📦 Carrier Training
The most important travel skill is teaching your cat to be comfortable in their carrier. Start this training weeks before you need to travel — don't wait until the day of!
Choosing the Right Carrier
📏 Size
Large enough to stand, turn around, and lie down. But not so large they slide around. About 1.5x your cat's length is ideal.
🔝 Top-Loading
Top-loading or front+top loading carriers are MUCH easier to get reluctant cats in and out. Essential for vet visits.
🔒 Hard-Sided
Hard-sided carriers are safest for car travel (they can be seatbelted). Soft-sided carriers are lighter for air travel but less crash-safe.
🏔️ Calgary Winter
In Calgary's cold winters, line the carrier with a fleece blanket and consider a carrier cover. The walk from your home to the car can be brutally cold.
Making Friends with the Carrier (2-4 Week Process)
Week 1: Carrier as Furniture
Leave the carrier open in your living space with the door removed or secured open. Place a cozy blanket and treats inside. Let your cat explore it at their own pace. Sprinkle catnip inside. Feed meals near the carrier, then gradually move the bowl inside.
Week 2: Positive Associations
Toss treats into the carrier throughout the day. Place your cat's favourite toy inside. If your cat naps in the carrier, quietly praise them. Start closing the door briefly (seconds) then immediately open + treat.
Week 3: Short Closures
Close the door for increasing durations: 30 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes. Stay calm and nearby. Treat generously when you open the door. Pick up the carrier briefly, set it back down, open + treat.
Week 4: Short Trips
Carry the carrier to the car. Sit in the car with engine off for a few minutes. Then engine on. Then a 5-minute drive around the block. Always return home and reward. Gradually increase trip length.
🚗 Car Travel
Most cat travel in Calgary involves car trips — to the vet, to a new home, or road trips through the Rockies. Here's how to make it safe and comfortable.
Safety Rules
ALWAYS Use a Carrier
A loose cat in a car is dangerous — they can hide under pedals, distract the driver, or escape when doors open. Secure the carrier with a seatbelt or wedge it on the floor behind the front seat. Never in the trunk.
Never Leave a Cat in a Parked Car
In summer, cars heat up to lethal temperatures in minutes. In Calgary winters, they get dangerously cold just as fast. If you can't take your cat inside, don't leave them in the car. Period.
Keep Windows Closed
Unlike dogs, cats don't enjoy car windows open. The wind, noise, and smells are overwhelming. Keep windows closed and AC/heat at a comfortable temperature.
Cover the Carrier
Most cats travel better when the carrier is partially covered with a light towel or blanket. This reduces visual stimulation and helps them feel hidden and safe.
Long Road Trips (2+ Hours)
🍽️ Food & Water
Withhold food 4-6 hours before travel to prevent nausea. Offer small amounts of water every 2 hours. Bring familiar food for the destination.
🧹 Litter
For trips over 3 hours, bring a small disposable litter tray. Stop every 2-3 hours and offer litter access in the (locked, closed) car.
💊 Motion Sickness
Some cats drool, pant, or vomit in cars. Ask your Calgary vet about Cerenia (maropitant) — a safe, effective anti-nausea medication for cats.
🏨 Hotels
Book pet-friendly accommodations in advance. Bring your cat's familiar blanket, food bowls, and a portable litter box. Keep the carrier accessible as a safe space.
✈️ Air Travel from Calgary (YYC)
Flying with your cat from Calgary International Airport requires advance planning. Each airline has specific rules about pet travel.
In-Cabin vs Cargo
🪑 In-Cabin (Recommended)
Cat stays under the seat in an airline-approved soft carrier. Safest, least stressful option. Most airlines charge $50-125 CAD per flight. Cat must stay in carrier throughout the flight.
📦 Cargo (If No Choice)
For larger cats or restricted routes. IATA-approved hard carrier required. Temperature-controlled compartment. Higher risk and stress. Avoid extreme weather days. Not available on all routes.
Airlines from YYC — Pet Policies
Air Canada
In-cabin: $50 CAD domestic, $100 CAD to US. Soft carrier max 23×40×55 cm. One pet per passenger. Book at least 24 hours before departure by calling. Health certificate required for international flights. Cargo available on select routes.
WestJet
In-cabin: $50 CAD per flight segment. Soft carrier must fit under seat. Call to add a pet — can't book online. Max 2 pets per cabin (first-come, first-served). No cargo pet program currently available.
International Flights
Requirements vary by destination country. Some require: import permits, microchip, rabies titre test (6+ months in advance), specific vaccinations, official veterinary certificates, and sometimes quarantine. Start planning 6-12 months ahead for international travel.
Documents You'll Need
🏥 Stress-Free Vet Visits
For many cats, the vet trip is the most stressful experience they face. With the right preparation, it doesn't have to be.
Before the Visit
Carrier Training (Ongoing)
The carrier should be a permanent part of your home furniture, not something that only appears before scary trips. See our Carrier Training tab for the full guide.
Feliway Application
Spray Feliway (synthetic calming pheromone) inside the carrier 15-30 minutes before departure. You can also wipe a cloth on your cat's cheeks and place it in the carrier — their own scent is comforting.
Light Fasting
Withhold food 4-6 hours before the visit to prevent car sickness and ensure accurate blood test results (if needed). Water is fine.
Bring Key Info
Note any changes in behaviour, appetite, litter habits, water intake, or weight. Bring a fresh stool sample if requested. List all medications and supplements.
At the Clinic
Keep Carrier Covered
Place a towel or blanket over the carrier in the waiting room. Keep it elevated (on your lap or a chair), not on the floor where dogs might investigate.
Ask for Cat-Only Time
Many Calgary vet clinics have separate cat waiting areas or will take you directly to an exam room. Some offer "cat-only" appointment hours. Don't hesitate to ask.
Let Them Come Out on Their Own
In the exam room, open the carrier door and let your cat explore at their pace. If they won't come out, ask the vet to examine them partially in the carrier or remove the top half.
🏔️ Cat-Friendly Vet Clinics in Calgary
Several Calgary clinics are certified "Cat Friendly" by the International Society of Feline Medicine, meaning they've taken special steps to reduce cat stress during visits. Look for this certification when choosing a vet. Features include: separate cat waiting areas, feline-trained staff, quieter exam rooms, and cat-specific handling protocols.
Find Calgary vets on our Vet Directory — filter for those with cat-friendly certification.
✅ Travel Packing Checklist
Check off items as you pack. This list covers everything your cat needs for any type of trip.