How to transport a cat on a plane

While flying might have become a routine for you, for any animal, such a journey is a real stress. Therefore, you need to prepare for the trip in advance. Firstly, gather a package of documents (more on that below). Secondly, make sure your cat has all the necessary vaccinations and a microchip. And also find out in advance if your pet will be allowed on board the plane. Otherwise, you risk sending your beloved pet to the cargo hold.

But first things first.

How to transport a cat on a flight

Before your flight, find out the airline’s requirements regarding the animal’s weight. Usually, pets are allowed in the cabin if they weigh no more than 8 kg including the carrier. However, sometimes this limit is increased to 10 kg.

It is also important to study the carrier requirements. Most often, it should be 105–135 cm in total for three dimensions, well-ventilated, securely closed, leak-proof, and have enough space for the animal inside to stand up completely without its head touching the top.

Just in case, place disposable pads on the bottom.

Documents. An international veterinary passport is required.

Vaccinations. The most important one, required by every country — rabies — must be administered no later than 30 days and no earlier than 12 months before the flight. Additionally, you need a passport listing all vaccinations with their dates.

Five days before the flight, find a state (!) veterinary clinic and obtain a certificate stating that your animal is healthy and ready for transport. Nothing special is done with cats during the examination: they re-check for rabies vaccination, the pet’s general condition, a stool analysis for helminths, and the absence of parasites in the cat.

Rules regarding specific vaccination lists and animal quarantine vary from country to country, so research the requirements for your desired destination several months in advance.

Microchip. While rabies vaccination is straightforward, microchipping is more complex. You still need to find a clinic that microchips cats, especially if you live in a small town. Don’t worry: there’s nothing painful about this procedure. A microchip with a unique code is inserted with a needle — like an injection. The code number will be recorded in the cat’s veterinary passport.

How to prepare your cat for a flight

If you are planning a trip several months in advance, start preparing your cat for it right away. To do this, place the carrier you will use for your pet at home, put a blanket and a toy inside. Over time, the cat will get used to this “little house,” and during the flight, the carrier will not cause it terror. On the contrary, it will calm the animal and remind it of home.

Consult with your veterinarian and decide together whether to give your cat a sedative. Sometimes specialists advise starting such remedies 10 days before the flight. But never on the day of the flight.

Arrive at the airport in advance. You need to allow time for examination at the veterinary station, check-in, payment for the cat’s transport, and then, if the animal is sent to the cargo hold, the carrier will need to be sealed and checked in as luggage. The sealing process is important to prevent the cage from opening.

How to book a place on the plane

Even before buying a ticket, call the airline and find out their rules for transporting cats. Especially if you want the animal to fly with you in the cabin. Each airline has a limit on the number of animals on board. Usually, no more than two pets are allowed in the cabin. Therefore, it is important to reserve a spot for your pet in advance. Otherwise, your cat risks being sent to the cargo hold. As confirmation, they should send you the corresponding permission via email.

They will also tell you how to pay for the cat’s spot over the phone. Payment options vary: at the check-in counter on the day of the flight, via voice menu, or on the airline’s website in advance.

Cat carrier

Soft carriers are suitable for the cabin, while only hard-sided carriers are allowed in the cargo hold. If the airline did not allow you to transport your cat with you in the cabin, then go to a pet store and ask for carriers that meet IATA (International Air Transport Association) standards.

Try it out for your cat. We repeat: the animal must be able to stand freely without its head touching the top.

How to behave at the airport, on board, and upon arrival

And once again: do not give your animal sleeping pills or sedatives on the day of travel. It’s better not to feed it for eight hours before, but you can give it water. Both before and during the flight.

Take food for your cat with you: feed the animal as soon as you arrive at your final destination.

Be sure to place pads on the bottom and put your pet’s favorite toy inside the carrier. This is especially important if the cat will be flying in the cargo hold. This will make the animal calmer.

According to the rules, during the flight, the carrier must be placed under the seat in front of the owner. But usually, if neighbors don’t mind, passengers with animals take out their cats and dogs and let them sit on their laps. This makes the pet feel more comfortable.