How-To: Fly w/ Cats! Everything you need to know👇🏻

I have been travelling with cats for the last three years on planes, trains & automobiles, so here’s my advice on taking your cat on a plane!

Step 1: Carriers
• You’ll want to pick a carrier your cats are comfortable with/in. Atlas prefers an expandable backpack.
• A few weeks before the trip, put the carrier out so they can get comfortable around it. This helps them associate the carrier with *ALARM*

Step 2: Tote Bag of Goodies
• A collapsible litterbox
• Large pee pads
• A water holder
• Hydrating treats
• Collapsible food bowl
• PLENTLY of wipes
• PLENTY of zip block bags
• Litter
• Plastic gloves

(I got all of these products from @chewy & Amaz0n!)

Step 3: Medication
• Homeopet Anxiety Drops (they work OK)
• Ask your vet for Gabapentin (or like)
• Give you cats the medication the night before the flight & the morning of an hour before the airport!

Step 4: Food/Bathroom
• A few hours before the flight take their food away
• Make sure they try to go to the bathroom before you leave

Airport
• Reserve an IN PET CABIN tag in advance online! This was $125 per flight.

Security
• You can ask for a PRIVATE SCREENING ROOM (takes a lot of time)
• OR walk your cat through the detector

Airplane:
• Isle Seat = quick access to bathroom for them
• Window = less interruptions of people walking by
• Bring a blanket/sweatshirt to cover their carrier so they can sleep
• If they can sleep or are loud- put the carrier on your lap!

LMK if you have any questions or tips to add!

GOOD LUCK!!!!!

#cats #flyingwithcats #cattravel #cattraining

[QuinGable]

How-To: Fly w/ Cats! Everything you need to know👇🏻

Step 1: Carriers
• You’ll want to pick a carrier your cats are comfortable with/in. Atlas prefers an expandable backpack.
• A few weeks before the trip, put the carrier out so they can get comfortable around it. This helps them associate the carrier with *ALARM*


Step 3: Medication
• Homeopet Anxiety Drops (they work OK)
• Ask your vet for Gabapentin (or like)
• Give you cats the medication the night before the flight & the morning of an hour before the airport!

Airport
• Reserve an IN PET CABIN tag in advance online! This was $125 per flight.

Security
• You can ask for a PRIVATE SCREENING ROOM (takes a lot of time)
• OR walk your cat through the detector

Airplane:
• Isle Seat = quick access to bathroom for them
• Window = less interruptions of people walking by
• Bring a blanket/sweatshirt to cover their carrier so they can sleep
• If they can sleep or are loud- put the carrier on your lap!

LMK if you have any questions or tips to add!

[georginafg]

As a disabled person it would make my day going to the airport toilets and someone comes out with a cat saying “sorry they needed the toilet” 😂😂❤️

[Michael_Weirdo]

I'm actually so incredibly happy with this video. This is the first time I've seen a YouTuber bringing a pet on a flight do it right and not get a fake ESA/SD registration/id/certificate just for the flight. She even explained every necessary precaution to take and every necessary amount and kind of supplies to bring. Absolutely amazing❤

Edit: I somehow forgot to mention something that she might have forgotten. If you are traveling with an animal, carry vaccination records. They can ask for them (for the safety of other people and animals) and can deny you your flight if you don't provide them. Other than that, this video is great.

[Lendarry]

I worked once for major airline in my country, so here some important additions tips. First, don't ever wing the medication, always check with the vet. Some medicine can drop blood pressure of your pet, and this can be potentially lethal. Airlines will not take responsibility for this kind of damage. Second, if you ever need to fly with your pet in luggage area (avih) have this information attached to carrier: name of the pet, destination, owner contacts, any medication taken before flight, and time of taking, when was last given food and water, date of last rabies vaccination, and have orientation sticker on. Usually stickers come with crates, but if not write this on paper and glue it on the crate. If there is a delayed flight, or, heaven forbid, mixed up or lost luggage situation this measures can save your pets life. Be safe, and may you and your companion have the best flight experience!

[Alexandra_Wolf]

In college I took my cat back home. I was in first class and my kitten had EXPLOSIVE diarrhea and I thought the man next to me had gotten sick. I had to go to the first class bathroom (the entire first class air was impossible to breath) and WASH AND RING OUT my kitten with my bare hands. It was the worst experience ever and all of these ideas would have solved that problem!!!!

[plumadeprimavera]

Covering the carrier during flight is good but you also need to make sure that they still have enough access to air

[kalpic]

I’m glad they let pets be with people bc they shouldn’t be below where it’s dangerous.

[elenakb]

This is actually such a GREAT list, you literally touched on all the little details down to HYDRADRATING treats! ❤ Brilliant!!!

[margaretmathis]

Your advice is spot-on❣️ A few years ago, I needed to cat sit for my grandcat (for several months). This meant flying from Louisiana to Utah, picking up the cat, back to my house, then the eventual return trip (from LA to OR.). I prepped for every scenario — I watched so many videos, chatted with my airline, chatted with TSA, even practiced loading an unruly cat (son’s cat is not an easy guy to deal with, and he’s a chonk). I was so nervous. But everything went as smoothly as I could have hoped❣️ I requested “private screening, ” and that was a breeze (basically, I sat in an enclosed room with Dipper while TSA scanned the carrier). I had the porta-potty, and I prearranged for son to ship me some son-scented items (a few unwashed t-shirts), including a small bag of litter with Dipper’s scent. I got a carrier that opens out (like you show), so he could have some stretch room between flights. The only thing I didn’t prepare for……your cat-in-carrier counts as your carry-on item, so my wheeled carry-on had to be checked — I couldn’t use my wheeled carry-on as a cat transporter 😢. The flights were tight due to adverse weather, which meant I had to hoof-it to get from plane to plane…..and I had to carry him. It was exhausting. But, on the trip to return him to son, hubby was with me so we used his carry-on as transport. I feel like a pro (and, I have since bought a lightweight, collapsible trolly that’s designed to go with our carriers….just in case I ever have to do this again).

[lizzaangelis]

I recommend covering their carrier with a cloth that they have their scent on

[ImNotThatOneDude]

Also!
Whe you are lifting off or landing, give your cat those lick treats. They do not know how to pop their ears, so giving them something to constantly swallow will help prevent pain :)

[catalina]

That is great info… so long as your cat doesn’t scream incessantly as soon as you step out the front door, even on gabapentin 😂

[Kammy]

Another thing you should do, (and my vet recommends this) is to try the anxiety medications BEFORE the flight. Some animals get more distressed by medications. They can get disoriented and get more freaked out.

[moi]

I LOVE cats. Here’s my question. I know a lot of people have terrible allergies to them. Some so bad they can go into respiratory distress. How do airlines ensure a unsuspecting flyer isn’t seated near a cat or where a cat has been?

[phroggienotfound]

I flew with my cats 2 months ago and it was absolute chaos. I moved from the uk to canada and flew my two very anxious cats. They were so anxious they kept non stop peeing themselves out of fear to the point they soaked through their carriers. Then I didn’t even have time to clean them because we had to go through border control. I will never fly my cats again, please don’t fly ur cats unless u have no choice.

[donkeytjeuh]

Just so you know in Europe you are only allowed a window seat with your pet. In case of emergency they could delay the evacuation of other passengers otherwise.

[kennykenken]

I travelled with 4 dogs over I think 2000 miles (if my memory is good lol). It was rough.

1: get meds is possible from your vet, and visit your vet, especially for elderly dogs to make sure it is safe for them to fly!

2: put potty pads under them during the flight as a procaution, it's not that comfy but it's a lot better than risking the alternative. You can also do potty pads under their blankets so at least if accidents happen then it won't get on the bag.

3: calm them when possible, it's stressful flying for the first time! Try to get an outside seat so you won't bother that many people and getting your pet from under your seat will be easier.

3: Bringing pets on is expensive, unless they're a ESA or service animal, ask your therapist, most trained dogs will pass the emotional service test if you have a chill therapist. Bring your papers and you're good to go!

[tanikokishimoto]

I don't plan to take my cat on a plane with me... But in case I am wrong.... Thank you for letting me know what i should do. (Or, suggest to others)

[The_Celestial_SD]

You are the first influencer I have seen that hasn’t faked an ESA or Service Animal to get their pet on a flight. And as a sd handler I thank you

[pizzapartytime]

As someone who is allergic there should be a notification that there prior like at least 30 minutes an hour that way we can load up on med. so are the people don’t freak out and think we’re sick. I cough all the time due to a chronic illness and people with me during Covid it horrible