Travel Conditions Stressful to Flat Faced Cats

While they are adorable to behold and beautiful, animals with flat faces do come with certain issues one must be aware of. Any animal belonging to a flat faced/snub nosed breed come with health concerns pertaining to breathing and the respiratory system, which is why mitigating any stressors is a must. But what is one to do when travel makes your pet anxious? Stressors can exacerbate issues, after all.

Don’t get me wrong, you can travel with your flat-faced friend perfectly safely, regardless of the misconception that such breeds cannot fly. However, it is important to understand why such a journey can be stressful for them, as you’ll then be able to make good decisions regarding your journey. Travelling with your pet can become a memorable experience, provided you carefully consider the various aspects of travel and stressful situations.

Regardless of the breed, cats are cats; they are creatures of routine, and change is not something that they welcome with open paws. If anything, cats enjoy a familiar and predictable environment. Travelling is the farthest thing from familiar and predictable, so the situation will likely put your cat on alert from the get-go. Add to this the fact that their only prior experience with travelling is to and from the vet, and you have the stressful conditions your cat abhors. 

Here Are A Few Aspects for the Same While Travelling with Your Pet.

Airflow and Ventilation 

Brachycephalic or flat faced cats will always have trouble breathing, regardless of the conditions, due to the way their respiratory systems have evolved to fit in the smaller area of a flat face. The first thing to ask before your journey is if your chosen airline allows flat-faced cat to fly at all, as some airlines refuse to fly such breeds citing the risk, and some airlines impose rigorous regulations for a snub nosed/flat faced animal to fly. If your travel is domestic in nature, try looking for airlines which will let you carry your cat in the cabin with you. Internationally, flat faced cats are typically allowed to fly in-cabin if the flight duration isn’t prohibitively long, and if the country you’re entering does not require pets to arrive as cargo.

Regardless of whether your pet is flying in cabin or in cargo, they will need to be inside an IATA-approved fiber crate. While you might think you can take your pet out of the crate and cuddle them in your lap while flying, airline regulations highlight the fact that your pet must be in their crate for the entirety of the journey. For them to travel in cabin with you, their crate will have to fit under the seat in front of yours, so you might need to re-plan if you have a large crate measurement.

If your cat must travel in the cargo bay, make sure you go for a pet friendly airline. This is important, as such an airline will have planes with pressure and temperature-controlled cargo bays, meaning your pet gets the same environment down there as you do in the cabin. For flat-faced and snub-nosed cats, opt for a pet crate/kennel with extra headroom, maybe going a size or two above the normally mandated size in their sizing guides. Bear in mind that your crate can only fly inside an IATA approved crate, as they are designed to be durable and have plenty of airflow throughout it; the latter being especially important for your flat faced friend. 

Temperature and Climate Control 

Both extremes of the weather scale are not ideal for travelling with your pet. Airlines themselves will refuse to fly pets during certain months of the year, as the risks associated with travel during extreme climate are simply not acceptable. If your cat is flat faced, plan your travels to be in cooler climate.  The risk in travel is minimized greatly if done in cooler climate and with the shortest route possible.

Hot and humid climate only worsens their already laboured breathing, and they can suffer from heatstroke if their bodies aren’t cool enough. Unlike a snub-nosed dog like a pug, a flat faced cat cannot pant. Couple this with the fact that their breathing isn’t the easiest during the best of times, and you have every reason to avoid travelling during hot climate. Avoid travelling with your flat faced cat in temperatures exceeding 25^o Celsius. 

Distance to Destination 

Shorter trips are less likely to stress your cat out than longer ones. So, while making a choice of airline and route to your destination, opt for the option with the least travel time; avoid flights which stop-over and go for direct routes, and make sure you always choose a pet friendly airline. If you need help regarding either of these aspects of travel, you can contact us for a complete and comprehensive itinerary with the shortest travel time to guarantee your pet’s safety and comfort.

Health and Fitness 

Its no secret that a healthy pet is a happy pet. For flat faced cats and brachycephalic breeds, them being fit is important, as obesity contributes to health and breathing problems when in transit. Age is another factor to consider while travelling, and senior pets require extra care to avoid any issues. Consult your vet in either case and follow their advice when it comes to your pets health and safety while travelling. Under any circumstance, do not tranquilize or sedate your pet, as this can prove fatal while travelling. 

If you have further queries or require help planning your trip with your pet, call (890) 890-9020 or mail us at enquiry@carrymypet.com. We provide domestic and international pet relocation services, with your pet being picked up from and delivered to your doorstep, and our team of experts ensure your flat faced friend is safe, comfortable, and happy throughout the journey.