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 If you must have your cat travel by air, he
can travel as cargo or in the cabin with
you. However, pet cargo horror stories
abound, so have your cat travel onboard with
you if at all possible. Here are some kitty
travel tips:
·
Check on the airline’s policies before
making plans. Not all airlines allow pets to
travel in-cabin, and some don’t allow pet
travel at all.
·
Airlines will not transport pets in cargo in
extreme temperatures.
·
Reservations must be made in advance, and
animals must have recent examinations and a
health certificate from your veterinarian.
·
If your cat will be traveling as cargo, try
to book direct flights to reduce travel time
and reduce the chances of your cat getting
lost.
·
For cargo travel, your cat must be in a hard
kennel-type carrier. The carrier must be
labeled with your name, address, and phone
number, as well as directional arrows and
stickers that state live animal. Food
and water bowls must be firmly attached.
·
For in-cabin travel, you can use a hard
plastic carrier or a soft-sided one, but
either way, it must meet airline regulations
and be able to fit under the seat. Many
stores sell airline-approved carriers.
·
For in-cabin travel, bring along an extra
towel and plastic bags in case kitty soils
his carrier.
·
Generally, you would feed your cat a light
meal four to six hours before the flight.
Provide small amounts of water up until the
flight. Your veterinarian may have specific
instructions on food/water based on your
cat’s age or health status or ask for
feeding recommendations before traveling.
·
Don’t give tranquilizers to your cat. The
last place you want him to have a negative
reaction is alone in cargo or confined on a
plane.
·
Get to the airport early to allow for the
extra time needed for pet check-in.
·
Make sure kitty is leash-trained. You’ll
have to remove him from the carrier during
the security check.
For more specifics refer to the book
Starting from Scratch.
© 2009 Cat Behavior Associates, LLC |
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