Flying with Cats

hambonenflippy

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Hello! I'm new to this forum and joined because I need advice! I will be moving across the country, and after speaking to the vet, decided it was best to have our two cats fly with us (rather than in the cargo area). We checked with the airline, it's all good, etc. I'm just very nervous, because our cats have almost never been out of the house and don't see outside people often. They are incredibly friendly and happy, we just don't know what they're like in outside situations because they haven't faced them before. Has anyone flown with their cats before, and have advice?
 

kittens mom

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Hello! I'm new to this forum and joined because I need advice! I will be moving across the country, and after speaking to the vet, decided it was best to have our two cats fly with us (rather than in the cargo area). We checked with the airline, it's all good, etc. I'm just very nervous, because our cats have almost never been out of the house and don't see outside people often. They are incredibly friendly and happy, we just don't know what they're like in outside situations because they haven't faced them before. Has anyone flown with their cats before, and have advice?
Going through the check point you will likely be asked to take your cat our of the carrier. If you feel insecure doing that ask to go in a room or acquaint them with harnesses and leashes. Make sure your chip info is up to date. Buy a bottle of water after TSA and put a small syringe in the pocket or your purse for emergency water. Pad the crate well. Most cats won't but if they have to you don't want it leaking. Do not sedate it can interfere with breathing. Make sure the crate is familiar to them before flight day. If you sit on the aisle and have a soft crate make sure you keep an eye on foot traffic. Window and middle seat are best for under seat safety. And remember. Kids cry , adults get drunk and some people are just plain obnoxious. So If your kitty cries they cry. My travel case had a small zipper slit I could undo and put my hand inside to comfort.

There are accommodations for dogs at some airports but nothing for cats. Keep them in the crate/carrier at all times. A light meal before you leave will hold them over. Be prepared for after flight jitters. They may sleep or hide. A bathroom where they can decompress is a good idea. Have a vet lined up just in case someone needs to be seen. Enough ?
 
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hambonenflippy

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Thank you so much! That was a lot of great advice, I appreciate it!
 

kittens mom

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Thank you so much! That was a lot of great advice, I appreciate it!
I forgot one thing. As you go through the terminals avoid setting the crates on the floor. All that foot traffic and you have no idea who or what has been there. People are also distracted. Some cats like to see others prefer to be covered. And it will be stressful but everyone will get there and in a week life goes back to normal.

Keep us posted on how the move goes.
 
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hambonenflippy

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Will do! Do you suggest hard crates? We were thinking soft would be more comfortable/manageable. My husband and I will be in window and aisle, and got the middle seat (I know they'll have to go underneath) for them.
 

kittens mom

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Will do! Do you suggest hard crates? We were thinking soft would be more comfortable/manageable. My husband and I will be in window and aisle, and got the middle seat (I know they'll have to go underneath) for them.
I like hard crates but when I was flying with my cat the soft worked better.

Hard crates- use zip ties or buy better hardware like screws where you assemble them. Soft crates should have heavy duty zippers and a snap lock to keep kitty from opening the zipper. Yes they can. make extra luggage tags and records and put them in a baggie under the cats bedding. I had a luggage tag on her harness.

In this day and age with everyone traveling with their pets airlines should have compartments on the plane that can be reserved just like seats. Putting any living creature in the cargo hold should be illegal.
 

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Will do! Do you suggest hard crates? We were thinking soft would be more comfortable/manageable. My husband and I will be in window and aisle, and got the middle seat (I know they'll have to go underneath) for them.
Hard crates are fine, but they have to be really short to fit under the seat. Don't trust the "airline approved" ads. Make sure you know the exact height of the carrier and check with the airline to find out the exact height of the space under the seat. With a soft carrier you can squash it down if it's a little too tall.

I'm not quite understanding your seat arrangement. Are you putting both cats in one carrier? Normally the carrier must go under the seat in front of your seat. How do you get a separate seat for the cats unless you're paying another full fare for that seat? If the plane is full that middle seat will surely be reserved for another passenger who won't want your cats in front of them.

Which airline are you using? In all of the planes I've flown with my cats the space under the aisle seat is narrower than the middle and window seats, so getting the middle and window seats works best.

Put a harness or jacket on your kitties before putting them in the carriers to go to the airport. You will be required to take them out of the carriers when you go through security. Personally, I prefer the jacket because I think it's harder for them to slip out of it. I clip a leash to the jacket before I pull my kitty out of the carrier and wrap the leash around my wrist or hand just in case kitty wriggles out of my arms. Once you're through security you can take the harness/jacket off and let your kitties scramble back into the carriers. Or if they're like mine, they'll get back in first and then I have to reach into the carrier to get the jackets off.

You can request to be taken to a separate room for the security check, but I've never had to do that with my cats so I'm not sure exactly how it works or how much longer it takes to get through.
 
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hambonenflippy

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My husband and I will be in the window and aisle seats, and we have purchased the middle seat. The cats will have separate carriers of course. This way, no one will have to be squished and there won't be a stranger sitting with us. We're moving because of husband's job, so his company is paying for the move - we've really lucked out, because the moving budget they gave us was enough to purchase the third seat.
 

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My husband and I will be in the window and aisle seats, and we have purchased the middle seat. The cats will have separate carriers of course. This way, no one will have to be squished and there won't be a stranger sitting with us. We're moving because of husband's job, so his company is paying for the move - we've really lucked out, because the moving budget they gave us was enough to purchase the third seat.
You really did luck out. However, if you're taking two carriers one of you will still end up with a cat under your feet. There's definitely not room for two carriers in one space and I'm pretty sure they won't let you put one on the seat even if you strap it in. You can always call the airline to ask about special arrangements.
 

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I'd go with a hard sided carrier than a soft one. Some cats can easily claw their way out of a soft sided carrier and / or unzip unsecured zippers. My Aby is one escape artist
 
 

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I have flown with my cat in cargo. My advice is let them get use to the carrier. i used feliway  spray  in the carrier the night before and just before put her in the case.
 

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Hi. Has anyone flown their cat during the winter in canada? I'll be travelling with my spouse between January - February to Canada from Dubai. We want to be really prepared. My spouse and I have discussed that even if it would cost us we have to bring them with us, and looking at cheaper options than paying hefty amount to pet relocation centers. I'm looking over airlines right now that would allow us to travel with 3 cats during these cold months. I don't have an exact date yet just planning ahead. Thanks!
 
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