Traveling with a cat on a plane

Cats are considered homebodies. But we made them this way, teaching them to sit within four walls. Cats of active owners who have no one to leave their pet with travel with their owners, even on an airplane. Today we will talk about the intricacies of air transportation of tailed animals.

Cats can be carried on planes. Some airlines allow you to do this in the cabin with the owner, others only in the cargo hold. The conditions of transportation are dictated by the country where you are going. For example, in France you can carry a pet in your arms, but in the UAE - only in the cargo compartment: for violating the rules, the passenger and the airline pay a fine. Therefore, the first thing you need to do is find out the rules of a particular country for importing pets, the second thing is to check with the airline about its rules. After all, if you do not comply with the requirements, you risk losing your pet (it can be confiscated at the border) or pay a huge fine, but the animal will still not be allowed across the border.

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You should familiarize yourself with the rules for importing a pet into the country on the website of the embassy or consulate, which indicates what documents will be needed. Most often this is:

an international veterinary passport correctly filled out in English;
subcutaneous microchip;
certificate of satisfactory health of the pet, issued at a state clinic (valid for 3 days from the date of issue);
certificate with a blood test for rabies (for some countries);
For a number of countries, you need a license to export an animal from a felinological club (if it is of breeding value) or a certificate stating that the animal is not of breeding value;
For a number of countries, an import certificate is required, which lists all measures to prepare the animal for travel.

Some states require additional documents, the list of which is agreed upon in advance. These documents will be asked not only when crossing the border, but also at the airport before registering your pet for a flight, because... The airline doesn't want to pay the fine.

Also inquire whether quarantine is required when importing animals into the country. In many states, the animal is kept in quarantine from several days to six months. If so, then when going on a week-long vacation, it is better to place the cat somewhere rather than take it with you.

To prepare your pet for a flight, you need not only a microchip, but also all mandatory vaccinations no less than 30 days before the trip, and no earlier than 1 year before the trip. That is, you won’t be able to get off the ground in 2 days. Please note that the chip must be inserted before you get vaccinated.

You must notify the carrier in advance that you are planning to fly with a pet. This is important because airlines usually have quotas for carrying animals on one flight and there may simply not be enough space for you.

Please note that you will have to pay extra to transport your cat. Each airline has its own tariffs. But abroad these are quite significant amounts, which can reach up to 500 euros.

Sometimes plans to bring a pet with you must be reported in advance to the authorities of the country of arrival, who must issue permission for this. For example, in the Emirates, this procedure is similar in bureaucratic subtleties to obtaining a visa.

Proper Carrying

A cat carrier on an airplane must meet all airline requirements. Each has its own rules, so if you are combining two companies with different requirements, you will need to purchase two carriers.

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Requirements relate to weight, size and material of the carrier. So, if the owner is transporting an animal weighing less than 8 kg together with the carrier, it can be taken into the aircraft cabin. If desired, you can put two cats in the carrier. But the requirements for the total weight of the container must still be met. Containers weighing more than 8 kg are sent to the cargo compartment.

Size requirements state that the cat or cats must fit comfortably in the container, standing up to their full height and lying down without constraint. That is, the carrier must be spacious, but at the same time fit into the restrictions set by the airline.

Some carriers allow fabric bags, but most require them to be plastic or metal.

The carrier must have a reliable door with a good latch that the animal cannot open, and a rigid, waterproof bottom. The carrier provides ample air holes. Typically, the main ventilation is provided by the door.

Some airlines, in addition to these criteria, require the use of carriers from a specific brand. This happens rarely. But all companies prohibit the transportation of animals in homemade bags and carriers.

Not only airlines, but also airports can make their own requirements, so read the rules of the airports of departure and arrival in advance.

As for the internal carrying structure, a design with a built-in feeder and drinker is desirable. Plus, cat owners praise carriers that are equipped with a special door on the roof so that they can open and pet the cat: this way the pet will feel supported all the time.

Cats get scared when they are carried to an unfamiliar place, especially one as noisy as an airport. Therefore, some owners buy a special carrying case that remains open on one side. This way the pet hears fewer sounds and sees almost nothing, and therefore feels more or less protected.

Risks when transporting a cat

Things like flying are a rare occurrence in the life of a domestic cat, and, of course, there is a high probability of stressful, even risky situations occurring. How to transport a cat on a plane with a minimum of risk?

In the cabin

The cat meows loudly and is hysterical

Constantly let the animal feel that you are nearby, you will not go anywhere, you will not abandon him. An option is to move the cat from the carrier to a special chest bag, sling. There he can feel calmer. Or just hold it in your arms;

The cat may wet itself and slobber

In addition to the diaper at the bottom of the carrier, you need to have a few extra diapers and wipes with you. You can immediately put pet diapers on your cat.

In the luggage compartment

Of course, you will not be able to influence the solution of force majeure during the flight of a cat in the luggage compartment. But preventing them is a matter of first importance!

The carrier may be sent on another flight by mistake;
The carrier can be treated like a regular suitcase: pushed, thrown, etc.;
The luggage compartment may not be heated.

Do everything on your part to make your pet’s flight as comfortable as possible!

Toilet while traveling

During the trip, the cat will also go to the toilet in a carrier. The tray is not placed in the carrier, but an absorbent napkin is placed on the bottom. The trouble is that not all cats can go to the toilet so easily: some begin to rush around the cage, begging to be let out. But sooner or later, if it’s really hot, everyone still gives up.

Before departure, it is better not to feed the cat heavily, so as not to have to clean up the shit. You can feed during the flight, but not much. But access to water must be constant.

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The nuances of transporting kittens

Most airlines do not allow kittens under 4 months of age (check with your airline for the exact age). This is due not only to age, but also to the fact that babies receive their first vaccinations at 3 months, and they also need to endure quarantine for about a month after vaccination.

But the opportunity to transport kittens still exists. This requires that they:

were younger than 3 months;
transported together with the mother (one kitten or several cannot be transported without a cat).
A kitten under 3 months can only be transported with its mother

In this case, the veterinary certificate indicates that the kitten is not vaccinated according to age.

Preparing a cat for flight

Any trip causes stress for an unprepared cat. If she is not accustomed to walking outside and riding public transport, she will have a hard time. Most often, pets freeze and remain silent when they are afraid. But they might start screaming. Everything is individual. The owner may not even notice the problem, and in the meantime, the cat’s body, if the trip is long, will experience overload, become exhausted, and its immunity will drop. To prevent this from happening, you need to start accustoming your cat to travel several months in advance.

First, buy a good carrier. Introduce the animal to it. It is advisable to place it open in the middle of the room so that the pet can enter on its own. After you have seen that the cat is already familiar with the carrier, you can try going outside with it for 5 minutes. The next day, give the cat a rest, and the next day go outside again. This should be done for a couple of weeks, increasing the walking time. Moreover, you need to start from deserted places, and then you can go, for example, to a park. When the cat gets comfortable, he will want to get out of the carrier. You must first open it and place it next to you. The cat must have a harness so that you can control its movement. It takes 2-3 months to accustom a cat to walks so that he feels comfortable outside the home. Read more about how to train your cat to go for walks.

It is not recommended to sedate your cat before a flight without the advice of a veterinarian, as this will lead to a decrease in blood pressure, which is dangerous during the flight. But you can use calming sprays with pheromones and matatabi grass.

Small kittens can be injected with a drug that increases immunity in advance. But kittens without vaccinations will only be allowed to be transported with a nursing mother.

On the day of the flight, behave calmly: the animal feels the emotions of the owner and sometimes gets nervous only because the owner himself is in an unbalanced state.

What documents are needed

Pets are allowed on the flight if they have all the necessary documents.

To fly a cat within the Russian Federation, you must fill out the following documents:

Veterinary passport, which contains notes on the pet’s vaccination and treatment of parasites. A rabies vaccination is important, but it must be done at least 3 weeks before departure.
Veterinary certificate (form No. 1). Issued by the State Veterinary Station. Valid only for 5 days from the date of issue (it is better if the departure date falls on the 3rd day), so it will not be possible to take care of it in advance.
A veterinary certificate is issued by a veterinary station

If you plan to fly outside the Russian Federation, the list of required documents expands. You will also need a veterinary passport, but of an international standard, where all records are duplicated in English.

In an international veterinary passport, all entries are duplicated in English

A veterinary certificate is also required. It will be replaced with an international document at the check-in counter.

What to take on the road

If you are flying on vacation with a cat, then, in addition to the carrier with the toilet, you will have to take other things:

documents for the cat;
food and water;
clothes for the cat (if she is cold);
absorbent toilet wipes;
wet wipes (in case your pet gets dirty);
cat tablets for diarrhea and vomiting (if it suddenly catches);
anti-flea collar on the cat (or it is preventively treated against fleas and ticks with drops);
an antihistamine (in case your seatmate is allergic to cats).

How to get a cat after a flight

If the animal was transported in the cabin of the plane, then it leaves it along with the owner. If the pet was flying in the luggage compartment, then the owner will have to wait.

Animals are the last to be unloaded from the plane. They are issued in a separate terminal. Containers are transported on special trolleys. Each container is equipped with a special label, according to which it is transferred to the owner.

In some countries, after an animal is imported, it is quarantined. It can last from a week to several months. Keeping a cat in quarantine is paid additionally by the owner. Find out about this in advance.

If the flight involved a transfer, then while waiting for the connecting flight you can ask for the release of an animal.

What to do at the airport

It will take additional time to register your pet. First you need to find a veterinary control point where the cat's documents and health status will be checked. If the cat is clean and without signs of illness, it will pass the test. Typically, veterinary centers are located near passenger check-in counters.

After passing veterinary control, you will receive an international veterinary certificate in exchange for a health certificate, which you issued 3 days before at the state veterinary clinic. After veterinary control, go to the passenger check-in counter.

When waiting for a flight at the airport, the animal can be released from its carrier, but only if it is wearing a leash. The fact is that the pet may get nervous and run away. There were cases when cats escaped and hid in the bowels of the airport.

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Documents for taking a cat abroad

Crossing the border with a cat is an extremely troublesome task, bringing considerable stress to both the owner and the animal. Many countries are not loyal to the import of pets, even if they behave absolutely calmly, fearing dangerous diseases and parasites.

In addition to the documents required for domestic flights, you also need to complete the following:

international veterinary certificate (passport);
a certificate indicating breeding value or lack thereof;
a certificate indicating that the animal is microchipped (required here).

When booking air tickets, you need to find out from the carrier additional details regarding receiving a cat at the end of the flight.

How to behave in the cabin of an airplane?

It is not advisable to let your cat out of the container while traveling, as it may behave inappropriately. At the same time, it is important for the animal not to lose contact with the owner, so hold the carrier in your arms and talk gently to the pet, opening the lid so that the animal can stick its head out. Or, on the contrary, place the container on the floor, covering it with something. Cats love secluded places and respond well to silence and darkness. Perhaps this will even make it easier for the animal to calm down.

During takeoff and landing, the container with the animal must be placed under the seat in front so that it is firmly secured. For safety reasons, it is allowed to do this for the entire flight, because... turbulence possible.

People with animals are not allowed to sit in the seats near the emergency exit.

Who should not be transported by plane?

Air transportation of fish and marine animals (which require an aquatic environment), rodents, reptiles (turtles, lizards, etc.), arthropods (for example, spiders), animals and birds taken from the wild (not domesticated), and pets whose weight is prohibited is prohibited. including carrying exceeds 50 kg.

Among the dogs that are prohibited for transportation, the following breeds are classified as brachiocephalic (due to the structure of their muzzle, they can suffocate during the flight):

bulldog (English, French, American),
pug,
Pekingese,
shih tzu,
boxer,
griffin (Belgian, Brussels),
boston terrier,
Dogue de Bordeaux,
Japanese chin.

As a rule, you should not transport a pet younger than 3–4 months: it must develop immunity after receiving a rabies vaccination, which is usually given at 12 weeks.

It is better to check with your airline for a complete list of prohibited animals.

Carrying a cat in the luggage compartment

Most cats tolerate just such a voyage normally. At least the compartment is quieter than the airplane cabin. Moreover, if the trip is a long distance, the cat will simply be uncomfortable in a small carrier. And in his luggage he has a whole enclosure. In addition, the enclosure can be covered on all sides with fabric, which will close the cat from the outside world.

Sometimes traveling in the hold is unavoidable: if the cat is too large or if the airline and host country have such a rule. In this case, make sure that the animal does not freeze (you can dress it in a cat sweater, and place a warm bedding at the bottom of the carrier, although luggage compartments with animals are heated) and less worried (place the carrier in a fabric cover).

But, if you have a choice, we do not recommend sending your pet in the luggage compartment, especially if it is flying on an airplane for the first time, because... you don’t know how his body will react to this. The first time, it is advisable to monitor his condition and, if necessary, provide assistance. At the same time, if this is not possible, there is no need to worry too much: cats tolerate flights well in any conditions. There are even cases when they climbed into the suitcases of their owners and traveled enormous distances in their luggage.

However, you should be aware that there are airlines that are careless about pets in luggage. There were even cases of death. So it’s better to check with the airline in advance. Sometimes cruelty to animals becomes a reason to choose another carrier.

Was the event difficult or easy?

Traveling by plane is extremely stressful for your territorial pet. He was not just “pulled out” from his usual environment, where he had established his life and learned every little detail better than his owner, but was also subjected to unusual physiological stress: pressure changes, turbulence, unrecognizable noises, odors. Some animals - about 7-12% of them - quickly adapt to changes in the situation and what is happening, but the majority still experience great fear. Its result may be:

Frequent urination;
Delay in going to the toilet;
Lethargy and lethargy;
Tremor of the body and limbs (the main symptom of fear);
Lack of reaction to things that before the move caused delight in the pet;
Refusal to eat;
Aggressive behavior;
Reluctance to make contact.

If a cat exhibits similar symptoms after a flight, it means that the flight was painful for the animal. In 89.6% of cases, the apathetic state disappears gradually after 2-5 days. It all depends on the degree of stress received, but whatever it is (high or low), he will need the help of his owner.

How to prepare an animal for a flight: advice from a zoopsychologist

Animal psychologist Marina Evgenievna maintains a blog on Instagram, where she shares her experience and tips on caring for pets. Before your flight, she recommends:

Start giving your pet a sedative 10–14 days before the flight.

As a rule, sedatives have a cumulative effect, so it is worth taking the course in advance. Carefully read the contraindications, or even better, consult a veterinarian.

Train your pet to be carried in advance

Leave the carrier open where the animal likes to be. You can put a treat or a favorite toy inside - this will make it easier for your pet to overcome fear and get used to being inside. Do not force it under any circumstances - this approach will only make things worse.