So it appears I will be moving back to Northern California from Costa Rica in the next month. Sadly, I'll return without the beloved cats who accompanied me on the journey there, Cloud and Salem. I had a friend help me move here; he carried Salem and I carried Cloud onto the plane, and their boxes were put under the seats in front of us. What surprised me is that both cats remained as quiet as church mice throughout the entire 16-hour journey, through three airports and on three different planes. They were both 12 years old. Going back, I'll have Jasmine, who will be 2 years old in March; and Kensho, who is about 9 months old. My concern is that they may not be so quiet on the plane. I know better than to give them any sort of pharmaceutical drug for a flight, but I'm wondering what experiences others here have had with cats when they fly and take them on board with them. Actually, I'm probably going to send Kensho with the luggage under the plane (hate to do it, but I think he'll be ok), because I'll be traveling alone, and one can only bring one animal on board. I hope Jasmine is quiet but wonder if there is something I could have on hand to give her in case she starts to make a lot of noise on the plane -- like maybe Valerian? Probably I would have to give it to her before leaving...
Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Cats & Kittens
Flying with cats
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Mojo, try Bach's rescue remedy for pets - I get it online. I give it to my boys before trips to the vet or if they're freaked out over people visiting etc. It's a natural stress reliever. It doesn't knock them out but it does calm them down.
Best of luck with everything! -
Mojo, I don't have any suggestions on how to keep them calm, but is there no way you can take both with you on the plane? They are both young, would they travel in the same carrier? or are they too big? I have just heard so many bad stories about pets that ride in the cargo holds. I wish you the best of luck!
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When I move to Phoenix from New York I had to pay for an extra ticket so I could take both on board. They screetched in the car on the way to the airpost, but slept the entire 5 1/2 hours on the flight.
Posted 2 years ago by Sheba's Mom in Raleigh, NC #
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ZBPurring, what stories? I think it'll be fine. Animals who go in cargo go into a pressurized area, it's not like they go with all the other cargo. I'm not paying for a second ticket for my cat. Too expensive and doesn't make sense. This guy is one tough cat too. He came out of the jungles of Costa Rica, where he'd lived for his first three months in the rainforest.
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The stories 2BP is referring to are those you hear about animals coming out of the pressurized holds frozen. It's not enough for the airline to pressurize the hold; they have to heat it as well and have fail safe procedures to make sure the hold remains pressurized and warm.
Both of the stories below are about pets arriving frozen. Don't click on them if you don't want to be saddened by reading about needless deaths.
Is there anyway you could find someone else who is already on the flight and ask them to take one of your babies in the cabin. You could offer to pay them a small amount of money which would be much cheaper than actually buying a second seat.
http://www.wpri.com/dpp/mobile/local_wpri_call12_frozen_cat_flown_to_oregon_20090303
Posted 2 years ago by CheetahBoysmommy #
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CBM, the stories are appalling. Imagine having your cat arrive frozen, and then the airline says he died of "natural causes." What an outrage! But how can I get in contact with another person who is going to be on the plane? I would have to approach them at the gate itself with one of my cats, and give them money. Have you heard of anyone doing this successfully? It might work, I could offer someone $40 or $50, but if I can't find someone to do it, then I'm screwed; I'd have to cancel my flight...
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It looks like American Airlines allows one passenger to take two cats on board, but they would have to be in the same carrier...That means a standard box, that is 19" long, 13" wide and 12" high. It seems a small space for two cats but maybe it could be done. Their website says they do allow slightly larger boxes if they are the collapsible kind.
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Maybe the embassies could help you. Do Costa Ricans have to apply for visas to come to the U.S.? Or could you place an ad? In my distinct youth I can remember seeing ads for drivers to share a car in long distance trips.
If your babies are okay being together, putting both into the same carrier might be the way to go. You could also take another small collapsible carrier with you and separate them when the plane gets airborne. If who ever is sitting beside you would is cool with it, then you can put one carrier under her/his seat.
Posted 2 years ago by CheetahBoysmommy #
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CBM, I'm not a Costa Rican; I'm a US citizen returning after almost two years. I could try what you suggest, but one is not supposed to take an animal out of the carrier once on the plane. I think I will look into the slightly larger, collapsible cat carriers that they permit. Although as I recall, the standard carrier that I already have could barely fit under the seat in front of me and stuck out a little bit into the footrest area of my seat.
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I knew you are an American citizen, I was thinking that a Costa Rican who was coming to the States might have to get a visa which might give you a way to track down someone who would be on your flight.
Posted 2 years ago by CheetahBoysmommy #
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I think I would want both of them in the cabin with me too. Good idea to look into the larger collapsible carrier. If you could ask for/pre-book an aisle seat, you could stretch your legs out into the aisle quite a lot of the time if it stuck too far into your footspace.
You could also try ringing American Airlines and seeing if they have any suggestions...
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It was worth it to me to pay the extra money to have both my babies where I could be in control. I did have to take them out of the carriers (I was told at the time of booking that each cat had to be in her own carrier)at check-in so the carriers could be x-rayed. Luckily I had harnesses and leashes on them or it would have been a disaster!
Posted 2 years ago by Sheba's Mom in Raleigh, NC #
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SMIP, I don't know why the cats would need to be in different boxes to be x-rayed. It's good to know that might be expected, but the truth is I don't think I can carry an extra box. I suppose I could have an extra box and just throw it away at the airport, it looks like I'm going to have to throw away one of the two boxes I have now anyway...I would think most cats would run right into another box, rather than run out into the environs of an airport, thus obviating a harness and leash, but it's always good to be overprepared for exigencies that may arise...
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GD, how much of the Bach's Rescue Remedy do you give your kitties? I'm in the SF Bay Area and bought some; didn't realize till I left the store that there is nothing to indicate the product is for cats and dogs and not people; the dosing is apparently for people.
I've found an apartment and so will be moving probably within the next two weeks or so...I'm a bit anxious about the kitties...I don't know why, but the TSA was not an issue when i moved in '08...this time, apparently I have to be prepared for remove the cats from the box, which means I'll have them each collared, and have two leashes with me. I don't know that I can force them to endure the whole trip in a box like this...I"m going to try to see if I can get them to have positive associatoons with
the pet-mate, (tm) in the two weeks remaining...sure wish Pet Airways served central america...
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... I have flown MANY times with my Meezer, Abby!.... she is in her carrier, and when we go thru security, I do have to take her out and hold her in my arms and walk thru the "security" scan thingy.... her carrier goes thru the scan tunnel, and after we pass, I quickly put her back in it..... she doesn't like it, yes, she is "nervous"... but I keep her close in my arms, and if you can get a harness on them, that would be good!.... as far as the plane ride - Abby is fine with it - her carrier has an "access" zipper that allows me to reach my hand in at any time for a pet/comfort stroke, so she is always in contact with me... as long as she can hear my voice and have a pet every now and then, she's happy.... she just goes to sleep and we arrive at our destination....she has truly been flown all over the place, and she has been the BEST girl!... it's a matter of trust between me and her - we have this mastered!
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Thanks, AV. What brand of pet carrier do you have? My challenge would not be so much if I had only to transport ONE cat, but I have two, and one person can only carry one pet on a plane, or two pets, but they must be in one box. That is the issue that is bugging me, the two-cats-in-one-box problem...
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oh, that is tough MJ!... my carrier is something I bought at a PetSmart, but it's for one cat!.... If your cats are really "mellow together", you might get away with a larger carrier, say for a dog, that both could fit in......but you would need to see if it me the requirements for a "carry on" baggage with the airlines!.... good luck, that is a hard dilema!
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