"edie humperdink" <markdemers15@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
news:1179643771.084445.91300@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> 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.
>
Yes, and it could also make him nauseous -- although there is a good
chance
that he would not eat it. Most cats will not eat or drink while in a
plane
or moving car.
Please update us and let us know what you decide (and how well your cat
travels)
MaryL
|
