Flying with your cat… Are you crazy??
As the owner of a cat, or multiple cats, I’m sure you know how fond they are of doing anything that involves leaving their comfort zone. I own two myself and the thought of taking them to the vet, five minutes up the road scares me at times, I couldn’t imagine putting them on a plane! I am sure many of you have many of the same thoughts. How would I even start? What things do I need? How much does it cost? And so many other questions that run through your mind. Depending on where you’re travelling from, and to, the list can be quite lengthy. Don’t worry though, we got you covered with some information to get you started.
What are the necessities for flying with your cat? 🐈
RESEARCH! First and foremost, research is key when deciding to travel or attempting to relocate with your pets. It is important to start this process as early as possible before travelling to ensure there are no delays or problems that arise when you go to leave or arrive at your destination. Different countries have different requirements for the entry of animals as do the airlines to get you there. From different vaccine requirements to mandatory quarantines, the information can be overwhelming. It may be helpful to make yourself a checklist as you do your research.
Once you have done your research and know the requirements of your airline and destination country, your feline companion should have a check up with their veterinarian to ensure they are healthy and safe to travel. Also, basic vaccinations are required for entry just about everywhere and on some occasions, special documents are required to be filled out by your veterinarian as well. (Seems like a good time to say this again…RESEARCH!) Another great benefit of seeing the veterinarian prior to travel is to discuss any medication that may be able to be given to help ease stress if you know your kitty gets anxious when travelling (just be sure the airline allows medication to be given because some don’t!)
So, by now you are probably curious…
How much does it cost to fly with your cat? 💸🙀
This is quite the question, and it varies greatly among the different airlines. Along with varying with the airlines, costs vary with where in the aircraft the animals travel (ie. In the cabin or in cargo). Some examples of pricing include:
- Qatar Airways: $200-450 USD
- Singapore Airlines: $8-56 USD per Kilogram based on the destination of travel.
- Airfrance: $60-450 USD
- KLM: $84-450 USD
Obviously, this isn’t all the airlines out there, but it gives you a general idea of the range of pricing when travelling with your pet. At some point in your research, you should learn about the requirements for carriers. While I know we would love to have our babies sit on our laps and lounge the whole time, this is simply not a feasible option. This is a totally different arena than home and a carrier is honestly there to keep your kitty safe. Many airlines require certain dimensions and styles for the carriers, and it may be different dependent on whether the animals will be in the cabin versus cargo (Links above!!).
The decision to have your pet travel in the cabin versus in cargo will (likely) largely be dependent on the airline, as some do not allow animals in the cabin, and cost. When reaching your destination many countries may require a mandatory quarantine, so it’s important to check the country of destination for import requirements as well.
Can you fly domestically with a cat?
OF COURSE! The discussion above still applies though. Research the airline before you book!
Day of Travel! ✈️😸🧳
On the day of travel there are several things to keep in mind.
First … With many airlines, cats are not allowed to have a litter box with them, nor are they allowed to have food. Now I know cats aren’t dogs and won’t go to the bathroom when you tell them to, but it is something to keep in mind when you think about the time at which you feed them.
Second … Be sure to allow yourself enough extra time prior to your flight to get everything situated. Pets likely require a special type of check in process dependent on how they are travelling. Giving yourself extra time can help to keep the stress level down and allow time for any hiccups that may arise.
Third … Repeat above but on the opposite side of the flight! When arranging for transportation at your destination, keep in mind that it may take time to pick up your pet if they have been travelling in cargo. Not only that, import requirements may need to be assessed before the pet can be released from the airport, thus taking up some of your time.
Thinking about travelling with your cat can be quite stressful. Starting to research way in advance and making a checklist are just a couple of ways to help make the process feel a little bit smoother. Hopefully these tips get you started and if you have any feedback for us, please let us know and don’t forget to sign up if you’re interested in being a travel volunteer!
