Travelling with your cat
Whether it be by car, by train, by airplane or boat, it’s not
always easy to travel with your cat. It is necessary to always
arrange certain things in advance - the tickets, an adequate
kennel, tranquilizers, and water - in order to assure him
maximum comfort and avoid any irregular meowing during the many
hours of travel…
Cat shows, week ends in the family cabin, or big vacations… For
a civilized chat, the opportunities to travel are seldom missed.
A worthy master who deserves to be called such will always plan
ahead so that his animal experiences the transportation in the
best of conditions. Certain animals are familiarized at a young
age with transportation from one place to another, and they
accept the situation perfectly, however others struggle with
being moved around so much.
If the owner of the cat intends on staying in a hotel, he
mustn’t forget to find out if his feline travelling companion
will be admitted (only 1 hotel out of 6 accept clients with
their pets). In all cases, always remember this precaution: to
always attach an identification tag to your cat’s collar. A
nervous and anxious animal will always run away quickly!
By Car
Even for a short trip, it is always preferred to use a kennel or
cage. Nevertheless, is the cat is calm and reliable, you can
always make an exception to the rule: the can will always be
able to sit on the knees of the passengers, but the kennel must
always be within reach.
If used, the kennel must be placed so that even sudden breaking,
stopping or starting will not make it fall. Above all, never put
the cat in neither in the trunk nor should he be left in a
vehicle without sufficient air circulation or to much sun
exposure, which could put him at risk for heat exhaustion. If
the trip lasts several hours, give him water and let him out to
relieve himself from time to time when nature calls. It’s better
to not feed him too much before leaving, which could cause car
sickness. Certain cats are subject to this, so it is always
prudent to consult your veterinarian, who will prescribe a
medicine that prevents noxiousness and that won’t cause
drowsiness. If your cat is really irritated, seems uncomfortable
or bothered, but is not vomiting, your cat will need a
tranquilizer.
By Train or By Bus
Train and bus companies generally do not accept cat unless they
are in there kennels. Certain ones, however, allow passengers to
keep their cat on leash. The fees are usually minimal, consult
the companies before hand.
By Plane
For cats weighing less than 5 kilograms, (a little more than 10
pounds), staying in the cabin is allowed if they are in a
kennel. But each airline has it’s own rules, and can not exceed
a certain number of animals allowed on the plane. It is thus
necessary to plan ahead to assure oneself a spot on board. In
the cargo, cats travel in kennels that can be reserved or bought
from the airline. The cargo is heated and pressurized so your
cat will travel in good conditions. Nevertheless, he will suffer
slightly without the presence of his master. In this case, it is
better to give him tranquilizers to ease his anguish.
For fees included with the ticket price consult your airline.
By Boat
Ships are not usually well equipped for animal transportation.
Usually, animals would travel in cages. In certain boats,
animals are tolerated in the cabins. For a small sea voyage, by
ferry for example, you can generally use a portable kennel. Once
again, there are not rules, it is best to consult the company.
Generally, the advantage of taking a boat instead of the others
is the extra space. Your cat will be able to walk on the deck
with his master. The inconvenience however is a longer voyage
and seasickness, which most cats are prone to.
Foreign Travel
Whether it be Rome, Vienna or Athens, before taking your cat to
a foreign country, it is necessary to know what vaccinations and
documents are demanded by the country.
It’s good to know that Air France has a database of information
that indicates the formalities to comply with in whatever
country. If not, you can always consult the embassy or consulate
of the concerned country.
Most of the time, your cat will need to have a recent
certificate of health, given by a qualified veterinarian. Some
documents proving that your cat does not have rabies might also
be necessary