Anyone Ever Flown with Cats?

Some people can get asthma from being near cats, so given the fact that airplanes recycle air, it would be a good idea to keep them in the cargo hold.

Unfortunately, the cats will be unhappy with the situation no matter where they fly. I'd put them in the cargo hold so they don't disturb the other passengers. Besides, you never know if your seat mate might be allergic.

I drove one cat from AZ to MI and flew with the other. Trying to fly with 2 cats at the same time would have been madness as I was on my own. Don't get a hard carrier as you will have to put it under the seat for take-off and landing. I had an airline approved soft carrier and had some difficulty getting it under the seat (my cat was 14lbs) - the 'very helpful' airline employee told me to shove it under the seat or she would stuff it in the overhead bin! Once we were airborn I had the carrier buckled into the seat next to me so I was able to soothe my cat (a siamese) and the woman in the window seat was OK with the situation once she realized I had paid for the middle seat and it wasn't for all her stuff - he was loud for take-off and landing but the engines muffled his mews and he settled down once we were in the air. I also got meds for him from my vet. I had him on a leash for airport security (but this was 8 years ago).

I also flew a cat to England once - totally different situation as they have to go in cargo and you cant see them once you land as they have to go in quarantine - that cat (also a large siamese) handled it very well and was much enjoyed by the quarantine vets.

Being an Army wife (nearly retired WooHoo) we moved A LOT! both our dog and our cat flew a few times, always underneath! The main thing we did, made sure to have a vet check them before to see if they were fit to fly, also I would quit feeding them the night before and only offer water. The dishes you can attach to the hardside kennels I would usually fill up with water and freeze it. especially during the hot month, less of a mess in the taxi and it'll be nice and cold for your cats. Now if you have snub-nosed cats they might have a problem flying, or so I have been told, I only had a normal-nosed cat (had to give her away due to cat hair allergies in the baby!)
Hope that helped a bit

I moved cross country last summer (NY to ID) and the summer before (OR to NY) with our two cats. The first time we drove them--which was pretty easy except for bringing them in and out of hotels which was a pain. The second time we moved I flew with them both (and my 2 year old while 5 months pregnant :). It was pretty easy. We flew Southwest and I called ahead and had them reserve space in the cabin for them (2 cats per plane and $75/cat). They have to be in special carriers that fit under the seats and I got drugs for them, but didn't end up using them. I asked for a special screening with TSA so they took us in a back room where they could examine the carriers and the cats (the cats have to come out of the carrier so I didn't want them to escape). Also, my husband was able to get a special pass from the airline to help us through security even though he wasn't flying.

The cats were pretty good, but the plane was so loud that it drowned out their cries. Also, Southwest has open seating so I was very open with people who were going to sit by us that we had cats and no one minded at all. It was a crazy day, but I did a lot of preplanning and it worked out very well! I wouldn't put my pets under the plane, I don't think it's fair to them and I wouldn't trust the baggage handlers with them. I think it is very doable (a good friend of mine passed all this same advice (and her cat carriers) onto me and she had the same hectic, but ultimately positive experience moving two cats and a 2 year old). Good luck! By the way I LOVE Broadway Express as movers--they did a fabulous job for both our moves and they are very cost effective!

We have one cat who has been coast to coast twice (we inherited our daughters cats plus we have our own!). Anyway, each cat that has flown with us has gone on the plane in a carrier under our seats. You have to take them out to get through security but other than that, they just stay in the carrier. They did OK even though it's stressful for them. I think underneath the plane would actually be more stressful but I'm not sure.

Good luck!

J. F.

When I moved from IL to AZ in 2002, I flew with my cat in an airline approved flight bag and she rode at my feet. It wasn't bad for either one if us, but I did give her a kitty tranquilizer that the vet gave me, so she was a mellow kitty. I had to pre-book her for the flight, as they only let so many pets on at one time, and they did charge me for her also. Good luck!

We flew with our three cats back and forth to Montreal. It went smoothly, the airlines are experienced flying with animals. We did both - cargo and in-cabin. I would call the airline as soon in advance to find out their policies - try to talk to someone at the local office as we found the policies were slightly different at the airport than what was on the airline's websites.

It depends on your cats which method you use. Most airlines have a weight/size limit for the cats that can go in-cabin. Our beastie boys were too big, so they had to go cargo. They're pretty mellow cats, so it was fine - I got them each a slightly larger carrier (they have to be airline approved - it will say on your carrier), lined it with dog potty training sheets, old towels, toys, etc. and included a small bowl that snapped on to the carrier door so they could have some water (although the different carriers have different policies on water).

The one thing you'll have to worry about flying cargo during the summer, is that if its too hot (or cold in the winter) they will not allow the cats to fly because if they have to sit on the tarmac for an extended period (changing planes, etc.), it is too dangerous for the animal. However, the cats do not have to be on the same flight you are on, so they could fly early morning (assuming there are people on both ends to drop off/pick up).

Our little girl cat flew in the cabin and did just fine. My husband flew with her in a soft carrier. He upgraded to first class and actually had the seat next to him open, so he put her carrier next to him after take off (must be stowed under the seat), and she was content. He was stressed the whole time worrying that she was going to howl or pee or barf. She did fine though. He did pack extra towels for her carrier and a plastic bag (in case she did anything stinky that he needed to clean up).

We did not sedate them. They had not been sedated in the past, so we didn't know how they would respond. Talk to your vet, who can help with that decision. Personally, being freaked out on an airplane AND woozy from meds, seems worse than just being freaked out.

Good luck with your move!

I worked at a vet and many people traveling with cats would often come in for low does tranquilizers to help with the stress of flying.

I would ask my vet for a sedative for my cats so that they wouldn't be anxious, and I would lean toward putting them under the seat just for my own peace of mind. Good luck with your move! Don't forget to try Bertha's mussells!

Check with the airlines.Most airlines will fly your pets but not sure about i n the cabin with you.Also check with the airlines if your cats need a "Health Certificate" to travel to another state.If so , you'll need to make a trip to your Vet. Happy travels and a wonderful new life to you. Karenp

Yes I flew my two 12 year old cats 4000 miles from the UK to Texas, it cost me A LOT of money lol! but they were old, and who knew where they would be rehomed to, if they could be rehomed, so I bit the bullet and brought them. One lasted less than a year, before he died of some mystery illlness, but the other I still have 4 years later, she is old and doddery and has a great life in the sunshine.
I flew them both, in the hold, in a separate air travel approved crate, they did not allow them to travel together on my flight at least. They didn't seem in the least bit perturbed about it all, and neither messed their cages even though the flight was 10 hours, plus all the waiting around.
I did not medicate them or anything, although I did reduce their food the day before, and gave them their last drink about an hour before they went in the cage.

We have flown with cats and just put them under the seat. Some airlines have a fee for bringing live animals on the plain. ONe we had to tranquilize.
Get airline appproved cat carriers.
Mark them with the stickers that say LIVE ANIMALS.
Call the airlines and set up any vet appts.
Make sure to bring their paperwork, shot record.

I flew with my cats when they were kittens but old enough to fly- I bought one of those soft duffle carriers for them and had them both in 1 since they were small and low weight, and put them under the seat in front of me. It was good for them because I could reach down and comfort them. If you are going to do a hard carrier -- it would only fit in the cargo hold/not under the seat. Also, expect to clean out the bag once you land as that is a LONG flight and my cats didn't go to the bathroom but one vomitted from the motion. My cats were quiet on the flight -- no drugs. Good luck!

I flew with our cat twice. We had the soft carrier and had her under the seat the entire time. She was quiet, we really didn't have any problem at all. On our first trip the vet recommended a tranquilizer pill for her, so I think she was pretty much out. The second time around I had a different vet and she recommended that we don't give her any tranquilizers. She said that it could potentially be dangerous for the cat. So we didn't give her anything. She was very quiet on that trip too, even without the tranquilizer.