Flying with cats (allergies, cost of, to move)

[QuilterChick]

Originally Posted by tweez

I have been researching this as well. United Airlines has a pressurized cargo space for pets. According to their website, it is pressurized like the main cabin.

https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...s/default.aspx

But the cargo holds are NOT air conditioned. It can get to 120 / 140 degs. down there. Pressurized means nothing. The whole damned plane is pressurized. I know for sure that most of the Continental Airlines aircraft cargo holds were air conditioned. Continental merged w/United around 2010. Their website has most of the airlines' pet policies here, but smarter to call before buying a flight:


https://www.united.com/web/en-US/con...s/default.aspx

[QuilterChick]

Originally Posted by Ibepatience

Thank you all for your replies!

They are both indoor only so they hadn't had any rabies shots prior to us starting the process. The vet knew exactly what they needed to avoid quarantine.

One of them is just normal nervous, the other is a howling wreck! I purchased two under-seat, airline approved carriers and have them open all the time by their cat tree. I give them treats in there along with catnip so they will hopefully get used to them. Our vet said she doesn't recommend using anything stronger than Benadryl. I'll try the Rescue Remedy. We want to do a few trial runs driving around with him to see if something works or we can possibly get him used to it.

Yes, low dose of Benadryl is good. Rescue Remedy is too mild (in my experience) wears off a lot sooner than you will want it to on a 5.5 hr. flight, plus waiting time in terminal. Most interstate transport of pets will require a health certificate, at the very least proof of up to date rabies. No catnip -- that is counterproductive, it gets them excited. They will need to drink some water when you get there; buy some bottled water at the terminal concourse, a few bottles you will need it. Don't give them island water right away, wean them into it.


Th-th-th-that's all folks. Safe happy trip !

[whtviper1]

Some of you have some high maintenance cats - my cats have flown down below from Hawaii-Mainland roundtrip at least 4 times - when they got to the mainland they lose a bit of dignity being dropped on the baggage carousel spinning around with the luggage - and they seem annoyed waiting at the pet holding area in Honolulu - but that was about the only issues.

[Scratch33]

Vet prescribed Valium for our cat when I flew it here (4 hour flight). Drugs wore off somewhere over Kansas - all the other passengers who'd been saying "oh, she's so cute!" were jamming fingers in their ears.

[QuilterChick]

Originally Posted by whtviper1

Some of you have some high maintenance cats - my cats have flown down below from Hawaii-Mainland roundtrip at least 4 times - when they got to the mainland they lose a bit of dignity being dropped on the baggage carousel spinning around with the luggage - and they seem annoyed waiting at the pet holding area in Honolulu - but that was about the only issues.

Yep, my Ragdoll kitties, sister and brother, are 16 yrs. young this month, very healthy. Spoiled rotten because they are such beautiful and gentle angels. I don't spoil dogs though, I train dogs and they love it. Never flew with a dog. Car or RV, they love that.

[Jbeechuk]

Never ever ever put your cat or dog below in the cargo hold. I don't care what the airlines say, it isn't safe for pets to survive. You hear countless stories every week about pets who die because of lack of oxygen or freezing cold.

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by Jbeechuk

You hear countless stories every week about pets who die because of lack of oxygen or freezing cold.

Countless stories every week from lack of oxygen or freezing cold?

How about some stories from just the past two weeks - lets start with that. Countless huh?

Lets get back to some facts.

About 2 million are transported by the airlines each year.

About 20 die mostly from natural causes.

Lets take last months Department of Transportation report - airlines must report deaths every month.

The last available report is typical.

2 deaths and 1 injury - on Delta. 1 dog died was 12 years old, died from acute heart failure. Determined as natural causes. 1 cat died (2 being transported). Owner declined to determine cause of death (airlines pay for that). 1 dog injured biting at its kennel.

Again, about 2 million pets transported per year - about 20 die, mostly natural causes.

https://www.transportation.gov/sites...016MayATCR.pdf

[Arktikos]

Originally Posted by Jbeechuk

Never ever ever put your cat or dog below in the cargo hold...

You may not have any choice. Ever seen a Great Dane in the passenger compartment?

Only small animals, able to fit under the seat, are allowed there.

Regarding the safety of animals travelling in the cargo, apparently there are certain breeds that can't handle it.

From Alaska's website:

Brachycephalic or "short-nosed" dogs and cats are not accepted for travel in the cargo compartment on Alaska Airlines flights (including flights operated by Horizon, SkyWest, or PenAir). Veterinary experts say that short-nosed animals commonly have abnormalities that can compromise their breathing. Stress associated with flight can make those conditions worse.

Brachycephalic or "short-nosed" dogs and cats may still travel in the cabin with their passenger provided their pet carrier fits under the seat.

This applies to the following breeds and mixed breeds thereof:

Dogs: boston terrier, boxer (all breeds), bull dog (all breeds), bull terrier, brussels griffon, chow chow, english toy spaniel, japanese spaniel/japanese chin, mastiff (all breeds), pekingese, pit bull (all breeds), pug (all breeds), shih tzu, staffordshire terrier

Cats: burmese, exotic shorthair, himalayan, persian

[Jbeechuk]

Originally Posted by Blind Cleric

You may not have any choice. Ever seen a Great Dane in the passenger compartment?

Only small animals, able to fit under the seat, are allowed there.

Regarding the safety of animals travelling in the cargo, apparently there are certain breeds that can't handle it.

From Alaska's website:

Brachycephalic or "short-nosed" dogs and cats are not accepted for travel in the cargo compartment on Alaska Airlines flights (including flights operated by Horizon, SkyWest, or PenAir). Veterinary experts say that short-nosed animals commonly have abnormalities that can compromise their breathing. Stress associated with flight can make those conditions worse.

Brachycephalic or "short-nosed" dogs and cats may still travel in the cabin with their passenger provided their pet carrier fits under the seat.

This applies to the following breeds and mixed breeds thereof:

Dogs: boston terrier, boxer (all breeds), bull dog (all breeds), bull terrier, brussels griffon, chow chow, english toy spaniel, japanese spaniel/japanese chin, mastiff (all breeds), pekingese, pit bull (all breeds), pug (all breeds), shih tzu, staffordshire terrier

Cats: burmese, exotic shorthair, himalayan, persian

Then you charter a private plane if you must. I would never put our cats in a cargo hold. That's cruel and possibly deadly.

[Jbeechuk]

Originally Posted by whtviper1

Countless stories every week from lack of oxygen or freezing cold?

How about some stories from just the past two weeks - lets start with that. Countless huh?

Lets get back to some facts.

About 2 million are transported by the airlines each year.

About 20 die mostly from natural causes.

Lets take last months Department of Transportation report - airlines must report deaths every month.

The last available report is typical.

2 deaths and 1 injury - on Delta. 1 dog died was 12 years old, died from acute heart failure. Determined as natural causes. 1 cat died (2 being transported). Owner declined to determine cause of death (airlines pay for that). 1 dog injured biting at its kennel.

Again, about 2 million pets transported per year - about 20 die, mostly natural causes.

https://www.transportation.gov/sites...016MayATCR.pdf

Uh-huh.....only gullible people would believe only 20 out of 2 million pets die in cargo holds. Airlines are notorious for covering up that stuff. Even if they survive, many are injured or scared for life.