Practical advice for travelling with your cat

Can you travel with your cat? Although it may seem daunting, the answer is: yes, absolutely! It’s perfectly possible to take your cat on a trip. Whether you’re going on vacation for a long time or moving abroad, my answer to the question “Should you take your cat with you? is: absolutely! Of course, there are certain things you need to think about, and it’s essential to prepare yourself (and your cat) in advance to plan your trip properly, whether by train, car or plane. In this article, you’ll find advice and solutions to the various challenges you may face when traveling with your cat.

How tonter your cat or kitten in the transport cage?

When traveling with your cat, it’s of course essential to keep stress to a minimum. To do this, you need to take certain precautions. Of course, you’ll need a cat carrier. It’s essential that your cat has been accustomed to it beforehand, to avoid unnecessary stress. When it comes to choosing a travel crate, you’ll need to ensure not only that it complies with the regulations (by contacting the airline you’ll be flying with), but also that the cat is comfortable in it during the journey (there are many different models of travel bag/crate).   It’s also highly recommended that the cat be familiarized with a harness and leash (he may need to stretch his legs depending on the length of the trip, and may not be able to run free).

You must therefore make sure that your cat gets used to these tools by making pleasant associations with them before you leave. For example, for the carrier, you can leave it in the cat’s environment at all times, door open, and install a small comfortable blanket inside, treats and even catnip if your cat likes it. What’s more, if you’ve never transported your cat in a car before, you’ll need to get him used to it before thinking of traveling with it. You’ll need to set aside time for all these different stages (to find out more about how to go about it, please consult the following articles: Walking your cat on a leash & How to look after my cat on vacation). Our cat coaching service also offers advice tailored to your needs.  

What are the formalities to take your cat abroad?

First of all, check the import/export regulations of the destination country and make an appointment with the veterinarian:

• You may need to request a certificate of good health signed by the veterinarian for an examination performed some time before departure (the period of time between the health examination and departure may differ from country to country).
• If a certificate of good health is required, you’ll have to go to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) for approval. So you need to plan ahead.
• Find out what vaccinations and/or other tests are required in your destination country, and exactly when they need to be carried out.
• Ask your vet if medication is needed to keep your cat relaxed during the trip.
• Ask your vet for syringes to keep your cat hydrated (see below).

Next, plan to contact the embassy of the country you’ll be visiting (or moving to) to find out their entry requirements for your cat. They’ll be able to tell you if there are any applications to fill out in advance, special certificates or examinations required, or even mandatory extended quarantines. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in your cat being placed in mandatory quarantine, returned to its country of origin, or even euthanized.

For air travel, contact the airline to find out :

• What cage dimensions are permitted
• How much does the animal weigh?
• Which breeds are allowed
• Can cats travel in the cabin or must they be placed in the hold?
• Reserve a seat for your cat on the plane
• Confirm reservation one week before departure 

How do you take your cat with you on the plane?

Here’s a list of items you’ll need if you have to transport your cat by car/plane. Make sure you have a bag to store these items in.

• A flexible or rigid carrier (validate the standards required by the airlines if you’re traveling by plane) with good ventilation. 
• Put an absorbent mat at the bottom of the box in case your cat makes a mess, and bring spare ones if necessary.
• Foldable bowls are ideal. An automatic bowl takes up a lot of space and is rather heavy, and the aim is to reduce the weight in suitcases in the case of air travel.
• Have a collapsible, waterproof litter box, especially for long trips. Sometimes airlines allow people to take their cats (in their crates) into the toilets to relieve themselves. Be sure to lock the door and close the lid of the toilet bowl before letting your cat out.  
• To reduce the weight in your suitcase, Ecolife litter can be a very interesting choice.
• Prepare syringes of water (the addition of a little tuna juice can be interesting to give taste) to administer to the cat during the trip and keep him hydrated. 
• Provide a sarong/scarf/towel to cover the cat’s body to reduce stress.

For very long journeys with stopovers, it may be worth choosing a long stopover and renting a hotel room for a few hours to allow your cat to relieve itself, stretch its legs, eat, drink and sleep a little. You should also make sure that the accommodation (hotel or B&B) where you’ll be staying allows cats! And don’t forget to pack everything you’ll need when you arrive at your destination. That’s why foldable, lightweight equipment is so handy.  

What precautions to take during and after your trip travel?

• Keep the cat locked in its carrier during air/car travel to prevent it from running away.
• When flying, it’s possible to put your hand in your cat’s carrier (so you can have one with a small opening as long as it complies with airline standards), but the cat must ABSOLUTELY not go outside. 
• It’s also important to remember that you must hold your cat in your arms when going through customs (scan or search). If you’re ever asked to remove your cat’s collar or harness, and you’re afraid your cat will panic, you can use a piece of clothing to wrap her in. Pregnant women’s clothing can be a useful tool for wrapping your cat in.   Click here to see an example. Tell customs that you have a cat, put it in the garment and go through customs that way.
• When you arrive at your destination, you’ll need to proceed in the same way as when you’re moving house. This means isolating the cat in a room set aside for him when you arrive, and letting him out only when he’s comfortable in that room. When you open the door to this room, be sure to place treats throughout the environment so that the cat makes pleasant associations with its new surroundings. (For more information on how to do this, see our column on how to move successfully with your cat. Don’t let your cat go outside in the first days/weeks after the move. He could get lost and/or injured in this unfamiliar environment. However, once he’s comfortable in his new home, you can take him out in a harness/leash so he can explore the surroundings and familiarize himself with this new environment (for more information on this subject, see our column on letting your cat go outside or not.  

You now have a list of tips for traveling with your cat. Travelling with your cat requires preparation, and in most cases cannot be rushed. You need to have the right reflexes and be well informed so you can plan ahead and not be caught unprepared.   If you’re going on vacation for a short period of time (2 weeks, 3 weeks, 10 days…), what should you do with your cat? There are several options, such as boarding your cat (with friends or in an establishment that offers this service) or having a pet sitter come to your home. For more information on this subject, please consult our column: How to look after my cat during the vacations.

Article written by Kym Lecault

Educator and Animal Health Technician

Read on:

• Why does my cat attack me for no reason?
• How to choose the right cat?
• How can I have my cat looked after during the vacations?

Services you may be interested in :

• Cat on a leash” online conference
• Chat vieillit bien” online conference
• Feline behavior consultation 
• Cat coaching