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Flying with a cat goes best when you book early with an airline that takes pets, train your cat to rest in an airline-approved carrier weeks ahead, and plan for security, where your cat comes out of the carrier while the empty carrier is screened. Feed lightly beforehand, offer water, and talk to your vet well in advance if your cat gets very anxious or travel sick.
Cats like their routines, and an airport is about as far from routine as it gets. We've pulled together advice from International Cat Care and CATSA, Canada's airport security agency, into a timeline you can follow from booking to landing. Airline rules differ, so confirm the details with yours.
Before you book: cabin or hold?
Before you book, check the airline's pet policy, ideally before you buy your own ticket. International Cat Care notes that most airlines don't allow cats in the cabin and carry them in a temperature-controlled, pressurised part of the hold instead, and that not every flight takes animals at all. Some airlines do let a small cat ride in a carrier under the seat on some routes, usually with a cap on pets per flight.
A direct flight is worth paying for if you can, since it skips transfers and long waits in hot or cold airports. Reserve your cat's spot when you book, because pet spots can sell out, and ask about carrier size, weight limits and fees for your exact route. One firm no: International Cat Care advises against flying a pregnant cat or a kitten under three months old.
Choosing and training the carrier
Choose a carrier that meets your airline's rules and International Air Transport Association guidance, which International Cat Care describes as roomy enough for your cat to stand up and turn around. Then spend a few weeks turning it into somewhere your cat actually wants to nap.
- Leave the carrier out at home with the door open, weeks before the trip.
- Put treats and familiar-smelling bedding inside.
- Feed meals near it, then inside it.
- Close the door for short periods, then carry your cat around the home.
- Try a short car ride or two before the flight.
Many cats link the carrier with the vet. Weeks of short, pleasant practice change that link.
Flying with a cat through airport security
Flying with a cat through security in Canada means CATSA screens your cat and the carrier separately. It helps to know the steps before you're at the front of the line with people waiting behind you:
- Take your cat out of the carrier when the officer asks.
- Remove jackets or accessories; collars and harnesses can stay on.
- Keep your cat close and under control throughout.
- The empty carrier and items go through screening separately.
- Put your cat back in the carrier once everything is cleared.
CATSA says officers may offer a private search room, and the steps are the same in there. With a cat, say yes. A frightened cat in an open terminal can bolt, and Pearson is a very big place to chase one. A snug harness and leash give you a second hold.
| Food | CATSA rule |
|---|---|
| Dry or solid food | Allowed in your carry-on |
| Wet food or anything spreadable | Containers of 100 ml or less, in your 1 L clear bag |
| Larger wet food containers | Checked baggage |
Food, water and keeping your cat calm
For food, International Cat Care suggests holding off for about four to five hours before departure to lower the chance of vomiting. Water is different: offer it right up until you leave, and during the trip where you can. A carrier-mounted bowl lets you top it up without opening the door.
Synthetic feline pheromone sprays may take the edge off. Spray the bedding, not your cat, and wait 15 to 20 minutes before your cat goes in, since the alcohol smell can bother cats. Line the carrier with an absorbent pad and pack a spare. Draping a light cloth over part of the carrier can cut down on what your cat has to look at.
If past trips have meant a sick or very anxious cat, ask your vet well ahead about medication. Never give your cat human medicine.
What paperwork does a cat need to fly?
The paperwork a cat needs to fly depends on where you're going. Your destination may want a rabies certificate, a health certificate, a microchip or parasite treatment, each with its own timing. Coming home, the CFIA asks for a valid rabies vaccination certificate for cats three months and older entering Canada from most countries.
The free PetGrid travel helper lists the steps and timing for your destination, each linked to the official page, and checks your cat's rabies vaccine and microchip from what's in the app. Heading to the US? Our guide on travelling with your pet from Canada to the US has the details.
Day of travel checklist
On the day of travel, pack these where you can reach them:
- Carrier with bedding, absorbent pad and a spare pad.
- Harness and leash for the security checkpoint.
- Original certificates in your hand luggage.
- A small amount of solid food, a collapsible bowl and water.
- Your vet's phone number and the nearest vet clinic at your destination.
- A recent photo of your cat, in case of escape.
Make sure your cat can be identified if they get loose; International Cat Care recommends a microchip. Keep the number in your cat's pet records, and if the worst does happen, lost mode makes a poster in about a minute.
After you land
After you land, give your cat one quiet, secure room to start, with litter, water, food and the carrier left open as a hiding spot. Don't be surprised if they spend the first evening in the carrier. If this trip was a move, International Cat Care advises keeping your cat indoors for at least two to three weeks.
Questions fréquentes
Can my cat fly in the cabin with me?
Sometimes, depending on the airline and route. International Cat Care notes that most airlines carry cats in a pressurised, temperature-controlled hold, so check your airline's policy before you book.
Do I have to take my cat out of the carrier at airport security?
Yes, at Canadian airports. CATSA asks you to take your pet out so the empty carrier can be screened, and officers may offer a private room.
Should I feed my cat before a flight?
Feed lightly and early. International Cat Care suggests holding off food for about four to five hours before departure, while offering water until you leave.
Can I sedate my cat for a flight?
Only on your vet's advice. If your cat has been very anxious or sick when travelling, ask your vet well ahead about medication, and never use human medicine.
Can I bring cat food through airport security?
Yes, solid food is fine in your carry-on. Wet food has to be in containers of 100 ml or less inside your 1 L clear bag, according to CATSA.
En bref
Flying with a cat is mostly about the prep. An airline that'll take your cat, weeks of carrier practice, a plan for security, a light meal and water, and the right papers for where you're going and for coming home.
Keep your cat's vaccines, microchip and travel steps together so nothing gets missed at the airport. The PetGrid app is free for pet owners.
Gardez les dossiers, les vaccins et les visites de votre animal dans un seul endroit sûr. L'application PetGrid est gratuite pour les propriétaires d'animaux, avec ou sans clinique.
Get the free PetGrid appSources
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