Cat peeking out of a carrier on an airplane, looking curious and slightly apprehensive
Moving across the country with a cat can feel like a daunting task. Recently, I relocated my feline companion, Foo, from the East Coast to sunny California, and learned firsthand what it takes to make airplane travel with a cat as smooth as possible. Months of preparation were key to our successful journey, transforming what could have been a stressful ordeal into a relatively peaceful experience for both of us. Now, we’re both happily settled into our new West Coast life!
Remember, every cat is unique, and understanding your cat’s personality and needs is crucial for ensuring their comfort during travel. Ultimately, caring for our pets is an extension of self-care. My extensive preparation for flying with Foo was driven by the desire to minimize her stress and ensure I was doing everything possible to make her journey pleasant. Knowing she wouldn’t naturally enjoy flying motivated me to proactively manage her transition.
Foo isn’t a fan of car rides, a fact we discovered during a less-than-pleasant 13-hour road trip from Wisconsin to Washington, D.C. (which turned into 15 hours with frequent stops for clean-up!). Car travel resulted in a distressed cat, complete with accidents, foaming at the mouth, and vomiting. The constant stop-and-go motion of car travel simply doesn’t agree with her. The thought of a 6-hour flight versus a full week of car travel made flying the obvious choice, even for my own sanity!
So, flying it was!
We chose Virgin Airlines for our trip, and I highly recommend them for pet travel. For a reasonable additional fee, Foo was able to fly with me in the cabin, right at my feet. I personally have reservations about sending a pet to travel in the cargo hold. While I understand that size restrictions sometimes necessitate it, keeping Foo with me in the cabin provided immense peace of mind.
If you’re planning to take your cat on an airplane, here are 11 essential steps based on my experience to guide you in preparing for a smooth and stress-free flight.
1. Harness Training for Airport Security
Navigating airport security with a cat requires preparation, as TSA will need to remove your cat from its carrier to scan it. A harness is vital for safely controlling your cat and preventing escapes during this process. Foo wore a TSA-approved harness from a travel kit. This harness, along with its leash, is metal-free to expedite security checks.
Ensuring a snug fit is paramount to prevent your cat from slipping out of the harness. Stories of cats escaping ill-fitting harnesses in airports are heartbreaking.
To acclimate Foo to the harness, we practiced wearing it for a few hours each day at home in the weeks leading up to our trip. During these harness sessions, I made sure to create positive associations by offering her favorite brushes, treats, and engaging her in play with her beloved silk ribbon.
While Foo never grew to love the harness or walking in it, this training desensitized her to wearing it, making it less stressful when she had to wear it for an extended travel day. Some cats do enjoy harnesses and even walks, but it truly depends on the individual cat’s temperament.
At the TSA checkpoint at Reagan National Airport, I requested a private screening. This allowed us to move through security in a quieter, more private room. The TSA agent, surprisingly, held Foo gently like a baby while her carrier was scanned. She seemed unfazed by the experience. When I asked if he was a cat person, he confirmed, “Yes, I have two.” His cat ownership likely contributed to his calm and understanding demeanor.
2. Crate Training: Your Cat’s Safe Space
Crate training is invaluable for airplane travel with a cat. Ideally, cats should be crate-trained throughout their lives, but if your cat isn’t already, it’s never too late to start. Keep a cat carrier accessible at home, making it inviting with soft bedding, favorite toys, and treats. Using Comfort Zone Feliway spray, a pheromone spray, can further enhance the appeal by creating a sense of familiarity and security for your cat.
For air travel, research airline-approved carriers. I opted for the Sleepypod Air. While it’s a pricier option, its compliance with most airline size regulations, sturdy construction, ventilation, pockets, and comfortable, washable interior made it worth the investment.
The dark chocolate color of the Sleepypod Air seemed to provide Foo with a sense of privacy and security. In fact, on the plane, a fellow passenger even offered to help me stow the carrier in the overhead bin, completely unaware there was a cat inside! He was quite surprised to learn, “Oh no! That’s my cat. She stays with me.”
3. Microchip Your Cat for Safety
Microchipping your cat is a crucial safety measure, especially when traveling. Foo had never been microchipped, so I had our vet handle this before our move. A microchip provides a permanent form of identification, embedded under the skin on the back of the neck, increasing the chances of reunification if your cat were to escape and lose its collar. Remember to register the microchip with the company for a small fee to ensure your contact information is linked and up-to-date.
Considering the peace of mind it offers, microchipping is a worthwhile investment in your pet’s safety.
4. Veterinary Check-up and Vaccinations
Before flying with your cat, schedule a veterinary check-up to ensure they are healthy and up-to-date on all necessary vaccinations. This is also an opportunity to discuss any pre-existing health concerns that might need to be addressed before travel. Interestingly, Foo’s vet in DC offered house calls, making the process incredibly convenient.
During Foo’s check-up, a minor thyroid issue was discovered, which was causing her to lose weight. Starting medication immediately was essential. Addressing this before our move eliminated the stress of finding a new vet and starting treatment in a new city upon arrival.
5. Obtain a Health Certificate and Pet ID
A health certificate from your veterinarian is typically required by airlines for Flying With A Cat. This certificate confirms that your cat is healthy enough to fly and is current on all vaccinations. Airlines usually require the health certificate to be issued within 10 days of travel, necessitating a separate vet visit closer to your flight date.
Prepare a pet ID for your cat’s carrier. Include a photograph of your cat and a brief description (age, breed, color, gender, etc.). Attach tags to both the carrier and harness with your contact information.
This travel kit can help organize these essential documents and ID materials.
6. Discuss Sedation with Your Vet for Anxious Cats
For some cats, like Foo, air travel can induce anxiety. Consult your veterinarian about sedation options to help calm your cat during the flight. My vet prescribed medication to ease Foo’s anxiety and prevent motion sickness. A small dose, just a quarter of a tablet, was sufficient for her 6-hour flight.
If your cat readily takes treats, consider using Pill Pockets to administer medication easily. Foo enjoys the salmon flavor. Introduce Pill Pockets without medication beforehand to ensure your cat likes them and doesn’t associate them with unpleasant experiences. This positive association makes medicating them on travel day much smoother.
Your vet may recommend testing the sedative a few weeks before your travel date to observe its effects on your cat. Occasionally, sedatives can have the opposite effect, causing agitation in some cats. Testing beforehand allows you to adjust the plan if needed.
In addition to medication, pheromone sprays like Feliway and calming treats can further aid in reducing anxiety. I gave Foo calming treats an hour before leaving for the airport and administered her sedative shortly after. Feliway was sprayed in her carrier about 30 minutes prior to departure.
Cats are territorial creatures, and the disruption of moving and packing can be stressful. Our apartment in DC was in a state of upheaval before our flight, and I believe the calming treats helped Foo remain more relaxed amidst the chaos of her world being packed up.
7. Trim Your Cat’s Claws for Safety
Ensure your cat’s claws are trimmed shortly before your flight. This is a safety precaution to prevent accidental scratches to yourself, TSA personnel, or damage to the carrier. Trimmed claws also minimize the risk of your cat becoming snagged or trapped within the carrier.
If you are not comfortable trimming your cat’s claws yourself, have your veterinarian or a groomer do it within a week of your travel date.
8. Pack Absorbent Dryfur Pads for Carrier Comfort
Accidents happen, especially during travel. Imagine being confined to a small space for hours with no bathroom breaks! Dryfur pads are designed to wick away moisture and keep your cat dry and comfortable in their carrier.
When I took Foo out of her carrier after the flight, she was dry and clean, with no urine odor emanating from the carrier. Dryfur pads are truly a game-changer for pet travel, acting like “Depends for cats.”
I packed a two-pack of Dryfur pads, placing one in the carrier before travel and keeping a spare in my carry-on. My plan was to replace the first pad with the fresh one during the TSA screening if needed. However, Foo remained dry enough that I didn’t need to swap pads, but having a spare provided extra reassurance.
9. Pet Waste Bags and Cleaning Supplies are Essential
Anticipate the need to clean up after your cat during travel. Packing pet waste bags is crucial for quickly and discreetly removing any solid waste from the carrier, improving your cat’s comfort and reducing odors.
I noticed Foo became more vocal and agitated when her carrier became soiled. Promptly removing any waste kept her calmer and quieter. Paper towels and individually wrapped antibacterial wipes are also essential for cleaning up any messes effectively.
10. Bring a Temporary Litter Box for Arrival
Having a temporary litter box readily available upon arrival is a thoughtful and practical step. Since we were arriving at our new, empty apartment late at night, I knew pet stores would be closed. Packing a temporary litter box ensured Foo had immediate access to a familiar necessity.
My temporary litter box consisted of a small Tupperware container (18QT) packed in my luggage, along with a Ziploc bag of World’s Best cat litter – just enough to line the bottom of the container.
Disposable litter box options are also available commercially. However, repurposing a Tupperware container worked perfectly for our needs.
Foo used the temporary litter box immediately, and it served us well for the first few days until we could purchase a permanent solution. For a more permanent and aesthetically pleasing litter box at our new home, I ordered the Good Pet Stuff Hidden Litter Litter Box from Amazon as soon as we arrived. Attractive litter box designs can make pet ownership more harmonious with home décor.
11. Project Calm Energy for Your Cat
Perhaps the most important thing to pack is calm energy. Pets are incredibly attuned to our emotions. If you are stressed, your cat will sense it and become stressed as well.
Being well-prepared, knowing what to expect, and taking proactive steps will contribute significantly to a smoother, more peaceful travel experience for both you and your cat. Your calm and confident demeanor will reassure your feline companion throughout the journey.
CAT-IN-FLIGHT TIMELINE CHECKLIST
[ ] 2-3 MONTHS BEFORE FLIGHT
[ ] Buy crate and start crate training
[ ] Buy harness and start harness training
[ ] Get a veterinarian check-up and all necessary shots
[ ] Get cat micro-chipped (if not already)
[ ] 1 MONTH BEFORE FLIGHT
[ ] Continue harness and crate training, consider short car trips for practice
[ ] Test sedative medication with your vet’s guidance, if needed
[ ] 2 WEEKS BEFORE FLIGHT
[ ] Continue harness and crate training
[ ] Purchase Dryfur pads
[ ] Prepare/buy temporary litter box
[ ] 1 WEEK BEFORE FLIGHT
[ ] Continue harness and crate training
[ ] Obtain health certificate from veterinarian
[ ] Trim cat’s claws
[ ] Pack travel kit: health certificate, ID, harness and leash, food/water dishes, small food portion, Pill Pockets, sedative/medications, pet waste bags, antibacterial wipes. (Feliway in checked luggage)
[ ] DAY BEFORE FLIGHT
[ ] Place 1 Dryfur pad in carrier, 1 in carry-on
[ ] Pack temporary litter box
[ ] ½ HOUR BEFORE CARRIER PLACEMENT
[ ] Spray Feliway in carrier
[ ] Stay calm and composed
[ ] Hope for a pre-travel potty break!
[ ] EN-ROUTE TO AIRPORT AND IN-FLIGHT
[ ] Pay attention to your cat, offer reassurance and affection
[ ] Clean up any messes promptly, change Dryfur pad at TSA if needed
Remember to be patient and appreciative of TSA and airport staff, even during stressful moments.
Stay calm, remain collected, and enjoy the adventure of flying with your cat!
For any further questions, feel free to reach out on Twitter! @barbariancases
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