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XP: Moving and Pets

I posted over on pets but I thought I should ask you ladies as well. 

There is a possibility I will be relocating from Japan to the east coast (moving but before H). While living here for the past few years I have adopted two cats. I have never flown with them and I am wondering what the best option would be.

Would you try to do the least amount of stops? More stops? Over the course of a few days and in hotels? I would like to think the less stops the better but again, I've never traveled with pets on an airplane. 

Also, on such long flights, how are they able to use the restroom and eat? I would prefer to have them in the cabin but I'm wondering because of the flight length if a bigger carrier under the plane would be better? Worse? 

Any help/advise would be greatly appreciated.  

I may DD for personal reasons - too many creepers out there.

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Re: XP: Moving and Pets

  • I would keep them in the cabin. I feel so uneasy about pets in cargo. Is there a vet on base that you can talk to and ask questions? When we were driving from Vegas to here Bentley's vet gave us some medication to relax him, which was great. He slept the whole way.
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  • Do you know if Japan has any quarrentine requirements? That could have an effect on your traveling.

    Maybe talk to your vet to see what a good course of action is. I haven't flown with my cat before, but we did have to get him anti-anxiety medication for the cross country moves. It could be that your kitties would have little to no appetite while traveling. And your vet could give you some good advice on how to get them to do their "business" without bothering the rest of the passengers on the airplane. 

    Also, you will have to check with the airline. Some may not allow cats in the cabin at all. I know some airlines avoid it because other passengers could be allergic. 

    As to how many stops, IDK. I think that would be something to discuss with your vet. 

    Good luck! I know I didn't really give you any answers. But I hope that everything works out for you. :-)  

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  • I'm not sure about flying but our vet told us to use baby benadryl on kitty when we drove him the 14 hours to PA. It helped him a little, he still cried but calmed down after a while.

    Mostly, YAY for the chance of east cost! I'm crossing my fingers!!!

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  • imageBrandienee85:

    Do you know if Japan has any quarrentine requirements? That could have an effect on your traveling.

    Maybe talk to your vet to see what a good course of action is. I haven't flown with my cat before, but we did have to get him anti-anxiety medication for the cross country moves. It could be that your kitties would have little to no appetite while traveling. And your vet could give you some good advice on how to get them to do their "business" without bothering the rest of the passengers on the airplane. 

    Also, you will have to check with the airline. Some may not allow cats in the cabin at all. I know some airlines avoid it because other passengers could be allergic. 

    As to how many stops, IDK. I think that would be something to discuss with your vet. 

    Good luck! I know I didn't really give you any answers. But I hope that everything works out for you. :-)  

    I have an appointment with the on base vet to ask some questions so hopefully they can help.

    Japan doesn't have restrictions for quarantine as far as I understand (will confirm at appt). Coming into Japan - yes, but leaving - no. In any case, they are indoor only and up to date on shots.  When I've mentioned moving in the past, they have only mentioned me needing copies of papers and certificates within 10 days of leaving. 

    You reminded me of more questions to ask, so thank you!

    My small 2 hour hop will not allow them in cabin but will give me hard cases for cargo and then before the int'l flight, I can put them in their soft cases. I mentioned on pets my current barrier - I have two pets and would be traveling alone. Most airlines only allow 1 pet per person. :( 

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  • imageBacon+lettuce+tomato:

    I'm not sure about flying but our vet told us to use baby benadryl on kitty when we drove him the 14 hours to PA. It helped him a little, he still cried but calmed down after a while.

    Mostly, YAY for the chance of east cost! I'm crossing my fingers!!!

    I know right! I'm a little excited about having four seasons. :) I'm sure I will regret that the first time it's below 40 degrees. 

    H is deployed and it's long and complicated but he would meet me there later this year. I want to do a transfer with my employer but no idea if I'll get approved. Whether I get it or not, we will be moving this year so I figure it can't hurt to be prepared. :)

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  • imageSpunkyBlowfish:
    imageBacon+lettuce+tomato:

    I'm not sure about flying but our vet told us to use baby benadryl on kitty when we drove him the 14 hours to PA. It helped him a little, he still cried but calmed down after a while.

    Mostly, YAY for the chance of east cost! I'm crossing my fingers!!!

    I know right! I'm a little excited about having four seasons. :) I'm sure I will regret that the first time it's below 40 degrees. 

    H is deployed and it's long and complicated but he would meet me there later this year. I want to do a transfer with my employer but no idea if I'll get approved. Whether I get it or not, we will be moving this year so I figure it can't hurt to be prepared. :)

    You should FB me the details. I'm moving out to PA next month! :D

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  • We PCS'd from Japan to the states a few years ago and our dog did not have to be quarantined.  She is about 45 lbs, so she had to go in the cargo.  We were allowed to give her water for the flight, but not food so we fed her in between flights.  We put puppy pads in her kennel. We flew from Kadena to Yokota and then into Seattle.  When we stopped in mainland Japan, they let us get our pets and play/walk them outside for about 20-30 minutes.  

    My dog is a bit skiddish to begin with, so she was definitely scared and in shock after the long flight.  We had a three hour layover in Seattle before our final flight so we took her to the designated pet area outside for as long as we could before checking her in.  I played with her and fed her while DH cleaned out her kennel.

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  • I only know for dogs specifically, but I had a dog moving into and out of japan. You're really not supposed to drug a cargo animal. I had xanax from my vet, but they highly discourage any sedative that could affect breathing. I think my dog just peed in her create and was miserable. You can have food and water, but they have to be attached to the gate, not loose. Some people recommend freezing the water so it doesn't slosh out while they're loaded. Dogs weren't accepted on any flight longer than 12 hours or when the estimated temp at landing was above 80. You don't have to quarantine, but you still have to have paperwork from the vet and go to quarantine in japan before departure. It took only about 10 minutes at narita.
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