Cat Travel
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They have a subtle way of telling you how much they enjoy traveling with you. Even if it is in a backpack!
If you have to ship your cat, you'll want an airline ITAT approved shipping pet crate
Put a non-spill water cup in the kitty shipping crate to wet her palette during long flights More Details...
With this stylish carrier kitty will be proud to go anywhere with you
This mobile cat bed was made for automobile traveling
- Cat Travel... Plan on Taking Her With You
- Cats Traveling in Automobiles
- Cats Traveling by Airplane
- Traveling Cats and Lodging
- Cats Who Travel within the USA
- International Cat Traveling
- Microchips and Cats Who Travel
- End Thoughts...
- How does Alexander Feel About Travel?...
Cat Travel... Plan on Taking Her With You
Cats for many people are extended members of their family. So, it's natural that they should also be traveling companions. The first time that arrangements are made for taking your cat with you on an excursion, it can seem to be a lot of work. But, as with all things, it becomes easier the more you do it. Of course, much depends on the kind of, destination, and length of traveling you'll be doing. Light cat travel may mean nothing more than a weekend visit to an inn or hotel for some decompression for yourself and a break from the routines of a fast paced life. More rigorous cat travel could involve a tour of the capitols of Europe. Business cat travel may mean spending a month in the city where your company home office is for some specialized training. Whatever travel is involved, taking your cat along might be preferable to boarding her in a kennel or leaving her in the hands of a professional cat sitter.
- If you are planning to travel by car remember that your cat will be confined to a small area for long periods of time. She will need food, water and a place to call her own, such as a bed and litter box. I have traveled this way and one thing I can tell you is that cleaning the litter box will become an ingrained, daily habit for you. Many grocery stores carry portable litter boxes that can be disposed of easily without going through the whole litter changing routine.
- Unless your cat is used to car travel, she should begin the trip in a well ventilated crate until she gets used to the idea of being in constant motion. Leash training her prior to any cat travel is a good idea so that when you stop, her bolting for the open door won't cause long delays in your trip. You'll need motion sickness medicine available if she gets car sick, too.
- Feed her a couple of hours before getting on the road and avoid feeding her while you are moving. You'll want her to keep her food down.
- Don't leave your cat in the car alone for long periods of time. Even with the windows open a car can become a furnace in the summer and a refrigerator in the winter. Heatstroke or death is all too possible.
- She should have her own cat travel kit. In it carry her veterinarian vaccination papers, food, bowl, leash, a waste scoop, some plastic bags, grooming supplies, any medication (such as for motion sickness) and a pet first-aid kit. Bring some favorite toys and her blanket or pillow to give her a sense of familiarity.
- Beware of open windows. Cats don't have a sense for the danger of jumping from a moving car at 70 mph. At any stop, they'll definitely want to get out of the car, stretch their legs and check out the new countryside, which is probably just fine if they are on a leash.
- Be sure she is wearing a collar with her health information, name and contact information in case she should become lost. Give serious consideration to giving her an implanted chip (see below).
Cat travel by automobile isn't as bad as one might think, at least from my experience. I once traveled with my cat, Pimple, for 3000 miles. The first two days she wouldn't come out from under the seat. After she became used to the motion and driving environment, she spent the rest of the trip on the dashboard watching the road as it rose from of the horizon in front of us. I think she loved the newness of each place we stopped (we camped each night), and in the morning when it was time to move on, she was the first to get into the car. What a great traveling companion.
Airline cat travel is a bit more iffy since it's possible she'll be out of your direct control for long periods of time. Besides, airlines were designed for people in the passenger cabin of the craft and luggage in the cargo holds. Cats weren't factored into the aircraft's design at all. It's best to take her with you as carry-on luggage, in a carrier that can be placed under your seat. In the cargo hold she'll be alone and then there's all that jet noise going on. If you should opt to ship kitty, then do the following:
- It's doubly important for your cat to have a collar with vaccination information, name and contact numbers. It's also a good idea to have her destination information with her, too.
- Wherever possible, book a direct flight. Just so she doesn't have to sit around the cargo hold during delays, or be moved around a lot by baggage handlers.
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Purchase a crate designed for shipping live animals. One that is certified by the IATA. Some of the design requirements for shipping a live animal are that a crate must be:
Large enough for your cat to stand, sit and turn around in.
Must have a secure locking system.
Some kind of water container. Preferably one that doesn't spill easily.
Ventilation on all four sides.
Pet and owner information.
A copy of your cat's health certificate attached to the crate.
On the crate write:
Your cats name and contact information.
Her destination information.
In big block letters write "LIVE ANIMAL" and an arrow pointing to which direction is "UP". Write this on the top and sides.
Line the crate bottom with some type of bedding—shredded paper or towels— to absorb accidents.
Leave the crate door securely latched, but not pad locked, in case of emergencies.
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Take 2 pictures of your cat. Tape one to the crate and carry one on your person. Just in case she manages to escape.
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If possible, secure a dish with frozen water in the crate. By the time it thaws she'll be on her way and she'll have an in-flight drink.
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Don't tranquilizer her. That could be a problem when cabin pressure increases with altitude, or drops for any reason. Sedation will interfere with her ability to breathe easily.
Here are some more air travel tips:
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Most airlines require pets to be healthy, under 100 lbs and at least 8 weeks of age.
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Cats are usually not allowed out of their crates and airlines will assume no responsibility for your cat's health or well-being.
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The USDA requires a veterinarian certified health certificate 10 days before traveling for cargo hold transported pets. Some states and airlines will require a certificate for cat travel in the cabin.
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Some airlines restrict or don't allow cat travel in the cabin. Be sure to check the airlines cat travel rules before you purchase a ticket. There may be fees associated with cat travel in the cabin of an aircraft.
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If possible, try to travel during the week when airports are less busy. This will lower the stress level for your cat.
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For cats traveling in the cargo hold: In the summer, fly in the morning or evening. In the winter, fly during the midday. Flying during these hours will ensure safer temperatures for your cat.
As accessible as the world is to people today, and traveling easier than any time in history, cat travel is becoming a common sight. Pet owners are committed to their pets and are insistent on bringing their pets with them on traveling excursions. The lodging industry is picking up on this with the result that there are many hotel and inn options to choose from who have pet accommodation policies. Whether you are doing the booking yourself, or are using an travel agency to book for you, just always remember to state that the cat is part of your party. In many cases you will be advised of the pet policy, and if not, you can always book at the competition down the street. I have found that even if there is no policy, a refundable deposit will secure lodging for the cat, too. Listed here are a few resources for locating hotels and inns, in the USA or internationally, that accept pets:
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Takeyourpet.com - Welcome
This site costs to join ($1.95 for 5 days or $14.95 for a year)
Cats Who Travel within the USA
Cat traveling within the continental United States is relatively easy. Each town, district and state has its own rules and regulations concerning medical documentation requirements. It's in your cat's best interest to have her visit your veterinarian for a check-up and to update her vaccinations, especially her shots against rabies. This should be done 7 -10 days before leaving on your trip. The last thing you want is for her to pick something up while she is "on the road". If your kitty is traveling via automobile, she may have to present medical records at Interstate check points when you enter some states, proving at least that she has had a current rabies vaccination. Some airlines will require them, also.
As you know, water from the tap changes in quality from place to place. Taking bottled water with you and keeping your cat on a consistent tasting water source will lesson the chance of upsetting her system, which will probably be under stress, anyway. You don't want her lapping from any unverified pools or puddles. Though, a crisp, cool flowing mountain stream might be just what she's looking for to slake her thirst on a long road trip. If you can find one.
International cat travel is a bit more problematic. Most Countries have their own Health Certificates that you will need in order for you to bring your cat into their Country. For those that don't have their own certificate, you may be able to use a form called the International Health Certificate USDA-APHIS 7001 form. It is officially known as "United States Interstate and International Certificate of Health Examination for Small Animals". And, you will probably have to have it certified by the USDA. Call the USDA Veterinary Services office for additional information. Their number is (301) 734-8364.
If you are cat traveling to the
European Union, they have a form called the EU form 998 Veterinary
Certificate. You will need one for each country that you plan to visit. Your
veterinarian will know how to fill out the certificate. But it should
indicate the following:
Your cat's name
Her breed
Color
Her age
Country of origin
Your
name, address, and phone number
The certificate must state that your cat is healthy and
free of parasites.
The certificate should show the inoculations your cat
has received
including
the type, the manufacturer and the batch number if possible.
Rabies shots must be given at least 30 days prior to
travel and not
more than 12 months before traveling.
After your veterinarian has filled out the EU Form 998, it will have to be
stamped and endorsed to certify it. Take or send the original to the local
APHIS/USDA vet office in your state. To find a local APHIS/USDA office
in your state, click the following link:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/area_offices.htm
Of course, some countries require that the certificate should be
translated into the language of that Country.
It will be up to you to discover what the requirements for cat travel entry into a specific Country are. Contacting tourist offices, consulates, and embassies is where you will want to start. Your veterinarian will also know where you can get the forms described above.
Microchips and Cats Who Travel
Placing a microchip in your cat
involves placing a rice grain size devise in the area of her shoulder. It
contains a number that when scanned by an animal shelter or veterinarian
that has a scanner, it can be matched with your contact information that
will be on file. That file will be kept by the maker of the chip. Keeping your contact information up to date
is essential. Collars and tags can become lost. The chip will stay with your
kitty. Even so, you should have a tag on her collar with the chip number,
and the name of the manufacturer of the chip.
There are different manufacturers and models of microchips. Depending on where you'll be traveling, you may need more than one chip for your cat. (She can wear them like epaulets to boast of her travels)
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Within the US, the Avid 9 digit chip, or the Avid Euro Chip with 10 digits, or the Home Again chips which operate at 125 khz should be used.
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For cat travel in the EU, a microchip is mandatory for your kitty. The chip has to meet ISO standards 11785 Annex A (125 - 128 kHz FECAVA) and be a chip of the 10 number variety. The Avid Euro Chip and the Home Again Chip manufacture chips that meet these requirements.
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France is different. The French require a 15 digit ISO standard 11784 134.2 microchip.
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Cat travel to other Countries should have a 10 digit ISO standards 11785 Annex A microchip. China uses a 9 digit chip.
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If you live and travel throughout Europe you should use the 15 digit ISO standard 11784.
If it gets any more confusing than that... kitty will really have a chip on her shoulder.
Prepare fully to take your cat along. That means everything she has at home will need to be supplied for her on the road, if she is to feel comfortable. Food, water, her own bed and toys. You should understand that there are both positive and negative aspects to cat travel. You will need to consider them all when you decide to travel with her. But, the reward of a loving traveling companion is unmatched in light of how difficult traveling can sometimes be. And as strong as the bond between you and your cat is, she will not want to be left behind to pine while you gad around the world.
How does Alexander Feel About Travel?...
Alexander could tell that something was up. The suitcases were all lined up on the foot of the bed and there had been an unusual number of phone calls lately. Some seemed quite stressful. Now, though, things have settled down to a excited rush.
"This is not the ordinary 'I'm going out tonight' activity", Alexander noted wryly. "And this new cat travel carrier is quite durable... it seems to be made especially for a long distance journey", he said while inspecting the new tote carefully.
Alexander is not particularly fond of cat travel. Pet air travel seems to be the easiest, but only because a long automobile journey requires a period of getting his "sea legs". But then, that was only a problem when he was very young. Traveling, lately, had brought him a sense of worldly sophistication. He wondered if his Africa tethered brother would fit well in the fine pet friendly resorts, hotels and restaurants he had come to enjoy. "Boy... he would really need to clean up for that!".
He was certain that all the arrangements had been made. Cat friendly hotels and inns reserved, cat groomers (traveling can really play havoc with your hair, you know), pet sitters and exercisers (you need a break from your traveling companions, sometimes), addresses of veterinarians, cat supply shops, ID tags and microchips. Just in case they should get separated. His health and inoculation papers were all up to date. Every place they'll stay will be pet friendly in every sense of the word.
"That must have been what all the phone calls were concerned with", he thought to himself as he lay in the half filled suitcase, thinking this was a good time for a little afternoon siesta. As he dozed off amid the familiar smells of the clothes he lay upon, his thoughts drifted to far-away places, exotic scents and new faces.
"Ahh, yes. There's nothing like the anticipation of the magic carpet adventure of cat travel to stimulate my sense of excitement".
Nope. it's obvious Alexander doesn't like being left home alone.
Cat Travel through airports just got easier with this carrier on wheels. It will fit under the cabin seat, too!
Your lost kitty will draw lots of attention with I.D. tags that are fun and stylish
Now, here's a little light reading for the road
Whether traveling far or just around the neighborhood, this
ID System will help you take control of a bad situation to bring your best friend home again. When your cat is found, the information on the tag tells the finder to call help4pets.com who then tracts you down anytime, anywhere.
While on the road, write to all your friends with greeting cards that say, "Wish you were here..."
If you and your cat get separated while traveling, make it easy to find you with these Tags
PetAlive.com has natural remedies for every kind of pet ailment. Including Easy Travel Solution for cats that suffer from Motion Sickness when traveling
No matter which way the wind blows, you'll be able to set sail with this Cat 'n Mouse Weather Vane to point the way.