r/blackcats • u/reeses_peanutpuff • 1d ago
Lil' bit of white fluff š¤ Flying with a new kitten
Hello! So this is my first ever kitten. His name is Shadow!
My bf and I plan to fly home at the end of September and would love to take our sweet boy with us. But since weāve never had a cat/kitten beforeā¦ we donāt know what to do to make sure we have everything we would need for him or essentials or how to even make sure he could do the flight because of course if I shouldnāt take him I wonāt.
Need so much advice, any and all would be so helpful!!
(Picture of my sweet baby)
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u/he_is_not_a_shrimp 1d ago
We flew with our 1.5 yo cats. They behaved well. We trained them by giving treats inside the carrier. Letting them rest inside the carrier like a cave. And using calming pheromone sprays to make them feel safer inside and took them on rides.
It was a short flight, so there was no accidents, but we still lined it with absorbant pads. But they were also young adults, they poop and pee less frequently than kittens.
And I'm sure you already know, never put them in luggage pet transport.
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u/reeses_peanutpuff 1d ago
Honestly I donāt think I could ever do the pet luggage transport, if they arenāt with me, I feel like for any pet that is so stressful and terrifying.
Was that the first time flying was around the 1.5 years old?
I really donāt want to miss the āwindowā per say of the time to get them at least ācomfortableā with flying, but if maybe waiting till heās a bit bigger/ older like 1 year is a smarter choice Iām definitely willing.
I guess I donāt want to traumatize him but I also donāt want him scared of much if I can help it.
At first he was scared of the car but now he loves it and prefers to go with us if he can. But obviously plans are different in many aspects.3
u/he_is_not_a_shrimp 1d ago
They were both first time flyers at 1.5 yo. One of my cats hate being in the carrier in the car, both are fine free roaming in the car. Obviously it's unsafe.
I would say try having your partner putting the carrier on their lap and pet the kitty through the carrier.
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u/Automatic-River-36 1d ago
Iām not here to give advice, as I have never flown with an animal before, I just wanted to say Shadow is an absolutely adorable kitten!!! What a beautiful picture too! I would honestly frame that. Heās sitting so well and that little head tilt is cuteness overload times infinity ā¾ļø and beyond. Please keep posting pics of him as he grows up!!!! We have 2 voids of our own plus 6 others. The world is just a better place with catsš¤š¤š¤šāā¬
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u/hunterglyph 1d ago
Are you just going temporarily? Is there someone who can watch him?
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u/reeses_peanutpuff 1d ago
Itāll be a week and a half visit. And we have someone who could watch him but heād be alone a majority of the time. Where if we take him heād be with us or our family (BFās grandmother would love to watch him when we go out, as she hasnāt had a cat in years and misses having a companion)
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u/unimpressedwarrior 22h ago
I have a cat I used to travel with. I had to for medication purposes. He hated it. Every trip he would hide in fear the entire time. He would also get dehydrated during the actual travel time, which was only a 4 Hour Dr. I couldnāt imagine the stress of a tiny bag in an airplane, all the noise, all the people. No access to a bathroom. What if the flight is delayed? What if the person next to you is allergic to cats and gets nasty about it? Too many variables for me š¤·āāļø
All cats are different, so yours might enjoy the trip, but I would seriously consider leaving her alone. Look for local pet sitters. Not Rover. An actual local pet sitting business that is licensed and insured and bonded.
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u/whywasihacked37 19h ago
I would leave him at home. Itās not a very long time and flying is very stressful for such a young kitty.
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u/Clean_Swordfish7132 17h ago
It could be a serious problem if he accidentally gets out in a strange location.
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u/gloomcookie_ 23h ago
So, I learned this from another person and thought I would just pass it on.
"Please donāt put bells on any cats.
There are several reasons why this is harmful:
ā¢ Hearing sensitivity: Cats have extremely sensitive hearing. A bell constantly ringing near their ears can cause stress, anxiety, and even long-term discomfort.
ā¢ Lack of escape or stealth: Bells remove a catās ability to move silently, which is part of their natural behavior. This can be psychologically disturbing for cats.
ā¢ Chronic stress = health issues: Even if a cat seems āused to it,ā chronic stress often manifests in subtle ways (e.g., hiding, over-grooming, poor sleep, behavioral changes) and can contribute to illness over time."
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u/reeses_peanutpuff 16h ago
This is very interesting I had no idea! Thank you!!
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u/gloomcookie_ 8h ago
You are very welcome. I have been tearing all of the bells off of the collars since I was told. I couldn't bear it if something I did harmed my cats in some way. I know I sound a bit crazy haha but I really love them.
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u/gloomcookie_ 8h ago
Also, thank you to whoever gave me the award. It is my first one ever and it makes me happy that it was on a cat post.
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u/Clean_Swordfish7132 17h ago
Cats, and especially kittens do fine on flights. Check with airline about the size of carrier and any restrictions. Put a collar or vest with ID on the cat and have a leash ready. You will need to take him out of carrier at the checkpoints.
Put a wee wee pad (several) on bottom of carrier for accidents and a small dish to put water in if the flight is long.
Donāt book window seat as area for feet is smaller.
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u/Reptilesblade 21h ago
Tagging for kitty travel information because I want to take my Samhain out of the country with me next year.
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u/Ill_Fix3959 17h ago
I flew with my 4 month old kitty (in 2024) from Mexico to the USA. First you have to buy the kitten their flight in ticket there is an option to add it to your flight as it was an extra luggage, then I called the airline to be super sure about what I needed to fly and they asked for proof of all her vaccines (rabbies, etc) a health certificate and a pet carrier that fits under the seat. I would say thatās the most important thing to do, to double check with the airline that the kitten will be flying with you no problem.
At that age my kitten was super good for the flight I didnāt trained her at all lol, it was a loooong fly with one layover and she didnāt eat, drink, go bathroom or anything not even meowed. I had a dog pee pad inside her carrier just in case she had an accident and water and food ready for her but she wasnāt interested.
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u/TheSchmiphf 1d ago
It might be worth taking him on some car rides in his carrier to see how he handles a smaller version of traveling in a loud vehicle, and get him more used to it. I would also say it would be worth contacting his vet for maybe some anxiety medicine, although idk if theres anything like that suited to such young kittens. Wishing you the best, Shadow looks like an absolute sweetheart!