Travelling with your cat
Most cats are not particularly happy travellers - they are
usually bonded strongly to their own territory and feel very
vulnerable off home ground. The rewards of staying with the
family 'pack' or the potential of exploring or walking
somewhere new at the end of the journey do not excite the
average feline in the same way as its canine cousins.
If you wish to take your cat on a train/car or air journey
you will have to ensure it is safely and comfortably secure in
an appropriate carrier and is kept confined at the end of the
journey, at least until it has become bonded to the new
territory. Of course you get the occasional cat that travels
frequently with its owner and does not panic or run off in a
new environment, however, these are few and far between.
Travelling by car
It can be very dangerous to have a cat loose in the car -
not only could it cause an accident by becoming entangled with
the driver, but if a window or door was opened or an accident
occurred, the cat could escape and become lost.
You will need to invest in a carrier that is strong and easy
to clean should the cat urinate, defecate or become sick during
the journey. Also consider the weather you will be travelling
in - both your present situation and the likely temperature of
your destination. If it is likely to be very hot then use a
basket which allows good air flow - if it is going to be cold
then one which can provide draft-free warmth while still
allowing a good air flow would be useful. Place the carrier
where it will be secure if you have to brake suddenly but where
it has a good air flow - i.e. not underneath lots of other
luggage in the back of the car. Do not put the cat in the boot
and take care with the rear of hatchbacks - ventilation may be
poor and the cat may overheat. You can secure the carrier
behind one of the front seats or use the seat belt to make sure
it is held securely on the seat. What's all that noise
about?
The cat may meow initially or even throughout the whole
journey - speak calmly and reassuringly to it but resist
letting it out of its carrier. The noise will probably drive
you mad but the cat is unlikely to be suffering; just voicing
its dislike of the situation! Eventually the constant motion
and noise of the car will probably induce it to sleep or at
least to settle down. Check the cat regularly, especially if
the weather is hot - don't underestimate how rapidly the
temperature inside a car can rise - bear this in mind if you
stop for a refreshment break and leave the cat in the car. Put
the car in the shade and leave windows open - if it is very hot
take a picnic and eat it nearby with the cat secure in its
carrier outside the car or with all the doors open. Heat-stroke
can be a killer. Travelling by train
Obviously if you are travelling by train you will need a
very secure carrier which the cat cannot possibly escape from,
but one which is also light enough to carry. You may want one
with a solid base in case the cat urinates so that it does not
soil the railway carriage. Line it with absorbent paper and
material and take spare bedding too. You will probably be able
to keep the cat in its carrier on your lap depending on the
type of train and the space available. Travelling by
air
If you intend to travel by plane with your cat then you need
to plan well ahead. You may have a choice of airlines and how
they can transport your cat may influence your choice. Most
airlines do not allow cats to travel with their owners and have
to travel in a special part of the hold that is heated and
pressurised.
Most cats do travel well but it is not recommended to send a
pregnant cat or kittens under three months old. Also note that
not all flights are licensed to carry animals so the cat may
have to travel on a different flight to you.
If possible book the cat onto a direct flight so there will
be no need for it to be disturbed for transfer, this will also
prevent any problems associated with waiting around in a very
hot or cold country. This may also affect the timing of the
flight you choose. The International Air Transport Association
Standards say a container must be large enough to stand up in
and turn around with ease - check with individual airlines on
what they need. For details of the current situation with the
Pet Passport Scheme contact the address and website addresses
below. DEFRA (formerly called The Ministry of Agriculture,
Fisheries & Food), Animal Health (Disease Control)
Division, 1A Page Street, London, SW1P 4PQ.
Tel: 020-7904-6204 (Quarantine
section)
Web: www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine
Arriving at your destination
When you arrive, place the cat in one room and make sure it
is secure, comfortable and cannot escape. Offer water and a
little food although it may not be interested in eating until
it settles in a little more. Do not let the cat go outside for
at least a week and make sure it is identifiable if lost.
Withhold food for about 12 hours so that the cat is hungry and
comes back to you for food when you call. Gradually let it
explore further and use food to ensure it does not go too far
and returns for regular meals. Using the
carrier
For cats the production of a carrier usually means a trip to
the veterinary surgery so they are often not too keen to get
into it! Take time to let the cat become accustomed to the
carrier or travel crate well before the journey.
Make it a pleasant place to be - feed the cat treats inside
it and make a cosy bed of familiar smelling bedding which can
be used on the journey. Leave the door open and encourage the
cat to go in and out and to sleep in it. Then, when it comes to
the actual journey, the cat is at least familiar with its
immediate environment.
If you have more than one cat it is better to give them
separate carriers which allows better flow through of air, more
room and less chance of overheating. Even the best of friends
may become stressed during a journey and behave in an
uncharacteristic, agitated way with each other; separate
carriers will prevent any injury. If they can at least see and
hear each other they may be comforted by that.
Withhold food for about four to five hours before the
journey in case the cat is sick while travelling. Offer water
up to the time you leave and again during the journey if
possible. You can buy bowls which attach to cages so they are
not spilled by the cat during the journey and are easy to fill
without opening the cage should there be a delay during the
journey. Ref: Feline Advisory Board - www.fabcats.org