How much does it cost to bring a cat on a plane

Introduction

It’s an unfortunate truth that cats don’t like change. When you’re flying on a plane with your cat, this might mean your little buddy will be hissing and spitting at everyone in the vicinity. And if you’re traveling with your furry friend abroad, it means you’ll have to spend more on the ticket and make sure he or she is prepared for the trip. If bringing a pet along is part of your travel plans, here’s how much it’s going to cost and how to prepare:

The average cost of taking a pet with you on vacation ranges from $100-200 per cat. That includes the price of the ticket (on United, Delta and American Airlines, the cost is $125 one way) plus extras like purchasing an airline-approved carrier ($40-$75), getting a health certificate ($50), and scheduling a veterinarian exam ($45). The total can vary depending on where you live as well as which airline pays for which fees—and whether they charge additional fees. Here are some key points to remember as you budget for taking Fido or Fluffy along:

First up, every airline has its own rules about what kind of crate or carrier you can bring aboard one of their flights. For example, United Airlines requires that your cat’s crate be large enough for it to stand up and turn around without touching any part of the carrier except the base. Additionally, American Airlines says that crates must measure at least 17” long x 12” high x 7 1/2″ wide; however, these measurements do not include any space taken up by wheels or handles (so keep that in mind if yours has them). You may also need an extra “live animal label,” depending on where you’re flying:

From there, all airlines require that your cat’s crate hold two bowls (one filled with food; one filled with

The price of the ticket (on United, Delta and American Airlines, the cost is $125 one way)

You can find the price of a ticket by checking United, Delta or American Airlines’ websites.

You’ll also need to purchase an airline-approved carrier for your cat. The cost of this will vary depending on what type of carrier you choose—you can buy one from Amazon for about $50.

If you’re traveling internationally with your cat, it’s important to have a health certificate that states that your pet is healthy and fit to travel from the veterinarian who performed its exam. This will cost about $30-$60 (again depending on where you live). It’s also wise if you’re traveling internationally for other reasons besides just visiting friends or family (like if there’s an emergency at home) to get your dog vaccinated against rabies; this usually costs between $15-$20 per vaccination shot at most animal hospitals.

Cage requirements vary by airline but generally speaking they require cats less than 15 pounds be placed into crates no larger than 17″ x 12″ x 13″, while those over 15 pounds should be put in crates no larger than 21″ x 12″ x 13″. Some airlines don’t allow pets in checked baggage at all; others allow them only if they weigh less than 20 pounds and are crated properly (see above). If none of these rules apply to your situation, call ahead and ask! Also remember: some airports don’t accept animals as checked baggage so make sure yours does before purchasing any tickets or booking reservations

The cost of an airline-approved carrier

The cost of a carrier varies by airline. Many airlines include the cost of a carrier in the price of your ticket, but if you’re flying with an independent airline, you may have to buy one separately.

Carriers are available at pet stores and online retailers like Chewy.com and Amazon. Look for carriers that have strong zippers, since your cat could accidentally open them when it’s trying to escape or attack other people on board the plane (cats can be dangerous). Make sure that your cat fits inside its carrier, which should provide enough room for it to stand up and turn around comfortably. It should also be well ventilated so that there’s not too much heat buildup inside (cats don’t sweat like humans do).

The cost of a health certificate

The cost of a health certificate varies depending on the vet, but it’s a good idea to get one before booking your flight. The same applies for the carrier and airline ticket.

The cost of a veterinarian exam

A veterinarian exam costs $50-$100, and it is a good idea even if your cat is healthy. Getting your cat used to the vet before the exam can help make sure everything goes smoothly during travel.

Cage requirements vary by airline. For example, United Airlines requires that your cat’s crate be large enough for it to stand up and turn around without touching any part of the carrier except the base.

United Airlines requires that your cat’s crate be large enough for it to stand up and turn around without touching any part of the carrier except the base.
Delta recommends that you travel with a cat carrier that’s at least 11 inches long by 8 inches wide by 13 inches high, including its bottom tray. The carrier must have ventilation holes along with a secure way to close it, such as a zipper or wire mesh door.
American Airlines allows pet cats in either an approved hard-sided or soft-sided kennel, as long as they fit under your seat and can be stowed in an overhead bin during takeoff and landing.

Put a disposable paper litter tray inside the crate

Put a disposable paper litter tray inside the crate. This does not need to be covered, but it should be large enough for your cat to turn around in and made of a material that can be easily cleaned.

For example, if you’re traveling with a kitten who has just been weaned from her mother’s milk and is used to eating soft food, you may want to consider buying disposable trays that have high sides instead of low ones.

Label your cat’s travel papers with his or her name and your contact information

Label your cat’s travel papers with his or her name and your contact information.
Make sure to have a copy of the rabies certificate and health certificate.
Have your cat’s name and your contact information labeled on their carrier, too, so that someone can easily identify it at the airport.

It doesn’t have to be expensive to bring your cat on a plane.

It doesn’t have to be expensive to bring your cat on a plane. There are affordable ways to bring a cat on a plane, and it can cost as little as $20 or so. The idea of traveling with your pet can seem daunting at first, but if you do your research and plan ahead, you’ll save yourself money that would otherwise be spent on hotel rooms or boarding fees.

Conclusion

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to take your cat on a trip!