Are you planning to go on vacation with your cat or have you decided to move? If you answered yes, taking your friend is the best thing you can do, since the domestic feline is a furry one that does not want much to be away from those who care for it with so much affection.
If you have decided that you are going to fly to your destination, you will be interested to know how much does it cost to travel with a cat by plane, truth? Do not stop reading to find out, in addition, what type of documentation you should bring.
The plane is the fastest means of transport and the one that we often use both to travel and to move permanently. But so that our feline does not have a bad time during the trip we will have to have done a few things before, which are:
- Book the flight at least a couple of months in advance: in most commercial aircraft, only a maximum of 4 small animals can go in the cabin, which is the safest place for our cat.
- Inform the airline that we plan to take our cat: in this way, they can tell us if they have any seats available.
- Go to the vet to get a passport made: Without this document, which must show the date on which you were microchipped and vaccinated, you will not be able to travel.
- Buy an approved cage or carrier: it has to be small, but big enough so that the animal can lie down well. The accepted measurements are usually the following: 48 x 33 x 22cm, but it is important to check with the airline.
If we want to know how much will it cost us to travel with a cat by plane, it will depend a lot on the airline and the destination, but it usually costs an average of $50.
Are they worth spending? Well, it also depends 🙂. You have to think that a cat's ears are very sensitive, and unless the cage or carrier is sprayed with Feliway or other similar products thirty minutes before leaving is going to have a bad time. But it is also true that if you do that and If you prevent the animal from eating twelve hours before departure, it will feel somewhat calmer.
Anyway, we have to know that today there are courier companies that offer a pet shipping service for practically the same price or something higher, where they are treated with care. It will be up to us to choose where and how we want our friend to go.
How to travel with your cat on the plane
Bringing a cat or kitten on a commercial flight may seem like a simple idea, but the logistics can add up. You may face additional costs as we have discussed above, not to mention the documentation requirements and other rules, which may vary depending on the airline.
With a little preparation, both you and your kitten can fly safely and comfortably. The rules are very similar to those of flying with a dog, but as with these animals, you will need to speak with your vet and the airline in advance to find out exactly what details you should be clear about before starting the flight.
The rules and regulations are generally different for cats used specifically as emotional support animals. Contact the airline for details on how to fly with these types of cats.)
Know your cat's travel options
In the cabin…
If a pet in its carrier can fit under the seat in front of you, it can usually travel in the cabin. In general, that means a pet weighing around 9 pounds, an easier hurdle for cat owners to overcome than dog owners.
Under-seat space differs between planes, often limiting the total number of pets allowed on a flight. That is why you should check with the airline. It is not allowed to buy an additional seat for your cat. Traveling with a cat in this way, essentially as carry-on luggage, generally costs less than traveling inside the plane.
Note: A cat in its carrier counts as your carry-on allowance.
... or as cargo
The other option is to fly with your cat as cargo in a temperature-controlled, pressurized compartment. Cats can fly this way, either as checked baggage on the same plane as you, or unaccompanied as shipping cargo. There may be shipping times to consider if the cat is traveling as unaccompanied cargo, so check with your airline for details.
Some animal rights groups recommend not traveling with your cat anywhere other than the cabin if it can be avoided, and not all airlines allow cats to be transported as cargo. You can also choose to use a pet shipping company.
Although you cannot purchase an additional seat for your cat, you will still need to make a reservation.
Before Travelling
Have your vet examine your cat to make sure it is healthy enough to fly. If you are transporting your cat as cargo, be aware that some breeds are restricted by some airlines. You may need to obtain a health certificate from a vet several days before flying.
There are several other rules and regulations to keep in mind, depending on the airline. For example, airlines may apply additional restrictions no matter how the cat flies, be it cabin or cargo.
Carry the carrier
Most airlines require that the carrier your cat is traveling in be large enough for your contained cat to move and roll over. But some airlines also have maximum size and occupancy limits, which they display on their websites. Anyway, let your cat get used to his carrier before the flight. Also It is important that there is a material that covers the floor of the carrier with bedding or absorbent material.
Tips for the day of the flight
Registration
Arrive at the airport early on the day of the flight and register with the corresponding tickets and make sure your cat is okay whether it travels on board with you or as cargo. If you have to leave him as a load you will have to make sure where you have to leave him exactly.
The security screen
As you go through the airport security checkpoint, the cat carrier passes through the x-ray machine, while you leash your cat and lead or lead it through the metal detector. Please note that the details of pet policies vary between airlines. It is best to check directly with your airline when planning a trip to ensure that both you and your cat reach the destination safely.
Each airline has its own rules for traveling with cats or other pets. You must make sure what the rules are in each specific case depending on the company you have chosen.