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Health & Fitness

Making The Move With Your Cats...You Can Do It!

Recently, I was asked about the best way to travel with cats, especially when moving a long distance.

Many years ago when I moved across country, my cat Salem put up such a fight, my family still talks about it! He was not a great traveler. But he taught me a great deal about the best ways to travel with a cat.

DRIVING

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·         Consider the personality of the cat. If he doesn’t mind the car, or the carrier, driving might not be a bad idea. He can also get a break at night when you stop at a hotel. Websites such as www.bringfido.com list pet friendly hotels and vacation spots around the country.  You might consider getting a large dog crate that would provide a safe haven without him feeling cramped and trapped for hours on end. You can add some bedding for comfort, as well as a small litterbox and toys and treats. A special harness and seatbelt might offer the cat safety and mobility in the car.

·         Do trial runs in the car for short distances (not to the vet!), and reward your cat with some treats when you get back home to give him something to look forward to.

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·         Spraying Feliway in the carrier, on the bedding , and in the car can help make the environment more comfortable.

·         Be sure to pack a “cat bag” with food, water, bowls, toys, clean bedding, paper towels, litter, litterbox, trash bags, and medications.

·         Talk to your vet about treating the cat with a flea preventative – especially if he’s going to stay in hotels.

·         Larger vehicles like an RV might fool your cat into not even knowing they’re driving!

FLYING

·         If your cat is not a great traveler, and you want to get her there quickly, flying might be a better option. If possible, get her used to the carrier before travel day. I recommend flying with your cat in the cabin, rather than in the belly of the plane. Most airlines allow small pets to fly in the cabin, but you must reserve their slots ahead of time. Be sure to bring a few things with you:

o   Place a sheepskin or other comfortable bedding in the bottom of the carrier, especially something that your kitty can burrow under if she needs security.

o   Spray Feliway (a natural pheromone) in the carrier before leaving. Feliway also makes wipes that you can bring on board with you.

o   Bring extra bedding, paper towels and a trash bag in case your kitty has an accident in flight.

o   Place an article of your clothing in the carrier with your cat so there is a familiar scent.

o   Most airlines require a health certificate and rabies certificate prior to flying. If this is the case, you’ll need the vet to check your kitty out within 10 days of flight.

·         Make sure your cat is up to date on at least the core vaccines (FVRCP and Rabies) prior to flight – you never know who or what they may come in contact with in transit.

·         Talk to your vet about treating your cat for fleas prior to flying.  

·         Try to fly non-stop in the early morning or late night. There are usually fewer delays, and fewer passengers.

·         Don’t feed your cat for at least 6 hours before travel, in case she gets a little nauseous.

·         Make sure the carrier is airline approved, is labeled with your contact information, and is securely latched both in the terminal and on board.

·         If your cat does need to fly in the belly of the plane (again, not recommended, but sometimes a necessity), here are a few additional recommendations:

o   Check with your airline on restrictions. Some airlines will not let pets fly if the temperatures at the departure or arrival city are too high or too low. Check this information ahead of time so you don’t end up stuck at the airport.

o   Let a member of the flight crew know that your pet is “down below.” The pet area is pressurized and temperature controlled. But in case of emergency, it’s never a bad idea for someone on the crew to have met you beforehand. On some aircraft, the crew might even be able to check on your pet in flight.

OTHER THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

·         What about sedatives? With very rare exceptions, I do not recommend sedating pets for travel. Every pet responds differently to medications. If your pet experiences an adverse reaction to sedation at 35,000 feet or on a deserted stretch of highway, there is no way to help him. As part of your “planning ahead”, first see how your cat responds to the carrier and/or the car. Then try with Feliway to see if he “mellows out”. Sometimes herbal treatments like Rescue Remedy can be beneficial in reducing travel anxiety.  If things are still not going well, talk to your vet about “medical intervention.” But again, plan ahead so you know how to prepare.

·         Make sure your cat is microchipped.  It is imperative that your cat can be quickly identified and returned to you in the event that something happens while travelling. Make sure the microchip company has your cell phone and another number on file so that they can reach you while travelling.

·         When looking for a vet in your new town, ask for recommendations from your neighbors and co-workers. Also, check the website www.vetstreet.com for a listing of vets in your area. You can also visit www.abvp.com for a list of board-certified feline specialists your new area.

Moving is definitely stressful – for everyone. But if you plan ahead, and assess how the options fit in with your cat’s personality, you can all have the enjoyable trip that Salem wished he’d had.




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