Flying with cats - how do i do it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:i bought the airline approved carriers, and i will provide food and water. but what about the litter box?! and can i sedate them?

Since you said "carriers," I'm going to assume that you are shipping them in cargo, yes? Don't worry about the litter box. I gave my cats a blanket or towel to lay on. It never smelled of urine when we arrived at our destination, and this was usually 20 hours of international travel later. I think they were too freaked to go. Also, don't expect them to drink or eat much. I used open dishes, but generally, the water spilled, so I recommend a bottle feeder for water, as in for small animals. Get them used to it ahead of time. I don't believe vets believe in sedation. It can interfere with breathing, which is problematic especially in cargo where no one will notice and you cannot help them.

Best of luck, and happy travels.

[Anonymous]

I haven't read the other replies. Here's advice from my experience a few years ago.
1) Buy a direct flight, if at all possible. I had to run to catch my connection, and if I had missed it, who knows how long the cat and I would have been in that airport.
2) Don't sedate--it's dangerous. Most cats will be slightly freaked by being surrounded by strangers on a plane and won't make noise.
3) Do have a collar and leash (preferrably something without metal if you can find it). You will have to take the cat out of the carrier to go through security. The security guard asked me to take the cat's collar and leash off because it would set off the metal detector, I asked if I could keep it on and be hand-wanded instead (not sure if you would have to be patted down now if the cat has metal, this was a while ago). The guard agreed, the cat managed to escape, and we were only able to catch her because of the leash. Poor cat.
4) Our cat didn't pee or poop in 12 hours. Apparently this is typical when flying. So put in some kind of absorbent pad, but this probably won't be a big issue.
5) Look online for advice on when to feed your cat.

I hope your move isn't too stressful, which is really the best you can say about moving.

[Anonymous]

Oh, and get a carrier that fits under the seat in front of you--this is safer for the cat than having them in cargo.

[Anonymous]

Also, check and see what certification of vaccinations you should carry with you.

[Anonymous]

Put them in a bag and tie it shut tightly. Poke a few air holes.

I hate cats.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:It's soooooooooo inconsiderate. Ugh. I was so sick on a 6hr flight because some asshole hat to bring their stupid cat.

Ditto. I'm appalled that they allow cats on planes with so many people allergic to them. Can's you get a cat sitter? Or if you're moving, drive? I guess if the airlines allow it, then you can do it, but you might as well be smoking next to me and my asthmatic self as having a cat in a confined space like that.

sorry - don't care. i'm moving 1700 miles away. i'm not driving a toddler for 35 hours in a car because you don't want to deal with my cat. the airline allows it so i'm doing it. sometimes it's not about you.

it's one thing to say that you have the right to do it, but you could at least acknowledge that it will bother other people.

i get that it would bug other ppl, but i don't think the hissy fit about it on dcum was necessary. trust me, i do not want to fly with the cat. the thought of it makes me crazy, but i have no choice. and frankly i do think that flying is a public activity and if someone runs that much of an allergy risk in public then maybe they're the one that shouldn't be flying.

First- i'm not the one that said your cat should die. Second, you're an off your rocker pet owner to think that the right to have a cat on the plane is greater than a person- or child to fly without a common allergen. Really- did you argue that smokers should be able to smoke and restaurants and people bothered by it shouldn't eat out?

Cats do not cause cancer. Ever heard of Benadryl?

[Anonymous]

I was thinking about a related issue today - the news was talking about whether you should recline your chair or not on a plane. Seems to me that if the airlines allow it and you follow the rules, yes, you should be able to recline and yes, you should be able to take a cat or other on board item that is allowed.
If you don't like the rules then complain to the airlines. And if the person behind me simply asked nicely I'd be happy to put my seat back upright for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's soooooooooo inconsiderate. Ugh. I was so sick on a 6hr flight because some asshole hat to bring their stupid cat.

Amen! You really can't leave Snuffy and Princess behind for a couple of days? I am highly allergic to cats and do not want to waste and epi pen because you can't live without your monsters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's soooooooooo inconsiderate. Ugh. I was so sick on a 6hr flight because some asshole hat to bring their stupid cat.

Ditto. I'm appalled that they allow cats on planes with so many people allergic to them. Can's you get a cat sitter? Or if you're moving, drive? I guess if the airlines allow it, then you can do it, but you might as well be smoking next to me and my asthmatic self as having a cat in a confined space like that.

sorry - don't care. i'm moving 1700 miles away. i'm not driving a toddler for 35 hours in a car because you don't want to deal with my cat. the airline allows it so i'm doing it. sometimes it's not about you.

it's one thing to say that you have the right to do it, but you could at least acknowledge that it will bother other people.

i get that it would bug other ppl, but i don't think the hissy fit about it on dcum was necessary. trust me, i do not want to fly with the cat. the thought of it makes me crazy, but i have no choice. and frankly i do think that flying is a public activity and if someone runs that much of an allergy risk in public then maybe they're the one that shouldn't be flying.

First- i'm not the one that said your cat should die. Second, you're an off your rocker pet owner to think that the right to have a cat on the plane is greater than a person- or child to fly without a common allergen. Really- did you argue that smokers should be able to smoke and restaurants and people bothered by it shouldn't eat out?

Cats do not cause cancer. Ever heard of Benadryl?

This is not an eye rubbing allergy, this is throat closing, can not breathe go to the hospital allergy to cats.

Bring your cat on the plane and I need to use my inhaler and I will probably sue you and the airline. I may not win, but I make a shit load of money - so I don't care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's soooooooooo inconsiderate. Ugh. I was so sick on a 6hr flight because some asshole hat to bring their stupid cat.

Ditto. I'm appalled that they allow cats on planes with so many people allergic to them. Can's you get a cat sitter? Or if you're moving, drive? I guess if the airlines allow it, then you can do it, but you might as well be smoking next to me and my asthmatic self as having a cat in a confined space like that.

sorry - don't care. i'm moving 1700 miles away. i'm not driving a toddler for 35 hours in a car because you don't want to deal with my cat. the airline allows it so i'm doing it. sometimes it's not about you.

it's one thing to say that you have the right to do it, but you could at least acknowledge that it will bother other people.

i get that it would bug other ppl, but i don't think the hissy fit about it on dcum was necessary. trust me, i do not want to fly with the cat. the thought of it makes me crazy, but i have no choice. and frankly i do think that flying is a public activity and if someone runs that much of an allergy risk in public then maybe they're the one that shouldn't be flying.

First- i'm not the one that said your cat should die. Second, you're an off your rocker pet owner to think that the right to have a cat on the plane is greater than a person- or child to fly without a common allergen. Really- did you argue that smokers should be able to smoke and restaurants and people bothered by it shouldn't eat out?

Cats do not cause cancer. Ever heard of Benadryl?

This is not an eye rubbing allergy, this is throat closing, can not breathe go to the hospital allergy to cats.

Bring your cat on the plane and I need to use my inhaler and I will probably sue you and the airline. I may not win, but I make a shit load of money - so I don't care.

Dear God...you will have to use your inhaler? You are right, that is an enormous burden.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's soooooooooo inconsiderate. Ugh. I was so sick on a 6hr flight because some asshole hat to bring their stupid cat.

Ditto. I'm appalled that they allow cats on planes with so many people allergic to them. Can's you get a cat sitter? Or if you're moving, drive? I guess if the airlines allow it, then you can do it, but you might as well be smoking next to me and my asthmatic self as having a cat in a confined space like that.

sorry - don't care. i'm moving 1700 miles away. i'm not driving a toddler for 35 hours in a car because you don't want to deal with my cat. the airline allows it so i'm doing it. sometimes it's not about you.

it's one thing to say that you have the right to do it, but you could at least acknowledge that it will bother other people.

i get that it would bug other ppl, but i don't think the hissy fit about it on dcum was necessary. trust me, i do not want to fly with the cat. the thought of it makes me crazy, but i have no choice. and frankly i do think that flying is a public activity and if someone runs that much of an allergy risk in public then maybe they're the one that shouldn't be flying.

First- i'm not the one that said your cat should die. Second, you're an off your rocker pet owner to think that the right to have a cat on the plane is greater than a person- or child to fly without a common allergen. Really- did you argue that smokers should be able to smoke and restaurants and people bothered by it shouldn't eat out?

Cats do not cause cancer. Ever heard of Benadryl?

This is not an eye rubbing allergy, this is throat closing, can not breathe go to the hospital allergy to cats.

Bring your cat on the plane and I need to use my inhaler and I will probably sue you and the airline. I may not win, but I make a shit load of money - so I don't care.

wow - way to abuse the system. you are a very sad person who i honestly believe is making most of this up. but i cannot WAIT to see you in court. me and both my cats will be legally on a plane soon. probably someone else will have a pet, too. get over yourself. like i said, my DH has severe asthma. i get it, and i'm calling both your bluff and your BS.

[Anonymous]

Don't sedate. The cat is more likely to get hurt if sedated.

If you are putting them in cargo, the weather will have to permit. They won't let you do this if the weather is very hot or cold -- check with your airline and I'm sure they will give you the parameters.

You will need to get a vet checkup before flying within a certain window of time -- again the airline will give you the parameters.

[Anonymous]

Your DH has severe asthma and you still have cats?!!! Selfish cow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your DH has severe asthma and you still have cats?!!! Selfish cow.

What's cows got to do, got to do with it?

Why do you choose to insult cows like that? What have cows ever done to you? You've probably eaten their dead flesh and consumed products made from their breast milk, but you choose to be ungrateful and call the cows selfish??!!

I suggest instead of calling people selfish cows, we should call them "selfish 13:42s!!!!"

[Anonymous]

Hi - Sedation is not good for the kitties, but they do make kitty prozac (one of my cats has serious stranger anxiety and we use it when she has to go to the Vet). It will basically just mellow them out a bit, maybe help them relax. Check with the vet.