# Tips for flying with a cat? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 10, 2005, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-for-flying-with-a-cat/330416 "2005-11-10T16:35:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![YaWanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/bbce88/32.png) [@YaWanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YaWanna)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2005, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-for-flying-with-a-cat/330416/21 "2005-11-10T23:47:48Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > We have been through this before, the hold in an airliner is presurized and climate controlled. We have had pilots like **LSL guy** verify this. You cat could be cold because the ramp area is not heated, and well if was cold outside you cat would get… cold. But don’t forget you car is wearing a fur coat. Forgive me, please, because I never saw us go through this before - I’ve only been here for about a month, and never saw whatever thread you are referencing. And all I have to go by is my impression, and what other people have told me. And my cat’s fur coat was extremely limited, due to her moving from Florida (my ca **r** , on the other hand, doesn’t wear one). And her being left anywhere (like outside in the rain on a cold January night in Portland) not heated confirms for me what I stated before - they just regarded her as luggage & didn’t really give a damn. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2005, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-for-flying-with-a-cat/330416/22 "2005-11-11T00:10:01Z")
> [@YaWanna](#): > > Sorry, but this is a horrible, horrible way to treat a cat. I did this with mine, out of ignorance, many years ago, and I could tell when I retrieved her that she was traumatized. I still feel the guilt. She was freezing cold, so I know she wasn’t in any climate-controlled part of the plane, nor do I believe for one second she was cared for by anyone. She was just luggage to them. > > Many pets die or are lost when shipped in this manner. If you love your pet and can afford to not do this, don’t, for heavens’ sakes! > > If you can’t get to the vet for a sedative, at the very least, stop by a Petco or PetSmart & get some Feliway - it has a calming effect. ::sigh:: All over the internet there are stories of these horrible abuses. But you know, this is natural. You always hear about the bad stuff. GM trucks exploding on TV. Terrorists loose in the United States. Getting carjacked for driving a 95 Honda Civic. Airplanes crashing and killing everyone on board. If your animal needs a sedative in the passenger cabin, then yeah, it’ll need a sedative in the luggage hold for sure. Do you know the temperature at 35,000 feet? In a non-climate controlled cabin, it’s deadly. Plus lack of oxygen. Of course it’s climate controlled. Don’t let some overreactive people dissuade you from this idea – I could convince you not to fly at all if you want to worry about every little thing that _could_ go wrong. ---
**Author:** ![LiveOnAPlane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3d9bf3/32.png) [@LiveOnAPlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LiveOnAPlane)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2005, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-for-flying-with-a-cat/330416/23 "2005-11-11T02:06:06Z")
Do not put your cat in the baggage hold. If the cat fits in a carrier that goes under the seat in front of you, transport it thusly. This garbage about the cargo hold being climate-controlled is just crap. Why do you think that some airlines REFUSE to transport pets in there during the summertime at some locations? Because some pets have died in there, that’s why. Don’t take the chance. You may have to pay an extra $50 or so to take the pet (this includes smaller dogs as well) into the cabin with you, but it is a very cheap price to keep the animal safe. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2005, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-for-flying-with-a-cat/330416/24 "2005-11-11T02:36:51Z")
> [@LiveOnAPlane](#): > > Why do you think that some airlines REFUSE to transport pets in there during the summertime at some locations? Best guess - it’s heated but not cooled. If it weren’t heated, lots of animals would freeze to death during long trips. And if it weren’t pressurized, they’d suffocate long before that. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2005, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-for-flying-with-a-cat/330416/25 "2005-11-11T02:38:18Z")
And as I said, regardless of all that, I just don’t trust strangers with my pets. So many people are so callous or cruel towards animals that I think they’re something seriously sick with people about that. No way I’m entrusting my cat to some baggage handler who may be a really nice guy or an uncaring dick throwing my cat around. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2005, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-for-flying-with-a-cat/330416/26 "2005-11-11T02:42:03Z")
> [@LiveOnAPlane](#): > > This garbage about the cargo hold being climate-controlled is just crap. Why do you think that some airlines REFUSE to transport pets in there during the summertime at some locations? Because some pets have died in there, that’s why. I know this isn’t GQ, but having your facts straight is still good to have here in IMHO. _All_ airlines have temperature limits, but this is for **ground** time. For example, American Airlines won’t transport a dog if any of the ground locations are below 20°F. Other airlines have similar policies for temperature limits. _Airplanes cargo holds for animals are climate controlled. Period. Otherwise the fatality rate would be 100%._ Geesh. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2005, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-for-flying-with-a-cat/330416/27 "2005-11-11T03:10:27Z")
> [@Anastasaeon](#): > > If you have a connecting flight, and have to wait a bit, I would recommend, several weeks before your trip, getting a cat harness and leash. Train your cat (gently and patiently! but it can be done) to get used to being walked. Leave the harness on for a while, let her get used to it, then add the leash, then slowly coax her into walking. She’ll get used to it. This was wonderful, because while I was waiting the four hours for my connecting flight, I could attach her leash and take her outside so she could do her business. That’s a long time to be cooped up without a bathroom break! And if your cat goes bonkers when you take it out of the carrier, a firm grip on the leash and harness will prevent Fluffy from running through the terminal. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2005, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-for-flying-with-a-cat/330416/28 "2005-11-11T06:00:51Z")
I read the thread title and had an entirely different take. Ensure that the cat has a current pilot’s license and medical certificate Observe the cat as they perform preflight checks of the aircraft Do not distract the cat during takeoff, climb, descent, or landing phases Give the cat lots of loving and extra treats for a safe flight ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2005, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-for-flying-with-a-cat/330416/29 "2005-11-11T07:37:32Z")
Get a broomstick. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2005, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-for-flying-with-a-cat/330416/30 "2005-11-11T13:39:54Z")
> [@LiveOnAPlane](#): > > Do not put your cat in the baggage hold. If the cat fits in a carrier that goes under the seat in front of you, transport it thusly. > > This garbage about the cargo hold being climate-controlled is just crap. Why do you think that some airlines REFUSE to transport pets in there during the summertime at some locations? Because some pets have died in there, that’s why. > > Don’t take the chance. You may have to pay an extra $50 or so to take the pet (this includes smaller dogs as well) into the cabin with you, but it is a very cheap price to keep the animal safe. My I direct you attention to [this thread.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=239951&highlight=cargo+hold) Pay particular attention to post #10 **written by an airline pilot** What is your source of information that makes you right and the guy who drive a plane for a living wrong? In other words **Cite?** ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2005, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-for-flying-with-a-cat/330416/31 "2005-11-12T16:14:41Z")
That was surprisingly easy. I went to an animal hospital, and I’m not sure if they’re partially funded by charity or what, but they didn’t actually charge me anything, except $.10 per pill. They just looked at the cat a bit, I guess to quickly guage size or health, and gave me a few pills of acepromazine. I forgot to ask what the dosage was on the pills, but they say ```auto 0|2 2|0 ``` on them. I figured that meant 20 mg, but a website tells me it only comes in 5, 10, and 25mg doses. I’m trying to find a more detailed site just to double check that they have the dosages right. ---
**Author:** ![SnakesCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2005, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-for-flying-with-a-cat/330416/32 "2005-11-12T16:22:22Z")
Call the vet and ask. ---
**Author:** ![anu-la1979](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/47e85d/32.png) [@anu-la1979](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anu-la1979)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2005, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-for-flying-with-a-cat/330416/33 "2005-11-14T17:59:05Z")
I flew with my cat about 2.5 years ago from Chicago to Boston (and there was an additional 2-3 hour drive from Chambana to Chicago + waiting time at the airport). The cat was fully immunized and issued a health certificate before flying. I chose to take him in one of those soft carrying cases…basically a kitty purse (got it at Petco or some such store). He wasn’t fed the day before flying (just water) to minimize the risk of fear-based accidents. Keep in mind that he HATED being put in this carrier at the house. During the course of the trip, though, he was extremely quiet. Didn’t hear a peep out of him. Also, I did have to take him out of the carrier at the airport to go through security (we went through a completely separate security line) so I had him on a body harness leash in the carrier itself. All in all it was not the horrible experience I thought it would be although he seemed resentful for a couple of days afterwards. ---
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2005, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-for-flying-with-a-cat/330416/34 "2005-11-14T18:09:34Z")
> [@asterion](#): > > If you take the cat as carry-on, do you have to put it through the x-ray machine or do you take it through the metal detector? All joking aside, I’ve travelled with cats on the plane before. 2 of them, in one carrying case. They were mildly sedated for the whole trip, and lucky for me too because when we got to the metal detector they made me take them OUT of the carrying case to walk them through the metal detector. When the guy told me to take her out, I literally looked at him and said, “You’re fucking kidding, right? You want me to take a cat out of a carrier in the middle of a crowded airport? Are you serious?” Unfortunately, he was. Luckily, the kitties were pretty much loopy and didn’t know what was happening. They were very good for the whole flight in fact. -foxy ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2005, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-for-flying-with-a-cat/330416/35 "2005-11-14T18:57:27Z")
> [@Case Sensitive](#): > > Get a broomstick. Huh? What do you want me to do about it? 😛 Seriously, though - I’ve owned cats and traveled with them. One was a decent traveler, but the other really did require pharmaceuticals. If you have an animal that nervous/frightened/whatever for Og’s sake, sedate the creature - that’s why we invented those medications, m’okay? Good gravy, half the _humans_ get themselves medicated before flying and they at least have some idea of what’s going on around them. Why wouldn’t you do at least as much for a terrified pet? Frankly, I’m surprised none of the Doper Vets have checked in (or maybe I missed 'em?) I’ve traveled with dogs and birds, too. Whenever possible I try to acustom them to the sight/sounds/smells/motions of the vehicle beforehand, but there’s just no way to do this for commercial air travel. Getting the animal familar and comfortable with the carrier is a big help - one of my smaller birds used to sleep every night in his carrier cage, so in that sense “home” went with him on every trip. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-for-flying-with-a-cat/330416/36 "2005-11-15T17:07:41Z")
Things went really well. I gave her 10mg of acepromazine, and it was too much, I think, for her size. She was falling over within minutes of having it, and her eyes turned an eery milky white outside of the pupils, and the pupils were fixed and dilated. She pretty much slept through the flight, putting her back to the mesh towards the light. Her eyes must’ve been pretty sensitive. I was going to put her in the seat next to me, but she’d sometimes cry when she saw me, whereas when she was on the ground she just felt content to sleep. It took a long time for the drug to wear off… she was still dizzy when we got her here, ~8 hours after. Her eyes weren’t right for a few days… the next morning after the flight they were still a bit white, and after that… something was slightly off… pupil dilation speed, or something. I couldn’t identify it, but I watch the kitty-monster a lot so I noticed there was something different. Anyway, she adjusted just fine. She’s been more sociable than usual, so she doesn’t hold any resentment or anything. Her nose was dry for 2 days after the flight, which was strange, but she hasn’t been drinking as much water as usual over the last few days for some reason. She’s really amazingly well behaved - she’s never tried to hurt a person in her life, as far as I know. She hates having strangers touch her, but when I had two people hold her while I tried to shove the pills down her throat, while she could’ve easily scratched the hell out of them and bit them, she didn’t… she just tried to squirm her way out, and hold her mouth shut. She did manage to bite the hell out of me, but she was just trying to close her mouth while my finger was in there, not intentionally bite me. She has powerful jaws for such a tiny kitty… the first pill we tried to give her, she bit into and snapped in half. But even during that, a pretty scary situation, she still didn’t lash out and try to hurt anyone. And she’s back to normal now, being possibly more affectionate than usual… I was worried that she’d be angry with me. Oh, and they did make me take her out to walk her through the metal detector. She didn’t try to escape - actually, she seemed aggravated that I was interrupting her sleep. She climbed up on my shoulders like she normally does when she’s in a scary environment, but could barely hold on. Anyway, it went about as smoothly as it could’ve. Thanks for the advice. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-for-flying-with-a-cat/330416/37 "2005-11-15T18:14:33Z")
> [@danceswithcats](#): > > Observe the cat as they perform preflight checks of the aircraft [Aircraft?](http://www.flickr.com/photos/junku/13811517/in/set-303691/) [We](http://www.flickr.com/photos/junku/16228306/in/set-303691/) don’t [need](http://www.flickr.com/photos/junku/21269884/in/set-303691/) no [stinkin’](http://www.flickr.com/photos/junku/26292821/in/set-303691/) [aircraft](http://www.flickr.com/photos/junku/21269940/in/set-303691/)! ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2005, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-for-flying-with-a-cat/330416/38 "2005-11-15T19:41:00Z")
> [@Beware of Doug](#): > > [Aircraft?](http://www.flickr.com/photos/junku/13811517/in/set-303691/) [We](http://www.flickr.com/photos/junku/16228306/in/set-303691/) don’t [need](http://www.flickr.com/photos/junku/21269884/in/set-303691/) no [stinkin’](http://www.flickr.com/photos/junku/26292821/in/set-303691/) [aircraft](http://www.flickr.com/photos/junku/21269940/in/set-303691/)! Admit it. Somewhere off camera, you have a cat-apult. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tips-for-flying-with-a-cat/330416.md?page=1)