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Who stole my cat? The one above is the identical twin to mine (I know tabbys like this, with cute white feet, are very common but this could be mine).

Most importantly please don't leave your pet in the car even the slightest of a warm day.

@Gallivant--that is hilarious. you'll have to send me a link to a pic. i assure you the girl is mine:)

I whole heartedly (and loudly) agree with LoriSF. PLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASE

I see too many dogs stuck in cars with just the window cracked. It makes me so mad.

If you leave your animal in the car, I will call the police! I'm sure my local police hate me . . but I will do it. others should too.

if you're going to go shopping, why on earth would you bring your dog/cat/bird, etc??? Leave it at home. If you can't . . . GO SHOPPING LATER.

thank you and I'm sorry for yelling. :)

My cat flys home with me 1x per year during the Christmas rush so it's pretty stressful but I've found two key ways to eliminate the stress: (1) place something familiar in smell for them in the carrier (e.g. a blanket, towel, pillow case, etc. they often sit/sleep on) and (2) if you can manage it, take as much time as possible to stay outside the airport with your pet so they can be out of the carrier for as long as possible (I usually check my bags and then hang out right outside the airport doors until maybe 15-20 min. before boarding time instead of going directly to the gate.)

Who travels with a cat?

Having grown up around cats, they HATED being in cars. Taking them to the vet, or to be boarded during family vacations, etc. Especially inside a carrying case.

My cat didn't mind traveling at all. Though I never subjected her to an airplane. If I was going that far away, I'd either find someone to sit or have her stay somewhere else.

My best advice for traveling with cats is don't. I started traveling with mine when they were 4 months old, and they never adapted to it. I gave up after a couple of years except for one or two annual trips to my parents. However, when travel is necessary, give them real turkey for breakfast so they can take their tryptophan-induced naps in the car.

I just traveled with two cats, 11 hrs flying time with a layover (not by choices but because of a move).

I got harnesses for them to wear while carrying them through security (in the end they were so spooked they just sat calmly in my arms). And while they usually HATE being in cars (meow the whole way to the vet) they were basically silent the entire trip. I think they were just scared and decided that being quiet was a better plan, no need to draw too much attention to themselves.

I was very worried about the whole thing before the trip, but I can say they did just fine (they didnt even soil their carriers!)

my cat hates car rides. treats or toys do nothing for him when I put it in his crate.

I travel with my cats, in the car. They don't like it but they figure it out after a while and end up sleeping most of the time. My big tip is don't let them out of the carrier when you are driving!

I don't travel with my pets, cats or dogs, I just found it was too much for them but - please folks - make sure your pet is microchipped and the information feeds into the nationwide database (do this at least a month before you plan to travel with - or relocate with - an animal that you love).

Oh and bring current close up and full body shot pictures with you, for your travels, in case you're separated from each other and you have to reclaim them.

Honestly though, I think their regular environment is saner for them, with a housesitter or someone who checks on them regularly.

Not only should you bring pics just in case, place a ruler or other common item in the pic for scale. (I use a gallon of milk for my small poodle) Also, if flying: label your pets carriers with your flight number/s and destinations as well as your name and their name.

@ErikTheRed--I've moved across the country 3 times (and I wasn't going to leave my cat behind)

My dog loves car rides, she knows the word car ride and goes nuts... but it's usually just a 10 minute trip to go thru a drive thru once a month and she's over it.

I've traveled with cats in the past... show cats who participated in kitty beauty pageants. It was important to be well prepared. Our travel bag included photos, original immunization records, food and water. Travel is stressful for cats so maintaining familiarity in as many was as possible is important. I specifically trained my cat to enjoy going into his carrier - he got a turkey "cookie" each morning before we left for work. He'd come running and wait in the crate to receive his treat each day. I had an extra large cat carrier which could hold a small littler box as well as kitty bed. This confined the cat and was safer for all of us.

i've flown with my cat and my bunny.
1) your vet can give you a mild sedative.
2) get the sherpa carrier that looks like luggage
http://www.sherpapet.com/page.asp?id=46&name=AKC%20by%20Sherpa i have the black one.
3) i book a window seat (so no one is on one side of you).
4) knock pussy out a tad with that sedative on the way to the airport.
5) on the plane grab a bunch of blankets (always have my own pashmina too)
6) cover up with the pashmina and blankets...maybe even an eye mask, then pull pussy out of the carrier onto my lap under the blankets.
...makes for as much comfort as you can provide pussy given the situation....and at least you can get them on your lap.

i would never travel without the mild sedative it's just too loud on the flight and overall stressful for the little guys....

Car travel is traumatic for both me, and my one-year-old cat. She starts panting like a dog the moment she enters the car. If I put her in her carrier, she hurls herself on it. So now, when I have to take her to the vet, she sits on my lap. The vet calls her VNC - very nervous cat. But the moment we step back into the apartment, she's as cool as a cucumber. Air travel? there's no way my VNC will survive it.

My best friend and I drove across Canada with 4 cats in the car (she was moving). They adjusted very well. I checked out this website: http://ramblincat.checkoutmypage.com/
to get tips.

My cat does MUCH better with me, in a car or plane, than at a kennel or with a pet sitter. As long as her people are there, she's fine!

I moved cross country via plane with my cat who had only been on a twenty minute car ride before. some of my tips:
- invest in a quality, soft carrier. I put her in the cheap plastic carrier I brought her home in at my apartment to 'practice' and she started freaking out, circling, unable to feel comfortable. I invested in a Sherpa carrier and she went in no problem and curled up to take a nap. the soft sides mean comfy leaning and easier ability to go under the seat in front of you during takeoff andlanding.
- do get a harness (with leash) for your cat if they will tolerate it. mine wore her harness (with ID) during the whole trip just in case, and I clipped the leash on when she had to be taken out.
- get there early-- running for you plane with a cat bouncing at your side is not going to be easy or comfortable for either of you.
- talk to the security workers! I told them I was afraid my cat would freak out. they waited until all of the carry-ons in front of me had gone through, then had me take her out and send the carrier through without a wait, quickly meeting me on the other side to put her back in. less time out of the carrier means a happier cat (though she just clung to me in the time she was out).
- board early (with those who 'need extra time or assistance) and talk to the flight attendents-- see if there are any empty seats so you can have more space and be more comfortable.
- either get a carrier with flaps that cancover the windows or bring a scarf/shawl to cover it-- the darkness will help them sleep and they won't see as many scary things.
- I put her favorite toy in with her so she'd have something familiar.

Our trip went amazing well, without problems, and without my fear of howling meows angering a flight full of people.

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

Patricia

http://largepet.info