On May 17, 10:45 am, "MaryL" <stanco...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
wrote:
> "edie humperdink" <markdemer...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
>
> news:1179383320.416381.135590@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> >I am moving across the country and will take my 5-year-old cat on
> > American Airlines. He will be traveling in the cargo hold for a 5.5
> > hour flight (assuming no delays). Should I feed and try to water him
> > right before the trip? Should I leave some food pellets inside the
> > cage for him to munch on? Should I worry about bathroom "accidents"?
> > Any advice from experienced travelers will be greatly appreciated!
>
> It's better to withhold food and water for several hours before starting
to
> travel, assuming that you will be traveling for less than a day (as you
have
> indicated here). Also, set your cat on his litterbox shortly before you
> leave and see if he will use it and empty his bladder. Have food and
water
> with you, and offer them to your cat as soon as you are on the ground.
Most
> cats will not eat or drink while they are traveling, and placing them in
the
> carrier opens up the possibility of having it spilled all over your cat.
>
> Have you looked into taking your cat in the cabin with you? When I
traveled
> with my cat, I sent him by cargo (and what a word to associate with a
living
> pet!!!) because that was so many years ago that cats were not permitted
in
> the cabin. He was always sick for a few hours afterward. Once airlines
> began to permit cats in the cabin, I traveled that way -- and he was
> completely normal the instant we reached home or a motel room and I
opened
> the carrier.
>
> Not all airlines permit cats in the cabin, but many do. It's well worth
> researching. You need to make a reservation for you cat because many
> airlines only permit one pet per cabin (or possibly one in first class
and
> one in coach). Your cat will need to be in a carrier that fits
underneath a
> seat, so it's im****tant to check the dimensions in advance. I always
tried
> to get an aisle seat because it was easier to position the carrier under
the
> seat without needing to tilt the carrier. On the other hand, you need
to be
> aware that there is slightly less width for a carrier under that seat
> because of the bar that extends down from the outer edge of the seat.
You
> will have to pay the same fee as if you sent the cat in cargo even
though
> your cat will now replace the piece of carryon luggage that most people
put
> under the seat in front of them. *Do not use a seat in the first row*
> because you need to have a seat in front of you where you can put the
> carrier. You certainly cannot stow your cat in an overhead
compartment!!!
>
> MaryL
i guess it would not be a good idea to slip my cat a cat treat when he
is under the seat. at the very least, the treat might make him
thirsty.
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