Will an older cat be OK being shipped by air?

Question

I have an older cat (16) that is several states away with a friend. She can no longer watch my cat (Fritzi), so I have to have her shipped by air here. There aren't any alternatives. Fritz is healthy & active. Has anyone had experience shipping cats by air & did it seem difficult for the cat?

Answer 1

awww poor cat..

is Frontier Airlines an available option for you? I know they will take care of your cat really well because I used to work for them. But they don't have a huge network of routes like the bigger airlines... but its just a suggestion just in case. I am not saying the other airlines are bad with animals, but I just worked for Frontier Airlines so I know how they are with animals.

if your cat is still healthy then all should go well... just she will be freaked out. tell your friends to make sure they do not give her any sedatives because a sedated cat has a higher chance of dying in-flight.

make sure the cage is an airline approved hard carrier that is big enough for her to stand and turn around in... don't get one too big or too small. Have an absorbant liner on the bottom in case she pees. And it is a requirement to have at least one little bowl attached to the front gate of the carrier (on the inside of it of course) so the airline employees can give water before the flight. if she needs to have food then make sure there is two bowls..one for food, one for water.

she will also need a health certificate signed by the vet dated no more than 10 days before her flight.

it used to break my heart to see the animals freaked out... but once your cat is with you she will be alright!

Answer 2

You'll need documentation from the vet saying the cat is healthy to fly. A 16 year old cat is quite old. Call the airline she is considering shipping him with and inquire about the rules and regulations on pet shipping. Regulations regarding pets are very strict to ensure their safety. Plus regulations can very from airline to airline. Typically the animals are placed in the belly of the plane with no heat or A/C, water or food. An airline approved carrier is needed for shipping with your information on it: name, address, pets name. Also I would consider getting one of those microchips implants put in him just in case something should happen, like get loose. The collar also should have the same information on it too. You might have to end up each traveling part way and getting the cat from her as an alternative. Just keep that in mind.

Answer 3

I don't know of any other way for shipping a live animal-the best way would be to possibly medicate the cat, and fly her in the passenger part of an airline. You can get a small enough carrier for under the passenger seat. I have friends that recently moved up here from AZ, on a plane, the cat did fine-even without medicaiton to help him sleep I would highly reccommend the passenger compartment of the aircraft. Take care..

Answer 4

I don't know if this is a viable alternative for you, but it might be less stressful for the cat if you flew there yourself and brought her back with you in the passenger compartment. Most airlines are ok with this as long as you have an approved carrier. You will obviously want to contact the airline to be sure of their regulations.

The kind I have is below; it works like a charm on the few occasions I've had to take my cat with me; my Ozzie is 15, so I know a bit of what you're dealing with. Good luck!

Answer 5

Flying is stressful for animals in the best cases, but it would be better if someone was with her. Alot of airlines will let you take the animal into the cabin with you if it is small and in their required type of carrier. If you can't be with her, please make sure that she has plenty of water and that the airline is "pet-friendly". Also, contact your vet and ask if they have a sedative that will help calm her down on her journey. I don't blame you for worrying, I would be a wreck.

Answer 6

There are people that will transport your cat by driving them there. A cat that old should never travel alone especially by air. It will be to stressful and they could end up dead.
Go to Yahoo groups to find one that transports cats and they could give you more information and help with this issue.

Answer 7

the guy to point about travelling even as pregnant is your vet. As for travelling by potential of automobile, lots of cats try this for all time, yet PLEASE pay interest to what @chzbrgr reported: If she's no longer used to travelling by potential of automobile, do keep her in her provider. i have heard scary memories about cats roaming round and getting below the motive force's ft, the position they are going to genuinely get beaten if the motive force has to slam the brakes on, or maybe replace equipment. travelling by potential of aircraft is likewise uncomplicated, yet you may want to talk ASAP to the airline you propose to apply. no less than you are able to ought to e book her onto a flight - you are able to't basically come about such as her in a basket and anticipate her to be allowed onto the aircraft. I had 4 cats commute interior the carry from Thailand to Scotland 5 years in the past and they were completely wonderful. The airline suggested us about the variety of carriers mandatory, and we coated them with pup-pads as suggested. I repeat, call the airline and search for suggestion from with a man or woman; do not basically look on the cyber web website. in spite of they allow you to already know to do, keep on with it to the letter.

Answer 8

You'll have to call the airlines and check with them.

Answer 9

If the envelope's big enough, you should have no problems.