A Comprehensive Guide to Flying With Two Cats
Flying with pets can be stressful for both you and your furry companions. If you need to travel by air with two cats, this guide covers everything you need to know to make the journey as seamless as possible.
Preparing Your Cats for Travel
Proper preparation is key to a smooth flight. From my experience travelling with cats, starting the acclimation process a few weeks in advance works best. Some important steps:
- Gradually get your cats used to being in their travel crate. Leave it out with treats and toys so they associate it with positive things.
- Consider sedative medications from your vet. These can help mellow over-stimulated or nervous cats for the flight. Ask your vet for dosage advice tailored to your cats.
- Make sure identification tags are securely affixed to their collars in case they get loose during transit.
- Bring along favorite bedding, toys or treats to provide comforting scents and stimulation.
Be patient during this process – it may take some kitties longer than others to adjust. The more familiar and comfortable they are with their travel enclosure beforehand, the less stressed they’ll likely be on the big day.
Booking Your Flight
When reserving your tickets, consider the following:
– Most airlines only allow one pet carrier per person traveling. So book flights for you and a companion if flying with two cats.
– Direct flights are generally less stressful than connections where animals must be transferred.
– Ask about airline pet policies, size/weight restrictions on carriers, and any booking/documentation requirements.
– Reserve seats with space for carriers under the seat in front of you. Avoid storing pets in the cargo hold if possible.
– Book early! Space for pets fills up quickly, especially during busy travel seasons.
Carrier Requirements
The International Air Transport Association sets guidelines airlines follow for pet carriers. Make sure yours meets these standards:
– rigid and escape-proof construction, like hard-sided plastic or metal
– proper ventilation ( Holes no larger than 1/8 inch)
– securable door that fastens shut
– sturdy handle for lifting without opening the door
Measurements for two cats together should be no larger than:
– Maximum length – 15 inches
– Maximum width – 10 inches
– Maximum height – 7.5 inches
Overcoming air travel adversity requires persistence and vigilance. Here is one example I recall:
After booking a direct morning flight that was full except for one remaining pet spot, heavy morning traffic left us rushing to the airport. We arrived with barely enough time to check in and get through security when my eight year old cat Maisey suddenly had a bout of nerves in the check-in line. Despite soothing words and calming treats, she frightenedly scrambled from my grip and out of her carrier! After a mad dash and some fancy catching moves, we made our flight – whew! The moral? Always leave extra time for unexpected pets situations beyond your control. Better safe than sorry.
Travel Day Prep
These last-minute preparations go a long way on flight day:
– Withhold food 4-6 hours before the flight to avoid nauseated cats during travel.
– Consider a light meal 1-2 hours out if anxiety prone – an empty tummy can increase fear.
– See your vet for travel checks and medication renewal as needed.
– Pack paper towels/cleaning wipes in case of accidents.
– Bring copies of health certs, rabies tags, and import documents as required by your destination.
– Place cats in carriers with a soft blanket and place in taxi/car carefully.
– Check in for your flight early and let the agent know you have animals.
– Be sure carriers are IATA compliant and securely latched before proceeding through security.
The goal is keeping your kitties contained, comfortable and stress-free until takeoff! Having everything prepared can help maintain calm.
In-Flight Tips
During the actual airplane ride, try these techniques:
– Request bulkhead or exit row seating so carriers fit under the seat in front of you with ease.
– Bring a pillow or article of your clothing for your cats to snuggle – familiar scents provide comfort.
– Consider a Thundershirt or other anxiety-reducing wrap. I find they sort of “swaddle” cats similar to babies!
– Talk softly and reassure cats periodically, but avoid excessive petting which can overstimulate.
– Remain in your seat during taxi, takeoff and landing when pressure changes can disturb ears.
– If they fuss, gently massage ears or play calming classical music videos.
– Bring additional water/food if your flight is long, though many cats will likely snooze most of the time with calming aids.
Staying present, patient and vigilant helps assure both you and your cats a smooth voyage. The turbulence ends after landing!
Arrival Prep
Once you touch down at your destination, these final preparations are prudent:
– Gather your carry-on luggage and animal carriers before exiting the aircraft promptly.
– Double check your passports and import documents are in order for customs.
– Have vet paperwork ready for health certificates or quarantines if traveling internationally.
– If driving farther, allow cats to acclimate in carriers for a bit before uncrating en route.
– When settling in at your destination, confine cats to one familiar room initially with litter, food and toys.
– Give additional love and reassurance until they’ve fully adjusted to new surroundings.
Boom – after the preparation, the flight itself goes basically smoothly! Maybe one cat gets a bit car sick on descent? No biggie with paper towels on hand. Landing, you collect your luggage, cats snooze in carriers til through customs then nap the rest of the afternoon in your vacation lodging as a job well done. Safe travels furry friends!
In summary, Advance planning, accommodating schedules, addressing anxieties, providing comforts – these minimize stress when transporting cats through air travel. With patience and vigilance, you and your kitties can navigate the experience with minimum distress for all. Safe and happy flying!
Tips for Flying With Two Cats
| Tip | Details |
|---|---|
| Carriers | Use soft-sided carriers that are large enough for your cats to stand up and turn around. |
| Sedation | Consult your vet about sedation options to keep cats calm during the flight. |
| Paper Lining | Line carriers with absorbent paper to contain any accidents during travel. |
| Identification | Secure ID tags on carriers with your contact information in case of separation. |
| Comfort Items | Pack favorite toys, scratch pads, or treats to ease anxiety inside the carrier. |
FAQ
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How far in advance should I book my cat’s airplane tickets?
Basically, the sooner the better when flying with cats. Most airlines require you to reserve a spot for your feline friend at least a couple weeks ahead of time. At the same time, it doesn’t hurt to book even earlier – maybe a month or so in advance – just to be safe. Flying isn’t the most enjoyable experience for kitty, so having everything set up calmly beforehand is best for everybody.
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What do I need to bring my cats on the plane?
You’ll need a carrier for each cat that meets airline size requirements. A super sturdy one is best suited for kitty travel. Also pack snacks, litter, and bedding that smells like home. Don’t forget ID tags and medical records in case your meowing passengers get misplaced. Bring a note from your vet saying the furry flyers are fit to fly. It seems like a lot, but these items are crucial for feline peace of mind.
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Can I hold my cat on the plane?
While the temptation to cuddle a scaredy-cat might be great, for safety reasons kitties must stay secured in carriers under the seat during takeoff and landing. However, once cruising at altitude, it’s probably okay to let them out for some love and exercise – basically as long as they don’t wander too much. Keeping them constrained is still best though, if only to prevent tangling with other passengers. The flight crew has enough to worry about without chasing cats!
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Is it stressful for cats to fly?
You better believe it! Flying is quite stressful and disorienting even for humans. For curious cats who are unsure what’s happening, it’s gotta be downright bizarre. Nevertheless, with adequate preparation and by keeping carriers covered, a cat can learn to tolerate travel. However, some vets recommend giving kitty something to help them chill, like calming supplements or medication from the vet. But is it worth drugging our furry friends just for a trip? Perhaps it depends on the individual cat.
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What if my cat meows or cries during the flight?
It’s only natural for a cat to express their fright or unease with some loud vocalizations. However, all that howling can disturb fellow fliers. The good news is cats usually settle down after a bit. Try using calming pheromone sprays and pads, or playing soothing music for kitty in their carrier before takeoff. You could also ask the flight attendant to check on them periodically. With any luck, and barring turbulence, our feline companion may snooze through much of the adventure. Fingers crossed!
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How can I prepare my cats for flying?
To ease anxiety, start getting cats used to their carriers well before the big day. Feed them frequently inside it and leave the door open so they associate it with good things. You could also try simulated car or bus rides to get them used to vehicle movements. Consider asking your vet about anti-anxiety meds too. According to some experts, playing calm, repetitive sounds can help desensitize cats. But what really works seems to vary from cat to cat. So you may have to try different tactics until finding each kitty’s sweet spot.
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What if my cat gets lost at the airport?
While reportedly rare, it’s certainly a worry that Felix could escape from his carrier before boarding. Make absolutely sure latches are secure and don’t let felines out unsupervised – airports can be overwhelming places. If the unthinkable did occur, immediately alert staff, who are trained to help reunite lost pets ASAP. Strongly consider microchipping and ID tags too, so any good Samaritan finder can get kitty back pronto. With vigilance, hopefully luck will stay on your side and Fluffy won’t end up a stray. Fingers crossed that doesn’t happen!
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What should I do if my cat gets anxious on the plane?
Even after preparations, an anxious cat may rattle around or caterwaul during flight. Tryusing subtle, soothing distraction techniques: pets through carrier vents, soft voice, treats. You could also ask a flight attendant for help contacting a vet on the ground for advice. In an emergency, oxygen deprivation at high altitudes could be a concern. Therefore, it’s wise to consult crew if worried. Hopefully a calm interior environment will relax kitty. As a last resort for extreme stress cases, you might consider booking them as cargo instead of cabin critters. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that!