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The travel checklist
Short answerOne list, three phases. Before: carrier trained and marked, documents and meds in carry-on, microchip details current. In transit: cat secured in the carrier, climate controlled, calm routine, never loose. On arrival: one safe room first, then expand. Print it, tick it off, and reuse it - the checklist works for vet visits, road trips, flights and moves alike.
Before (start weeks ahead)
CarrierTrained, sized to stand and turn, absorbent pad inside, cloth cover ready, contact card taped on: your name, phone, destination.
HealthVet visit for travel fitness; health certificate if your airline or destination requires it; regular meds packed with a few spare days; vaccination records in your carry-on.
IdentityMicrochip registration updated to your current phone; collar tag if your cat tolerates one; a recent clear photo on your phone.
LogisticsPet spot reserved with the airline; pet-friendly hotels confirmed; a familiar harness and leash packed even if "just in case".
In transit
- Light meal 3-4 hours before departure; water available until you leave.
- Carrier secured - belted or on the floor behind a front seat; cloth over it; cabin comfortable.
- Never loose in the car, never alone in a parked car, carrier closed whenever doors open.
- Flying: harness on before security, carrier under the seat, no sedation unless your vet specifically prescribed it for this flight.
On arrival
- One room first: litter, water, food, bed, hiding spot - before the cat comes out of the carrier.
- Keep routine: same food, same feeding times, same litter brand if you can.
- Expand territory gradually over days; watch eating, drinking and litter use as your health dashboard.
- Update the microchip address the day you move; outdoor access only after at least two weeks indoors.
The one-line version
Trained carrier, current documents, cat secured, routine preserved, one room first. Everything else on this page exists to protect those five things. If a health question comes up anywhere on the list - medication for travel, a cat that stops eating, a senior cat's first long trip - that's a call to your vet before the trip, not during it.
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