Travelling By Plane
Air travel requires much more planning than traveling by car. Make sure all your cat’s vaccinations are up to date and you know all the airline's regulations.
Preparing for take-off
If you’re taking your cat on a plane, make sure you’re fully prepared. Many necessities for air travel can be addressed long before you leave the ground, and you should get these preparations underway seven to eight months prior to travel.
Contact your vet well in advance, as the country you are going to may need specific vaccinations or certificates.
Here are some tips to ensure you and your cat get to your destination safely:
- When you book your ticket, make sure the airline knows you want to bring a pet and ask for their advice.
- Familiarize yourself with airline regulations; for example, if your cat needs to be put in a secure, airline-approved crate.
- Double-check airline policies, which may vary from company to company. Document all conversations.
- For the flight, put a small luggage tag on your cat's collar with details of where you’ll be staying at your destination.
- Make sure that the information on your cat's ticket is exactly the same as the information on yours. Inspect every tag attached to your cat's carrier and ensure the information is correct.
- Include a food and water pack with the carrier.
- Attach a feeding schedule for a 24-hour period and other important information to your cat’s travel carrier in case your pet gets lost.
- Arrive at the airport in good time having made sure that your cat has gone to the toilet.
