Flying with Daughter and Cat :O)

I have flown with my two cats. I got a sedative from the vet. This calmed them both. They didn't seem anxious, but they did cry a little bit. I must warn you that they both got sick on the descent/landing, so be prepared! One threw up and the other had some diarrhea and peed. Yuck! Waiting to get off the plane was awful just because they smelled so bad. :( We ran straight to the restroom and had to deal with a cat walking around the ladies room while I tried to clean out the kennel.

Good luck!

Since you have 2 "babies", I'd recommend, your husband take your daughter and you take the cat. That seems fair to me.
It may sound funny but it seems like the best solution.

If he balks at the reponsibility (and my hubby wasn't very good when our toddler was a baby, it stressed him out too much), then I think you should have someone fly out with you.

Talk to your vet, they will give you something to sedate your cat, it is healthier for your cat than having your cat freaking out the whole time.

talk to your vet...they have mild sedatives for animals that have to travel...my dog use to need benadryl,,,but she outgrew the travel anxiety.....good luck

I'm sorry, I've got no idea how to make it easier on you. It sounds like a really tough situation.

But I have another question. Is it possible there is another way to get the cat to your new home? I'm just thinking about the other people on the plane....I once sat near a cat who was a carry-on and had to smell cat poop for the entire flight. If you add on to that the constant noise of a freaked-out cat yowling for an entire flight....and then think about those who are allergic to cats, it sounds like it could be tough on a whole lot of people, not just the three of you.

Are there any services that will transport pets? Are there any sedatives that are safe to give a cat so that he'll sleep for the flight?

I would ask your vet -- maybe she can help.

Good luck with a tough problem!

Dear S.,
Since you have to have all of your cats shots up to date & a clean bill of health in order to get it on the plane, talk to your vet about a sedative or something that may just "mellow" your cat for a few hours.

Good luck,
S. =0)

could you ask the vet if there is any medicine/drugs that would make the cat sleepy or calm during the trip. If this is possible, I would have the cat go with your husband as you might have a lot to deal with when flying with the baby.

I had a cat that got jittery in the car too. I drove with him from California to Minneapolis. The vet gave me sedatives and this helped calm him down. He meowed a bit but at least he wasn't scratching around a lot and trying to get out of the cage.

I travel by plane a lot and have taken my kids on planes without my husband. If it was me I wouldn't take the cat on the plane. I would beg my husband take my cat with him. He'll have more flexibility to let the cat stop for potty breaks, etc and generally the sensation of flying is worse than that of riding in a car. The logistics of checking into the airport, going through security, etc. are tough just with the kids. Adding the cat will make it go much slower, making it more likely you and your daughter will get irritable too. Besides when you consider adding the time to drive to the airport, check in, fly and pickup luggage it's not that short of a time for the cat to be stuck in a carrier anyway.

I can't imagine being stuck on a plane for a few hours with a fussing child and airsick, screeching cat.

For the next three weeks, I'd take the cat on car rides to get him used to riding in his carrier and the sounds and vibrations of the car. If he gets used to the sensations then maybe he'll be less upset. One of my friends takes her cats to her mom's when she travels - the first time they got irritable now they low going on car trips. For your best advice ask your vet!

Good luck...

Talk to your vet. I think they can prescribe a mild sedative to help your cat stay calm. Heck, I'd be freaked at flying with just the kid, let alone a cat! Maybe just check the cat with the luggage so you don't have to worry about it in the cabin. Good luck!!