Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MeowMixAtMeijer #CollectiveBias
If you have been following me for awhile now, you’ve seen my Scottish Fold cat Iskander. Everyone who knows me knows I adore my cat. From the first time I saw him in that shop in South Korea to now I have loved him. We have went through a lot together in his four years of life and I can’t imagine life without him.
Thanks to my habit of traveling whenever I have a chance, Iskander has done some serious traveling for a cat. Over the years, I have fined tuned how I’ve traveled with my cat to make it easier for him and me. I still remember the first time I traveled with Iskander and how worried I was. There were so many things to do and unfortunately, a super long flight ahead. We got through the flight but it was a disaster. Since that first time I’ve put a lot of thought into how we travel and now it is a piece of cake! I get a lot of questions on my Instagram about traveling with my cat. Today I’m going to share with you how I travel with Iskander!
1. Carrier-Sized Pee Pads
There is nothing quite as nasty smelling as cat pee. Cats do their best to hold it in while traveling but for longer travel it is impossible to. On my first flight with Iskander I wasn’t prepared and my poor cat couldn’t hold it for the entire trip. When I arrived to Toronto from Seoul, his carrier was completely wet and smelly. We still had a long layover and short flight to go. Needless to say it was a mess!
For long haul flights, definitely buy pee pads to put in your carrier. They are a life saver for controlling odor and keeping your cat dry and comfortable.
2. Keep Them Comfortable
When I travel with Iskander, I always put a familiar item in his carrier to make him feel calm. Even though I keep him under the seat in front of me while flying, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t need some touch! I bought a carrier with a zipper on top so I can unzip it a little and give him a pet every now and then.
3. Pre-Take Off
Avoid food and drink 12 hours before leaving. This seems like common sense, but make sure all documents are in order for travel. Traveling with a pet is stressful enough without having to worry about paperwork issues. Some airports are stricter than others and a small mistake can cause major issues. Make sure all paperwork is done correctly, even down to spellings.
Make sure your carrier fits guidelines. When I flew through Japan, the woman at the check-in counter actually got a tape measure out and measured my entire carrier. It’s better to be prepared than stuck a few hours before your flight with your pet stranded.
4. Purchase a Cat Harness
Purchase a cat harness because you will need to walk through security with your pet out of the carrier. You don’t want to have him on the loose in the airport! This is especially important if your cat is nervous in new places and with new people.
Make sure you put the harness on before you leave your house so you don’t have to struggle to put it on your cat at the airport. When I bought Iskander’s harness I put it on him for small amounts of time until he got used to it. Easy peasy!
5. Single Sized Food Options
Keep single serve food options available to give to your kitty near arrival. Carrying a lot of things in my cat’s carrier is a hassle so I like to keep single, disposable servings with me. They take up little space, are easy to open and can be thrown away easily. There is no mess and no leftovers.
I give Iskander wet food as a treat, so I think it helps him have an easier time. He loves Meow Mix Simple Servings. Tuna & Salmon is always a hit combo around my house – he loves the real pieces of seafood! He eats it right up and since he doesn’t get it very often, he’s always excited to eat it! Even better, you can buy some 30% off from 10/8-17 – 11/04/17 at Meijer with mPerks!
6. Look For Pet Friendly Rest Areas in the Airport
Many airports have special areas just for pets to rest or relieve themselves. I have mostly seen people with dogs in those areas but they are good for cats too! After being cooped up in a carrier for hours your cat benefits from a good stretch and some movement!
Iskander loves to get out and sniff around while we are waiting. These areas tend not to be crowded from my experience so most of the time it is suitable for cats.
BONUS: Make new friends!
You might think traveling with a cat can be stressful, but I found that while traveling with my cat I talked to so many more people and they approached me happily to see him. It can be a nice experience for everyone! Lots of people, me included, are bored and waiting long hours in the airport. Seeing and petting a cute animal can make an airport experience much more enjoyable! Every time I travel with my cat so many people approach me, start a conversation and want to know more about him.
Q: Do you travel with your pets?
