Travel with Cats

Whether on a trip home for the holidays, or a move across country, there are a number of considerations when traveling with your cat. If you will be staying in hotels, you should call ahead to make sure they allow pets. There are books and websites that can help you find cat-friendly places to stay.

One example is www.petswelcome.com

Regulations vary between states, countries, and even airlines. Make sure to check with the consulate prior to travel regarding vaccination requirements. Some countries require months of organization ahead of the trip, so as soon as you know your destination it is important to begin preparations. In the USA , check before travel to Hawaii as it is a destination that requires advanced planning if you plan to take pets there.

Your cat should never be loose in a vehicle such as a car, bus, train, or airplane. He may become frightened and run away or lodge himself somewhere dangerous. He should be in a cat carrier, either soft or hard-sided, for both his and your safety.

Here is a list of items to bring with you when traveling:

• vaccination history as well as any important medical history
• Health certificate from an accredited veterinarian as per interstate and international regulations ( usually 10 days)—if you are exporting a pet, make sure your thoroughly research quarantine and export requirements
• a safety breakaway collar or harness with identification tag, and have the cat microchipped by your veterinarian well in advance of travel
• carrier—consider spraying the artificial pheromone Feliway ® into the carrier just before loading as this has a calming effect on cats
• food, water, and bowls
• litter pan, clean litter, scoop, and disposal bags
• old towels or paper towels to clean up any “accidents”
• toys, blanket, brush

Some cats may not travel well, to the point of needing special care in certain circumstances. You should ask your veterinarian for suggestions if this applies to your cat. Perhaps tranquilization will be necessary. Note that safety studies are not available for the effects of sedation at high altitude. Cats traveling by air will only be given sedation with great caution due to the unknown effects of sedation on the cat’s system. Cats with short noses such as Persian-type cats are also at higher risk of breathing problems during transport. Any product should be given only upon veterinary prescription, and the dosage instructions followed meticulously. More is not better!

Acclimatizing your cat to the car by taking him on several short rides may help him get prepared for longer trips. Offer treats and praise when he is calm.

Once you reach your destination, it is best to set up food, water, and litter in a quiet room such as the bathroom and allow your cat to relax. Remember that traveling is stressful for cats, and they need time to “decompress” before they can relax and explore their new surroundings . If at a hotel, leave the “do-not-disturb” sign on the door so that the cleaning service does not accidentally let the cat out.

Lastly, we must remind you never to leave cats in a parked car on a hot or cold day. In warm weather, inside temperature can rise very quickly, and cats can get heatstroke and die. If traveling with a cat, bring the carrier inside with you at rest stops to prevent such a tragic occurrence. Note that even on a moderate-temperature day, the inside temperature of cars can become dangerous –think about the circumstance where you are indoors and perhaps unaware that the sun has come out—the car temperatures can quickly reach 100° F inside, and what seemed like a safe option suddenly becomes an oven!

See State APHIS offices listings: www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/area_offices.htm

UK travel information: www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm

 

Disclaimer: This website is not intended to replace professional consultation, diagnosis, or treatment by a licensed veterinarian. If you require any veterinary related advice, contact your veterinarian promptly. Information at Cathealth.com is exclusively of a general reference nature. Do not disregard veterinary advice or delay treatment as a result of accessing information at this site.