How to transport cats in a train?

Pets often live in an apartment or house and only occasionally go outside their native territory. From time to time, the owners need to go somewhere by train or even move to a new place of residence, and then it is necessary to decide how to deal with a pet. If you need to travel in a train with a cat, then you should know how to do it correctly and what you need to perform such a procedure.

Many people love to travel, but in the case of pets, this procedure can be problematic, because for the transportation of cats and other animals it is necessary to follow certain rules. It is easier to transport a cat in a train than a dog, which is related to its dimensions, however, even on such a fluffy beast you need to issue a lot of documents so that the owner is allowed to transport a pet. In order to be in time in time, they recommend that at least one month go through all instances and receive the relevant documents in order to calmly prepare for the trip.

In order for a cat to be allowed on the train, it is necessary to vaccinate him and examine all doctors. Below is what else needs to be done.

• Rabies vaccination - without it, no one will give permission for the presence of a cat on the train. The optimal date is 30 days before the trip, so that the results are relevant and accurate.
• Cleaning the cat's body from parasites - It is recommended to spend 1-2 weeks before the planned vaccination.
• Double vaccination - procedures required if animals have not been vaccinated for several years in a row. Vaccinations are done with a difference of 20 days.

In addition to the mandatory measures, you need to have a veterinary passport with you, in which the doctor marks each vaccination, writes the vaccine number, date, signs and seals. Without such documentation, it makes no sense even to try to bring a pet with you. In addition, a veterinary certificate is very important, which in the state veterinary clinic is given by a doctor examining a cat no later than three days before the journey. This certificate states:

• pet type;
• the number of animals that will be transported, because one document can be processed at once for several pets;
• age of the cat;
• records of vaccinations and quarantines.

Since the collection of all documents takes a lot of time, effort and money, in 2017, Russia changed the rules for transporting animals to Russian Railways, greatly simplifying it. Now the cat needs to buy an additional ticket, because the pet is considered as a hand luggage. This rule works if the weight of the animal does not exceed 20 kg. You should always have a veterinary certificate with you, which is still valid for 3 days, which is demonstrated when you buy a ticket and board the car.

You can leave a pet with you only in hard wagons - no one will allow you to enter the CB-wagon or the extra comfort with animals. An adult cat or kitten must be in a safe cage with a lock throughout the trip. If any of the rules is not met, then the passenger may have serious problems, up to and including disembarking from the train.

Any trip should be carefully planned, especially if it will be carried out together with your favorite cat.In order to avoid problems during the purchase of a ticket and the road itself, it is worth taking care of all the nuances in advance. In addition to the basic documents (veterinary certificate and vaccinations), you need to ask what is necessary for exporting a pet abroad. In this case, an international veterinary certificate is also required, for the European Union it should be an EU certificate.

In some cases, the owner is required to chip the cat before the trip, which can be done in private or urban veterinary clinics. If the trip is planned in the US, then you should know that at the station you will need to fill out a declaration on the importation of a pet into the country. In order not to encounter unexpected obstacles, it is worth exploring the regulatory framework regarding the importation of animals into the country where the trip is planned.

When the preparation of documents is completed, it is worth considering what exactly you need to take with you on the road, so that the pet is comfortable throughout the journey. The most important things will be food and water. If a cat has not traveled far before, it is unlikely that there is a suitable container for it, and without it they will not allow the train. Such containers should be strong, well ventilated, with a reliable lock.

The total weight of the cat and the box must be less than 20 kg, otherwise it will have to be sent to the baggage car. The dimensions of the container should also be correct, optimally if they correspond to the readings 50x70x60 or similar, the main thing is that the total number does not exceed 180 cm.

Since the road is far ahead, it is worthwhile to foresee all situations and take with you a first aid kit for a cat, in which there must be antiemetic drugs, anti-diarrheal drugs, anesthetic, adsorbents, antiseptics, bandage and cotton wool. If the owner will travel with his pet without satellites, then you can take along a tray with the contents for your pet to go to the toilet. If there is no such possibility or the cat refuses to relieve himself in unnatural conditions, it is necessary to cover the bottom of the container with a moisture-absorbing disposable diaper.

To carry out the feeding, you need to have with you two bowls - for food and water - or one twin. To the animal was not boring alone in a cage, and he was not afraid, you can put your favorite toy in a container. It is better if it is small and quiet. When traveling with you need to have collar and harness, to be able to walk your pet during long stops. If this rule is neglected, then a frightened cat, due to an unfamiliar situation and in new conditions for itself, can get nervous and run away.

For a comfortable journey, it is better to grab a warm bedding for the cage, especially if you have to carry the cat in winter so that the pet is comfortable and warm. Food and water for a cat should be fresh and clean, so water should be bought non-carbonated in small bottles, and food should only be dry - any other food can deteriorate from improper storage conditions during a trip over long distances. When you first ride the train, you can give the cat a sedative so that it can more calmly perceive everything that is happening around.

In the event that the owner decided to go on a long journey with his pet, he would take care of many things tenderly. The most important accessory, in which the cat will carry out all the way, is the carrying, and the pet's comfort and its calm behavior will depend on its correct choice. There are such types of carriers.

• Bag for transporting small animals - it does not have a rigid base and supports, so for a long time it will be uncomfortable for the cat, as there will be a desire to find some kind of support. Tissue walls do not allow air well, which is why after some time the pet will start to choke in such a bag. This option is convenient for small trips, for a long road is inappropriate.
• Frame bag - almost the same as the previous one, with the difference that the bottom has a rigid base and the upper part is attached to the stiffeners, so that the product can retain a certain shape. A problem place in this case is the access of fresh air to the inside of the product.
• Plastic box - The most convenient option for the transport of pets, especially over long distances. The product has a hard bottom and side walls, in which there are numerous holes that allow the air to circulate freely, and the pet - to keep track of everything that is happening around, which will help him to calm down. The relative disadvantage can only be called the impressive size of such containers, which are not always convenient to transport in the train.
• Metal box - suitable for very active or aggressive animals, as the metal frame will not give a single chance for a furry beast to get out. Among the shortcomings it is worth mentioning the large weight, susceptibility of the material to corrosion, lack of aesthetics, since the box will resemble a cage.

When everything you need is collected, you need to prepare the traveler for the upcoming road. This process looks like this:

• the last feeding should be carried out no less than half an hour before leaving the apartment on the train;
• if the journey will be the first, or the pet will suffer transportation, then it is worth giving the cat a sedative 1–2 hours before the exit;
• Before leaving the apartment, check all the documents on the animal and the things he needs on the way;
• get on the train in time to get at ease without exposing the cat to premature stress and shaking;
• the owner's emotional state must be completely calm so that the pet is also balanced.

If the cat will travel for the first time, and even for a long distance, it is best to give it a sedative. The most popular and effective drugs: "Fiteks", "Stop-stress", "Fospasim", "Vetrankvil". Each medicine has its own characteristics and contraindications, in addition, they may be certain side effects.

To bring your pet on the train, you must not only carry with you all the necessary documentation and pet boxing, but also follow the rules for transporting animals in different types of transport. If the trip will be carried out in the train "Sapsan", then for the cats there are separate places, which are located in the third and eighth carriages where economy class passengers are traveling. For business and first class, you can drive with a cat in the third car. It should be borne in mind that the weight of boxing and cats should not be more than 10 kg, and the dimensions should be within 120 cm. If the trip is carried out on the train "Swift", then you can go with the cat in cars of class 2B. One person can hold no more than two pets, the dimensions of which in the amount of not more than 180 cm.

If we are talking about the train "Swallow", then you can travel with a pet in the car 2 and 3C. For such passengers, special places are provided in 5 and 10 cars. If the traveler wants to go in more comfortable conditions, you can take a suite and pay extra for keeping a cat in it. If the train "Lastochka Premium", then there are much more places to travel with animals in the fifth car, in addition, you can buy a ticket to a luxury car on the condition of traveling together with your pet.

If you need to go by train "Allegro", then there are places for the transportation of cats located in the sixth car. To agree on the transportation of an animal in the rooms with superior comfort in this case is impossible. Pets should be in specialized containers with dimensions of 60x45x60 and no more.When buying a ticket, it is very important to clarify several times that the trip will be carried out with the pet. Ticket ordering can be carried out both online, on sites where there are also corresponding columns providing additional services, or purchase at a stationary ticket office at the station.

As for payment for transportation of a cat, its location, this situation is different in different cars.

• In the general car, where passengers ride while sitting, an extra charge will be required for the pet. The conductor must check the documents and the ticket for the animal.
• Cars 1 and 2B, 2 and 3G - in them a cat can be carried out at no extra charge.
• In the second-class carriage with lying places for 3D and 3U you will have to pay for a pet.
• In the four-seater compartment car, where there is a place for lying 2K, 2U, 2L, 2H, transportation of a cat will also be paid, and in this case it is necessary to provide all documentation on the animal.
• In the double compartment SV, 1B and 1E you can carry a pet for free.
• In the double compartment suite, where there is a place for lying and shower 1A, 1I, 1M, you can also travel with a cat at no extra charge.

In order for the trip to be calm and comfortable for both the owner and the pet, it is important to clarify in which car you can stay with the cat. It is better to clarify in the ticket office, on the Internet and directly from the conductors, in which car of a particular train you can travel with a furry beast. Such a check is made in advance so that there is a firm belief in exactly where to book the seats. Buy tickets themselves should also be in advance so as not to worry about the availability of the right places.

Useful tips on traveling with a cat by rail are presented in the video below.