What if my cat goes to the bathroom on the plane?

Question

Im currently in Germany where I bought a kitten and Im planning on taking her back to the states with me very soon as a carry-on. My only concern is what if she goes to the bathroom in her kennel during the flight. Its an 8 hour flight so Im almost positive she'll have to go...what do I do if she does? And my flight has one stop, is there a way I can let her out of her kennel while Im waiting for my connecting flight?? This probably seems like a silly questions, but Im worried...

Im in the Air Force stationed here in Germany and Im going home on leave for awhile. She has all the required documentation and required shots. She is ready to fly

Answer 1

Line her carrier with pee liners you can buy at the pet store. I used disposable baby diapers. I flattened about three and taped them onto the bottom of my cat's kennel and laid a hand towel on top for good measure. The flight was 16 hrs straight. With the wait at the airport departure (2 hrs) and customs and baggage collection at the other end (1.5 hrs) and the drive to the house, that was more than 20 hours that my cat was in his kennel. And he did not pee! Of course, when I let him out, he wanted to go to the bathroom right away (hee hee hee). But just in case your kitty can't hold it, pee liners or diapers can soak it up so that kitty remains relatively dry. Unless your kitty gets very frightened during the trip, I would take a guess that she hold her bladder until she can go potty in the litter box.

Oh yes, if she does pee and you are still in the airport, DO NO open her kennel door unless you can do it in a room or bathroom with a door that you can lock and be assured no one will open while you are in there. Beleive me, a cat can escape "just like that" if you are not careful! Same goes when you are in flight. Take the cat kennel in the plane's bathroom; lock it and only then open the kennel door.

Bon Voyage!

Answer 2

How old is the kitten? A lot of airlines don't transport pets under 3, sometimes 6, months of age. Also, not all airlines allow pets in the cabin, and those that do usually only allow one per plane, so talk to your airline about this and make resevations for both of you SOON. Also make sure you have a cabin-approved carrier - talk to the airline to find out what exactly the specs are.

Try to get her used to a harness now, so you have something to hold onto if you have to take her out of the carrier at the security checkpoint. But do nOT take her out at any time unless you have to. It's too dangerous. If she ets away from you, you'll never see her again - cats are fast and fit in tiny places and airports are big and noisy and have many noks and crannies.

For the carrier, buy puppy pads - any pet store should have them. Cut them to size, and put three or four at the bottom of the carrier. Fix them with clasps. Also take plastic bags.

If an accident happens, got to the airplane bathroom - preferably one with a changing table. Lock the door securely (you might even want to ask a stewardess or fellow passenger to stand outside). Open the carrier, take out the top puppy pad, and double-bag it. Close it up again and you're good to go.

Do NOT do this at the airport - bathroom stalls are easy to escape from for a cat, unlike airplane bathrooms. If an accident happens while at the airport, politely approach an airline employee, explain your predicament and ask if there might be some office or other small room with a door that you could be allowed to use for five minutes to make the change.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I took my cat from Los Angeles to Detroit, it was a 6 hour flight. My Vet gave me a traqualizer to give kitty before the flight. Half way into the flight I kept smelly this bad odor. Thought it was the man next to me. After getting off that flight, I discovered the hard way, my cat could not wait, he had peed all over himself! I was getting him out of his cage to give him a big hug for being so good on the flight. Needless to say, after the hug, we both had cat pee odor! I took him to the restroom and tried the best I could to give him a bath. Wasn't to hard since he was still under the effects of that tranqualizer. He wasn't able to fight me like he normaly did when given a bath! It was actually pretty funny now that I think about it. I wish I would of had a video camera at the time.
So back to your question...Your kitten won't be able to hold it either. This will probably sound strange but put kitty litter in the bottom of the cage.
Cats sleep in their litter all the time, (I see them do this at pet stores, shelters. etc.) It's a whole lot better than the kitten peeing all over. The litter will soak it up, at least. That's what I would have done if I had thought of it before I took my kitty on a trip. I wonder why the airlines don't tell you things like this. Surely you would think they know an animal cannot go without relieving itself for that many hours. It's not like they provide a "litter room" for the animals, but I think they should. Until then I suggest you put the litter in the kennel with kitty, you will be glad you did. Good Luck and have an odor free flight! lol
P.S. Don't let her out of cage, unless she is in a confined place, like the airport restroom. They still don't have a litter box in the restroom though.
Your question is not silly at all, I wish I had known what I know now about taking a cat as a travel companion on a long flight!

Answer 4

It will depend on the airline. If you have a collar and leash for your kitty when you land on your stop over you could take a little walk outside and see if she needs to go. Be very careful when you go to get her on the leash of course!

I'll tell you my personal experience....I traveled with my cat in the car, she was so stressed she didn't use the bathroom for 8+ hours till we stopped at a hotel for the night. Have not yet traveled with my cat on a plane though shall be doing it next month.

Try not to give the kitty any food for a few hours prior to the flight. If the kitten does go to the bathroom... just make sure there is something in the pet carrier that is absorbent. If you get a soft sided Sherpa bag they have a liner that is absorbent and washable! In the end... it won't be a pleasent experience if it happens but the two of you will survive it.

Also do make sure you call the airline to book her travel asap as some airlines don't allow pets to travel in cabin (I work for Virgin Atlantic Aiways...and they do not let pets on board, only through cargo). The airlines that do usually only allow 2 pets in cabin, and you'll want to be sure one of the two is your kitty ;) Good LUCK!

Answer 5

You must take the carrier into the airplane toilet, shut the door and lid etc, so that the cat is safe and can't go anywhere, clean the carrier with a wet baby wipe (take wet wipes with you) and shut her back in. It would be great if you could somehow persuade the cat to poo before leaving, try putting her in the litterbox again and again just before you leave home, in case she does poo then.

Don't even think of taking her out on a leash! Cats can get loose from a leash even if it looks absolutely safe! Open the carrier door only in a small enclosed room.

Oh, and do check that the airline allows pets in the cabin. Don't let the cat be put in the luggage compartment, it will be shocked or even die from being thrown around and stuffed in a place with thin air and very low temp. I know Olympic airways allows cats in the cabin, so other companies may allow them too.

Answer 6

Gosh..!!! you have some many helpful answers to your question. I think I just wish you both a safe trip home. And don't worry your kitten will be alright. My 2months old kitten(now 6 months old) travelled on the plane from Melbourne to Sydney all by herself and we picked her up for the first time.
the first meeting with her, was amazing she just bonded with us instantly as if we had met before. Now she is so happy with us. I can understand why you buy a kitten so far away to bring home. Good luck and congratulation..!!!

Answer 7

When I flew my cat from one side of Australia to the other, I filled the bottom of her carrier with absorbent kitty litter. This was to allow her to go to the toilet without having to sit in wet for hours. She was very happy and actually arrived dry! Cats often like sitting in kitty litter, they find it comfortable. If she does go maybe they will let you use the toilet for discarding her waste. Anyway, if concerned leave her in her cage - letting her sit in a dirty tray for a while is better than having her hurt in transit. Dont worry she will arrive with no long term emotional scars. Good luck.

Answer 8

EWWWWW DON'T LISTEN TO HEATHER!!! How rude!!! Any kitty's life you save no matter where you are is precious. I'm American and have been living in Singapore about a year now and I adopted a kitten while here and I'm coming home in July and will be bringing my cat with me. Call the airline to make sure they allow in cabin transport, alot of them say they do online but actually don't anymore. I did tons of research to find one that allowed it. Bring some dry food in a baggie to give her something to munch on but most likely she won't even get hungry. I bought a Sherpa bag with special liners. Good luck and God bless for saving that little kitties life and taking her home with you!!! Here's a link to the site with the carrier and liners. Also, www.pettravel.com will allow you to search for specific airlines that allow in cabin travel and tons of great information.
http://www.pettravelstore.com/store-pet-carriers1.html
http://www.classypets.com/Merchant5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CPTS&Product_Code=AID008&Category_Code=PTSAID

Answer 9

no no do not let her out of that kennel til you get home safe and sound....... too many things could happen... fill the kennel with shredded up paper towels... lots of them,, it will make her kennel comfy and will absorb any moisture , if she poops it will wrap itself in the towels... good luck,,, and remember,,don't take the chance of letting that cat out of the carrier at the airport,, there are lound noises,, she will be stressed enough from the flight etc... she could easily get away from you.. and you DO NOT want that to happen to your new pet.

Answer 10

You will want to get a DryFur Pet Carrier Insert. It will dry Instantly and keep her comfy like a bed.
You can get them at http://www.dryfur.com and they will ship to at military address via Priority US mail for no extra shipping.
They also sell them at http://www.pettravelstore.com or http://www.futurepets.com
The Pettravel.com was mentioned earlier in regard to pet travel arrangements but they also sell pet supplies on their other pages.