dbbb

I will be traveling from East Coast to West Coast in early September with one fussy cat. Our vet is advising that medicating a cat to fly is not advised. I find that hard to believe. Those who have done this, what is the medication that was given? Any suggestions on the best pet carrier to use would be appreciated.

P_M

If the vet advises not to medicate your cat, then for God's sakes don't do it. I have no firsthand knowledge, but I was watching the show "Airline," the UK version, and they were talking about how cats sometimes die if they are sedated while flying. I think it's something to do with the different oxygen levels on a plane. In any case, listen to the vet. He/she knows a lot more about your cat's health than anyone on this board.

I hope someone else can answer your question about pet carriers.

Milliemoo

Hi,

Your Vet's right.

If it makes you feel better, I'm flying my cat from Edinburgh to Auckland next year! Sure she's going to be a bit grumpy, but she'll forget about it the minute I open a can on tuna lol

Milliemoo

dbbb

Thanks a bunch for your replies!

BTilke

No, you don't tranquilize or sedate a pet traveling in cargo. The drugs have an effect on their respiratory system which could potentially cause problems for pets in cargo. Now if your cat is flying in the *cabin* with you, you will find vets who don't think it's bad to give a cat a mild sedative (many European vets will take this view)--but you need to test it on your cat at home at least two weeks before your flight to make sure the dose is correct and there aren't any adverse effects.
As for carriers, I'm not familiar with the air suitability of the current carrier brands on sale in the U.S., but
1. make sure it can't "pop" open accidentally--check not only the doors but also the side enclosures
2. Do NOT buy a carrier that's too large. The carrier should be no bigger than allows your cat to lie comfortably (not stretched out fully though, as if he were lounging in the sun), stand up and turn around.

rkkwan

I have seen soft-sided pet carriers that look almost like a small duffle-bag to be carried on. Parts of side/top is mesh to let air through and the cat can also see out. Check your pet store.

Queenie

We flew with our cat in the cabin from Newark to Zurich.

We sedated her per our vet’s instruction by grinding a pill into some yogurt, which she would eat. We did this before we left for the airport.

At the airport we did have to take her out of the carrier at security so the carrier could be scanned.

She fit under the seat in front of us. About half way through the flight she awoke, and began crying loudly. Anyone with a cat knows the crying and yowling is easily as loud as a human baby’s cry; and she had the ability to keep this up for hours.

So I removed her from her carrier thinking she needed comfort, and she rocketed from the carrier and proceeded to run wildly around the cabin.

Luckily my husband caught her, and the three of us squeezed into a WC where we fed her another pill and waited long enough for it to begin working (and to assure she didn’t spit it back out).

Sedation may depend on the temperament of your cat, and whether she will be flying in the cabin with you. Our cat would have made the overnight flight a misery for everyone if she had not been asleep.

BTilkes rec of testing the drug first is a good one; also pay attention to how long the drug is effective. For our cat it wore off after about 8 hours, and we really had not thought that far ahead to be prepared for her to waken so unhappily.

kamahinaohoku

I medicated my Persian cat when I brought her from Hawaii to Washington State, and then again when I brought her from Washington to the East Coast. As she was a timid soul, it let her sleep, and when she arrived, she had not been traumatized by all the strange noises and smells. My vet recommended it, actually, and she was 8 at the time.

FainaAgain

Give her some Valerian tincture, LOL

travelsparks

Generally good advice so far!
I really hope that you are carrying your cat on board with you. Much safer, as you can imagine. I don't really like checking luggage that is at all valuable, and certainly never anything that is irreplaceable.

Most cats settle down pretty quickly on the plane with you. Your vet's advice is wise. Cats can react VERY differently to tranquilizers, and finding the right dose is critical before a plane flight.
Also that post about the cat yowling? Very likely the effect of the tranquilizer wearing off. Cats will sometimes meow a bit on planes, but nothing like described here. One more reason not to tranquilize unless your vet recommends for a particular cat and its conditions.

As long as you are carrying the cat on, the soft duffel-like carriers are excellent. Much more comfortable for both you and the cat.

ddgattina

We're talkingabout your cat here, so I'll be more blunt than BTilke: when she says tranquilizers can cause "problems" for pets in cargo, it means they can die.
Your vets advice is best on this, but I imagine it will pretty much follow what BTilke answered.

I have a long memo of tips for travelling with cats (especially as carry-ons on airplanes); if you are interested in seeing it, please email me at ddgattina(at)yahoo(dot)com.

Have a safe trip!