You can also take her into the airport, near the check-in point.
   • Give your cat some treats to reward her for good behavior.
   • Give your cat a few weeks to get used to airport noise.
6. Trim your cat's nails. If your cat's nails are long, she can use them to scratch the interior of her carrier during the flight. If she has to travel in the cargo area, her fingernails can get caught in the bars of the carrier, which could lead to injury. If you don't dare to trim your cat's nails yourself, have your vet do it.
   • A cat's nails need to be trimmed every 10 to 14 days, so estimate when to trim the nails so they aren't too long for the trip. If you are away from home for a long time, take a suitable nail clipper with you.

Part 2 of 3: Making other travel preparations

1. Book your flight. Airlines often limit the number of pets allowed to travel in the passenger compartment. That's why you should book your flight well in advance (a month or more) to increase the chances that your cat can stay in the cabin with you. When calling to book your flight, ask if the airline allows pets on the plane and if your cat can stay with you. Due to your cat's small size, it is better for the animal to be in the cabin than in the cargo hold.
   • Expect to pay an additional fee for your cat, which can be as much as $ 100. Please note that if your cat can travel with you in the cabin, her carrier will count as one of your permitted carry-ons.
   • When you book your flight, make sure you get a location number for your cat that is linked to your seat number.
   • Try to book a direct, non-stop flight. Also, don't book a flight in the middle of the day in summer.
2. Check your cat's ID collar. Your cat's collar should have multiple labels: one with your contact information (name, address, cell phone number), and one label for rabies vaccination status and your feline certificate. Remove any collar accessories, such as small trinkets or charms, that can easily get caught in the carrier. Make sure 10 days before your flight before the collar is suitable for travel.
3. Make labels for your cat's carrier. This is especially important if your cat is traveling in the cargo hold, but it is also a good idea for cabin travel. The label must include your own contact details, as well as contact details at your final destination. For example, if you are staying at a hotel, write the name, address and phone number of the hotel on the label.
   • Place a label on the inside and outside of the carrier, in case the outer label comes off during the trip. In addition, if your cat is traveling in the cargo hold, make some large "Live Animal" labels and attach them to the outside of the carrier.
   • Make the labels at least a few days before your trip so that you don't have to do this soon on the day of your trip.
4. Prepare bags of dry food for your cat. Cats must travel on an empty stomach to avoid in-flight accidents such as vomiting and urination in the carrier. However, if the flight is delayed by a few hours or more, it may be a good idea to give your cat a few nibbles to keep it from getting too hungry. If your cat is in the cargo hold for extended periods of time, attach a food bag to the carrier along with feeding instructions.

Part 3 of 3: Preparing the cat for the day of the flight

1. Maintain your normal routine. As much as possible, maintain a calm and normal routine on the travel day. Cats don't always respond well to changes, so a sudden change in routine can increase anxiety and stress in your cat and cause her to become fussed (for example, going outside the litter box). Keep calm during your preparations and try to maintain her normal feeding schedule so that she uses her litter box as she usually would.
   • Once you put her in the carrier, the cat will not be able to go to the bathroom until after you arrive at the destination. Take things easy and as normally as possible so that your cat can empty his / her bladder and bowels before placing the pet in the carrier.
2. Feed your cat 4-6 hours before the flight. Maintaining a normal feeding schedule can be difficult if your flight is less than 4-6 hours before the normal meal time. During the month of preparation, consider gradually adjusting your cat's meal time to coincide with the 4-6 hour pre-flight time.
   • Alternatively, you can try to find a flight within 4-6 hours of your cat's normal meal time.
   • If you have fed your cat prior to the flight, do not feed the cat until it arrives at your destination. However, you or the flight crew may need to feed her if you have an international flight or a flight with multiple stops.
   • Your cat can receive water up to an hour before the flight.
3. Give your cat her medicine. If your cat is currently on medication, plan their administration according to your travel schedule. Give your cat no pre-flight sedative unless advised by your vet. Sedatives can affect your cat's ability to regulate body temperature, which can have serious consequences if she travels in the cargo hold. If you are giving sedatives, test these on your cat at least a few days before the flight. This way you can calculate the ideal dose and prevent the cat from getting too high or too low a dose on the day of travel. In addition, the test dose of the sedative will have worked out before the day of travel.
4. Make sure your cat is safe in the carrier. Before you leave the house, make sure your cat is safely in the carrier. An airport can be a terrifying place for cats, and you don't want your cat to escape from the carrier. To make the carrier more comfortable, give it a familiar scent (e.g. pheromones from the cat, bedding from the cat, clothes with your scent).
   • If you have to take the cat out of the basket during the airport check, hold the animal tightly.
   • Ask airport security if there is an alternative screening where the cat can remain in the basket.
5. Keep your cat calm. Whether your cat is traveling with you in the passenger compartment or cargo hold, practice some verbal and non-verbal communication to keep the animal calm during the flight. For example, look at your cat in the carrier and blink your eyes slowly until the animal blinks back - this is a positive form of communication for cats. Plus, you can comfortably talk to your cat before and during the flight.

Tips

• Keep your cat's documentation (such as a health certificate, vaccination booklet, location number, photo of the cat) in an orderly manner and keep it with you in your carry-on bag.
• When you arrive at your destination, keep your cat in a quiet room with a little water and dry food so that the cat can relax and get used to the new environment.
• A flight with a cat requires a lot of preparation. The better prepared you are, the better the experience will be for you and your cat.
• If your cat suffers from motion sickness, your vet can provide remedies for it.
• Do not put a lock on the carrier, in case you or the flight crew need to get the cat out quickly.

Warnings

• Pets can be injured, lost or even die in the cargo hold of an airplane. Avoid freight travel for your cat as much as possible.
• Persian cats should not travel in the cargo hold as their facial structure can make it difficult for them to breathe.
• Do not let your cat go through the X-ray machine at airport security.