Cats vs. Traveling
 

I saw the post about what to do with cats during a 3-week trip... I have a much bigger dilemma. We're going to Europe for nine months. We also have a dog, but don't anticipate too much of a problem taking her with us (no quarantine for Italy, routine vet's certification, etc.). The cat is a whole other problem. I can't imagine asking someone to watch her for such a long period, and I could not begin to imagine getting rid of her (I raised her as a day-old orphan), so the only option I see is to take her with us. That, however, seems like it will be very tricky. Taking a dog on a plane is one thing; you can take it into the bathroom and put a potty pad down. But what about a cat for a transatlantic flight? I know we'll have to give her a sedative of some kind, but I imagine that from the time we leave our house to the time we get to a final destination (hotel room, flat, etc.) could potentially be 24 hours.<BR><BR>Obviously I'll discuss all of this with our vet as the time approaches, but I'd love to hear any comments and advice.....

Make sure you discuss with the airlines on their policy for pet travel. I think most airlines won't let you take animals during summer months (if that's when you'll be leaving or returning). PLUS, they may have guidelines with regards to cats as many people are allergic to them. I'm an avid animal lover, yet with my asthma & allergies, I'd raise quite a ruckus if you got on my flight carrying your dear little kitty.<BR>

I took my cats from the east to west coast of the US. I bought soft sided cat carrier bags and was able to carry them onto the plane and keep them at my feet (it's one cat per person, my boyfriend carried the second cat). We could pick up the bag and hold it in our laps too. This was several years ago and we had to pay $50 per cat. There are also limits as to how many animals can travel on a plane at one time, but I wouldn't imagine this would be a big problem. You also have to have a vet's certificate that they have had their booster shots recently. The cats were very nervous, but we decided not to sedate them as we'd heard it might be dangerous.<BR><BR>Since you're going out of the country, I would double check quarentine procedures going and coming as well.<BR><BR>I know 9 months is a long time, but you also might want to consider a professional pet sitter who would come to your house and take care of your cat, or paying a friend or relative to do it (or set up several people to handle shorter periods of time). <BR><BR>good luck.

Are you SURE you'd be allowed to take the dog to the bathroom with you? I thought that, assuming tiny dogs are even allowed in the cabin, they have to remain in their carriers. But aren't the rules the same for cats, i.e., couldn't you take their carrier into the cabin, leaving a littler box in the carrier?<BR><BR>I guess I would not go abroad for that long while my dogs re alive. I'd be afraid to shp them as live luggage, and mine are far to bigfor the cabin.<BR>

The cat probably won't eat or drink while in transit. And the vet told us not to feed them the night before we left.

Under no circumstances should you sedate your animals for the flights. That is the number 1 cause of death to animals in the air! <BR><BR>The only way that I travel with my cats is with a Sherpa bag (the small soft-sided ones mentioned above that can be found on-line and at Petsmart).<BR><BR>The person who said they could take their cats out during the flight just had a really nice flight crew. The rules for most airlines are that they must remain at your feet in an enclosed container for the duration. <BR><BR>Cats have a remarkable ability to hold their urine for long periods of time if necessary. If you must take them overseas, I would strongly suggest carrying them onboard as it is MUCH safer!<BR><BR>My final thought is that the welfare of your animals should be your top priority in this situation. Their health and life (as with any living creature) is more important than any trip.

I too am an animal lover. What you should do if you decide to take both of your animals to Europe, which I hope you do, is have a layover where you have to change planes instead of a direct flight. That way there will be a break in the travel. You can take both the dog and cat to the restroom at the airport where they can stretch out a little. Just make sure they're both leashed so they don't run away. You can just go to the corner of the bathroom or go into one of the larger bathroom stalls.

Also while in the bathroom just put down the potty pads and hope for the best. Good luck.

I don't get it! Unless you're staying in one place the entire 9 months, won't you have the same problem in Europe? What to do with kitties when you travel? Take them along/find a sitter? How to transport them so they won't freak out?

Thanks for all your comments. Here is some additional information:<BR><BR>- Re. sedation, I just assumed sedation was normal; as I said, I have not yet spoken with my vet about this. My cat whines every time I take her anywhere in the pet carrier (i.e. to the vet, when we've moved, etc.), so that might get annoying to fellow travelers on the plane. I would NEVER put my pets down below with the luggage, though (and besides, the dog and cat are both small).<BR><BR>- The purpose of the trip is for my fiancee to conduct her PhD dissertation research in Naples, so yes, we'd be in one place for most of the time. If we travel in Europe while abroad, I assume we'd maintain our base in Naples, so we could have someone watch the cat (and dog) while we travel for short periods here and there.<BR><BR>- Re. the comment about splitting up the travel with a layover, I'd just as soon do it all in one shot, to minimize the total travel time. I feel it would be best to get it over with as quickly as possible.<BR><BR>Thanks again, and keep the comments coming. They're all very helpful.

I don't know about the dog, but I would doubt the cat will want to stretch its legs--I agree it's better to get it over with in one shot. My cats also wouldn't eat or go to the bathroom for I think it was a day or two after we got to the west coast. They were getting over the stress of travel. Definitely try and coax them to drink water as soon as you can get them to.<BR><BR>The stewardesses on our flight were very nice about the cats and even came over and petted them when we unzipped the bags.

I think you'd better check with your airline right now before you waste any more time bewondering...most major airlines are now refusing to carry animals in the cabins at all and if so, have raised the fees. Contrary to the feelings of animal lovers, most people are extremely annoyed by their presence in the cabin and only made worse by those who insist on taking cat/dogs out of their carriers "and nobody minds." I've fostered once each a cat and a dog for friends in situation similar to yours--have you no friends or family who will take your pets? Would be the best thing for them!

I think they should raise the fees for kids and babies. I'd rather have animals flying anyday over bratty kids.

I have no idea about transatlantic flights but I just took a short haul trip on the weekend and a woman had her cat in a cat carrier and took it on the flight. I am an animal lover too and this is quite a dilemna. I think if I had to make a decision like this I would opt for leaving the cat at home with a trusted friend for the 9 months. Very tough I know but cats are such creatures of habit and it could be extremely traumatic for it (you don't mention the age of the cat). As well I do have first hand experience with anorexia with cats - both my cats experienced it as an adverse reaction to medication. My understanding is that if a cat stops eating for 48-60 hours, they can actually "forget" how to eat and become anorexic very quickly. It is then very difficult to get them to eat again. My two cats had to actually be hospitalized and eyedrop fed. It was touch and go. If your cat is a nervous type I would hate to see it get so traumatized that something happened to it. Under no circumstances would any animal in my care go into the hold of an aircraft.

I doubt if any airline will let you take a pet onboard the cabin on an overseas flight, but check. We just came back from London and while overnighting in LA met people who flew from PA and were going to the Japan the next day. They had two large dogs, the dogs had been shipped in cargo/pet area of their United flight and when we met these people at the hotel the dogs were OK - they were out walking them. They were going in the a.m. to Japan in one long haul. I think it is easier to ship dogs tho, they handle it better. <BR><BR>My husband works for a large pet store chain and people always are asking him about shipping animals. It's really something to discuss with the airline however. Also find out the quarantine laws in Italy for cats. Depedning on the age of the cat it might do ok, but will probably need to be tranquilized just the same. I'd be sure to get a non-stop flight - never never never make connections when shipping animals.

Last summer I flew my dog from Atlanta home to Halifax, Nova Scotia with a stop in Toronto. She's forty pounds so she flew in cargo Air Canada, they can take two pets in a special compartment. I was able to visit her in Toronto and check to make sure she did not need more sedation or water. I can't tell you how kind everyone at Air Canada was to her. She will be flying with them again this summer. I haven't had a pet onboard during a transatlantic flight but have had many in the cain within North America most were sedated and all were very well behaved.

hi michael,<BR><BR>I am going to say something that I hope won't offend you. I love cats. They are such remarkable, independent and royal creatures. I am writing this looking at my two favorite animals in all the world and seeing two different distinct wonderfully indivdial personalities. don't get me wrong. I love my dog too. she's much more lovable and faithful and dependable than my cats, but my cats entertain me, while my dog it's usually the other way around.<BR><BR>so here's the possible offense....I would never subject a cat to 2 transatlantic flights for just 9 months. two or three years maybe...but for 9 months I would find a relative or friend or pet sitter. <BR><BR>i know you will miss her/him horribly but cats have a way of landing on their feet (no pun intended) and are much more adaptable to a short term temporary situation's as long as the person you are using is a responsible one and loves cats also. I don't know why...I have seen cats that have become extremely ill, their nervous systems sometimes cannot take the shock.<BR><BR>another thing, I am astounded to hear about airlines that let pets fly on board with passengers. about 50% of the population are allergic to pet and pet dander. 10% are deathly allergic and would simply not expect to be in contact on an jet with an animal. and if they didn't notice it during boarding, they have no way out during flight. think about this. <BR><BR>my two cats are wonderful. I don't know what I do, but mine usually live a long time. I have had an 18 yr old, a 21 year old, and one now that is 20. My second one is 3 and a terror to the older one. I just could not even begin to think of the shock to their system by putting them thru a 24 hour flight and travel for just 9 months. I have trouble just transporting the 3 year old back and forth in the car to and from the vet. blood has flown a time or two.<BR><BR>please reconsider this. they are small, wonderful, but nervous creatures. it would be kinder to get a friend or relative to watch them. and they would adapt easier to another person than to the travel you are talking about. <BR><BR>and don't worry, they won't forget you. I know. my 20 year old was given to my grandmother for about 5 years for company. when my grandmother died, I re-claimed her and it was like we had never been apart. <BR><BR>so no offense intended. just a gentle reminder. It is usually for ourselves and how much WE will miss them that makes us consider this. you would be kinder to let him/her go for 9 months.<BR>and you would be surprised at how well they do as long as they are fed, watered and played with periodically. <BR><BR>

oops...almost forgot. i do not know if you own or rent, but if you own you really might want to consider a housesitter. my mother took a housesitting job for 1 year. the couple went on a year long cruise. she stayed rent free and only had to pay utilities. they stored all their really valuable items prior to leaving. my mother only had two responsiblities...to make sure the house was kept up and to feed and take care of the animals. and even though they knew my mother and trusted her, they had a relative check in periodically unscheduled to make sure things were working out okay.<BR><BR>she fell in love with the cats...it was heartbreaking to watch her have to leave them (grin). but they knew who had just came home and didn't blink twice before they ran to greet them at the door.<BR> <BR>for that short a period of time, you really should consider a housesitter/free rent situation. advertise, check references etc.<BR><BR>no offense intended. good luck whatever you decide to do.

It sounds as if you may live in an academic community and may be in Italy for an academic year. Could you find a student who would love to live in your home and take care of your pets (especially Kitty) for the time you're gone?

Thanks again for the comments. All of the opinions have given me plenty to think about. My reasons for wanting to take kitty are, admittedly, selfish. I guess I'm afraid no one will take care of her as I do. If a "cat person" takes care of her for 9 months, that person probably has other cats, and my cat doesn't like other cats. On the other hand, someone without cats probably won't give her the same level of care/love that me or another cat person would. Not to mention the fact that many people I know live in places that don't allow pets, and asking someone to take care of a cat for such a long period is a huge favor to ask. Anyway, I'll work something out. All of your comments have been very helpful.