Air Travel With Cats

Be sure to call airlines ahead of time to find out the latest pet requirements.

Air travel with cats. Consider your animal s age medical history of pre existing conditions and or whether it has anxiety disorders that may be exacerbated during travel. For cats that will travel in the cabin buy an airline approved airplane pet carrier. Some carriers offer cabin travel only for certain flights or seasons. Small pets that fit into carriers sized to slide under the seat can travel as carry on luggage.

Once your cat s flight reservation is made schedule a visit with your veterinarian close to the date of travel. 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. Be prepared to have your cat s carrier go through the x ray. 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 will need a health certificate including proof of vaccination from your veterinarian. 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. A skittish feline on a long. Airlines have vastly different policies when it comes to traveling with cats in the cabin of a plane.

A zippered top and side. Successful airline travel with a cat begins long before the day of travel. However sometimes it may be unavoidable. You can t simply stick the animal quickly in a pet carrier the way you might if you were driving across town.

There is no limit on the number of animals in the litter. 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. Do your homework with the airlines. Acquire your cat s travel carrier well in advance of your trip to allow her to become comfortable with it.

The best cat carriers for airplane travel are durably sewn with lots of air vents. Since life expectancy varies among breeds there is no maximum age set for air. 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. While obtaining a health certificate please discuss the risks of air travel with your veterinarian.