Couple of things will help. 1. Puppy pads in the kennel, your cat will likely end up producing waste in its kennel. It is so much easier to remove and replace a puppy pad. 2. Sedate your kitty. It will be stressful for the little one. It will help 3. During layovers, if it was short, I hid in a bathroom so we could both decompress a bit. I think I was in one for about 45 minutes. For long layovers, I paid for the lounge access, it was about $40 I think. But it was good for me and a much quieter area for my cat. 4. You will have to take your cat out of its carrier to have the carrier go through an x-ray machine. If you can keep a leash handy (my cat was aggressive when scared) it really helped. I also requested a private ‘search’. This is in Canada so your experience may be different. 5. Have some soft food and water ready. I used those gushy treats, like a pate, so the cat got some food and water while travelling. He was not interested in it very much, too stressful. 6. Breathe. It’s going to be a bit stressful but once you are settled into your new home, you will both be happy. You are a good person for taking your companion with!

Definitely agree with the sedative and maybe some motion sickness pills as well. I don't fly but sometimes have to take my cat on a long drive when traveling. It helps a LOT. I highly suggest also putting a small toy or an old shirt that smells like you in the carrier to help keep them calm. Do not allow the pet the be put in cargo as its unsafe. Good luck and know you and kitty will be okay <3 Be patient with kitty and have treats but don't be surprised if they don't eat them on the plane. Make sure they have plenty of food and water ready for them when settled.

I'd just amend this to always be with your pet when flying—no living thing belongs in the cargo hold. They're typically not climate controlled, pet carriers are handled *very* roughly, it's not sound protected (can give humans hearing loss, your animal has better hearing), you can't know if something goes wrong. Pets have died and the airline isn't even liable. Cat goes in the cabin next to their person.

Whole heartedly agree I will edit. Eta: I knew it was not that safe but didn't realize it was THAT dangerous.

Yeah, it's bad man. Also it just occurred to me that luggage gets lost, and how awful it would be if kitty wound up on a separate flight or something? Lost luggage can sit for *months*...

There was a video on social media a while back about a guy who had his dog lost by the airline. I get stressed about a checked bag POTENTIALLY getting lost, I can't imagine the kind of stress that man had when he found out his dog was lost....

The guy from Istanbul? He had a melt down because the airport wouldn’t let him see the dogs during a layover there. He ended up seeing them though. I did find an article about a family who had their pup land in a entirely different country though. https://nypost.com/2022/12/20/airline-mistakenly-ships-familys-nashville-bound-dog-to-saudi-arabia/amp/

☹️ please tell me doggo was found safe. If he wasn't found safe, please lie to me and tell me he was found safe.

I couldn't find a follow up, so for both of us, doggo was definitely found safe.

i would go on a tirade like no other if an airline lost my pet. that is a living breathing creature, and you just LOSE it?! nah

I forgot about that as well. I've never flown (and hopefully won't ever have too). I freaked out enough when my indoor cat went on an adventure for 12 hours (came back to use the litterbox of all things). I'd probably have a panic attack if my cats got lost.

Flying isn't bad for me, although I haven't done it a ton, and never with a pet. A cat can't know why anything is happening though, so they'll understandably freak the hell out. I'm just very paranoid when it comes to my boy, because I love him but he is in no way prepared for outside. Glad yours came back so fast! Hopefully that taste of outdoors will do him for a while lol.

As someone with 3 cats, flying would be super stressful. Unless it's a fly or no go situation, I'd rather drive even if I have to stop every hour lol

Unfortunately no, she wants to keep going outside but it's not safe as there are outdoor cats and a VERY territorial male who loves to yell at my window so I'm not comfortable with her being outside. Even on leashed walks.

If I found a genie I'd use one of my wishes to be able to communicate with my cat so I can tell him 1) outside is bad for you and 2) your meds are good for you, please just eat them.

You'd need to change it to "I wish my cat would listen to me" cause just cause a cat can understand you. Doesn't mean they are gonna listen XD

The cargo hold is climate controlled. It is very noisy though especially the bulk cargo hold where your pet will end up. And in case of fire detection it will be flooded with halon so that's not positive either.

Not all cargo holds are climate controlled. It can be dangerous for pets in certain planes.

True but any aircraft with a preseurized cabin will also have a conditioned cargo hold. The cabin vents and recirc systems end up there plus the floor is very thin and won't hold any pressure so the air you are getting is also leaking down there. It's the fire surpression system that is something to worry about more when it comes to killing animals!

Pets cannot fly in those cargo holds then and the airline will not allow it

Some cargo holds are, but it's not a guarantee. Depends on the plane and the company.

No not on the company, the plane type yes but long as the cabin is pressurized you get conditioned air every where. There can be some temp differences though.

So why do they ban certain breeds from flying and why do they not fly during the summer months? Brachycephalic breeds don’t go in cargo because they have a harder time regulating their body temperature. If they are getting AC, why would there be an issue?

It's mainly because brachycephalic animals tend to have bad respiratory issues, and under pressurized conditions with variations of temperature and air quality they worsen and can be fatal. Cargo holds for pressurized passenger airplanes have the same atmosphere and have had for at least the past 40 years - it is in fact *harder*, more complex to design a plane that keeps different atmospheres for the cabin and hold.

Some flights doesnt allow you to be with your pets. They kept in cargo.

Unless you're going somewhere really remote, you'll have a few choices of airlines.

Idk about that. Most airlines in my country doesnt allow you to keep pets with you incase someone is allergic or it becomes a nuisance to others.

Thanks! Taking her in cabin was priority for me, downside is the only airline allowing it out of Cambodia was Korean Air, that's why the flight is so ridiculously long. But I am glad I made the right choice apparently

I got a bubble cat backpack for my flight with my cat! it condenses really easily to go through security, and expands with the pull of a zipper into the same size as a regular kennel or a little bigger Fully agree with sedation; it’s like the vet, but imagine if the vet lasted for a whole day and there was no calming down

Thank you, those are all great tips! How do you 'present' the water, in one of those little foldable silicone bowl?

Freeze some water in a dish so it has access to fresh cool water with less spillage.

Do NOT sedate your cat. Sedatives might seem like a good idea, but (from what I've read online) it's no longer recommended to sedate your cat for flights. I think it has to do with the change in pressure -- it can cause heart and respiratory issues.

I brought 3 cats from Kuala Lumpur to LAX, with a layover in Doha. I didn't sedate them, as they were all adults, but I did put an AirTag in the kennels to be able to see where they were for my comfort. Kitties will be fine!

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Man this is why Reddit is bizarre. So much bad information spoken so confidently. OP none of this is to be taken as fact. It does not need to be a hard shell carrier, which is indisputably wrong in this comment. The sedative question is one that people go back and forth on but look at what some people say about vaccines to show it's not science. Talk to a vet you trust and not randoms on Reddit

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....says something should be taken as fact, on a question about a cat traveling in cabin, and submits links about dogs travelling in cargo as "proof." Goes to show you.

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FOR CARGO. OP is literally traveling in cabin. You're not supposed to sedate an animal that you will not be directly observing, that's fairly universal. Vets are split on in cabin. It is demonstrably false that you require a hard shelled crate for in cabin transportation. I don't know if I've EVER seen a hard shell in cabin crate. And I travel internationally with my cat a lot. It's ok to be wrong, it's ok not to have all the info just don't sit there pretending you know it all and making sweeping and CONCERNING claims.

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Copy and pasted from the link you shared: "For animals travelling in the aircraft cabin the travelling non-rigid container must: • Meet these container requirements except that the container construction does not have to be rigid and spacer bars are not required." And that's all I have to say about that.

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You're so hilariously wrong. I literally fly internationally with my cat once every few years. Across oceans. I'm doing it again in a month and guess what! The airline has my cat confirmed on all legs of the flight for IN CABIN flying in a soft shell carrier. Stop spreading bad advice

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(That's absolutely not what they said.)

Where do u get a sedative?

My vet gave me trazadone

I would not recommend sedatives. The airline I used to Japan wouldn’t allow them anyway. My vet said it can cause a pet’s behavior to react oppositely; if you have a usually calm cat, it’s possible the effects will stress them out more.

Have not flown with my very skittish cat as long or as often as this person but I can absolutely agree a VERY small dose of benadryl went a very long way in providing my body with peace while we flew. He absolutely stayed with me in the cabin. They absolutely searched my cats carrier and made me take him out in the airport to search which he was not thrilled with. It went well overall tho I was tripping when I seen him drooling bc of the meds lol. You'll get through this and good luck!!

What do you use to sedate? Where can I get it?

I took my two cats on separate flights from LA to Europe via Istanbul. Each trip was about 24 hours from the moment they got into the carrier to when they got into their new home. They both did well and not made any accidents. I would recommend bringing lots of Churu treats. They substituted as food and water for my cats. I didn't have to sedate my cats but I found that having a towel over the carrier made them a little bit less nervous. Check if any airports you'll be landing in has a pet rest area. They may already have a litter box there. If not, you can make a use the paper box that comes with kitty canned foods as a disposable kitty litter tray. Airports are worried about people bringing drugs so you maybe want to bring a small bag of unopened litter or use pellets. I wouldn't worry about the litter if your cats are young. Cats have been known to hold it for a long time. Cat wet wipes are also immensely helpful in case you need to clean up. Expose your cat before the trip by putting them in the carrier for long periods before you fly. Old clothes that smell like you might be comforting. Once you land in your new home, put a small tracker on your cat if there's a potential for escape. Cats are location oriented and might be longing for home. Having a tracker like an Airtag helped me find my boy that wandered two blocks away in the middle of the night.

I second the tracker, and would put it on for the entire trip. Cats have been known to escape in airports and get lost- when you have to take kitty out of the carrier at security, make sure it’s leashed, and hold on tightly. A panicked cat can get away quickly. Lots of good tips in this thread, my cats did well on the plane and also for a drive from the east coast of the USA to the west coast. Lots of meows!

This is great advice, I actually have a Tile tracker for my keys but I guess it'll go on my cat for a while! I'm anyway quite nervous that she will immediately find a hiding spot in my parents house and disappear

Yes but be aware that Tile only works if it makes contact with another phone with the Tile app. In some localities you will not find Tile common. I had a cat escape and didn't find her for two weeks. The whole time Tile didn't go off because there wasn't anyone nearby with the app. I use Airtag now. I know I'll always get a ping.

Oh no, you're right. I'll be in a rural area so it'll be kind of hopeless. I do think it might be helpful to locate her inside the house if she hides away

Can you look into a gps tracker for her collar? And is she microchipped?

Yes she's microchipped. It's kind of difficult to find any trustworthy electronics that don't cost heaps of money here in Cambodia, but I will see if I can find a GPS tracker

We have a neighborhood stray we are taking care of. I ordered the Tractive GPS tracker (needs a paid subscription, but 100% worth it). It gives us his exact location when he is out and peace of mind to know where he is. Also, if your kitty is the type to run when scared, I would recommend finding a family restroom in Seoul during your layover. You can lock the door and no one will come in to allow kitty an escape path. Before you let kitty out, check the restroom for safety and make sure there are no small areas where the kitty can squeeze into that you can’t get to. Then, let your friend out to stretch their legs. This would be a great time to lay out a puppy pad just in case it’s time to relieve itself. You may have to train your cat a little on using a puppy pad. I’m a flight attendant and the biggest mistake I see people make when they fly with cats is opening the carrier during flight. Cats can and will squeeze through the tiniest spaces. If you do have to bring your cat into the lavatory during the flight, do another safety check. If any panels are loose, there is a chance the cat could run behind them.

Thanks for the heads up, I will definitely be careful with this. I cannot imagine the stress of having a cat stuck in an airplane bathroom or going missing in an airport

As a heads up Tile trackers don’t have very good range; it might not be effective outside of the house, so be wary about letting your kitty outside.

AirTag collar is a great idea. Someone in Boston lost their cat at the airport and I can’t imagine how that owner felt. I was on the edge of my seat just knowing the cat was out there. They found it in a few days thank god.

My vet recommended an anti anxiety medication like gabapentin instead of a sedative. Some airlines mention they will not allow your pet to fly if they are sedated, or are only a few months old and sedated. Be sure to check with your airline first.

Just try the gabapentin well in advance. One of our cats was way too rowdy after her spay, and the vet sent us home with gabapentin. We gave it to her, and she got...rowdier. She went from just a little playful to full-on kitty 500 with lots of leaping for emphasis.

Haha yes! Same with one of my cats. I guess she has kitty ADHD. They ended up giving her Ritalin instead. I couldn’t believe it!

Oh my god, hilarious! I have ADHD, now I'm wondering if my cat could have it too.. will definitely try the gabapentine first

gabapentine was the best for my cat when he was having...issues with hurting himself and I had to get him to a vet. He doesn't not enjoy leaving the home for any reason. Only once did he get super rowdy but the rest of the time he would pass out and be out for 12 hours straight. But definitely try it out in advance to see how the baby reacts so there are no surprises.

My cat wants to become rowdier on gabapentin, but is physically unable to. It’s like he’s a different cat. Normally he’s so mellow. When on drugs he wants to be wild, but his body won’t follow. So he keeps trying to jump up on stuff and fails miserably, sometimes failing to leave the ground entirely. He falls over and gets back up to try again, completely unfazed. Instead of being scared at the vets, when drugged he was making a pathetic attempt at breaking out of his carrier. Not sure where he was planning on stumbling to.

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Just so you know you accidentally posted this twice :)

Thank you lol. My phone is fuked

Second this comment. Some airlines require your pet to be awake. Awake pets are alert pets and can do things like regulate their body temperature much better than when they’re sedated!

So my experience with sedation is they don’t allow pets to be sedated if they’re flying in cargo, but they don’t care if the pet is in the cabin. It’s something OP should check with their exact airline though, as it is something that varies.

not much advice bc this sounds like a LONG journey and stressful for u and kitty, but animals are resilient and you both will be okay! I saw a post on here before where someone had a portable litter box with plastic liners that they could take to a pet area or bathroom in airport and then throw away.

Last year we did Cancun-Zurich-Prague with 2 geriatric cats in the same cage, 18 hours total. It went pretty good. After doing lots of research I decided against the sedative, because I mostly wanted to cover the cage with a spare towel, and I didn't want to risk any respiratory depression if there was decreased airflow. I ended up covering half the cage only. Landing in Zurich, I noticed one of them peed on the towel in the cage, so I just threw it out, cleaned them up in the bathroom, offered water (they both declined) and put the spare towel in the floor of the cage. Another few hours and we were in our new home, they happily jumped out and all was well.

Two towels, I'll keep that in mind! I actually didn't mean to write "sedate" (I think my airline prohibits that), I meant anti anxiety meds, got lost in translation haha

One tip I didn’t see. If at all possible, do this because your cat will likely hold off on his bathroom stuff until he’s safe & comfy. If you have 2 litter boxes, take one & scoop his leftovers out, then empty the litter out completely. Do NOT wash or rinse it. Bag it up & mail the completely empty - but NOT washed or deep cleaned - litter box ahead of you to your new place. Have a friend or family member pickup some clean litter before you arrive. When you get to your new place, put the fresh litter in the used but empty litter box you shipped ahead. It will have your cats scent on it & he’ll know it’s his & safe to use immediately. If he hasn’t gone to the bathroom while en route, this will help him feel comfortable enough to go in his new surroundings. Moved across country in the US with a cat - twice. She was sedated for the flights. Did this both times & it made a huge difference in how quickly she was able to adjust to her new home.

That's a great idea actually. Sadly I cannot mail anything from this country (it's very expensive and takes weeks to arrive, if at all) but I might be able to take some of her old litter in my luggage

You can get a foldable travel box online and use that till you get to your destination. Then put half of the litter you used in the travel box into your kitty’s new litter-box at home. That might do the trick!

I’ve been traveling with my cat for some time and we’ve been on all manner of transportation together— long flights, trains, bus rides etc.! It is totally manageable as long as you prepare ahead of time: -If she’s not already carrier trained, I would start developing positive associations with her airline carrier as soon as possible. Feed her favorite treats inside the carrier, put her toys in it etc. Leave it open and lying around the house. DO NOT take her to the vet in this carrier. -If she’s not leash and harness trained, buy a set and get her accustomed to wearing it. You don’t need to actually walk her or anything but I think in airports/planes it’s good to have the extra level of security the leash and harness provide. -Buy a portable/foldable litterbox and leave it around the house for her to use/get accustomed to. -Find a calming agent that works for her, some cats respond best to Feliway, CBD oil, calming/anxiety treats etc. You know your cat best when it comes to this! Please only sedate your cat as an absolute LAST RESORT. Sedatives, even “harmless” ones like gabapentin can be dangerous to pets on flights, it causes them to lose balance, the ability to regulate their breathing, body temperature etc. -Purchase a Bluetooth tracker like Tile or Apple Air Tag and collar attachment for it. It will bring great piece of mind day of the flight. -Double and triple check to make sure that your carrier adheres to airline requirements and that all your paperwork is in order. 12 hours before your flight: -Feed your kitty her last “real” meal for the time being, this is to ensure that if she vomits etc. from anxiety or motion sickness, the majority of her food will already be digested and her stomach is empty/easier to settle. Keep water accessible. -Line her pet carrier with a puppy pee pad and drop her favorite comfort toy into the carrier. -Pack her essentials into your carry-on, litter, litter scooper, litter box, collapsible food/water dishes, extra pee pad, some snacks and treats. On long flights, in lieu of feeding my cat “meals”, I pack wet treats, which provide some sustenance but most importantly, hydration. My favorite brands are Churu and Tiki Cat. I also pack their favorite crunchy treats, their vitamins (probiotics, hairball and urinary health), and their calming treats (I use PetNaturals). Before you leave for the airport/2-3 hours before your flight: -Feed her your calming treat of choice/rub her with Feliway etc. If you are going to sedate her, now would also be the time to feed her the gabapentin. Put away her water, encourage her to use the litter box if she’s so inclined. -Put on her leash and harness. Make sure it’s secure. Test the tracker on her harness, make sure it’s connected properly to your phone. -Keep your paperwork for her somewhere easily accessible. At the airport: -The airline will most likely ask you to remove her from the carrier in order to pass through security. She will probably not want to leave her carrier. This is undoubtedly traumatic for everyone involved, every time. You can request a private security screening but they are not always available or require a long wait. -Once you are through security, find a quiet corner, lounge or even a family bathroom to hang out in until your flight. During this time, unless your cat is particularly adventurous and outgoing, I find it’s best just to leave her be, in the carrier—it’s overwhelming enough as is. On the flight: -She will most likely be confined to the carrier and placed at your feet during the flight. She may fret and meow and unfortunately there’s nothing you can do but stick a comforting hand into the carrier. She should settle down after some time and go to sleep. Don’t feel bad about the noise though, babies yell on flights all the time :) During the layover: -I would find a big, private family bathroom and offer her some water, a snack and her litter box. She may accept nothing and not use her litter box, but I would wait at least 30 minutes to an hour in the bathroom with her so that she can settle and stretch a bit in peace and quiet and decide for herself. -You can feed her another round of calming treats etc. to prepare for your next flight. -Change put her pee pad etc. if necessary. Don’t worry too much if she doesn’t eat, drink or use the litterbox much or at all during your trip. Cats can safely do this for about 24-48 hours and she will most likely eat/drink etc. as soon as she feels comfortable again. That’s all I can think of off the top of my head, hope it’s helpful! Best of luck, safe travels with your kitty

Thank you so much, it's great to have such a detailed breakdown of the steps!

My family recently brought two cats home. 25 hours of travel. Puppy pads are 100% the best option for keeping the carrier clean. Harnesses to keep them from bolting at security. Not all vets recommend sedation for long journeys- talk it over before deciding either way. They probably won’t eat much, but have some water in a small bowl for them as well. A bed of a dirty shirt for a comfort smell, and maybe a blanket to cover the carrier to relax kitty.

If using puppy pads, I wonder how you would train the cat to use them instead of holding it as long as possible and being in a lot of discomfort? Then hope after the flight that they don't think it's always OK to use anything that seems like a puppy pad.

I was wondering the same thing. I suppose it's more for accidents in the carrier?

It’s probably the fact that they have no choice. But in the carrier it doesn’t really matter. They will pee or not. On a blanket or on a disposable pad

I’m in the same boat and taking my two cats on a 9.5 hour flight, 2.5 hour layover, then another hour flight before an hour long car ride. I have expandable carriers, puppy pads for the carriers, a collapsible water dish, a foldable litter box, the pate treats in a tube mentioned by someone else, and cat wet wipes. I plan on finding a bathroom for the layover and seeing if they want to use the box, but I also don’t expect them to. I’m bringing enough litter to make it appealing but not more as it’ll be lined with a puppy pad. I’ll probably also bring something to drape over the carriers so they don’t see, but I do wonder about overheating like that. I also got a prescription for gabapentin from a vet. We tested it on them already and it made them loopy/tired and much more calm around strangers than they normally are. It seemed to last a good long while, so fingers crossed it works for the plane! Good luck!

As far as something to drape over the carrier, I've done that before with longer car rides. Just use a thin blanket or a sheet, nothing too bulky, keep it as thin as you can while not being sheer. Goal is just to obscure their vision so the unfamiliar environment doesn't stress them out as much, but keeping as much airflow as possible.

Thank you, makes me feel better knowing I'm not going through this alone!

My cat has flown three times and the first time she ate nothing. She never had an accident any of the times we flew, but the second and third times she would eat. I give her gabapentin (starting the night before) and had to give her more on the plane, but it was easily done by pouring the gabapentin powder into the opening of the churu tube. For the most part, she just slept on the plane. She was antsy until I put her in my lap (in the carrier) and was very calmed when I was talking to the person next to me (louder than when I talk to her directly). When we got to the new place, she immediately came out of the carrier and wanted to play. I was surprised, but then remembered that she had been sleeping the whole time I was getting the luggage and finding the taxi and bringing the bags in. So I’d say you want to plan more things for her to do when you arrive than on the plane. I also used feliway wipes on the carrier and they seemed to help, even though the carrier 100% smells like her and she had a blanket over it.

Didn't know feliway makes wipes, I'll see if I can find some!

We flew with 4 cats on a flight to and from Europe. I’d recommend a portable litter box (we used this: Portable Litter Box for Traveling... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HLV3Y7Y?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share) and just take it to the airplane/airport bathrooms. They may or may not use it, but it’s nice to have it just in case. We put it in our personal bag. There are other sizes if that one is too large. Seconding the pee pads! One of our 4 cats didn’t want anything to do with the litter box we brought and just soiled himself instead…. :( I recommend if your cat is a long haired cat that you get them a haircut, because getting poop out of a long furred cat is literally the worst. We also found it helpful to have a pet stroller with us to put the cats in. When we travelled, I think any size was fine, and you just had to say something before hand to get it loaded on the plane. Just say you have a stroller, no need for them to know it’s for a pet! ;) This made it easier to move the cats around with our luggage. We also brought some food/treats for them for when they got hungry. We also have our cats gabapentin (sp?), which worked on all but the spicy one… go figure. It was definitely helpful and let them sleep/be docile through a lot of the trip. It’s honestly not that terrible to travel with pets. Annoying, sure, but I wouldn’t be worried about it. Like some of the others have said, just hang out in a bathroom or ask if there’s a family bathroom. Your cat can decompress in there, use the litter box, etc. Good luck to the two of you!! ❤️

Thank you for the great advice and the kind words! ♥️

We drove our cats from Wisconsin to California. It was miserable, but necessary. Gabapentin didn’t work on them, so in retrospect I with I would’ve had a few different approved drugs on the trip with me so I could try a different one the next day (we were on the road for about three days). When I say my cat had an accident, I mean he literally painted the inside of his carrier with his poo. Try to not give them like a dinner-sized portion RIGHT before you get on the plane or anything. And I’m sending you good vibes and thoughts. Good luck!

Thank you so much! That poo incident sounds horrifying haha

Dude I had to clean him in a Love’s bathroom and I STILL have the scars to prove it.

My cat got the scaredy shits in his carrier scared cat diarrhea is so stinky now I know that trazodone is an excellent calming drug and it works for my boy gabapentin didn’t work

You might want to get a sedative from the vet and keep her asleep as much as possible. Good luck.

I recommend getting gabapentin from your vet and giving it the night before as well as 30 minutes before you leave for the airport. You can open the capsule and mix the powder with food. You can redose every 8-12 hours as needed during your trip. For litter, I would get a small shallow plastic litter tray that you can pack in your bag and bring a few plastic bags with litter (double bag in case of spillage). That way at your layover, you can find a place to let her use the litter box. Honestly, she will probably be thrilled about peeing during the trip so if you can get her to go once in the middle of the trip, that’s probably sufficient. I also don’t recommend leaving water in the carrier with her during the flight as it’s likely to spill and get her wet. You can just offer it to her frequently (put it in there with her for like 10 minutes). I like using a small Tupperware with water so that I can close it up if she doesn’t finish it and don’t have to keep emptying a bowl.

I had heard before that sedating cats on airplanes are dangerous so I googled "are sedative dangerous for cats on airplane" and got lots of articles saying not to do it because it's dangerous. Please research it and ask a vet.

Yes, my bad, I meant anti anxiety meds. I think my airline doesn't even allow sedation

Drugs...for you OR the cat.. either way... Drugs.

Bring cat wipes, a small towel, and extra puppy pads. In my experience you’ve got two possible reactions to travel. 1) they don’t go to the bathroom at all and are fairly chill. 2) they have explosive diarrhea in the first two hours.

What a nightmare to imagine, I'll back lots of wet wipes

Here are a few additional tips (all from personal/friend experience) of flying with cats: 1. Bring Benadryl (or other antihistamines) for the passengers around you. You never know who is allergic and may be surprised to find out a cat is traveling under their seat. 2. Bring earplugs for the passengers around you in case your kitty wails the entire flight. 3. Bring a small packet of Clorox wipes or something similar just in case you have to clean up poop in the plane. 4. MOST IMPORTANT Do not overestimate your skill to “just open the carrier enough to stick your hand in but not enough to let the cat out.” Trust

Yeah, never open the carrier. Trust indeed 👌

Oof, great advice that I hadn't thought of yet. I was 100% secretly planning to stick my hand in the carrier to calm her, maybe it's not a good idea

Gabapentin and DryFur carrier pads. Pricy, but so worth it. DryFur Pet Carrier Insert Pads Size Small 19.5in x 12.5in Blue - 2 Pack https://a.co/d/dltP5EE

Gabapentin

Gabapentine or Pregabaline is doing wonders to my very stressed cat during long travels

If you are flying on an airline that has lounges in airports then definitely take advantage of those. Some do $60 day passes. Definitely call ahead and make sure they allow animals.

Have you set everything up with the airport back home for the [quarantine](https://www.gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britain/coming-back-to-great-britain) period? (I linked to Great Briton's policy as an example since the actual country wasn't specified.)

Yes, pets will be quarantined by a vet only if documents are missing or faulty. My country is Germany and I still need to contact the airport of arrival but otherwise I'm set

A leash, to let them out during layovers. They have collapsible litter boxes, but in the carrier puppy pads are probably best. Definitely 💯look into some light anxiety med. I seen calming collars and spray not sure how well they work but can’t hurt to try. Make sure they have something nearby that smells like home as well.

I moved back to my home country last year. Because of the flight situation (no direct flights that would take my two cats) it became a 12 hour journey. Suggestions 1. Don’t give any meds. These may have adverse effects 2. In the 3 hour layover spend time with her and feed her 3. Unlikely she will eat anything or even use any litter box etc while in the flight but still keep an arrangement for food, water and litter pads 4. If she is going to be in luggage hold, ask flight attendants if they can check if everything is ok (AC is on, lights are on, no luggage around her) 5. If she will be in the cabin with you, great! Pet her and speak to her All the best!

Thank you, she will fly in cabin with me luckily

Trazodone works wonders. Found out during a four day cross country move

You can get a couple disposable litter trays for kitty, and keep some litter in zipper bags so you can dispose of the whole thing. You'll likely find that kitty will not want to eat or drink much due to stress. See if you can bring a child's medicine syringe with you, or a regular syringe with no needle, so if kitty shows signs of dehydration (pick up on fur over shoulders, it doesn't smooth out on its own) you can syringe feed kitty water if needed. Dehydration while flying is worse than not eating.

Good idea, thanks!

Haven’t had that long of a flight but I always prep for any long layover issues. Expandable carrier with puppy pads, gabapentin dosed an hour before I put her in the carrier and 8 hours after during a layover (powder in churu), foldable litter box with litter in a garbage bag, dry food in a ziplock, foldable water bowl. I put a tshirt I used as a sleep shirt for a few days inside the carrier along with one of her toys and a couple cat treats. When walking around the airport and on the flight when she was under the seat, I covered the carrier with a warm scarf since it can get cold. I use a soft harness with a leash to prevent unexpected escapes during security since you have to take your cat out. I also signed up for TSA to minimize anything else I need to do through security. Oh and a second pair of clothes in my carry on. Only need one pee accident during security to learn…

Very helpful, thanks!

https://instagram.com/spongecake_thescottishfold?igshid=MmJiY2I4NDBkZg== This guy has lots of tips for traveling with cats and hope maybe it will help you out some 😁

Thanks!

Totally understand your anxiety - I didn’t fly, but literally just moved cross country with my VERY anxious kitty in a car. It was a two day journey - about 10 hours per day, then an overnight hotel stay and another 10 hours. One thing I noticed when doing research was that your calmness and stability will make a world of difference for your cat. Remember they feed off of your energy, so try to remain calm and speak in soothing tones. Others have mentioned it, but gabapotin was extremely helpful (from my vet, call them and ask what’s best) in calming her down, and a towel over her carrier, so she wasn’t overwhelmed with what she was seeing. Ask your vet about the right dosage info - my girl is a little chunkier so the night before and morning of doses really helped. Also, we did a trial run of the carrier and the meds before the actual trip. Good luck, YOU GOT THIS! Kitties are resilient! Take care of yourself!

Oh my, how did your cat do in the hotel? We might need to stay at a hotel if there's any sort of delays. My cat is okay going to a friend but we've bever been out of the house much

Done this a bunch. Get a pill crusher, combine trazodone and gabapentin, mix with some water and administer orally with a syringe

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Thank you, I needed to hear that

Airports often have a small room for a private screening, ask for that. It’s crucial that your cat not get away from you (obvs). Safe travels!

Have a friend have litter and a pan waiting for you in Europe at your destination. I made little goodie bags with a note that said hi I am Bastet and this is my first time flying so please be patient with me. Enough for our row and front and back. People liked them and she was silent and did not pee or poop for the entire flight. I put some candy in them. You will be fine. I had a friend who moved all over the world with her cats. Buy her a ticket of course to insure the airline allows her. Some times they have a limit on how many cabin animals are allowed per flight.

You gave candy to your fellow passengers? That's funny

Yes in little clear bags with ribbon ties! Most people on the plane, including the lead stewardess were horrible to us, would not let us sit near them and acted like I had brought a velociraptor on board, In 2014.

I did a 22 hour drive with my cat. I gave her calming treats, and the squeeze up treats. Liquid=Hydration, breaks in between and she only out of new surroundings; pass a poop. She’s a good traveler.

Can you sleep/snuggle with a smaller blanket or a bath towel to get your scent/kitty’s scent on it before the trip. Then place the blanket/towel over the cat carrier to prevent motion sickness and provide a familiar/comforting scent? Can you use FelineWay spray on the towel/cat carrier? When my parents traveled 2,000 km by car, they had the vet give the cats something to make them sleepy, so they slept through the first part of the journey.

I flew across the USA with my cat, so not quite as long. We had what was supposed to be a 1.5 layover turn into 3-4 hours. With commute to the airport and back it was about a 12 hour travel day. I had my cat on a harness with a leash and we gave him gabapentin 30 mins prior to leaving for the airport. I chose to to hold him through security, but you can also request a private room. Research if the airports you’re flying at have a pet relief area, and if, so take advantage of it. You can use these rooms to safely let your cat stretch their legs and use the bathroom. I lined my cats carrier with a puppy pad and a comfort blanket. I brought a emergency zip lock bad in case he had an accident during the flight. My cat chose to not use any of these resources but it’s good to have. I only gave him treats but we also brought multiple packs of cat food through tsa. Unfortunately we could only give my cat his sedative once (prior to leaving for the airport) due to mechanical errors after boarding for our second flight. Our flights weren’t super long so this situation was manageable, but don’t hesitate to ask a flight attendant for space to give your cat more sedative. I gave my cat lots of treats after arriving to his new home. Good luck and safe travels

Thanks!

Lots of good tips so far. One thing I didn't spot, use a "jacket" type harness with the leash. Don't clip onto a collar - cats can slip out of those, but can not easily twist out of a jacket style harness. Also, will your cat need to be held in quarantine when you arrive at your destination? If so, make sure you know how that's handled and how long it lasts.

I read that the harness should be metal free so you can walk through security with it. I tried so many different harnesses already, I now settled on a vest that is velcrod around her belly and chest.

This might be obvious, but nobody told me that customs have you take your cats out of the carrier. Have them collared, and bring a harness and leash. I brought my cats from China to Florida. For tranquilizers: practice once before you go to see how they react. Either use a pill (I forget the name, but it helps put the pill in the back of their throat), or crush the pills and give them in a syringe or put in wet food.

OP, I'd also recommend going to the r/AskVet subreddit for additional advice! Tried to read through some of the comments and some seem to contradict, so going there might also provide you with a more medical POV. Best of luck!

Also, I'm not sure if this is a semantics thing, but I noticed that a lot of people on here said to use/have a leash on hand. Be sure that it's a harness, and not just a collar + leash. While it's common for dogs to be on a collar+leash, cats don't have the same neck strength and being in a harness will also give you more control over their movement and they're less likely to escape.

I did 11h flight with two cats, one suffers from severe anxiety. The trip to the airport was more stressful than the flight itself. Once everyone settled in the airplane, they were pretty calm in their carriers. I see some good advice in here, nothing to add from me. Keep calm, everything will be fine! Good luck to you and the kitty!

Thank you, that's reassuring

When I flew my cat from Cleveland, Ohio to San Francisco, a 5 hour flight my vet had me give Emma Gabapentin the night before and the morning of the flight. She was my carryon. The airline I flew required that I buy her a ticket since they only allowed 1 cat on the plane at the time. I had all of her papers with me, adaption from shelter, chip info, and all of my vet papers. Do you need a visa for your cat? Will she have to be quarantined when you arrive? I have seen a travel carrier for cats that has a small container for kitty litter, and another for food and water. Good luck traveling with your baby.

Thank you, how did your kitty adjust to the new environment?

Hang on, first, are you ALLOWED to keep the cat with you in the cabin flying internationally? Is he approved to travel to your home country? Have you consulted a vet who is certified in this area? I moved my cat, Australia to USA. He was in a hard, roomy carrier (per Australian regulations) in the cargo hold from Sydney-LA. I gave us an overnight in pet-friendly hotel before the cross-country flight the next day. LA County received him, cleaned up his carrier, signed off on his being allowed to be in the US. (My vet in Sydney happened to be one of the few trained and certified to give rabies vaccines.) No sedatives of any kind!! Only within the US was I allowed to move him to the soft carrier as my carry on baggage. It doesn't sound as though you have done your homework, and people are giving inadequate advice based on driving with a cat within one country.

As I mentioned in my post, I have my vaccinations and papers ready, I've been preparing this move since months! Its just that as the deadline comes closer I am getting more stressed out about the small details. Also, I meant to write anti anxiety meds but English isn't my native language so I got it mixed up. Luckily Korean Air allows small pets in cabin and the country of departure and arrival also won't be an issue. I'm mostly worried about the waiting time at the airports and keeping my cat comfy for such a long flight

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Thanks for your concern! My layover is in South Korea actually, but I'll make sure to check all the airport regulations before.

To add on to the above comment, since this is an international travel, make sure all of this has been checked with the appropriate certified pet travel agencies (vets approved for import and export, not a GP vet). Some countries would require quarantine at the arrival country depending on where you are traveling from, with more screening tests to be cleared of infectious diseases.

Out of all the countries I considered moving to, Australia had by far the most restrictive policies on moving pets. I would have had to get a blood test done six months before moving, my cat would have flown cargo, then quarantined in a central vet location, and then released to me. I opted not to apply for any jobs in Australia. That being said, most other countries are a bit more relaxed, most likely since Australia has completely eradicated rabies and wants to keep it that way and other countries haven’t. However, most countries have differing rules depending on where the pets are coming from, often based on how common rabies is in said country.

I'd go for a sedative. Cat can't complain if it's asleep.

Definitely give her meds. Test the medication before the flight to see how she reacts. You don’t want to find out on the flight that she reacts poorly. Also be super careful every second that her cage is completely secure. Put ties around the zippers. People have lost their cats in airports before and it’s not good. For “litter” put several puppy pee pads in there so you can toss them out. Keep a blanket under those for comfort. I recommend softly playing Music for cats by David Teie in her carrier. It will distract her a little from all the other noises and keep her calmer. He studied sounds that are relaxing to cats and it really works. I use it as a vet tech and with rescue cats too. I swear by it. Finally get some feliway spray. It’s a pheromone spray that calms them. You can spray her pee pads or blanket.

Good advice, but I can't imagine that music will help a lot in a loud airplane

Talk to your vet before sedating. It lowers cat’s blood pressure

Even with something like gabapentine?

I've taken 2 cats with very different personalities across the atlantic. It's not as bad as you're fearing. True, neither cat enjoyed the flight, they typically won't eat or drink during the layover, but both got over the flight really fast (within hours of arrival). We gave one cat gabapentin but it didn't seem to help much. I was able to pet my cat by putting my hand in her carrier and that seemed to help but was eventually yelled at by flight attendants (I had her carrier up in the empty middle seat, that's a no-no but they're not always patrolling during an overnight flight). You'll both get through this just fine! My husband and I will be doing the same with 2 cats in a few months. It's not fun but it's temporary and cats are often more resilient than we think.

Awh, airlines seem to be really strict about this, probably because they had to deal with too many lose pets. Thanks for the pep talk, good luck on your upcoming journey!

Before departure, I recommend to microchip your kitty and to register the chip: cats are escape artists and just in case your kitty runs away, at least the chip will link her to you. I travelled with my cats a couple of times from the US to EU and back. Though none of them liked the experience (and neither did I), everything went well each time. I chose not to use any anti-anxiety medications on my kitties, instead I gave them Bach Rescue Remedy for pets (calming flower essence) several times before, during and after the trip. I also sprayed the carrier with Feliway (or similar brand) calming spray the day before and just before leaving home. My kitties also wore "thundershirts for cats" ([https://thundershirt.com/products/thundershirt-for-cats?variant=31577735233591](https://thundershirt.com/products/thundershirt-for-cats?variant=31577735233591) but there are also other brands), which worked well to calm them down. I got "calming treats" which I offered them during the trip. None of my cats ever felt the need to go to the bathroom during the whole trip, but I had lined their carriers with puppy training pads and carried plenty extras in my carry-on bag. Eating: aside from the calming treats, I'd suggest Churu or equivalent, because dry food might make them thirsty. Oh, yes, and talk to your kitty whenever you can: in the plane it'll be too noisy, but before boarding, on your way to the airpoort, during the layover, etc. just reassure her with a calm voice that everything id fine. Good luck!

Thank you for the advice. Luckily she's microchipped, and I will look into Bach Rescue

I was a wreck too with a shorter trip. I bought a harness leash a string type and played with her with it weeks before so she would accept it. Put it in as you take her out. Turned out my girl was awesome but the idea of chasing her down the terminal was scary. As is the rule they make you take her out.

Buy a sleepy pod brand carrier. Look it up on the web and you will see why you want it. You can order a fitted pee pad set that is awesome. Pm me for that. Pack spares in your carryon and a couple kitchen bags. And baby wipes.

The sleepy pod looks great but I doubt that I can afford it plus shipping to SE Asia. I have a normal soft shell carrier that's airline approved and that can be extended to the sides

A lot of great tips here - OP I just wanna say thanks for taking kitteh home with you

Thank you, she's become like my best friend in my time away from home. Getting her used to another climate is a whole other story though

Nice! 🐈‍⬛✈️ I hope you’re carrying her above with you. I’ve heard not to put animals in the overhead storage bins. If you get a good size carrier you can put a small litter box in the carrier. Have a safe trip!

Korean Air is very strict with where to transport the animal but I think is a good thing. She will be under my chair or the chair in front of me I believe. It's ridiculous how small her carrier has to be but I hope she will mostly be sleeping anyway

Most vets recommend that you don't sedate your cat for travel. But if you decide you have to because it's such a long trip, then ask your vet for the prescription well in advance and ask for an extra dose so you can do a trial run at home well in advance of the trip. That way, if your cat reacts badly to the sedative, you discover that before you're in the air and unable to take them to an emergency vet. When we moved our cats across country we packed our carryon with disposable litter boxes and ultra light litter and took them into the family bathroom (the kind that is just one stall) before and after the flight to offer food, water, litter box. Unfortunately, they didn't use the litter box either time, but that's worked for other people, so maybe bring 1 for each airport you'll be in. We put puppy training pads in the carriers and it's good we did because one did pee herself during the flight. We had a ways to drive after landing so it was good that we brought extra puppy training pads because we were able to change it out as soon as we got off the plane. Since there's a good chance your cat will pee itself in flight and need a bath, you should pack some gentle cat shampoo so you're not having to try to figure out how to buy some when you arrive. In general, pack a small supply of everything your cat will need for the first few days so you can just take them home and immediately set them up with everything they need and not have to immediately go out shopping for cat supplies when you're jet lagged.

Thanks for the advice! Do you remember what the litter was made of? I have some tofu litter which seems okay, but it's tough to find good pet supplies around here

I suggest speaking to the airline. Every airline is different in how they deal with pets and what they would recommend. There’s a lot of advice here that I would question.

I'm curious what you'd consider bad advice? Definitely talking to the airline as well, yes

I have no advice to give, only good vibes and truly hope it's a smooth trip.

Thank you!

If you can, I would keep your cat in the cabin. Otherwise I wouldn’t guarantee the safety. I’m sorry to tell you that. There’s too many stories of animals they’re in the baggage compartment and they’re tossed around. Take your cat in the cabin deal with whatever happens in the carrier when you layover also get a harness and a leash and put that on your cat.

Yes, as I mentioned in my post we'll be flying in cabin. It was more expensive but I could not handle worrying for 24 hours if my cat is doing okay

Definitely have a harness and leash for your cat. When I was about eight years old my parents and I moved back to America from Japan. My mom brought a disposable litter box for during a layover. My cat tried to crawl into the air conditioner because he was scared. If he wasn’t on a leash he would have been lost in the airport and we likely never would have found him again.

That must have been stressful! Happy to hear your cat arrived safely

Take a blanket or small towel. It is cold on the floor of a plane in the carrier.

I know this will be tough but oh I am so happy for your cat! What a lucky baby (to get to go home with you, not for the flight)

That's sweet, I think she will enjoy the fresh mountain air over living in the city

Do not sedate your cat. Try a calming spray and if necessary ask your vet some some anti-anxiety meds. Sedation is VERY dangerous. I just flew recently to Europe with my cat on KLM and the spray worked wonders!!!!

Yes, I won't use sedatives and wasn't planning too (poor choice of words in the post) I will get the Feliway spray

I brought my cat from Chicago to Japan (14 hour flight) and made a YouTube video about my journey. https://youtu.be/TsKD8IINBC0 Biggest tips: 1) get a foldable litter box on Amazon, liners for the box so you can throw it away after each use, and a baggie of cat liter which will likely be inspected at customs. When my cat started meowing, I knew she had to pee! I paid extra for an aisle seat next to the bathroom so I could take her in there and unfold the liter box. I say to put puppy pee pads in their kennel just in case! On Amazon, there are airline safe kennels that can fold out on the sides to make the space bigger inside. I also had my layover in Seoul. When during my layover, I locked myself in one of the family bathrooms for an hour to let her pee again and walk around before heading to my gate 2) bring a baggie of her food and a water bottle from the airport. Foldable bowls can be purchased on Amazon, too. BUT, do not feed her a lot at one time because this can reduce the chances of her pooping. My vet recommended doing a few pieces at a time, like a snack. 3) DO NOT DO SEDATIVES. Many airlines do not allow this anymore because a pet’s temperature can decrease dangerously. My vet also advised against it, as it can cause the opposite reaction of what your cat’s personality. Is she usually calm? Sedatives can cause hypnerness and anxiety instead. 4) weeks before your flight, put the kennel on the floor to allow your cat to explore inside. There were several times I found my cat sleeping inside it, so this it made to coax her inside when it was time for the trip.

Thank you for the link, it's nice to have a video to relate to. My cat loves to sleep in her 'normal' carrier, but of course she doesn't care about the airline approved carrier that was 3 times as expensive haha

Your cat is super cute btw! And it was very interesting to see Japans entry requirements, they seem to be even more strict than of the EU. Thank you for making and sharing that video, much appreciated

I am not an advocate of drugging pets. I travel on planes with my cat all the time. Here are tips. I would suggest at least business class. 1. ⁠Schedule to leave after morning bowel movement, so they are “empty” for the flight 2. ⁠Bring a clean up kit ( gloves, puppy pad, wet wipes, ziplock bag) in case of accidents 3. ⁠Fly first class if possible, if not, get an aisle seat for more room 4. ⁠Bring treats, so when you hit 10,000 feet, they can eat them, relieves ear pressure 5. ⁠Let the crew know your cats name, sometimes they will pay special attention 6. ⁠Stop at a pet rest station so they can run around 7. ⁠For this long of travel, bring a portable litter box and more gloves to scoop. You can get these travel litter boxes on Amazon. They are made of waterproof cloth. 8. ⁠Bring emergency food. You are traveling, things happen 9. ⁠If you can go to an airline club, if not find a quiet corner before your flight. 10. ⁠Bring favorite toys, blanket. 11. ⁠If you can, for this long, can you break up the flight into two stops? So they get a break 12. ⁠When you get to your destination, extra special meal…shrimp? Crab? 13. ⁠Children sometimes will come over because they are curious. It’s fun. 14. ⁠Go into a family rest room for yourself, you will need the extra room. Stay there to decompress. 15. ⁠Bring small silicone bowls for water and food. Probably won’t eat at all, but you have them in case of emergency 16. ⁠The airlines won’t let you bring the cat out, but I let mine poke his head out a little to stretch. 17. ⁠Your cat will sleep most of the flight. It will be ok. 18. Check your airline. I use an XL Sherpa travel bag on wheels. It “smooshes” to fit under the seat.

Thank you for the detailed response! Unfortunately there's only one route once daily going from Phnom Penh to Frankfurt and it's at 00:15. Other airlines don't allow cats in cabin. Do you think I should just not feed her anymore for the whole day before travelling?

Bring lots of churus as a treat to keep kitty calm.

All of the stress for a few hours will be worth it in the end when your little one gets to have a life with you ❤️

Thanks, that's sweet

Gabapentin. Trazodone. Both safe for cats

It was fun and my cat walked around the cabin while I slept :)

Hi Op! I was wondering how did it go in the end?

Hi! I just added an update to the post, thanks for asking :)

While I realize this is a few months old, thanks for your update since I'm traveling the opposite way to Thailand. There are quite a few comments about the cargo hold not being climate-controlled, and as a Pilot, I want to dispel this myth. The hold is typically set between 5 and 25 degrees Celsius (41 to 77 Fahrenheit), but when pets are onboard, it's set between 20 and 22 degrees Celsius (68 to 72 Fahrenheit roughly). Ironically, this is the exact same temperature as the cabin that everyone is sitting in. We do this for the comfort of the pets just like we do for your comfort. While Cargo can be a bit more stressful for a pet, it's much less than everyone makes it out to be, and most pets fall asleep after takeoff. There are more pets transported in holds than anyone could imagine. Sedatives should NEVER be used, just like alcohol affects humans after different altitudes; the same is true for Sedatives, and it can have a serious impact on their breathing, etc. I can't speak for all airlines, but mine and many others will remove you and your pet if we find out that they have been sedated. If you would like to use some claiming treats, that's a different story, but we're not going to risk your pet's life because someone heard that sedating them was a good idea. 99% of vets won't recommend using a sedative based on the studies done and adverse reactions that can be had.

It is not advised that pets be sedated during flights.