Any animal does not like to travel, and transportation for cats is a serious stress for it. Even a short trip in a car, and even more so a long trip by plane or train.
Cats become attached to one habitat; changing homes leads to a decline in mood and even health problems. It is worth ensuring comfortable conditions during the trip. There are also rules and regulations regarding how to transport a cat on an airplane and other public transport that owners should consider.
Preliminary preparation
If you have a long trip by bus or train, or a plane flight, you need to familiarize yourself with the rules for transporting animals on the carrier company’s website. Once theoretical knowledge has been obtained, practical training can begin. It consists of two actions:
- first, make sure that the veterinary passport contains notes on all necessary vaccinations, including rabies. The vaccination is done no later than a year before the trip, and no earlier than a month. If the cat does not have a veterinary passport, the veterinarian will issue one.
- secondly, buy a container for transporting the animal. What it should be - read below; depending on the type of transport, the requirements may vary greatly. And in order for the cat to get used to being carried, you need to introduce him to the temporary “home” in advance. The main requirements for a container are low weight with good strength.
Only healthy animals are transported - the cat should not look sickly. Infections and parasitic infestations that are dangerous to others must be cured. And six hours before departure, do not give your pet food. At bus and train stops, cats can be taken out or taken out.
Transportation by bus
The rules for transporting cats on intercity buses are regulated by specially established rules. According to them, transporting an animal is considered as carrying hand luggage. The container must have a solid bottom, and its dimensions must not exceed the permissible ones (length, width and depth in total do not exceed 120 cm). Otherwise, you will need to pay a certain amount and receive a receipt for your hand luggage.
The carrier with the cat on the bus is held in the hands, but if the trip lasts more than a few hours, then it is advisable to buy an additional seat to place the container on it.
In addition to a solid bottom, the container must have reliable locks and strong walls, and there must be good ventilation. To ensure that a passenger carrying a cat does not cause inconvenience, the animal should not be able to get out. This way, the driver will not worry that your pet will dirty the interior.
Possible problems during the trip
Cats, like many other mammals, are prone to motion sickness in cars. There is no need to feed your pet right before the trip, otherwise the entire contents of its stomach may end up on the upholstery. At the first vomiting in the animal, you should stop the car.
If the cat has never been transported by car and its reaction to the trip is unclear, you need to get special tablets in advance. Veterinary pharmacies sell medications for motion sickness and vomiting.
Another serious danger for cats on the road (especially long-haired breeds) is overheating. In hot summers, the temperature inside a car can rise to critical levels, which often causes heat stroke.
Pay attention to the main signs of overheating in cats:
- frequent and heavy breathing with an open mouth;
- significant increase in body temperature;
- apathy;
- vomit.
If the air conditioner can't cope with the stuffiness, the cat needs help: drink water often to prevent dehydration, wet your hands with water and run them through the cat's fur. The interior of the car must be ventilated, but at the same time you need to be wary of drafts, because the animal may catch a cold.
You should not leave your cat in a parked car for too long, because your pet can overheat not only in the summer under the scorching sun, but also in winter by leaving the carrier near a hot stove.
There are cats that react excessively emotionally to trips. They can behave inappropriately, try to get out at any cost, hurting themselves and their owner. This kind of extreme stress can cause injury and serious illness. Therefore, some animals are given anesthesia or sleeping pills before the trip.
Remember that any sleeping drugs carry a serious burden on the body. Anesthesia can even be fatal for some cats. That is why it should not be abused and can only be used in the most extreme cases. You can administer anesthesia or give sleeping pills to your pet only under the supervision of a veterinarian.
How to train your pet to travel in a car
Many people get cats as companions who will always be close to the owner. But do not forget that cats are territorial animals that become strongly attached to their home. That is why they are not particularly inclined to travel frequently and for long periods of time. Let's look at how to transport a cat in a car without stress and accustom him to frequent trips.
First, you need to train him to carry him. You can lay animal bedding in it, put your favorite toy or put a feeder. The cat must learn to enter the carrier without fear and feel relaxed in it.
You need to gradually accustom your cat to a harness. First, put it on your pet without walking it for 10 minutes every day. Afterwards, attach a leash to the harness and walk around the apartment with the cat. When your pet gets comfortable, you can start walking outside.
It is advisable to accustom a kitten to a car from childhood. Just don’t forget that by this time your pet must have all the required vaccinations. First, the cat can be placed in the car. Let the animal examine and sniff everything.
When the cat gets used to it a little, you can start the engine. At first, the animal may be frightened by the loud sound and vibration, but over time it will get used to it. Afterwards, you can go with your cat to the park or nature. In this case, the pet must be treated for fleas and ticks.
Transportation by train
The rules for transporting pets on long-distance trains are established by Russian Railways. You need to immediately buy a ticket for a carriage where traveling with animals is allowed. Next, you pay for a receipt for hand luggage weighing up to 20 kg, where a note is made that the cat is being transported in a container. You can pay for your pet’s travel in advance or buy him a “ticket” before departure.
The container for transporting an animal on a train must be well ventilated, have strong walls and a reliable lock, and nothing should leak or spill out of the carrier. The pet will travel to its temporary “home” in a special seat provided for carry-on luggage.
Transportation by plane
You can take a cat on a flight if you pay for transportation, but if the carrier weighs more than 8 kg, then it will fly in the luggage compartment. The number of animals on board is limited, and when purchasing a ticket, immediately inform that you will not be flying alone. The airline may have internal rules regarding the transport of pets.
If the cat is flying in the cabin, then the container can be placed either on your lap or under the seat of the chair in front. The general rule is that carrying should be supervised. Passengers with animals are not allowed to sit in seats near emergency exits. You can let a cat into the salon with the permission of the staff.
Air carriers have stricter container requirements. For a small animal, a soft bag with a hard bottom is also suitable. Adult cats are transported in a durable metal, wooden or plastic ventilated container (not homemade) with maximum dimensions of 25x35x45 cm. Strong locks and handles are required.
If a carrier with a cat is checked in as luggage, then at the check-in counter you will need to weigh it, provide the receptionist with information about the animal, as well as your contact information. The compartment where the pet will fly will be heated, and if desired, you can go there during the flight.
We will equip the place
It is not recommended to carry a cat in your arms or in a seat, especially if it does not often travel in a car. Noise, sharp sounds, the very movement of the car can cause panic in the animal. The purr will begin to rush around, try to get out, and interfere with the driver and passengers. To eliminate the risk of injury to the pet and people in the car, it is necessary to equip a place for transportation.
Carrying
The most reliable and safe place for a cat during a trip is a carrier - a container with a grille for air access and a door with a secure lock.
When choosing a good carrier, you need to pay attention to:
- hard bottom;
- reliable fastenings holding the door;
- special slots for fastening seat belts;
- locks that prevent the pet from getting out;
- viewing window so that the cat does not feel isolated;
- holes or grilles for free air circulation.
Scientists have found that cats are often susceptible to claustrophobia. The carrier should allow the pet to follow what is happening and see its owner. Some carriers have built-in bowls or trays for food and water.
Let's make a purchase . When choosing a carrier you need:
- determine the purpose - for a long trip or a short one;
- study the material from which the container is made - it must be durable, easily tolerate sanitation, non-toxic, and not heat or cool too much;
- check the reliability of locks and fastenings;
- choose the right size - “with a margin”, so that the cat can stand up, stretch, turn around or take a few steps.
The carrier is placed in the back seat and securely secured with seat belts so that the container cannot slide around the cabin.
Bed
An animal that spends a long time in a carrier or inside a car needs bedding or a mattress:
- comfortable;
- soft;
- with replaceable cover.
Anything can happen to your pet on the road, so it should be possible to remove the cover or place a hygienic diaper on the mattress. It is advisable that the bed has already been used by the cat for its intended purpose at home - a familiar smell, a feeling of comfort and softness will calm the animal. A mattress or blanket should be placed on the bottom of the carriage, so the cat will not slide along the bottom and can lie down comfortably.
Harness
If the cat is already an experienced traveler and calmly endures the hardships of traveling in a car, then it can be periodically released from the carrier. But even an experienced travel companion can be frightened or attracted by something, provoking an “escape.” A special harness will help protect the driver and pet. It can be secured in the car while driving, or used to walk the cat in the parking lot.
How to choose a harness. The correct harness should:
- Ensure reliable retention - fastenings should be strong, safe for the cat, and easily and quickly unfastened if necessary.
- Be free, do not squeeze the neck and chest - in order for the harness not to interfere with the pet, you should select the product in accordance with the volume of the chest, which is measured behind the front legs. Too small will put pressure, too big will allow the cat to free himself from the leash.
- Made from cotton or nylon fabric, this product is lightweight, does not restrict movement, does not chafe the skin and is easy to wash.
- Have an H- or 8-shape - this design does not interfere with the pet’s movement, but is securely held on the body.
- Adjustable – the harness straps and the length of the leash can be adjusted so that the cat can lie down comfortably, walk, but at the same time ensure safety.
Harness training. It is more difficult to train an adult cat to wear a harness. It is better to start doing test walks at home, so that the animal adapts to its usual conditions and calmly endures the restrictions of freedom.
Travel to another country
If you have to go to another country, then the preparation will be more serious. First, check to see if entry to four-legged animals is prohibited. Also, individual countries set their own import rules.
Things are more serious with the cat's documents. To get everything done, go to the veterinarian 3-4 months in advance and get all the necessary vaccinations, specifying which ones are needed for a visit to a specific country. In addition to a completed veterinary passport (in English and with a color photo), to leave the country you will also need a veterinary certificate in Form No. 1 with a stamp. It is registered with the state veterinarian. When crossing the border, the certificate is changed to an entry permit.
Before traveling, the animal must be microchipped. A chip with a number will be implanted under the cat’s skin - this will make it easier to find the owner if the pet gets lost. The chip is valid for 25 years, and the owner receives a corresponding certificate.
How to transport a cat in a car
The main issue is safety. If you are traveling to the country with your pet and do not intend to cross the border, you are unlikely to need a package of documents.
The cat in the car should be in a carrier; it is better to place the carrier at the feet behind the driver's seat. This is the safest position. If a cat walks freely around the cabin or lies under the rear window, this is a big risk. During emergency braking, it will turn into a projectile that will straighten its claws and fly straight at the passengers or driver. It's better not to take unnecessary risks.
