5 Items That Make Flying with Cats Easier
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Traveling with pets is not always fun, especially when your pet is a cat. I adore cats and have two myself, but flying with them is never very pleasant. The first time my cats flew with me was when I relocated from New York City to Southwest Florida, a 3.5 hour flight. It went okay; there were no accidents but my cats were definitely not happy. I also have to admit, I wasn’t very prepared. I already owned soft carriers for them but other than that, I didn’t have much else for the journey. Fast forward to a month ago where I was overly prepared for our second time relocating. This time from Southwest Florida to Seattle which is basically double the amount of time. I was so prepared that I probably had too many things but I was very happy I had my cat bag (instead of Mom/diaper bag) when our two part flight turned into a three part flight with an extended layover! My relocation to Seattle was rough, especially on my cats, so that’s why I’m sharing my must-haves for traveling with cats. Here are my top 5 items you have to have when flying with cats.
This carrier easily fits under the seat in front of you & expands on the side and front to give your feline friend some extra room to stretch out during the flight. Cats tend to like their carriers better when they can see what’s going on around them and this carrier does just that! It has entry points on the top & side and convenient handles & shoulder strap for lugging through the airport.
These were a lifesaver during our layover! I packed a small bag of dry food and let them eat out of here, and had a second bowl for water. These collapse and can easily fit into the pocket of your carrier. Make sure you get two so you don’t have to worry about rinsing, drying, and reusing. I also used these on my patio in Florida since one of my cats loved to lay in the sun for hours.
Feliway products are an absolute life saver when flying with cats! Cats that aren’t used to flying or traveling will most likely be very nervous and a bit loud during their first flight, and Feliway products can help to keep your cat from meowing on the plane. This brand offers a couple of different options such as wipes and sprays so test out the options and see which one your cat prefers best.
I used the Feliway spray during our first big move from NYC to Florida and it worked well, but I really preferred using the wipes during our second relocation from Florida to Seattle. As soon as you find your seat on the plane, wipe under the seat and the area surrounding the carrier. These wipes help calm your kitty by giving off natural pheromones. When my cats would get a little noisy on the plane, I would wipe around the carrier and they would immediately calm down. Each wipe lasted 30-45 minutes so make sure you bring enough depending on how long your journey is.
4. Wee Wee Pads
Yes, these are technically for dogs, but they work wonders if you line your cat carrier with one or two during long trips just in case there’s any accidents. I placed these over the carrier lining so that it’s still soft for my cats but easy to clean up if any accidents happen. I recommend getting the small size and a small pack of them if you can find them.
5. Cat leash
This one is more of a nice to have, not a necessity, but it does come in handy. I didn’t have these leashes for my first relocation & my cats have never worn a harness so it took some getting used to at first. If your cat isn’t used to a leash, try only putting the harness part on her in the house for a couple of weeks & she’ll slowly get used to it. These leashes are great for layovers or to have in the car after getting off the plane. You unfortunately can’t let them wear it while going through security at the airport but it’s a good way for your cat to stretch their legs during the journey.
Tess Arnold
Hi! I’m Tess, founder of TravelingTessie.com, and not only do I love to travel, but I love immersing myself in new places and finding off the beaten path experiences wherever I go! I’ve lived in 4 different states & traveled to 13 countries and counting. I believe that tourism is meant to benefit both visitors and locals alike—and I want to bring that idea back into the travel industry by highlighting companies run by locals such as tours, hotels, restaurants, and more. On Traveling Tessie you can find hidden gems in top destinations around the world, travel tips, detailed city guides, and tons of inspiration for your next trip! If you love travel as much as I do, then please join me on this journey! I hope you enjoy my content as much as I enjoy providing it for you!
