Travelling with cats

[Denverbound 0]

Hi I live about 2000 miles from where im going to be living in the US but I have a dilema!

I am taking my cat and my dilema is 1) Should I put her on a plane and fly her which will take 3hrs or 2) Should I drive her in my car which will take 3 days? I had originally intended to cart all my stuff there by car but also another question: Would it be more practical and cheaper to ship my stuff or to rent the Uhaul?...I don't have all THAT much stuff.

[payxibka 10,045]

not a K-1 issue... moving to "moving here and your new life in America" forum

[MrsCat 6]

I'll only answer about the cat, because I don't know anything about cost of shipping personal belongings. We drove with my cat from Edmonton to Seattle and stayed in a hotel for 2 days. We then took a flight from Seattle to Hilo, Hawaii. The cat fared much better on the airplane for one day, than he did for 2 days in the car. That's just my opinion.

Of course if your cat is used to traveling in a car then it might not be such a big deal. There is some calming spray for cats that also helps calm their nerves when exposed to strange and unfamiliar situations. I think its called Feliway. Which ever way you choose to travel, that's worth every dime. It will help the cat to adjust to the new home as well.

Good luck!

[ThaitoUSA 15]

My fiancée shall bring her dog from Thailand to the east coast. It'll take about 36 hours total, with a short break. I explained to her the responsibility, however she felt comfortable accepting it. I believe one's love for the animal shall serve and save it through any hardships of travel. Kitties have literally traveled around the globe without food for weeks and survived.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/132...-container.html

So your kitty can persevere! Do not give up the smallest, yet biggest love in your life!

[Sylvia_n_Joseph 3]

The answer might be are you referring to a single cat or more than one ? If it is multiple you may run into either a "carry on limit" or "animals in the passenger area" limit.

[Kajikit 65]

It really depends on the animal. How does she do on car trips? Some cats actually LIKE riding in the car, while others are in a state of terror from the moment that carrier door opens. If the car doesn't bother her, you have your answer... but if she'd be freaking out for three days, then it would be much better to get it over with quickly and fly her. Either way, cats are fairly adjustable animals... no matter how freaked out she is by the travel, she'll still love you at the end.

Edited February 20, 2009 by Kajikit

[TBoneTX 44,868]

Also, with apologies for perhaps stating the already-obvious: Make certain that the cat's inoculation records are up to date and WITH both you and the cat (hooked to the cage or carrier, in case you get separated).

[Mags 112]

Some airlines allow you to take the cat in cabin with you. You normally book it at the same time you book your own ticket. Well worth it - you can keep an eye on your pet throughout the journey and it's less noisy than in the cargo area.

[malamu 0]

I wish I could bring my bunnies with me

[milimelo 4,423]

I wish I could bring my bunnies with me

Who says you can't?

As for rabbits, Guinea pigs, hamsters, ferrets, and other pet rodents, there are no CDC or USFWS restrictions or requirements on these animals if brought in as pets.

Same as with cats except not sure if they can travel in the cabin with you.

[malamu 0]

I wish I could bring my bunnies with me

Who says you can't?

As for rabbits, Guinea pigs, hamsters, ferrets, and other pet rodents, there are no CDC or USFWS restrictions or requirements on these animals if brought in as pets.

Same as with cats except not sure if they can travel in the cabin with you.

do they only need a health certificate?

but transportation is what is worries me.

I think that they can't travel in cabin. that is the problem.

I love them so much, it is too hard for me to leave them.

Edited February 23, 2009 by malamu

[milimelo 4,423]

I wish I could bring my bunnies with me

Who says you can't?

As for rabbits, Guinea pigs, hamsters, ferrets, and other pet rodents, there are no CDC or USFWS restrictions or requirements on these animals if brought in as pets.

Same as with cats except not sure if they can travel in the cabin with you.

do they only need a health certificate?

but transportation is what is worries me.

I think that they can't travel in cabin. that is the problem.

I love them so much, it is too hard for me to leave them.

We paid 90 EUR to have both of my cats (brother and sister) travel in the temperature-conditioned cargo hold of the plane. They were together in a large carry case - plastic, with front metal mesh doors. Yes, kitties did not like the travel (13 hrs - shortest we could find via Munich) but were fine when we picked them up - took them less than a week to recover from flight. I was the one who had no sleep on the plane worrying how they were and constantly asking flight attendants about them.

Get them the Pet Passport - if you call vet Amar (check out sarajevo-x.com/forum kucni ljubimci - there's a number) he can get everything you need for them. Not sure if you need to chip the rabbits, we did the rabies shot as prescribed and also the chip - the US vet here had no problem reading the chip.

Let me know if you have any more questions.

Best,

Mel

[malamu 0]

thank you for all these info.

I was wondering, what airline you used to transport your cats?

[TBoneTX 44,868]

I was wondering, what airline you used to transport your cats?

I have never transported a cat by plane, but Continental Airlines is known for being pet-friendly. See its website (continental.com) for details.

[Gypsyangel 11]

There have been a number of people who have recommended using Feliway as a way to calm your cat. It's a natural product that is easily found on amazon.com. There's a spray that you spray onto their bedding that calms them, and you should probably start using it in advance of your travel so it takes effect. You could probably do a search for "feliway" on this site and get some good info.