Traveling By Plane With Your Cat? Here's What you Need To Know and Bring
“Everybody wants to be a cat. Because a cat’s the only cat, who knows where it’s at”
If you're anything like me and need to be prepared for every little scenario, you might be looking for more (detailed) information about bringing your cat with you on a plane. There's really no such thing as being over-prepared, so you've come to the right place. I'll walk you through all the steps you need to know and what you might want to bring on your trip.
I went home for the holiday season, and since no one was available to watch my cat, I decided to take him with me. This was his first plane trip, and I had traveled with him before by car. Let me start by saying that Muminek (that's my cat’s name) is resilient to change for a cat, so I wasn't too worried about him, especially after our summer trip, where he spent up to 7 hours in a car for two days.
Do you have a trip coming up soon, and you want to travel with your cat? Here are some tips and tricks and what you might want to bring.
What to consider before you travel with your cat:
1. Make sure your cat has a valid passport + vaccination certificate
I believe every country has different rules when it comes to pet requirements. Please check with your vet about the type of vaccinations and documents your pet needs. In my case, my cat needed a rabies shot (you can get one that is valid for three years), and I had my vet issue him a new passport just in case.
2. Call/check online if the airline you’re flying with accepts cats on board
Not every airline lets you bring pets in the cabin; even if they do, you need to ensure their carrier fits in the seat in front of you. Every airline has different rules, so it's best to check with them before you book your own ticket.
3. Let your cat get used to their carrier
If you only use the carrier for trips to the vet, your cat might have a bad association with a carrier/backpack. Before your trip, place the carrier on the ground so they can sniff and familiarize themselves with it. This way, they will feel more comfortable going into the carrier. As you'll probably be waiting in line for security and walking quite a bit around the airport, you want to make sure you have a carrier that's comfortable for your cat but also for you. I use the backpack below in size M. It's pretty lightweight, has pockets on both sides, and, most importantly, fits under the plane chair in front of you.
4. Consult your vet if you need to use cat sedatives for travel
If your cat is anxious whenever you leave the house, it might be possible to give him a sedative to relieve stress and reduce the chance of them getting motion sickness. Most over-the-counter medication is natural and can be purchased online. However, please speak to your vet about the dosage and use it in moderation. I gave my cat the Zylkéne Anti-Stress as I noticed he appears calmer with it than without.
5. Do you need to bring a litter box?
This, of course, depends on the length of your flight. My flight was 1.5 hours, so there was no need for me to bring a travel litter box with me on the flight. Of course, you'll still need one at your destination, but you don't have to always have it with you during the trip. However, if your flight is longer than +- 5 hours, my advice is to bring it with you. You won't be able to use it on the plane, as you're not allowed to take your cat out of the carrier during the flight, but you can have them use it before you board or right after you land. If you have a longer flight, I'd recommend bringing puppy pads with you, just in case.
I use the Portable Cat Box for Travel as it's foldable and will only use up a little space. Just so you know, at home, my cat uses The PetSafe Scoopfree Self-Cleaning Litter Box .I’’m guessing he doesn't mind that the travel one is much smaller or less fancy.
What to consider while you're traveling with your cat:
1. What do you do during airport security when you travel with your cat?
This point gave me the most anxiety. I had never traveled with a cat before, so I wasn't sure if I had to take him out of the carrier and, if yes, when.
I want to say that every airport is different. On my flight out of Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, the security check with my cat went like this:
At first, I walked up to the regular security belt (the one where you take off your shoes and take everything out of your pockets). Please let security know that you're traveling with a pet, and they will tell you to walk through the security scan with the carrier. When you arrive, you hand over the carrier to security and walk through the security scan yourself. After you're done, they take you to a separate room with your cat and ask you to take them out as they scan the carrier.
However, on my flight back from Balice Kraków Airport, my experience was completely different. I had to take my cat out of the carrier in the security line, remove his harness (while holding him), and take him in my arms while going through the security scan. This didn't really go well, as my cat was utterly freaked out and scratched my arm. Luckily, we found a lounge afterward, and I treated him to a liquid stick (and some peace and quiet), and he was fine again.
2. Don't forget to bring a harness
If your cat is used to walking outside with a harness, it might be an idea to bring it with you so you can go for a short walk in the terminal building before your flight or during a layover. As I mentioned, my flight was pretty short, so I didn’t see the need to take him out of the carrier, but I made good use of it at our destination.
3. Have water and a snack on hand
You want your cat to eat only a little during travel, but you can bring a small snack and water with you. I take a Portable Water Bottle with me and fill it with water so my cat can drink whenever possible.
4. Distract your cat with their favorite toy
As you need to place your cat in its carrier under the seat in front of you, it might happen that they get stressed from all the vibrations. Specifically, during take-off and landing, I noticed my cat was a little rattled. Luckily, I had his favorite toy with me and could distract him with it while reaching inside the carrier with my hand to pet him.
Keep in mind that every cat is different. Just like people, some don't mind change, and others prefer to stay in their trusted environment. Whatever you decide to do on your next trip, at least you now know what to expect and what to bring.
If you still have any questions or need advice, please feel free to reach out, and I’ll be happy to answer them.
Safe travels!
