Travel with cat from YYZ

[Steven and Alice 30]

Hi I am hoping to find someone traveled with a cat through YYZ to US during winter months to share the experience. I POE'd a few months before and I want to pick up my kitty from Canada in up coming months. He's been with my family for the last few months.

Does anyone know what happens at US custom at YYZ since this is not first POE, will the process be different? My kitty is over 10 years old so I want to be well prepared before we embark on our trip home.

Thank you and happy early thanksgiving to those celebrating in US!

[MissPearls 38]

I didn't travel with my cat during the winter, but I did it over Labor Day weekend. She is 14lbs and NOT a happy traveler.

The only thing I did have to do, was take her out and carry her through the security screening. I had nothing extra during the POE part, just the standard screening. I would suggest, even though it sounds obvious, to put a collar and leash on your cat. Security at that airport is ridiculous and there are so many people. I figured I was going to be that girl on the news with the cat who got loose at Pearson. Luckily, that didn't happen.

Good luck!

[NikLR 13,220]

There are specific harnesses and leashes for cats. Also you could give them a natural calming agent for the trip.

[falcngrl 3]

Also depends if you're flying with her in cabin or shipping her as cargo. I did mine as cargo in summer and can walk you through that

[Steven and Alice 30]

Thank you for all the replies and tips. I will get the harness!

I will have to fly him in cabin stow under the seat. I dont even think it is even possible to ship in cargo since Canada can be -20c sometimes. My kitty is not big or tall, so it should be close to 10lbs with carrier. The only reason why I didn't bring him when I first POE because I had too many luggage and my 2 year old with me.

Has anyone tried to sedate or medication to calm the cat down after inspection? My flight is 6 hours long and it might be better if he's drowsy and sleepy for the most part.

I didn't travel with my cat during the winter, but I did it over Labor Day weekend. She is 14lbs and NOT a happy traveler.

The only thing I did have to do, was take her out and carry her through the security screening. I had nothing extra during the POE part, just the standard screening. I would suggest, even though it sounds obvious, to put a collar and leash on your cat. Security at that airport is ridiculous and there are so many people. I figured I was going to be that girl on the news with the cat who got loose at Pearson. Luckily, that didn't happen.

Good luck!

How long was the inspection? Did they poke and prod? I know US dont require rabies shot so do I need to bring any health records?

[Flames9_RN 358]

Traveled with our cat abroad to a few countries..harness is a great idea..if they want to take the cat out of the carrier..ask for a private room...as they can take you and the cat to a private room.....then take the carrier through the X-ray machine! sometimes they wont do that...and that is where the harness/leash come in handy! Some cats are very mellow on flights.....on others, not so much! Many airlines will NOT allow a drugged animal on the flight. And yes many times the airlines wont even check on the cat/dog that is going in the cabin....but some agents do! Highly recommend one has disposable pads over top of the liner in case they do have an accident.....and have wipes to clean up the cat in case they do have an accident....Our cat made quite the mess on 1 trip.....the disposable pad and wipes were a life saver (extras in my wife's carry on back-pack!!) Would never send my cat Cargo....bad enough our 2 dogs have to go down below!!

[NikLR 13,220]

I wouldn't drug your cat but natural calming agents like Chamomile for example can help.

http://www.petco.com/N_23_4294956712/Calming-Aids.aspx

[Steven and Alice 30]

Traveled with our cat abroad to a few countries..harness is a great idea..if they want to take the cat out of the carrier..ask for a private room...as they can take you and the cat to a private room.....then take the carrier through the X-ray machine! sometimes they wont do that...and that is where the harness/leash come in handy! Some cats are very mellow on flights.....on others, not so much! Many airlines will NOT allow a drugged animal on the flight. And yes many times the airlines wont even check on the cat/dog that is going in the cabin....but some agents do! Highly recommend one has disposable pads over top of the liner in case they do have an accident.....and have wipes to clean up the cat in case they do have an accident....Our cat made quite the mess on 1 trip.....the disposable pad and wipes were a life saver (extras in my wife's carry on back-pack!!) Would never send my cat Cargo....bad enough our 2 dogs have to go down below!!

I wouldn't drug your cat but natural calming agents like Chamomile for example can help.

http://www.petco.com/N_23_4294956712/Calming-Aids.aspx

Thank you very much. Calming agents sounds much better. I hope my kitty will be okay. He gets very nervous. His heart beats so fast whenever at the vet that his vet thought it was a murmur when we first brought him there.

Does anyone has any good and extra light airline approved cat carrier suggestion?

[Steven and Alice 30]

#######. Air Canada won't allow Persians. On top of importing .. need to find a more pet friendly airline...

[Soon 1]

Thank you very much. Calming agents sounds much better. I hope my kitty will be okay. He gets very nervous. His heart beats so fast whenever at the vet that his vet thought it was a murmur when we first brought him there.

Does anyone has any good and extra light airline approved cat carrier suggestion?

If you haven't purchased a carrier yet this is a great carrier, I used it with both of my cats flying to the states with United. http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0050IBGC8?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01

and here is the Harness i bought. http://www.katsnus.com/cat-leash-and-harness.htm

As for the process it should be pretty easy, you'll have to carry him through security again and declare the animal import and they may or may not ask to see his health certificate but that's it. Neither of my cats like going in the car but they did fine once the plane took off. Hope it helps, good luck!

[oncefuturealien 45]

If you haven't purchased a carrier yet this is a great carrier, I used it with both of my cats flying to the states with United. http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0050IBGC8?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01

and here is the Harness i bought. http://www.katsnus.com/cat-leash-and-harness.htm

As for the process it should be pretty easy, you'll have to carry him through security again and declare the animal import and they may or may not ask to see his health certificate but that's it. Neither of my cats like going in the car but they did fine once the plane took off. Hope it helps, good luck!

Did you have two cats in the carrier at once, or fly twice?

My cats seem to be too big for the airline guidelines I've checked, but I will look on United too. Flying would be much simpler.

[Soon 1]

Did you have two cats in the carrier at once, or fly twice?

My cats seem to be too big for the airline guidelines I've checked, but I will look on United too. Flying would be much simpler.

Ah, one at a time. One cat was 12 lbs the other was 10 and they weren't too cramped if that helps.

[Lynkali 163]

I have not travelled internationally with a cat, so I can't speak for customs procedures, but for twelve years in a row I travelled back and forth across the USA (California to Wisconsin) twice a year, with a very large Maine ####### (25 pounds!). Always in the cabin, and for the final six years he was diabetic and needed insulin shots! Loved him and he loved visiting family, but it was stressful to travel sometimes.

Some important things (as others have also mentioned):

- use a soft-sided carrier so kitty can get comfortable at your feet. Make sure it fits under seat, obviously!

- put absorbent pads or diapers as liners at the bottom of the carrier, kitties do have accidents on long trips, so treat it like a baby more or less

- you have to take him out of carrier at security, and carrying cat through the x-ray or metal detector is rather fun, everyone around loves to see it

- if you have a layover, find a quiet corner and open the carrier to offer water and/or food - bring a small water dish along

- not sure about internationally, but I always travelled with an up-to-date certificate of good health and vaccination status, sometimes the airline actually did verify it, though not on every flight

- warn your seat neighbors if any are allergic to cats, the flight attendant can help move them away so they don't sniffle too much

- takeoff and landing made my cat very scared, but the remainder of the flight he slept comfortably

- I started off sedating him, but after a few trips it wasn't necessary at all

- airlines vary widely on restrictions, I found United was the easiest to deal with but that was a while ago now, might have changed.

Good luck! Kitty is gone now but he was a great traveller for many years and I wouldn't change a thing, he loved being with my family twice a year, so it was totally worth the extra hassle.

Edit: eek, I guess language filter stripped out the cat breed, I am sorry. The large fluffy cats, like Norwegian Forest Cats. Can't post the second word as I guess it triggers the obscenity filter!

Edited December 2, 2015 by Lynkali