Cat Travel Safety - Flying with a Cat in 2024

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You may have heard of “adventure cats”—cats that tag along for their human’s adventures, be those road trips, multiple-day wilderness hikes, or overseas flights.

You may also wonder if your cat can join you on your adventures…

You only need to pack the essentials: food, water, litter, a cat-friendly lead and harness, identification, lots of know-how, and extra patience. (When evaluating your cat for travel, consider their temperament. While we get the want to make memories with the whole family, it isn’t worth stressing out your beloved fur baby. Flights, in particular, can be stressful due to the noise of a plane, new smells, and no familiar place to hide.

If they prefer to be at home, leave them at home!  (With appropriate supervision, of course.)

Airline-Approved Cat Carriers

If your mode of transportation is flying, then your method of travel should start at the cat carrier. You don’t want to zip up a soft-sided container your cat has never been in before and throw them into the metaphorical wolves of an airport. That will certainly horrify most cats and potentially traumatize them to future attempts.

Here’s a tip: get your cat used to their carrier first. Your cat should view their carrier as a fun, safe place to escape everything. What I do to earn their comfort is place catnip, toys, and treats in their carrier. I flutter a cat wand inside it to encourage them to jump in and feed them their meals from inside. They’ll get used to its size, shape, and sounds and may seek it out of their own accord. Ensure you’re adhering to your airline’s guidelines when buying a carrier. Southwest, for example, requires a soft- or hard-sided carrier with maximum measurements of 18.5” x 13.5” x 9.5”, and they should be leak-proof with good ventilation.

Your cat should be able to stand up, turn around, and otherwise move in their carrier. Southwest does not allow pets to fly cargo, while others might—tangentially, they don’t accept pets on flights to or from Hawaii. Check your airline’s specific regulations and plan your trip around them.

GPS Tracking Your Cat

Every cat owner’s nightmare is losing their cat. There are methods you can employ to mitigate this risk, such as a GPS tracking tag on their carrier, their harness, their collar, and the extra mile of microchipping.

Some airlines are expanding their baggage tracking, which may help should you fly with an airline that allows cats to travel cargo. You can connect your phone to these developing apps and see where your bag is in luggage claim. If you’re carrying your feline through the airport, that service does little for you—but having trackers on your cat’s body can prove life-saving should they bolt away from you.

A cat’s collar is designed to snap away, as they often try to squeeze into tight spaces to hide. This lowers the risk of choking. Should they lose their collar along the way, a tracker on a harness acts as a priceless backup. As in most technical operations, redundancy is key. Microchipping your cat also aids in the reconnecting process. If your cat breaks away from you but is caught by animal services or a good samaritan, many facilities, such as humane societies and veterinarians, are equipped with the tools to read a microchip. Double-check that your information is up-to-date and that your service is internationally compatible (not every country uses the same frequency scanner, but there is a widely readable frequency).

Food, Water, & Bathroom Breaks

An uncomfortable cat makes for uncomfortable travel.

Your feline friend shouldn’t be overly hungry, or too full, nor too thirsty, or in desperate need of a litter box. Tending to their needs helps them tolerate noisy air travel while avoiding catastrophes (like protests in the form of stressed vocalizations or upset stomachs). Your vet will be able to advise you on your travel plan—they’ll know how much your cat should be eating and when, depending on your individual pet and the duration of a flight. Cat food (both dry and wet) is permitted by TSA, though you may have to endure additional screening, tests… and less room in your carry-on luggage.

Another tip: get your cat comfortable in a harness as soon as possible. There will be instances in which you’ll have to remove your cat from their carrier and hold them. The first instance occurs right inside the airport doors: TSA. The hubbub of strangers rummaging through luggage, rattling bins, tossing away shoes, keys—your cat can very easily become stressed and startle. This doesn’t address the body-scanning machines you’ll likely have to hold them through. Having them dressed in a harness with a leash ensures they don’t bolt too far from you should they fight their way free. You can prime your cat for the airport with desensitizing audio and videos found online. Search for airport noises specifically and start at a low volume, then gradually increase as your cat becomes acclimated.

How do cats go to the bathroom while flying?  Urinary blockages are ER-worthy medical events. You don’t want your cat to hold their urine for too long, nor do you want them to get dehydrated. Your vet will be able to assist you in planning your trip. They’ll recommend water intake methods appropriate for your cat and when they should be made available.

As for kitty litter boxes—bring a portable litter tray and smaller portions of litter in sealed bags. Some trays are collapsible, making them easy to store in carry-on or personal luggage. Offer your cat bathroom breaks before and after a flight. You may also offer during a flight, depending on your vet’s recommendations. Generally, if your cat is sleeping, you should let them sleep… but keep an eye on them to look for signs of discomfort. They may meow or become restless when they need to go; they may also simply stay silent.

On longer flights, try offering the opportunity every few hours. When on the plane, you can utilize the bathroom to build up your cat’s litter box without disturbing other passengers. Litter liners save you some time cleaning, and wipes can keep your scoop, litter box, and airplane bathroom sanitary. Do not put any litter in the plane’s toilet. Seal waste and excess litter away in a spare bag and dispose of it properly upon landing, such as in pet relief areas at your destination.

Traveling with Cat Medication

Does your cat have medication or prescription food? You’ve only got so much room to carry your personal effects alongside your cat’s… Cat medication should absolutely be taken with you. Having them in the prescription bottle with the corresponding details—dosage, name, contact information, and so on—is also necessary (you don’t want them confiscated!). Your vet, depending on time spent out of state or overseas, may give you an additional prescription to bring to your destination. I’ve had a copy of a prescription food available at national brands such as Petco emailed to me, allowing me to secure additional cans without worrying about getting them through an airport or fitted into my bag.

Should I sedate my cat for a flight?  This is, again, your vet’s domain. They’ll be able to advise you depending on your cat’s tolerance. There are non-medication alternatives, such as pheromone collars or sprays, that may help reduce the stress of your cat. Proper measures to desensitize your cat to noise and movement will also aid them in new situations. For example, my cat sleeps in his carrier of his own volition—catnip, toys, and meals fed to him in it have made it his little safe space. He can comfortably sleep while waiting to board and during the flight. He’s also used to his harness and noise, so sedation isn’t necessary. Proper training can reduce the need for supplements, though some cats may need some assistance initially.

Consult with your veterinarian for professional guidance and enjoy your travels with your feline friend.

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