Cats and traveling overseas?
My husband and I are considering some career options that may require us to move overseas. However, we have 5 cats that are basically our children - we don't want to leave them behind. I have read about the restrictions and requirements for transporting animals overseas to various places. That's not an issue. Some of the possible destinations require travel times of 10-24 hours (including layovers and such), going through customs, etc. My question is, how well do cats generally tolerate such a move? I'm sure they won't like it (who would?), but I'm just concerned about overstressing them, having them get sick/injured, etc. Would getting them a sedative be a good idea? (And would that cause problems if I had to bring additional doses through customs, since it's likely I'd have to give them more than one dose?) Does anyone have experience with this? Any info would be great.
Public Comments
- i would talk to your vet about getting a sedative. if you would be traveling on a plane then you would need meds for their ears
- It's kinda complicated cause you have 5 cats, it's easier with one, but OK. So if you do find the airline that would let you bring 5 cats at once, then definitely you have to sedate the cats. Usually when you have one cat, you can bring it with you and then it's easier 'cause you can see how she's doing etc etc. This way that would be in cargo, and you cannot check on them. Above all, I wouldn't recommend a long trip on a plane if any of your cats is kinda old. Because that would be extremely stressful and could end up badly. So... first of all, you have to see with your vet what he/she would say about health condition of your cats and they would have to tell you about the dosage of sedative and everything, and then you have to see with an airline how it goes. Good luck!
- I have sent and received cats from all over the world and have never had a problem. Cats do surprisingly well with airline travel. Sedating them is a bad idea as it can cause even more fear and anxiety, not to mention that many carriers will not accept a sedated animal. I would suggest a natural product such as rescue remedy or feliway to reduce stress. Also buy the carrier well in advance and let the cats spend time in it so they feel comfortable. In all likelihood you will be far more stressed out about the trip then your cats will be.
