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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

Moving cats overseas

23 replies

rihanna4 · 20/03/2023 20:49

Has anybody done this and what were your experiences of air travel? Cabin vs cargo? Sedation?

Thanks in advance.

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mouseinglasses · 21/03/2023 17:02

Have only done it via sea - overnight crossing. Was stressful but they (and we) all survived and soon forgot about the ordeal/stress. The key was absolutely lots of preparation, planning and worst case scenarios (if escaped or ill on the day etc..) Never done air travel though - so bumping for you

gogohmm · 21/03/2023 17:06

Check your options for your route, it varies. Not all airlines allow cabin. If going to the USA from the U.K. or Germany, the Queen Mary 2 is an option, they have kennels on board for cats and dogs (but fill up way ahead) added bonus, there's no limit to your luggage!

whirlyhead · 21/03/2023 17:11

I moved a cat from NZ many years ago and it was traumatic for all concerned (6 months quarantine - the cat never forgave me!) but it’s better nowadays.

I’m looking at relocating to Europe with felines and will use a pet transportation service and fly them. Road would take far too long and stress them all right out. And me.

Greenfinch7 · 21/03/2023 17:13

Where are you going- I know about taking cats to the US, if that is relevant.

maddy68 · 21/03/2023 17:16

I moved my dogs and cats overseas. Very simple. You can either fly with them many carriers allow them on the cabin with you ok a plane or ferry across all is fine dinevit several times

Original poster

rihanna4 · 21/03/2023 22:09

Thanks to all for your replies.

The journey would be by plane from UK to the Middle East.

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Original poster

rihanna4 · 21/03/2023 22:11

@whirlyhead How did the plane journey go? Were your cats in the cabin with you or in the hold? How did they cope?

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Toddlerteaplease · 22/03/2023 06:47

My cousin runs a pet relocation service in Dubai if that's near where you are going. I believe they sort out all the paperwork etc. suspect it's expensive though.

yumscrummy · 22/03/2023 07:01

I moved my two cats from the states to the UK last summer. It was much easier than expected. I would definitely do in cargo as there would be way too many people around if they were in cabin. We were on the same flight as them so minimal time away from us.

Original poster

rihanna4 · 22/03/2023 07:23

@yumscrummy Thanks, this is great to hear! Do you have any idea about the temperature and noise levels experienced by your cats in the hold?

Were your cats stressed / traumatised after the flight?

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Original poster

rihanna4 · 22/03/2023 07:24

@Toddlerteaplease thanks! Can you share the name of the company?

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yumscrummy · 22/03/2023 07:32

The hold will be climate controlled, the same as in cabin. The noise will be the usual plane noise but without people.

I think traveling is stressful for cats, they can't get out and walk around like dogs. When they arrived in heathrow, they got out of their crates and shared a room for a few hours while they were being processed. We arranged for them to be delivered to our house even though we were on the same flight. This worked as we organised the house and we're ready for their arrival & didn't have to deal with us getting them back along with all the other things to deal with. They settled in surprisingly well as they were with us. They were indoor cats as most are in the states but now love going outside.

Toddlerteaplease · 22/03/2023 07:36

I think it's Pawsome Pets UAE.

PlatinumBrunette · 22/03/2023 07:57

No to sedation.
yes to getting them happy with their crates asap. Make sure the crates are properly airline worthy as some shops sell ones that aren’t. Make the crate somewhere they want to go. I also got a ton of feliway to help.

gogohmm · 22/03/2023 07:57

Consider if the hot temperatures are suitable for them too, if they are outdoor cats it's an issue

Londonnight · 22/03/2023 08:11

My daughter in law travelled from Thailand to the UK a couple of years ago with her cat. It had to travel in the hold, not allowed in the cabin.
You will need to make sure all vaccines are up to date and check whichever country you are going to require any others. Also a pet passport.

The cat had to go into a reception centre once it arrived in the UK to be checked over. It was then collected the next day. No lasting effects on it and it seemed to travel as well as it could.

newtb · 22/03/2023 08:32

We moved to France with a 12-year old cat. Unfortunately due to delays with the sale of the house it was November and there was no direct flight. So, an overnight stop in Paris arriving at Bordeaux. She didn't drink I don't think and was then quite unwell. The vet said 50:50 chance of survival.
After she'd bitten the vet, he said she was well enough for us to give her her tablets.
She lived until nearly 21, so no long-term damage, obviously.

OrraBoralis · 29/03/2023 11:17

I'm just about to undertake this journey. We are moving from Singapore to Scotland and taking our 6yo cat with us. She is being boarded for a week before we leave, we felt this would be less stressful for her. She will be travelling on a different flight and should arrive at our home a few hours after we do.
One thing she needed was a rabies vaccine and a 'red' stamped card and certificate from the vet.
I have no idea how it will go, fingers crossed our sweet, sometimes salty wee girl will be fine. 😀

Original poster

rihanna4 · 29/03/2023 11:19

@OrraBoralis thanks and wishing you and your cat all the best.

Why is boarding her for a week less stressful than not boarding her?

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OrraBoralis · 03/04/2023 11:07

@rihanna4 About the boarding, we have packers coming in a few days before to pack the stuff we are shipping, the pet mover have to take her away for one day to de-worm her and therefore she gets the final health cert and finally we have removers to take away the rest of the stuff we are not taking back.

All this is happening within the week before we leave and we thought it would be less stressful for both her and us if we know she is safe in boarding.

Villagetoraiseachild · 03/04/2023 11:15

This might be obvious but always put something with your scent on, ie an unwashed tshirt with them into the crate. The scent of home/their human.

EachandEveryone · 03/04/2023 13:58

I hope your cat is already an indoor cat? The flight will be fine as it’s not that long.

southchinasea · 08/04/2023 21:19

My 3 cats flew back with me when I moved from Borneo to the UK (2 flights with time in KL - about 24hours travel in total). They did really well and have now lived here longer than they were there. The vets advised re travel crates and vaccinations etc and did all the paperwork. It was stressful planning it all at the time but actually went incredibly smoothly. We put old t-shirts in their crates so they had familiar smells and were comfy. We reinforced their crates with cable ties through the fixings. They spent a couple of hours at Heathrow being checked over and then came home with me.

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