Will my cat freak out on the plane?

Question

because I'm planning to bring my cat into the cabin when I move and I'm wondering if she will meow the entire time or freak out? She's between 1 - 2 and an indoor cat. Has anyone ever brought their cat on as carry-on luggage and put them under the seat? I guess if she gets too upset I can take her out and comfort her while we wait on the second plane because we have to change planes on the trip.

Thak you vixen and birdgirl. She has a Sherpa carrier that she has no problem with when I have to bring her to the vet. They are specifically made to bring pets on board the plane in as carry on luggage, as they fit under the seat. And I was aware that I would need the health certificate ;) I really didn't want to give her a sedative and planned to put a toy and her blanket in the carrier with her.

And to the others, it is possible to bring pets on board the plane on many airlines. After seeing that story about "Pumpkin" travelling all over the place, there is no way I will put her in the cargo hold.

Answer 1

Hi there...most cats I've transported in cabin feel a little anxious when we first settle on the plane, however after 30/45 minutes they quickly fall asleep the rest of the flights. Consider including a fresh catnip toy as it has been known to have naturally safe sedating effects along with the cat's favourite blanket/bedding.

Most airlines will no longer allow pet animals to be sedated because pets are unable to maintain equilibrium under sedation. The increased altitude pressures combined with sedation causes respiratory and cardiovascular complications. Please see Amercian Veterinary Medical Association's article on why sedation is no longer allowed: http://www.avma.org/careforanimals/animatedjourneys/livingwithpets/sedate.asp

Answer 2

If it is a long flight, you might want to consider getting some sedatives form your vet. This will calm her and make her groggy so she will be less prone to freak out. Many planes only allow animals in the cargo area, so you are lucky you found a flight that will allow you to bring the cat into the cabin. Has your cat traveled before? How did she handle it in the past? If she has never traveled I suspect she will be very confused and scared. Don't forget, you will also need a health certificate from your vet to be able to fly your cat no matter where on the plane it needs to be during the flight.

Answer 3

I think it depends on your cats personality. Some cats are laid back enough that a plane wouldn't bother them and others will get extremely stressed out. I know you don't want to give your cat a sedative, but it could be the kindest thing that you did rather the have it get extremely stressed.

I would ask your vet for a mild sedative to take with you. Play it by ear. If your cat seems okay, don't use the sedative. If your cat is extremely stressed they give it to her. That's if you can gracefully pill a stressed out cat on a plane.

Honestly the sedative will not hurt her just this once. It just makes the cat relax. I have seven cats and if they had to go on a plane, I would sedate all of them just to make their trip more comfortable.

I used to work for a vet and people who traveled with their animals did this all the time. Good Luck.

Answer 4

How does she do in a carrier? Or how does she do in the car in a carrier? I have a cat that gets a touch of motion sickness in the carrier in the car & pees in the carrier. The good news is that after she's been in the car for more than 15-20 mins, she will eventually calm down & stop crying. If it were me, I would want my kitty w/me as carry on--she would be rather scared in the luggage area, and would have no one to comfort her. But make sure you have a hard plastic carrier that is airline approved, and make sure to put kitty's favorite toy in the carrier for her, along w/a towel or blanket that smells like home (I usually give her a towel that I have used to dry my hair a couple times, since it smells more like me...) There are also herbal sprays available at larger pet stores that will help calm kitty. (I sprayed the interior of the carriers w/it about 20 min or so before I put my cats in, and then drove for an hour w/them in the back of the car when I moved.) Of course, I also put on clasical music for them to listen to to help calm them also. :)

If you kitty is pretty good in a carrier, (and in the car), and gets along w/lots of new people around, you will most likely have no problems!

(Also try putting a towel over her carrier so she doesn't see out--this could also help reduce stress...)

Answer 5

She probably will be very scared and perhaps loud. If you're sure that you can take your cat into the cabin with you, you might want to ask your vets for some sedatives to calm your cat down.

DO NOT sedate your cat if she's going to be in the cargo hold. Sedated cats cannot properly maintain their body heat as well as fully conscious cats and since the cargo is usually not temperature controlled, this could become a problem.

Good luck!

Answer 6

No matter if your freaks out or not. Cat should go by car. Have you checked with the airline. Many of them will not allow animals on board unless they are in a cage and in the baggage compartment. This will make your cat spooked> for real. Can your mother take the cat in the car. If not>go to the vet and get something to knock her out. The amount and how muck you give her will be explained by the vet. It goes by weight

Answer 7

i brought my cat with me on an over seas flight and he did jsut fine. but u mite want to get a carry on cat carryer that can fit either on the pull down desk thing or in the empty seat next to u or on ur lap. also, if this flight is going to be more than 3 hours, get a very small litter box and enough litter to cover about half and inch of the bottom. put the litter in a ziplock bag as well as the food. when he needs to use the box, take him to the bathroom and let him do his business and just flush the poo or pee or whatever down the toilet.

trust me it worked for me on a 16 hour flight it should work fine for u for a shorter flight. and yes, we had an over lay also

Answer 8

You definately won't be able to remove it from its cage while on a plane, either on the ground or during the flight.

And any sensible airline will make it go in cargo, why should other customers have to put up with your cat freaking out while they are trying to relax on a flight.

Answer 9

You cant take the cat on the plane..you have to check it at the gate and they will put it in cargo under the plane. Question will it freak under the plane? thats unknown, it will probably just sleep because the planes pressure thins your blood and makes you sleepy.

Answer 10

It would be best to go to your vet and ask him. There are tranquilizers they can give to calm kitty down during the flight. He will weigh your cat and prescribe the best tranq he can. Doing it this way is way less stressful for kitty, you and any one at the air port who handles your cat. Hope this helps!