Flying with a cat

[HenryisBlaisin]

I’ve flown with two (and a family member; each person can only carry one) and it was pretty uneventful. My vet did give a small dose of ace to give before we boarded. One was restless during takeoff but fine afterwards, the other was fine the whole time. I had a hard carried for one and a duffel-bag type for the other and definitely preferred the latter-much easier to carry over my shoulder.

Definitely use a harness with plastic fittings for security-it gives you something to grab onto! Also, make sure you have a way to offer water. I had a cup with me and offered water several times throughout the whole process. They did check my rabies and health cert, so make sure you have them. Health cert must be within a certain number of days (I think it was either 7 or 10).

[Puglet]

[QUOTE=Bicoastal;7291394]
One poster said the rabies and health cert were not checked. It is still required by most (all?) airlines.

Carrier recommendations: Sturdi bag or the very popular Sherpa.

I would get the bag asap to let kitty get used to eating meals in it. I would also practice holding kitty in your arms -unless you choose the pillowcase route. Any concern about wrapping kitty into a burrito in front of others? I’d worry about doing it without losing kitty or causing a delay and angry comments from onlookers about abuse, plus I believe the TSA agents need to see the animal.

Edit to add link comparing the two carriers. Here is the comparison from a very informative dog travel blog.[/QUOTE]

My cat show friends, who air travel with their cats extensively, use the Sturdi. They make excellent products. They also harness their cats at security. Make sure you also have basic supplies with you to clean up your kitty/carrier in case of accidents. I was rooming with a friend at a recent cat show who had quite the story of trying to clean up her 22 lb Maine Coon in an airport restroom. This is a cat who is currently campaigning for a national win, so he flies regularly!