should i check or bring her in the cabin

[meowmixhouse]

i've read in other forums that its better to bring pets as checked luggage and that they go in a separate area. my concern is that she might get lost. i'm worried about my luggage getting lost, if my cat gets lost i'll go CRAZY!!! i'm flying from toronto to zurich then zurich to milan. if it was direct i would check her in, but there's a transfer. what should i do?

[quincymycat]

Hi and welcome!
I have never flown my pets in a connecting flight before, but have had 4 large carriers checked as "special handling" luggage on 2, five hour direct flights. In both cases, because they were considered "special handling" and I believe all pets are considered that way...(unless they are small enough to be considered hand carried luggage and then they must fit under the front seat for take off and landing)...and kept in a pressurized airplane area.
In both cases, they were off the plane and waiting for me, well before I had the chance to even get to baggage pickup area myself.
Both times they arrived at very large city airports so they were busy.
Good luck. I won't tell you not to worry because that won't happen. You will worry like crazy...I did!

[Mirela]

Bring her in the cabin! Less stress for both of you. How big is she? Normally her carrier should be small enough to be allowable.

[meowmixhouse]

she's not big, she's about 8-10 lbs. i'm worried about the other travellers i hope they are not allergic and i hope my cat doesnt make too much noise or fart or go to the washroom. but ya i think i'll just bring her on the plane, i hope no one is around me, i'm gonna be travelling alone with her.

[mikischo]

Rules about the transportation of pets differ between airlines. There are rules about how far in advance to make reservations, how much earlier you need to be at the airport prior to flight time if you are bringing a pet, types of carriers that are allowed, weather conditions when travelling with pets, etc, etc. I hope you have checked on the regulations for the specific airlines you will be using. Also, are there any regulations or procedures about bringing pets into the destination country. I hope you have checked into all these things with the specific airlines you will be using.

[serenamlambe]

Originally Posted by mikischo

Rules about the transportation of pets differ between airlines. There are rules about how far in advance to make reservations, how much earlier you need to be at the airport prior to flight time if you are bringing a pet, types of carriers that are allowed, weather conditions when travelling with pets, etc, etc. I hope you have checked on the regulations for the specific airlines you will be using. Also, are there any regulations or procedures about bringing pets into the destination country. I hope you have checked into all these things with the specific airlines you will be using.

This is good advice!

When I was thinking about bring Connor (a dog) to Italy with me, I looked into it and there were regulations that he be microchipped, fixed, have all his shots, and a few other things. In the end, I didn't bring him because of housing concerns - he stayed with his grandparents instead!

But every time I have flown with him, he's been in the cabin with me. I think it relieved some of the stress, knowing I could just look in on him when I wanted to. But these were mostly for shorter flights across Canada.

Good luck with whatever you choose!

[meowmixhouse]

I have checked into whatever I need to do. I think everything will be fine with that. I'm most concerned with how much noise she will make and if the other passengers will be nice. It's hopefully the only time she will have to fly coz I'm planning on being in italy for a long time. Thanks for the advice!!

[serenamlambe]

Just as an aside - are you going to be living in Milan? It's a nice city! The Duomo blew me away. I stayed outside there, in Castellanza for four months, this past Fall.

Hopefully she'll just sleep. I know Connor whined a bit at first, but then settled down pretty well.

[Mirela]

Originally Posted by meowmixhouse

I have checked into whatever I need to do. I think everything will be fine with that. I'm most concerned with how much noise she will make and if the other passengers will be nice. It's hopefully the only time she will have to fly coz I'm planning on being in italy for a long time. Thanks for the advice!!

Perhaps your vet could suggest something to have on hand, just in case, if she gets nervous. Although if you play with her and tire her out beforehand, she'll probably sleep for most of the time.

[meowmixhouse]

ya i will ask my vet, but i dont wanna give her tranquilizers coz i read so many bad things about that.

and yes i'll be very close to milan!! everywhere in italy is beautiful, i'm so excited!!!

thanks!

[sugarcatmom]

Originally Posted by meowmixhouse

ya i will ask my vet, but i dont wanna give her tranquilizers coz i read so many bad things about that.

Agreed, I wouldn't give a cat sedatives for air travel. Not only do some cats react badly and become even more agitated, but it can also affect their ability to maintain normal body temperature and blood pressure. Better to have a yowly cat than a dead one. And besides, most cats just scrunch down in a quiet little ball in the back of the carrier for the duration of the flight.

One thing I would suggest is lining the carrier with puppy pads (and have a couple fresh ones on hand) in case she pees in the carrier. It's not likely that she'll poop on the plane, but if she does have a baggie on hand to scoop it up and throw it out.

Good luck!

[meowmixhouse]

Thanks everyone for your great tips! i really hope she doesn't go to the washroom in the plane or cry too much. I'll keep my fingers crossed

[Love4himies]

Originally Posted by sugarcatmom

Agreed, I wouldn't give a cat sedatives for air travel. Not only do some cats react badly and become even more agitated, but it can also affect their ability to maintain normal body temperature and blood pressure. Better to have a yowly cat than a dead one. And besides, most cats just scrunch down in a quiet little ball in the back of the carrier for the duration of the flight.

One thing I would suggest is lining the carrier with puppy pads (and have a couple fresh ones on hand) in case she pees in the carrier. It's not likely that she'll poop on the plane, but if she does have a baggie on hand to scoop it up and throw it out.

Good luck!

Great advice. I sedated a cat once while traveling in a car and I will never do it again.