Pet flight worries...

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

Hey, guys!

I tried posting in the pet transporation thread, but I haven't had any responses...I'm just going to paste what I wrote directly here:

Just need some advice, guys, having looked over this thread again...

Knight got me a beautiful sherpa bag for my kittycat, and he'll be sending it over for Valentine's (along with other things, I hope tongue.gif) so I can put the bag in Bean's little chalet and let him get used to it. I've only got concerns for the likely length of the flight to Alaska. I know that some can be under 15 hours, but he'll not have eaten for 12 hours before the flight or drunk water for 7. I'm really scared that he'll get dehydrated or something if we have to have a layoever or something, but I'm going to do my best to find a flight that has it minimally. Throw on another hour or two for baggage retrieval and such...and we'll have one hungry, thirsty kitty.

What would you guys suggest I do to ensure my kitty is alive by the end of the journey? I did see something about letting him lick water off my fingers, but anything else?

I found something to line the carrier (which I'd also asked about) but I'm still a tad worried about the fact he won't be drinking (more so than eating).

Comments or suggestions would be great!

Magpie.

[broma25 2]

Hey, guys!

I tried posting in the pet transporation thread, but I haven't had any responses...I'm just going to paste what I wrote directly here:

Just need some advice, guys, having looked over this thread again...

Knight got me a beautiful sherpa bag for my kittycat, and he'll be sending it over for Valentine's (along with other things, I hope tongue.gif) so I can put the bag in Bean's little chalet and let him get used to it. I've only got concerns for the likely length of the flight to Alaska. I know that some can be under 15 hours, but he'll not have eaten for 12 hours before the flight or drunk water for 7. I'm really scared that he'll get dehydrated or something if we have to have a layoever or something, but I'm going to do my best to find a flight that has it minimally. Throw on another hour or two for baggage retrieval and such...and we'll have one hungry, thirsty kitty.

What would you guys suggest I do to ensure my kitty is alive by the end of the journey? I did see something about letting him lick water off my fingers, but anything else?

I found something to line the carrier (which I'd also asked about) but I'm still a tad worried about the fact he won't be drinking (more so than eating).

Comments or suggestions would be great!

Magpie.

Poor Kitty.....I have no suggestions but wish him well on his journey!!

[reeses16 8]

I know you want to make your kitty comfy, but he will not die if he doesn't any have food or water while you travel. Before the trip (before you restrict his food and water) make sure he is well hydrated and you should be fine. Also, I'm not sure of the airline requirements, but may be you could attach a lick spout to his carrier. Not sure if pets have a liquid limit.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod...fm?pcatid=17082

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

I know you want to make your kitty comfy, but he will not die if he doesn't any have food or water while you travel. Before the trip (before you restrict his food and water) make sure he is well hydrated and you should be fine. Also, I'm not sure of the airline requirements, but may be you could attach a lick spout to his carrier. Not sure if pets have a liquid limit.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod...fm?pcatid=17082

Well, he's going to be in a soft carrier in the cabin, so I'll probably have to wait and call the airline when I book...I'll look into a lick spout, though. Thank you so much!

Magpie.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

Be sure to choose an airline that will allow him to come in the cabin with you on an international flight - I believe Delta and Air France allow it (off the top of my head) but BA and Virgin do not

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

Here is a good article on flying with your pet:

http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/07/01/travel/01pracpets.html

[reeses16 8]

Glad to help. Buy the lick spout. And buy/fill it with fountain water once you are through security to get by the liquid restrictions.

[truffles 2]

I sympathise ! I know how concerned I was when we moved from WA to Alaska that our puppy would be ok.

He wasnt able to travel in the cabin with us due to his size but I do know that Alaska Airline will allow smaller pets to travel in the cabin dependant on size - look on the airlines websites for information on travelling with pets and any restrictions.

By the way - where in Alaska are you going?

[KnightAndMagpie 7]

I sympathise ! I know how concerned I was when we moved from WA to Alaska that our puppy would be ok.

He wasnt able to travel in the cabin with us due to his size but I do know that Alaska Airline will allow smaller pets to travel in the cabin dependant on size - look on the airlines websites for information on travelling with pets and any restrictions.

By the way - where in Alaska are you going?

It's going to be Anchorage...I think there are more direct flights with a changeover in Seattle. I was also looking into going via Lufthansa to Frankfurt, Germany, and then taking the flight from there direct to Anchorage. Both airlines, Lufthansa and Condor, accept small pets inside the cabin (and Bean's pretty small!) so I'll likely go with that if the Seattle option is out of the question. I want to plan everything now because I want to not worry about these things when my exams come around, because I'll be hoping to leave immediately after.

That's providing the interview goes well... :: gulp ::.

Looks like the water spout is my best option. Can I get any sort? I know they sell some for guinea pigs and hamsters at my local pet store.

Magpie.

[paul. 0]

We flew our 2 9-month old kittens from London to Tulsa a year and half ago with AA. They had to go in cargo, but we lined the carrier with one of those pet incontinence mats, had a warm blanket lining half and nothing on the other half so they could cool down or stay warm as appropriate. We then attached the largest hamster lick bottle from our local pet shop to the carrier.

They didn't eat for over 26 hours and were absolutely good as gold, so don't worry about it too much, they're more resilient than us poor humans that can't handle it past lunchtime! But hydration is the key, maybe a bunch of smaller bottles of water, or even asking cabin crew for extra bottled water once onboard.