Air Travel With Cats

Preparation is key to traveling long distances with a cat.

Air travel with cats.

Airlines have vastly different policies when it comes to traveling with cats in the cabin of a plane. A skittish feline on a long. There is no limit on the number of animals in the litter. For cats that will travel in the cabin buy an airline approved airplane pet carrier.

Successful airline travel with a cat begins long before the day of travel. Some carriers offer cabin travel only for certain flights or seasons. You can t simply stick the animal quickly in a pet carrier the way you might if you were driving across town. A zippered top and side.

Acquire your cat s travel carrier well in advance of your trip to allow her to become comfortable with it. On the day of the flight feed your cat 4 to 6 hours before departure and avoid giving it any more food until you reach your destination. Be sure to call airlines ahead of time to find out the latest pet requirements. Since life expectancy varies among breeds there is no maximum age set for air.

To prepare a cat for air travel purchase an airline approved carrier and leave it out for a couple of weeks before the flight so your kitty can investigate it. You may be moving across country or you may be leaving on an extended absence and even leaving your cat with a trusted cat sitter may not work out for you. Small pets that fit into carriers sized to slide under the seat can travel as carry on luggage. Travel tips for flying with cats.

Be prepared to have your cat s carrier go through the x ray. One female cat dog may travel with her un weaned litter if the litter is a minimum of 10 weeks old to 6 months of age. Do your homework with the airlines. 2 pets of the same breed and size between the age of 10 weeks and 6 months may be allowed to travel in 1 kennel providing they are small enough to fit into.

You will need a health certificate including proof of vaccination from your veterinarian. Consider your animal s age medical history of pre existing conditions and or whether it has anxiety disorders that may be exacerbated during travel. While obtaining a health certificate please discuss the risks of air travel with your veterinarian. The best cat carriers for airplane travel are durably sewn with lots of air vents.