Flying with pets

[midnightmare81]

Hello,

So I am new to this and was hoping someone could give me insight. I will be flying with my cat to AK in a month. She will be flying with me in the cabin. IS there anything I need to know? Where do I find a carrier to being her in? The ones the airline sells seem really expensive. Would a bag (for a pet obviously) be a better choice then a hard cage?

My cat is 3 years old, and spayed with all her shots. Shes generally quiet, but I will request a mild sedative from the vet for her since its a 12 hour flight. The airline doesn't require a health certificate, how would I find out what AK requires?

Any other tips? I am flying US Airways with a layover in PHX in case that matters. Thanks in advance!

[niemand88f]

I've never flown with a pet, I'm glad you're able to take her in the cabin though!

Here's US airways regulations for carriers: www.usairways.com/en-US/traveltools/specialneeds/pets.html. There's a couple different companies that make approved carriers, like Sherpa, Petmate, and Pet Gear. I think you may have to take her out of the carrier when you go through security so be prepared for that.

[polarbearfans]

Only thing I have to offer is to get her used to a break away collar if she isn't already. Just in case she gets out, it would be nice for her to have a tag with your call number, and tag her carrier too.

[stephanie305]

I've flown with my cat twice. Both times I used a soft-side carrier (like a mesh duffle bag, I think Sherpa made it) and I stowed him under the seat in front of me. He did okay, although he peed in his carrier the second time (he's kind of a jerk). A few things I've thought of:

1. I think it's recommended that you don't give your cat food or water for like six hours prior to the flight. Ask your vet.

2. Consider going to one of those large, private "family" bathrooms during your layover to let your cat out of the carrier for a few minutes to stretch. I would only do this if you're confident you'll be able to get her back in the carrier! This is what I did after my guy peed in his carrier so that I could clean him up.

3. Carefully consider whether you want to use a sedative. I know a woman who gave her cat a sedative prior to a flight and the cat got diarrhea. Not a pretty sight/smell, I imagine!

4. Be prepared to remove your cat from the carrier when you go through security. I carried my guy through the metal detector and his carrier went through the x-ray machine. Definitely put a collar on her if she doesn't already wear one.

Good luck! I'm glad she's able to go in the cabin with you. I've heard nightmare stories about "checking" pets.

[midnightmare81]

Thanks girls! Now I am nervous about giving her a sedative, but she cries when in a crate going places (vet, moving, and tends to poop initally I think from nerves. She does settle down eventually though. I was just hoping it would help take the edge off and make her sleep since its a 12 hour flight and she is fairly active normally. I was thinking of lining her carrier with one of those puppy pad things on top of a blanket, so if she does go in it, it will make for easier cleanup (I will carry a few extra with me)

I am working on getting her used to a harness (she is crafty and would probably slip out of a collar) so that I can take her out at security. Whoever had the idea to take her into the family bathroom, your a genius! I don't know that I will have time for that though, since our layover is less then an hour :-(

I would never check a pet, not worth a risk. One of the reasons my dog isnt coming too! (well, aside from the face that she is 12 and wont handle the climate change, so she will live with a friend for the 6 months I'm gone.

[moreace01]

I haven't flown with my cat yet - but am going to next week.

What I know so far:
1. The carrier I have is slightly bigger than the requirements for the airline I am flying on (it is like an inch longer). I'm hoping I won't get stopped - I know other people haven't with this particular carrier, but I am very very worried about it. My cat is kinda larger and the smaller carriers just won't work. It's soft sided so should squish a little...

2. You need to make sure cat is up to date with vaccines - in particular rabies. You need to get a sign off from the vet no more than 30 days prior to flying that cat is in good health and need a copy of the vacc certificate. Will they ask for this at the airport? Who knows - but err on the side of having more info than not enough.

3. I have heard that when going through the scanners, you could "opt out" of the scanners and request a private room - this is what I'm going to do. There is no way I am taking my cat out of the carrier in a crowded airport and risk having him bolt - also why he will be wearing his harness so I have something to grab in case.

4. I have heard that actually sedating your pet is a no-no - and that if your pet looks sedated they won't let them fly. But you could try calming treats or feliway or something. My vet recommended some treats - I bought them, left them on the counter by accident (yes, I suck as a cat mom) and the cat got into them and ate the whole bag. Long story short - he's fine, but I'm not getting any more treats and am going to wing it. They didn't seem to affect him much anyway....

5. My vet also said not to give food or water about 6 hours before the flight. I am intending to put a puppy training pad in the carrier in case he has an accident - it will be easier to just replace the pad.

6. I pray he doesn't cry or make a lot of noise. He's pretty low key as far as cats go - very relaxed and friendly (example - he fell asleep on the vet's exam table when we were there a few weeks ago). He makes noise when we leave in the morning - but that's about it. I am just hoping he sleeps through most of the trip.

I am so nervous...I am probably overreacting though.

[midnightmare81]

moreace1, thank you for your response. I too was having issues finding one that would allow for max room for her without going over size. Finally found one last night on overstock! I doubt they will be measuring though... I will be bringing her to the vet a week before to get all shots needed and a health certificate. As you said, better safe then sorry. I will be restricting food/water as you suggested. I will probably take her out at security, but shes fairly calm/friendly as not likely to run, if anything she will just suck up to me more. I will however have a harness and leash on her in the event she does try to get away. She is fairly well traveled by car, and she usually cries for a little bit, poops in her crate, and then is done with it. When we moved from Houston to NJ, there were a few times i had to go in her crate and give her food/water/ ect and she didnt seem to care. Showed no interest in running even in a crowded parking lot with many people around. For that trip she was in a larger crate that had a bed, litter pan, food and water. I too was planning to use puppy pads in case of necessary clean up! I already bought them even! Great minds think alike :-) My main concern is she will cry/talk the whole plane ride... which would be a HUGE pain for everyone involved.

[moreace01]

Sept 4, 2012 20:42:19 GMT -5 midnightmare81 said:

My main concern is she will cry/talk the whole plane ride... which would be a HUGE pain for everyone involved.

lol - this is my main concern too. he's a talker. and while I find it quite funny, I'm sure no one else will. I'm sure I'm making this into a bigger deal than it is, I'm just nervous.

Good luck!!

[midnightmare81]

Thanks! You too!

[Deleted]

Sept 4, 2012 14:47:43 GMT -5 moreace01 said:

I am so nervous...I am probably overreacting though.

It sounds like you're pretty ready and have thought most things through, but the one concern I have is your nervousness - animals picks up on their humans' emotions and then they get nervous in turn. Figure out what you need to do to calm *yourself* down and it'll make things a bit simpler. Good luck!!

[moreace01]

Hi OP - if you are still around - I flew with my cat yesterday and it went pretty well.

1. My carrier was a tad large (I knew this - it was an inch longer and an inch wider) - I had a hard time getting it under the seat, but eventually it got under there. I had a window seat mainly because I didn't want people kicking him by accident if they went in and out. But there really isn't a lot of under seat room by the window and nowhere for your legs to go. I'm not sure if window, middle or aisle is best.
2. I did get the TSA to give me a private screening room. I cannot imagine having to pull my cat out of his carrier in the middle of the security line and walk through the metal detectors and body scanners with all those people around. So whoever recommended this - I thank you very much. I wouldn't have known to do this and I think it was the right thing to do for me. Much less hassle.
3. No one asked for his vet info - the $40 form I had them fill out (grrr!!!). Or his rabies vacc.
4. You will probably not be able to hear your cat cry or talk over the sound of the plane so dont' even worry about it. Mine cried twice that I know of - and no one but me heard him.
5. I mistakenly put his food in the pocket in the back of the carrier - and there was no way I was able to get to it once he was under the seat. Which sucked cause when he got really hungry, I thought he was going to bust through the mesh of the carrier (he will do anything for food).
6. I put the puppy pad down - but again, even if he did anything, there was no way that carrier was coming out of there while en route so kind of a waste. For the record - he didn't do anything.
7. I did put his harness on him, but not sure i will on the way back. It's kind of constricting on him and since I don't intend to take him out other than in the TSA screening room, I think I will leave it off on the way back.

Anyway - just wanted to let you know it went pretty well.

[midnightmare81]

Thanks for your response! I may ask about the private screening. I know she would be fine, but it would probably be better for everyone. I am supposed to have an aisle seat, but I will confirm this on check in. I ended up finding a carrier (17x10x10) that fits the specs. Specs are 17x16x10, so I'm good there. I do not plan on feeding her since its a LONG flight and she tends to poop when we travel :-(

As for the health cert, I dont think I will get a cert if it costs more, Ill just bring proof of vaccines and my vet invoice and that should be enough I hope. I wont be moving on post so I think that helps. I will still put a harness on her anyway just in case. She feels a little limited in it, but since she cant go anywhere anyway being in the bag thing, I'm not to worried