How to travel with your kitten (or how to leave it at home without trauma)

Even moving a vase around can be stressful! The veterinarian Belén Amil (collegiate Nº PO-1110) explains it to us, whom we have consulted for this article.

For this reason, when it comes to traveling, we think a lot about whether to take our beloved pets with us, and we almost always end up deciding no.

Here we tell you, among other things, how to carry out this separation without great drama. But what happens if, for example, you have to go live abroad for a while? There is no discussion possible there: you need your kitten(s) with you!

GENERAL TIPS:

- "In the event that you make frequent trips and to the same place, for example, to a relative's house, you can perfectly accustom the cat to these trips and enjoy the experience, or at least the place of destination".

- This same center explains that, for trips of less than ten days, the best thing is for the kitten to stay at home and "have someone you trust to come by daily (or every two days maximum) to clean its litter box, feed it. 

- Regarding animal residences, from ABRIGA-FELVET they are discouraged, because, in this way, our kittens "Accuse the shortage of protection of now no longer staying at home, the strain of being in an unknown vicinity or even the scent of many cats".

- If you are finally going to travel with it, always take your cat in a hard, approved, and large enough carrier so that it can lie down and turn around.

- Ideally, you should also bring a sheet or similar to cover the carrier: "Most cats are fascinated by small, dark places," explains our veterinarian.

- Try not to feed him during the hours before the trip, to avoid a possible stomach upset.

- Always deliver clean water with you and a field wherein the cat can drink as without problems as possible.

- Try that the weather conditions are not too extreme. For example, if it's cold you can put a hot water bottle in its carrier.

- Use absorbent mats to relieve yourself in the carrier itself, if it does not have its own waste channeling system. They are like a kind of diaper paper that you can buy at your vet.

Oddly enough, cats should not go in the suitcase, but in an approved carrier Corbis

- If the trip is going to belong, you will need a larger carrier that can fit a sandbox and a drinking bowl, as recommended by the veterinarian.

- If you could spray the service with cat pheromones (bought in spray). "As they simulate the ones secreted with the aid of using the mom at some stage in the breastfeeding period, it makes the ride extra bearable,".

- If the cat has a high peak of anxiety during the trip, we can use the natural Rescue Remedy treatment, according to the specialists at the Gattaca.

- Always carry with you **the cat's health card (passport)** and all its up-to-date vaccinations and deworming.

- "If you do not have a microchip, do not forget placing it on, because it's miles obligatory and essential in case of loss".

- Another tip from the vet: "If you can, put a toy or a blanket that the cat especially likes in the carrier; ", with a towel or blanket that the cat likes. Those items, along with the owner's presence, help keep me a little calmer on the journey."

- If the experience may be very long, you can need to do not forget giving the kitty a slight sedativeIf the experience may be very long, you can need to do not forget giving the kitty a slight sedative. Amil explains how: "If we know in advance that our cat has a terrible time, that it meows during the trip, that it vomits or that we notice it is very upset, there are some tranquilizers and/or sedatives that we must use as indicated by the veterinarian sense that depending on the dose in which they are administered, they can cause an innocent relaxation or a deep sleep, and not all cats react the same. They must be used with caution".

- In La Gatoteca they opt for natural therapies prior to the trip, so they recommend treating the cat the days before with products that help strengthen the immune system in the face of the stress that it will suffer during the trip, such as echinacea or flowers of Bach...

- Plan the trip well in advance, as there will be countries that require documentation or vaccinations that you do not have (and some must be approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the destination before your arrival).

BY LAND

Car: The good thing about traveling by car is that you can stop when you feel it is necessary and take the cat out for a while (of course, with the windows and doors closed). However, from the ABRIGA-FELVET association they consider that the longer the trip, the worse, so if the journey takes a long time, it may be better to think of another means of transport.

The safest thing is usually to place them on the feet of the rear seats. It is also the most appropriate, because pets cannot, under any circumstances, restrict your freedom of movement or your field of vision while driving.

However, the experts at La Gatoteca give us another option: "If we decide that you travel in the car out of your carrier because you do so more calmly, you should always be attached to the seat belt anchorage of the rear seats by means of a special leash together with a harness (better than a collar). If not, we will be breaking traffic regulations".

Bus: The trip in this medium with a cat is quite restricted. To begin with, only one animal is accepted per service and, furthermore, it must always travel in the hold (it is prohibited in the passenger compartment), at the expense and risk of the owner. This is the one that will drop you in there following the driver's instructions, so please be at the station about 15 minutes before you leave.

However, ABRIGA-FELVET insists that the owner must go with their pet: "A trip in the hold or trunk can be very traumatic for them." To minimize this fact, there are some bus lines that do have places that are specially air-conditioned and adapted for this purpose, such as the Alsa Premium line (with prior reservation).

Train: Renfe has very clear instructions for transporting animals, which you can read here . In general, traveling with cats on the train is comfortable and safe , and it is allowed as long as the rest of the customers do not object, so if you can choose a seat, choose it in the least crowded part of the train , for what can happen and for your cat's own peace of mind (only one per passenger is allowed). That means, above all, that you stay away from the cafeteria and the bathrooms.

The price for transporting it corresponds, in tourist class, to 25% of your ticket, while in superior classes this service is offered free of charge. 

BY SEA:

Ship: Unless you travel with your kitten on your own ship, as this globetrotting couple does , you will have to adapt to the conditions of each shipping company . In general, they will let you take the cat or cats with you (if more than one fits in the carrier, some companies allow it) following the advice that we have recommended at the beginning and reserving your place in advance. Some, like Transmediterranean, charge a different price for this service depending on the route , while others, like Balearia , charge a fixed rate of 10 euros or offer it free of charge for some destinations.

BY AIR:

For your cat to accompany you on your plane trip there are some general guidelines: you will have to call in advance to reserve your ticket (it may, for example, not fit in the cabin because there are already too many animals on that flight) and your carrier will have to be approved by the IATA (International Air Transport Association). In addition, you will have to inform yourself about the regulations of the airport and the country to which you are going , preferably at the corresponding embassy or consulate to avoid surprises. In Japan, for example, it is mandatory for the animal to spend 15 days in quarantine from its arrival.

Beyond these general considerations, things vary a lot depending on the company you fly with, so it's best to find out from yours. Ryanair and Easy Jet, for example, do not allow animals on their flights. Others, such as Iberia , Air Europa and Vueling will let you take your pet with you in the cabin (and the first one can even provide you with a carrier at the airport). However, regulations in Great Britain and Ireland prevent this from happening, so if you travel to those countries, your feline friend must go in the hold. In addition, the three companies have fixed pricesby way very similar. In Iberia, for example, they charge you in Spain, €25; in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, €50 and in America and Angola, €150.

BONUS TRACK: THROUGH A TRANSPORTATION COMPANY

From the outset, it is not the best idea, because "the figure of the owner is not present and can further increase the pet's stress", Amil and the ABRIGA-FELVET experts agree. But if you can't travel with your favorite furball in any other way, you may want it to go it alone with specialist companies like Baggage Pets or TravelDog . In the case of the latter, they always have sand and water in their carriers ; On car journeys, the drivers, who are trained in veterinary first aid , will stop whenever necessary and in the event of flying, they take care of all the procedures related to documentation and coordinate assistance during technical stopovers (animal hotels, airport veterinarians, etc.).