The Best Advice For Flying With A Cat
Flying with a cat can sometimes be quite challenging, and this is why you need to prepare for your journey well in advance. From purchasing the right carrier to deciding whether or not to use a sedative, here is some useful advice to follow before taking your cat onto a plane.
PICK THE RIGHT CARRIER
When it comes to choosing a carrier for your cat, your first step should be to look into the pet policy of your chosen airline. Each airline tends to have different requirements when it comes to the size of pet carriers, so make sure that your carrier is in line with these.
Deciding Between a Hard-Sided and a Soft-Sided Carrier
Your two main options when it comes to the material of your cat carrier are a hard-sided carrier or a soft-sided carrier.
Which one should you pick?
Well, if your cat is a frequent flyer and has proven to be calm and relaxed on a plane, a soft carrier is all you need.
However, agitated cats can soon claw their way out of these, which is why hard-sided carriers are more suitable for the majority of cats. They also tend to be more durable and sturdier.
Whichever you choose, make sure that the carrier is small enough to provide a sense of safety and comfort to your cat, but large enough for your cat to be able to stand up, turn around and lie back down.
CONDITION YOUR CAT TO TRAVEL
If your cat has never really travelled before, then this is something that you will need to begin working on as early on as possible.
Allow your cat to use the carrier in your home, turning this into a safe den for your feline so that your cat enjoys spending time in it.
Training your cat to be used to traveling on a leash and harness can also be helpful, especially for longer journeys when you may have the opportunity to take your cat out of its carrier.
Once your cat is leash-trained, you can then practice taking your cat out of its carrier in unfamiliar environments. When you are your cat go through airport security, you will have to carry your cat in your arms. You don’t want your cat to be scared and trying to claw its way over your shoulder, so practising this process as much as possible in advance can really help.
TO SEDATE OR NOT TO SEDATE?
Some cats can become extremely stressed out on a plane, which is why many owners turn to sedatives for the journey.
While a sedative, which should always be approved by your vet, can help to keep a cat quiet during air travel, there are quite a few downsides to using one…
Sedatives interfere with the way in which your cat’s body functions, and this can cause unexpected reactions while in the air. This can result in breathing problems among many other issues, which is why many airlines state that they are not willing to carry a cat that has been sedated.
Plus, there are quite a few natural alternatives to using a sedative, such as:
- Calming pheromones, whether this may be administered via a spray or through a collar
- A Thundershirt, which will swaddle your cat and provide comfort
- Other calming herbal remedies
If your cat has never been on a plane before, you will definitely need to spend quite a bit of time preparing your cat for the journey. However, all of this advanced planning will definitely pay off on the day of travel, ensuring that the journey goes as smoothly as possible for both you and your cat. Learn more about flying with your cat by clicking here!
