Have you ever dreamed of taking your cat on a trip, or are you facing an international move and absolutely want your cat to come with you? Traveling with cats is often perceived as stressful and uncomfortable for them, but you can make the journey more pleasant by preparing in advance and practicing transportation in other vehicles. Cats often find travel stressful simply because they are not used to it!
Travel documents
When traveling from Finland to another EU country, a cat needs the same requirements as a dog – a microchip, an EU pet passport, and a valid rabies vaccination. Unlike dogs, cats do not require echinococcus treatment before returning to Finland.
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Flying with a Cat – Background and Personality Matter
Just like dogs, cats have very different personalities, and despite training, traveling may not be suitable for all of them. In particular, a cat’s natural temperament and background play a significant role. It can be challenging to train a very shy cat that is not used to handling to accept a travel bag, new environmental sounds and constant stimuli around. On the other hand, curious, social cats that are accustomed to handling may adapt to travel much more easily! It is important to understand your cat’s signals and allow enough time for travel training.
What Kind of Carrier Should You Get for Your Cat?
Cats feel more comfortable in carriers made of hard materials, where the roof doesn’t press down on them. However, when flying, it may be wiser— or even mandatory — to choose a soft, partially collapsible carrier. Not all airlines allow hard carriers in the cabin, so your cat should be accustomed to a soft carrier. If traveling in the cargo hold, the carrier must always be made of rigid, non-collapsible material. It's a good idea to bring a blanket or towel to cover the carrier if needed, as this helps provide a sense of security for your cat. You can read more about choosing the right carrier and getting your cat used to it in an upcoming blog post!
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How to Arrange a Cat’s Toilet Breaks During Travel?
Where does a cat relieve itself when nature calls? If your cat is used to walking outdoors on a leash, it can be taken outside in a calm environment during the trip as well. Some airports have designated pet relief areas, but the concrete or tiled surroundings of an airport are rarely appealing to a cat.
It’s a good idea to get your cat accustomed to a foldable travel litter box, which can be easily set up and packed into a backpack as needed. This makes life easier during long train or flight journeys, especially since air travel often involves extended waiting times at airports, and the overall travel time can be long, even if the flight itself was only a few hours. Unlike dogs, cats are usually harder to prompt to urinate on command before a trip, so it's likely that they will need a bathroom break on a long journey!
A travel litter box can be set up in an airport restroom or even in an airplane lavatory when necessary. My own cat absolutely loves using a travel litter box — he immediately uses it whenever it's placed down, whether in a car, train restroom, or airport! To clean up after your cat, bring dog waste bags, which make it easy to collect and dispose of waste in a trash bin. The litter box itself is best transported in a plastic bag inside your carry-on luggage.
Food Before Travel or an Empty Stomach on the Road?
If your cat is prone to motion sickness, it’s best to avoid giving a large meal right before departure. However, a hungry cat may become restless and dissatisfied, so offering a small portion of food well in advance of the journey is recommended. Cats also do not tolerate prolonged fasting well, so they should always be given some food before a long trip, as not all cats will eat during travel, especially if they find it stressful.
A full meal right before the trip isn’t ideal for another reason: a well-fed cat is harder to motivate with treats. During travel, there may be situations where treats come in handy, such as encouraging the cat to enter its carrier or stay calm in unfamiliar surroundings.
Did you know thats cats also need preventive medication, such as for heartworm, when traveling to areas where it is prevalent? Book an appointment to plan the necessary treatments!
At the Airport with a Cat
Small and medium-sized cats travel easily in the airplane cabin, but large and giant breeds may have to travel in the cargo hold due to their weight. Cats traveling in the cargo hold are handed over to airport staff according to their instructions, just like dogs. A cabin-sized cat, on the other hand, travels with you as carry-on luggage and goes through security screening by your side.
Security screening procedures vary between airports (whether it’s a cat, dog, or any other pet traveling as carry-on), but staff will provide instructions at each location. At Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, pets must be taken out of their carrier for the bag to go through the X-ray scanner, and any harnesses, collars, or other accessories must also be removed as you pass through the security checkpoint. A cat is never placed on the conveyor belt inside its bag! Some airports have different procedures, where security staff may temporarily take the pet in its carrier while you go through the scanner, and then remove the pet in a separate room while the carrier is screened. There’s no need to stress about security screening, but it’s important that your cat is comfortable being held, as you won’t be able to place it on the floor or use a harness or collar during the process. If you’re unsure about holding your cat securely, you can ask security staff if it’s possible to take the cat out in a closed room.
After passing security, it’s a good idea to find a quiet place to wait for your flight. In most cases, you can take your cat out of its travel bag while waiting, but it must wear a harness or collar. Curious and energetic cats may enjoy exploring the airport environment, stretching their legs, and playing before the flight. However, if your cat is more timid, it’s best to keep it in its carrier, where it feels safe. If your cat didn’t relieve itself before arriving at the airport, you should offer it a chance to use a portable litter box in an airport restroom before the flight!
During the Flight
Most pets settle down with the steady hum of the airplane and sleep through the journey. You can offer your cat small treats during takeoff and landing to encourage swallowing, which helps equalize ear pressure — just like how people chew gum for the same reason. Your pet must remain inside its closed travel carrier throughout the flight, and the carrier should be placed under the seat in front of you. How strictly this rule is enforced depends on the airline and flight crew. If you have a soft-sided carrier, you can gently pull it closer to your feet to provide your pet with a bit more space during the flight.
Need Help Preparing for Your Trip?
Pheromones and Calming Supplements
If your cat shows signs of stress despite training, it may be helpful to try pheromone products (such as Feliway spray, applied to the carrier about 30 minutes before travel) or calming supplements (such as Calmex).
For long flights, if you know your cat tends to be restless during travel, you can consult a veterinarian to discuss medication options for travel anxiety. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) prohibits sedating animals for air travel, but there are medications that don’t sedate the cat but instead help reduce anxiety and fear associated with travel. However, such medications should only be used for healthy cats and under veterinary supervision.
At the Cat’s Own Pace
Proper preparation is key when flying with a cat. Training should be done at the cat’s own pace whenever possible, ensuring the experience is as positive as it can be!
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