Pet Shipping Question: Relocating With a Nervous Cat
Can a Nervous Cat Fly Safely?
Hello,
My cat is almost six years old and is super scared of new places and people. She literally hides from people besides my family members, which makes it very difficult for us to give her up for adoption and is scared of pretty much everything from cars to places besides my house.
We need to move her along with the family to Switzerland. Any advice you have to offer would greatly be appreciated, because I have my concerns on whether this will affect her health in some negative way and if it'll be the right thing to do.
Regards,
Afrah
Hi Afrah,
Thanks for the question, your concerns are certainly understandable. Of course you want to bring your cat along with you when you move, and we'd be happy to offer you some advice.
First, please review the pet import requirements for Switzerland so you'll have an idea of what you'll need to do to prepare. As for your cat's skittishness, the best advice we can offer is to help her get used to her travel crate as much as you can.
This means leaving it out constantly, feeding her in it, placing treats and toys inside, and even taking practice rides in the car. When flying we do not recommend sedatives (they're actually not permitted by airlines), but some of our clients have found success with natural remedies. Of course, please talk to your vet as well about any health concerns you may have.
In our experience, pets (even nervous ones) are surprisingly adaptable. The trip may not be fun for your cat and she may hide under the bed for a couple of days upon your arrival, but with time she will most likely return to her normal self. If it helps, feel free to read over some of our clients' travel stories to see how various pets handle the experience.
Please contact us if you'd like to speak to a Consultant about getting some help with your move, and feel free to peruse our blog to learn more about pet travel and the questions people commonly have.
Good luck with everything!
Pet Travel Question Details:
Name: Afrah
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Cat
Pet Breed: Half Arabian Mau, half Persian
From: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
To: Geneva, Switzerland