How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Cat Across Country?

Picture this – You are moving to the country you always wanted to move to. Your moving in is taken care of along with your belongings and luggage. 

However, when you look around, you look at your cat and start worrying as to how you will ship your cats across the country. After all, cats, like dogs, have been excellent companions and who knows it better than you? In the modern era, relocation as we know it has been completely revolutionized. You don’t have to worry about how you will ship your cat across the country. Here are some things that you should consider before shipping cats across country.

Important Considerations: Shipping Cats Across Country

First of all, you have to make sure that you take your cat to the doctor to ensure that all the vaccinations are up to date, a full medical check-up, and have updated prescribed medicines following the check-up. The cat also needs to have identification in the event of the cat running away or getting lost, so that it can be returned safely to you.

Next, it is recommended that you should buy a carrier for your feline friend to make travel smoother. It is also recommended that you should read up airline regulations regarding cats if you are choosing to travel by air.

You have to remember especially to check any specifications for the carrier that might be prescribed by the airline in their regulations itself. You should also keep an eye out on the comfort level of the cat because if they are comfortable, your journey will be much smoother. 

Make sure that your cat’s carrier meets its size, along with a blanket at the bottom and your cat’s favorite toy, and finally, make sure that there are provisions in the case of food and water made available to the cat.

Before you set out on the journey, experts recommend that your cat should be acclimated with the carrier so that it faces less discomfort during the actual trip. It would be chaotic for both you and your cat if you wait until the last minute for the cat to get familiar with the carrier.

Cats naturally like cold and dark spaces, so they probably will not face any problems, but in case it does, it is ideal to feed the cat inside the carrier so that it will adapt to the carrier soon enough. You should also opt for leashing the cat since the cat will be exposed to new environments and get frightened easily.

As a result, it might try to escape. Thus, when the cat is out of the carrier, you can safely put your cat on a leash to avoid any unfortunate potential mishaps.

Things To Keep In Mind: Shipping Cats Across Country

Depending on how you are traveling, be it road or air, you have to keep certain things in mind before and during your travel. 

If you are traveling by road, you have to make sure that your cat has enough space to travel in, as opposed to traveling in cramped spaces. You also need to ensure that your cat has some anti-anxiety medication with the meal before traveling so that it doesn’t fall sick and cause discomfort to both itself and you. 

The common side effect of these medications is mostly drowsiness, so it will make sure that your cat spends most of its time napping with ease. Before you do so, however, make sure that you check up on the recommended dosage as prescribed to you by your vet. Also, make sure that you take frequent breaks for your cat to relieve and stretch itself.

In case of flying with your cat, you need to obtain necessary identification, updated vaccination information, and a clearance from the vet before flying. Some airline regulations stipulate that cats can travel in-cabin or travel in the luggage section, so you have to check on the anti-anxiety medication so that the cat doesn’t end up waking in the middle of the journey and panicking. 

While journeying, you need to make sure that you have planned your trip well in advance with sufficient research to ensure that you only go to pet-friendly hotels, so that you don’t have to look around for comfortable accommodation while journeying. Pit stops have to be well thought out in advance as well, considering that your cat will have to relieve itself and walk around a bit to stretch and relax too.

After reaching your destination, you have to make sure that your cat remains indoors for a while under your direct observation. All entrances and exits like doors and windows must be covered so that the cat does not escape because it might feel frightened because of exposure to a new environment.

You can even place the cat in its carrier so that it feels safe and will adapt to the new surroundings gradually. However, after settling in, you will need to keep your cat under continued observation because sometimes they develop feline depression. Typical symptoms include aggressive behavior, sleeping in excess, loss of appetite, and limited meowing.

This will land you a trip to the vet’s, so you also need to have your cat’s medical record at hand. This will help the transition process become easier and smoother.

Conclusion

Depending on the type of airline, typical fares range from 500$-1000$ USD. You will also need to invest in a good carrier, one that is leak-proof and well-ventilated as well. Along with that, you will also need to obtain proper documentation including but not limited to vaccination logs, identification, and medical records as well. The expenses include vet visits, carriage, food and water, documentation, quarantine fees, permits, and customs fees as well. 

Thus, you are now acquainted with the knowledge for shipping cats across country. Thus, cats can be easily shipped across the country while keeping in mind certain nuances regarding the carrier, provisions for food and water, overall comfort, medication, and post-travel health of the cat. Earthrelo provides vital pet relocation services for your smooth and hassle-free experience.