How to transport a cat on a plane: tips for tourists

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

How to transport a cat on a plane? This question worries all pet owners who plan to travel with them around the country or even go abroad. This is quite real, you have probably seen animals at the airport in plastic boxes or carriers. But get ready right away, this is a troublesome business.

Difficulties with transporting animals

The main problems with how to transport a cat on an airplane can arise if you go on a trip abroad. Many countries are afraid that you can bring some kind of infection with your animal, so they are reluctant to issue the appropriate permits.

So, the rules for transporting a cat on an airplane require you to obtain an international veterinary passport, the cat will need to be chipped, dewormed, vaccinated against all necessary infectious diseases, get a certificate from a veterinarian confirming that your animal is he althy, prepare the beast for flight (after all, this is stressful for him). Arriving at the airport, exchange the certificate from the veterinarian for an international certificate and do not forget that the cat also needs to purchase a ticket.

Be prepared for this to take a long time, and be prepared for additional expenses. Especially if you are traveling to countries with strict veterinary requirements, such as the UK. In this case, it will take you approximately six months and 15 thousand rubles.

Veterinary regulations

When going on a trip, find out how to transport a cat on an airplane, in advance, carefully study the rules of the country you are going to. The fact is that Russia and the countries of the former Soviet Union are considered areas of high risk of rabies infection, therefore, in some states, the import of animals from Russia is completely prohibited, while in others they will have to be quarantined for about three months. In some states, certain breeds of dogs are prohibited from being imported. In addition, different countries require individual marks for specific vaccinations.

To know exactly how to transport a cat on an airplane, following all the rules, it is best to study the rules of the state quarantine or veterinary service. And the exact country you are going to. Do not doubt whether it is possible to transport a cat on an airplane, the main thing is to follow all the rules.

Requirements of different countries

For example, animals from Russia and the CIS countries are allowed to be imported into Australia only through the so-calledaccredited countries. It is in this state that you have to do all the vaccinations, be examined by a doctor. When you arrive on this continent, the animal will have to be quarantined for 10 days.

In Israel, a month after rabies vaccination, a special blood test for the presence of antibodies is done, only after that they are allowed to fly. In India, they require that animals, in addition to standard vaccinations, be vaccinated against plague, leptospirosis, hepatitis, parainfluenza virus.

How to fly?

When you go on a flight, decide how to transport the cat on the plane. This can be done in the cabin or luggage compartment. Remember that you will be allowed into the salon with a cat only if it is in a carrier and weighs no more than 8 kilograms. Throughout the flight, he will have to be in a container under the seat of a passenger flying in front of you, or on your lap. If you are flying to the UK, the cat will have to travel in the hold anyway.

Please note that only a limited number of pets are allowed per aircraft. In addition, they should not conflict with each other, so dogs and cats will not be allowed on the same flight, even if they have the same owner.

At the entrance to the salon, you will be checked that the animal is calm and clean. One adult passenger is allowed to carry one animal. Moreover, it is allowed to plant up to two individuals in one container, but in this case their weight should still not exceed 8 kilograms.

Transportation of Persian cats

If youif you are trying to find out if it is possible to transport a Persian cat on an airplane, then be very careful. These animals, as well as pugs, bulldogs, boxers and Pekingese, are at high risk. Due to their innate anatomy, they all have an upturned nose, they are more difficult to tolerate pressure drops, and they can even suffocate during the flight. Some airlines categorically refuse to carry them.

If your pet weighs more than 8 kilograms, it is only allowed to be transported in checked baggage. This is a pressurized compartment that is heated as well as the passenger compartment. Cages and carriers with animals must be fixed.

Vet visit

Transportation of a cat on an airplane is a responsible matter, so it is better to start preparing for this in advance, several months in advance. First you need to buy a veterinary passport (about 150 rubles), take a picture of your pet and paste the picture into it. You do not need to go to the studio for this, any color printer will do. The passport is filled out by hand in English.

Then the animal needs to be microchipped. It will cost about one and a half thousand rubles. The chipping mark is placed in the pet's passport, this is confirmed by a special certificate. Then your animal needs to undergo deworming, that is, to get rid of worms. What drug to give to your pet, the veterinarian will advise, the cost is from 100 to 800 rubles. Be sure to specify how long it takes to give the animal other vaccinations.

Vaccinations

Rabies vaccination is considered the most important. It is done after chipping and deworming. It is better to use international vaccines. Rabies vaccinations must be given at least one year and at least one month before departure. You can do this for free, in most state veterinary clinics there are special days when animals are vaccinated against rabies for free.

Further vaccinations depend on the requirements of the country you are traveling to. Basically, cats are required to be vaccinated against parasites, calcevirosis, panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis. If you are traveling to EU countries, then one month after the rabies vaccination, you will be required to take a blood test for antibodies, this is necessary to make sure that the body has absorbed the vaccine. The cost of this procedure is decent - about five thousand rubles. After receiving the results, it will be possible to fly in three months.

Carry

Be sure to buy a carrier for the flight. A simple basket in this case will not work. If the cat flies in the luggage compartment, the container must be of solid material, with an impervious bottom, spacious and well ventilated. Be guided by the fact that the animal can freely stand up to its full height and turn in a circle, then it will be comfortable for it. Such a transfer costs from one and a half thousand rubles.

If the animal fits the parameters for flying in the cabin, then you can limit yourself to soft carrying, which will cost about three times less. In this case, the container should not be higher than20 centimeters to fit under the chair.

Start in advance to accustom the animal to carry so that the stress is not so strong. You can put a treat inside and praise for your interest in the container.

Be sure to warn the country you are going to that you are flying with a cat, if such a requirement exists. This can usually be done by email.

Documentation

Be sure to get a certificate. This is a document that allows your cat to leave the country. It can be obtained from the state veterinary clinic. It should contain your data, as well as detailed information about the animal and the route of travel. Please note that this certificate is valid for only five days, then you will have to get a new one.

Next, written permission from the airline is required. To do this, send copies or photos of all documents by e-mail, and also tell us what your pet looks like, what is its weight with the container, do not forget to indicate the departure time and flight. It is advisable to reserve a seat for a cat in advance, especially if you want to fly with him in the cabin.

Now you know if it is possible to transport a cat on an airplane and what needs to be done for this.

Domestic transport regulations

The requirements for transporting an animal within the country are slightly less, but they are just as tough. We will tell you how to transport a cat on an airplane in Russia so that you do not have any problems.

A mustnotify the carrier that you are traveling with a pet. This must be done at least 36 hours before departure. By this time, you should have all the documents in your hands.

This is a veterinary passport, which we can get at any veterinary clinic. All necessary vaccinations will be given there. There must also be a state-issued certificate No. 1, which will be issued at the veterinary control at the airport. If your cat is purebred, you will also need a certificate of its breed. In some cases, even purebred cats have to receive a certificate. It depends on the rules of the particular airline you decide to use.

Note that the validity of the veterinary passport is limited, you should not issue it a few months before the trip, it is better to do it just a few days. Here's how to transport a cat on a plane in Russia.