Cat

[Casey_03]

This is for all the animal lovers on this forum. Not directly PTSD-related, but causing me massive anxiety and insomnia.

My flight back to the States is in less than two weeks. The two things I am most terrified of on this flight are being able to pump breastmilk and take care of my baby, ..... and my cat. Who is coming with us on the flight.

I got the cat all his documents and everything, and checked with the airline about the requirements for his carrier. But the size requirements are ridiculously, ridiculously small. The airline advertises that it allows dogs and cats on flights, but in reality, the requirements for the carrier make it next to impossible.

The height of the carrier cannot be more than 20 cm. I have spent the past month searching high and low for a proper-sized carrier, with no luck. I even asked a vet, who said the 20 cm size requirement is absurd. The closest I've come is a carrier that is 21 cm high. (But the carrier itself is soft, so it can be pushed down to fit underneath the seat if need be).

I don't know how strict they are with these requirements, or if they'll measure it at the airport, but I see no other option than to try using this carrier. I asked if they allow bigger sizes if the cat is checked into the cargo hold, and they said no, the requirements are the same.

I keep imagining the worst-case scenario in my head -- that they refuse to let me use it and take the cat onboard at the airport, meaning I'd have to miss my flight and then I'd be stuck in a country where I am now homeless, unemployed, and with a newborn. With literally nowhere to go and no one to help me.

(I don't have anyone to leave the cat with here and could not bring myself to just leave him on the street. They do not have animal shelters here like they do in the States. I also considered shipping him through a private company, but the minimum price for that is $2,000)

Has anybody had experience with this sort of thing before?

 

[hodge]

Oh God, @Casey_03 , that's an awful situation.

If it were me, I'd find the next smaller cat carrier and put him in that, even if he barely fit in. Half a day or so in a tiny cat carrier is way better than leaving him there alone. You can put a soft towel or small blanket in there to help him be comfortable.

Would your vet there prescribe a tranquilizer for him for the travel? That might really help.

In any case, once you get here, he'll likely recover from the ordeal in time. You can only do the best you can do. And bringing him with you, even if it's difficult circumstances for him, is better for him than being left behind.

 

[Naoru]

I do not have experience with flying cats, but I do with small snub-nosed dogs into very restrictive countries on very long flight plans.

My advice is to get the best carrier you can find that attempts to fit the requirements. I have yet to see an airline actually measure - they only check by visually inspecting the comfort of the animal and size of the carrier.

That said, I have flown with incorrect carriers and they overlooked it with a lecture for the future ... and some airlines sell (albeit more expensive) carriers near cargo for predicaments like these.

I am surprised they say the carrier size requirement is the same for both cargo and in-cabin. Cargo is usually the go-to option for pets requiring a larger kennel.

 

[Casey_03]

@hodge Thanks. I forgot to mention i do have a smaller bag to put him in, but it's so so tiny ... and weirdly doesn't have ventilation. The airline is ridiculous, because they can also refuse the cat entry if the bag is TOO small for him. I'm just hoping they will take pity. My plan initially was to check him in in the tiny carrier and then once on the flight put him in the bigger one and hope they don't notice ... It's only 1 cm ...

@Naoru Thanks, that's reassuring if they never measured your carriers in the past. The lady i spoke to on the phone made it sound like they would inspect and measure it, but they are probably told to make it sound strict so people don't start using bigger carriers. And yeah, I was surprised about the cargo-hold requirements as well, doesn't make much sense. Especially since they claim to allow larger-sized dogs ...

I'll try to get him a tranquilizer for the flight. I think he'll be fine once we're actually in the air, but I'm dreading the stress he'll undergo for the rest of the journey ... It's going to be such a double whammy ... cat and newborn baby on a plane for the first time. Ugh.

 

[hodge]

Yeah, stressful environment for them both, but it's only temporary. I can well imagine they'll both be complaining, but just remember you are leading them to a better life. Don't forget that part :-).

I think that even if you have to stuff your cat into a too-small carrier, it would be better for him to be near you than to be in the cargo hold (even if there isn't room for him to have a kitty litter section), which can get really cold. Couple that with the isolation and separation . . . not good. It might be a little messy, but I think it would be better for him to be near you.

 

[Naoru]

They probably sound much more strict than they really are.

Does your airline have a pet program? Like United's PetSafe program? Anything like that? Is it possible to take your pet and carrier(s) to the airport and/or cargo area to have everything inspected ahead of time?

I second that it is best to have your cat in-cabin, if possible, as it is just better and less risky all the way around. However, if your cat ends up in cargo, try not to worry. Airlines do not want lawsuits so they have gotten much better at taking care of traveling animals down below.

I also do not think they will notice the 1cm difference or you switching the carrier. My only concern with the too-small carrier is they may not allow it if it's lacking ventilation - that they will notice.

I know it's all very overwhelming, but remember they do not want stranded animals any more than you do (or angry travelers, including our little ones). Your cat will likely be much calmer than you think (try to get him used to a carrier beforehand, if you haven't already). The airline will probably help you as much as possible with boarding with your baby, as well. It's no fun for sure, but keep envisioning the other side.

 

[Crow]

No advice on the carrier but highly recommend getting a 100mg of gabapentin from the vet to give the cat a few hours before the flight. It will 'destress' the animal for about 12 hours with no side effects. Also, take away food/water about six hours (or more) before leaving.

 

[lostforgottensoul]

Has anybody had experience with this sort of thing before?

Yes. I flew with both of my cats with 3 change overs. They were still 'teenage' age so small enough, barely, to fly in the same carrier under my seat.

What i did was to call each airline that i was using and gain their policy and size limit, weight limit, etc of flying with me in the cabin under my seat and then I got an airplane quaility SOFT carrier that is almost like a bag, which can be almost molded. Therefore, where the hard carriers would have an issue fitting under the seat, a bag carrier wouldnt.

I gave them tranqualizers from the vet so they'd be calm and not bother the other people.

It was fine other than to carrying them around for the change overs. But it worked and because of the changer overs it was like an 8 hr ordeal. I had given them water but they wouldnt drink or eat or go to the bathroom.

Sherpa Original Deluxe Pet Carrier, Black, Small - Chewy.com

But airline approved. They sell them in petstores, at the measurements the airlines advised.

 

[watundah]

Get meds!!!!!!!
If your cat moans and cries the entire flight no one will be happy and you owe it to him.
Good luck!