I've just learned that you can't have kitty litter inside the cat's travel crate during transportation. This concerns me greatly, as my cat has historically suffered from a urinary tract problem.
Are there exceptions? Are there absorbent fabrics that can be used as an alternative? Any suggestions and advice will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Emma
Hi Emma,
Thanks for your question! Concerns about this particular aspect of travel are common (we all want our pets to be as comfortable as possible), and we're happy to discuss your options with you. Cat litter is not permitted in the pet travel crate, but you are able to include absorbent materials for comfort and stability in the kennel.
That's a photo of Buster above demonstrating an outfitted crate above, and here's an overview with more details about pet air travel and travel crates:
We suggest placing a crate pad, a soft pet bed, towels, T-shirts, newspaper or shredded paper in the travel crate. For your cat's comfort, place an absorbent pad (often known as a 'puppy pad') under the bedding.
Choose bedding that fits the length and width of the crate and make sure it's not more than 4 inches thick. If it's too large or tall, your pet may not have enough space and airline personnel may remove the bedding before the flight.
Don't include anything of high value in the crate (like a precious handmade blanket or a favorite T-shirt), as airlines, customs officials or quarantine staff may remove it for safety reasons and it won't make it to the final destination.
As for other pet travel questions you may have, we recommend looking over these essential international pet travel tips as well as the pet import requirements for Australia.
If you think you'd like some assistance arranging your move, please fill out our pet travel consultation form.
Hope this helps, Emma! Pet travel can certainly be stressful but it sounds like you're on the right track by asking questions and doing research. Let us know if we can be of further assistance, and good luck with your cat's relocation to Australia.
Pet Travel Question Details:
Name: Emma
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Cat
Pet Breed: Moggy
From: London, England, UK
To: Perth, Australia