Igalf72

Hi.. any experiences or advice when flying with a cat? Soft-sided or hard-carrier preference? Thank you!

E

I've done this! The number one question, with a bullet, is: will your cat fit under the seat in front of you, sans carrier? B/c if he won't, he'll be really uncomfy squashed into a carrier that small. Having said that, we used a soft-sided, and would NOT do so again: even though it was a good brand, it tended to collapse on top of the beast along the top, and he spent a lot of time trying to claw his way out. I would suggest a hard-sided carrier that is as big as it can possibly be and still fit under the seat; the airline will give you the dimensions.

Also, you do know that you have to buy a ticket for the cat, right? You do, in part b/c the airline can then deal with any feline-allergics on the flight, by either re-scheduling them or you.

Good luck to you! Btw, we flew overseas with 5 cats: 2 under the seats, 3 in the hold. The 2 in the cabin did OK, though it was hard on them; the other 3 seem to have suffered, and I would avoid doing that to them again. However, everyone survived!

Scarlett

I will tell you my cat in the plane story and probably show my age at the same time
I flew from LA to NYC with my little tiny kitten in my purse! No xrays at that time, so no one was the wiser, and before I am bombarded with scorn for doing such a thing, I was very young and the kitten ended up sleeping in my lap or being petted and fed by the flight crew.
Today I would get the smallest hard sided carrier, I bet First Class would have more room for a carrier under those seats! But then, would the cat pay First Class too! Yikes~

Diana

Be VERY careful to pay attention to the plane.
I carried on a cat in a hard-sided carrier on a small commuter plane in the winter.
I did not realize the heating vents were on the floor.
I checked the cat periodically just to be safe, and luckily noticed she was panting and gasping and moved her carrier up to the seat beside me before I had a disaster!
Good luck.

Loki

I usually just get him a seat because he really likes the in-flight video and then I can eat his bag of peanuts because he's allergic to nuts. That "train your cat to use the toilet" video is finally paying off.

artlover

I traveled recently with 3 cats when I helped a friend move from Seattle to Sacramento. We went on Alaska Airlines--the cats did not need tickets--there were 3 of us (people) and we eached carried a cat on as our carry-on. We had 2 soft carriers and 1 hard--all were very large cats (Manx) and we had no bad incidents (they were surprising quiet) except Spencer did pee in his carrier, but Shama and Pathos were just fine. (I think we, the people, were more nervous about it than the cats.)

Good luck!

wlongman

I used a hard case. Also, most airlines require a health certificate from the vet. We were really lucky when I flew cross country with my kitty (LA to NY) we got bumbped up to first class! She really enjoyed the smoked salmon for dinner.

I would also put something very "worn" with your scent on it in her carrier. Not so bad everyone around is going 'Whooooo who hasn't taken a shower in 3 years??!!" I've heard it comforts the kitty to have your scent right next to them.

Funny story - > when we got bumped up to first class, some stoggy old fart in the seat across the aisle from me said "I trust you will keep that beast in its cage!" I looked at him and said "I trust you will be saying in your seat all night too, sir!" I immediately got a little blanket to put over me and Jude slipped up onto my lap content for the 7 hour flight. (She HATES being in cages and would bash her face on the metal mesh til she bled!!)

I also gave her a little tranquilizer from the vet "just in case" but never needed to use. She's an awesome traveler!

Good luck and hopefully that old guy won't be on the same flight as you.

Scarlett

Loki, very funny!!

I wish my pup could fly so easily as a little cat. But he definitely would require his own seat, so until I can afford my own plane, he stays with the sitter

EmilySD

I traveled cross country with my cat in a hard case, under the seat. I gave him a tranquilizer from the vet and he slept the entire trip. He was very grumpy, and still a bit wobbly when I got to the hotel. The cat didn't need a ticket, but I did have to pay $25, I think, that was 5 yrs ago. Best of luck!

mrsbu

When my Mom flies down from MAine on AMerican she keeps that cat in the cabin with her. He travels in a soft carrier as it fit better under the seat in front of her. The vet gives him a little vailum and he is good to go.
American charges 75.00 for him to fly in the cabin, no vet papers and he was removed at the Xray counter and he was examinde to make sure he was a real cat and that he was not packing any weapons. I kid you not, he was basically strip searched.

Scarlett

Mrsbu, did they make him take his little shoes off too? And what about underwires, or is the cat a boy?
Lol, I can just picture the agent, holding this cat, checking it out. My cat would have started purring and tried to wash the agent! My daughters cat would have bitten him:lol

Igalf72

Thank you so much for your stories.. Maybe we need to build a sub - pet travelers guide!

United's fee is $80 which is not too bad. I've heard pros and cons about sedating the cat. However, if you dare to take this psycho cat out of the carrier at x-ray.. they had better figure out a way that she is going back in! She spits and hooks her claws in nicely! Haha.. once is enough!

Also, a friend suggested bringing one of those aluminum baking pans.. and do the kitty litter thing. on the layover in the bathroom... haha.. Has anyone tried this?

I have flown overseas with a dog and bird and it's much tougher on us! BUT they were in cargo!

Thank you!

gail

We have a friend whose son works with baggage screeners at Logan (Boston). Recently a dog skelaton showed up on x-ray machine for carry-ons. Turns out someone was trying to smuggle her live dog onto plane in her carry-on. (I wonder if the dog now glows in the dark)

Meesthare

I talked with my vet about sedating my cats for travelling. He says it's worse for them if they travel in cargo, because it's colder in there and there's nobody to check on them and see if they're OK. He's heard of sedated cats dying while being transported in cargo. He doesn't see anything worrisome about sedating them if they need it and they're travelling in the cabin; you can get them to respond to you every so often, and you'll know yourself whether they're too cold or too hot. There is some kind of kitty litter equivalent that I've seen on a website - wish I could remember the details - that you can put in the carrier for plane trips, long car trips, etc.

Scarlett

I have heard that you should use the "wee wee pads" instead of litter, that you should never sedate dogs, they can choke on their tongues etc...
We just need to work on the airlines so the critters can have their own cabin, airline or seat

cassidy2002

I have a great idea!! A petfriendly airline. Buy one seat and get one for pet of your choice!! A play area for dogs!! Probably not the safest, but we can't go anywhere because we HATE to board our doggies. Now I have a new business idea!

MoniqueU

Am I the only one that is disturbed by cats in the cabin? I would much rather sit next to a chain smoking frenchie then a cat. I am highly allergic to cats, have had to have an adrenilin shot because it triggers killer asthma for me where as nothing else would. I would be pitching a fit if the person next to me had a cat with them. Sorry, JMHO but I think they shouldn't be allowed in the cabin.

Scarlett

No Monique, I am sure you are not the only one disturbed by cats on the plane.
Fortunately , although I have allergies, cats and dogs don't bother me, but I would still rather sit next to a dog or a cat than a chain smoking anybody! or someone who decided to bathe in her favorite sickening perfume.
But that is another thread

jaydreb5

I'm sure you're not the only one disturbed by it, but I would personally much rather sit next to a cat than a baby or very young child.

E

Monique, I suggest you always tell the airline about your allergy when you fly; when I booked my cats, the airline informed me that if any of the other passengers on the flight declared an animal allergy in advance, I would have to be bumped from the flight, which I thought was perfectly fair.