How to transport cats on a train?

Pets often live in an apartment or house and only occasionally go beyond 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 you need to decide what to do with your pet. If you need to ride a train with a cat, then you should know how to do it right and what you need to complete such a procedure.

Many people like to travel, but in the case of pets, this procedure can be problematic, because for the transportation of cats and other animals, certain rules must be observed. Transporting a cat on a train is easier than a dog, which is due to its size, however, even for such a furry beast, you need to draw up a lot of documents so that the owner is allowed to transport the pet. In order to be in time on time, it is recommended that at least a month go through all instances and get the relevant documents in order to calmly prepare for the trip.

In order for the cat to be allowed on the train, he needs to be vaccinated and examined by all doctors. Below is what else needs to be done.

• Rabies vaccine - 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 of parasites - it is recommended that it be carried out 1-2 weeks before the planned vaccination.
• Double vaccination - the procedure necessary if the animals have not been vaccinated for several years in a row. Vaccinations are given with a difference of 20 days.

In addition to compulsory measures, you must have a veterinary passport with you, in which the doctor notes each vaccination, writes the vaccine number, date of implementation, puts his signature and seal. Without such documentation, it makes no sense to even try to bring a pet with you. In addition, the veterinary certificate is very important, which is given in the state veterinary clinic by a doctor who examines the cat no later than three days before the trip. Such a certificate shall indicate:

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

Since the collection of all documents takes a lot of time, effort and money, in 2017 in Russia the rules for transporting animals to the Russian Railways were changed, greatly simplifying it. Now the cat needs to buy an additional ticket, because the pet is considered as carry-on baggage. This rule works if the weight of the animal does not exceed 20 kg. You must have a veterinary certificate with you, valid for the same 3 days, which is shown when buying a ticket and getting on the wagon.

You can leave your pet with you only in rigid wagons - no one will let animals into the SV-car or superior 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 observed, then the passenger may have serious problems, up to getting off the train.

Any trip should be carefully planned, especially if it will be carried out together with your beloved cat. To avoid problems during the purchase of the 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 the export of 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 city veterinary clinics. If the trip is planned in the USA, then you should know that at the station it will be necessary to fill out a declaration on the import of a pet into the country. In order not to encounter unexpected obstacles, it is worth studying 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 along the route. The most important things will be food and water. If the cat has not traveled far before, then it is unlikely that there is a suitable container for it, and without it they won’t be allowed into the train. Such containers must be durable, well ventilated, with a reliable lock.

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

Since the road ahead is long, it is worth foreseeing all situations and taking along a kit for the cat, which should contain antiemetic drugs, antidiarrheal drugs, painkillers, adsorbents, antiseptics, bandages and cotton wool. If the owner will travel with his pet without companions, then you can take with him a tray with the contents for walking the pet to the toilet. If this is not possible or the cat refuses unnatural conditions to cope, you need to cover the bottom of the container with a moisture-absorbing disposable diaper.

To carry out feeding, you need to have two bowls with you - for food and water - or one paired. So that the animal was not bored alone in the cage, and he was not afraid, you can put your favorite toy in the container. It is better if it is small and quiet. When traveling, 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, may become nervous and run away.

For a comfortable trip, it is better to bring a warm litter for the cage with you, especially if you have to carry the cat in the winter so that the pet is comfortable and warm. Food and water for the cat should be fresh and clean, so you should buy non-carbonated water in small bottles, and the food should only be dry - any other 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 he calmly perceives everything that is happening around.

In the event that the owner decided to go on a long trip with his pet, he will gently take care of many things. The most important accessory in which the cat will spend all the way is carrying, and the comfort of the pet and its calm behavior will depend on its correct choice. There are such varieties of transfers.

• Bag for transporting small animals - she does not have a rigid foundation and supports, so the cat will be uncomfortable staying in it for a long time, as there will be a desire to find some kind of support. The fabric walls do not allow air to pass through, which is why after some time the pet will begin to suffocate in such a bag. This option is convenient for small trips, for a long journey is not suitable.
• 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 stiffening ribs, so that the product can retain a certain shape. The problematic place in this case also remains the access of fresh air into the product.
• Plastic box - The most convenient option for transporting pets, especially over long distances. The product has a hard bottom and side walls, in which there are numerous openings that allow air to circulate freely, and the pet - to monitor everything that is happening around, which will help him calm down. A relative drawback is the impressive size of such containers, which are not always convenient to transport on a train.
• Metal boxing - Suitable for very active or aggressive animals, as the metal frame will not give a single chance to the furry animal to get out. Among the disadvantages it is worth mentioning the large weight, susceptibility of the material to corrosion, unaesthetics, since boxing 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 one and a half hours before leaving the apartment for the train;
• if the trip will be the first, or the pet is difficult to tolerate transportation, then 1-2 hours before the exit should give the cat a sedative;
• Before leaving the apartment, check all documents for the animal and the things that it needs on the road;
• take the train on time to get there safely without exposing the cat to premature stress and shaking;
• the emotional state of the owner 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 him a sedative. The most popular and effective drugs: "Fiteks", "Stop-stress", "Fospasim", "Vetranquil". Each medicine has its own characteristics and contraindications, in addition, there may be certain side effects from them.

To carry a pet in the train, it is necessary not only to have all the necessary documentation and a box for a pet, but also to adhere to the rules for transporting animals in vehicles of various types. If the trip will be carried out on the Sapsan train, then for cats there are separate seats that are located in the third and eighth cars, where economy class passengers travel. For business and first class, you can drive with a cat in the third carriage. It should be borne in mind that the weight of the box and the cat should not be more than 10 kg, and the dimensions should be within 120 cm. If the trip will be carried out by the Swift train, then you can ride a cat in class 2B cars. One person can hold no more than two pets, the dimensions of which in total are no more than 180 cm.

If we are talking about the Swallow train, then here you can drive with your pet in carriage 2 and 3C. For such passengers, specialized seats are provided in 5 and 10 cars. If the traveler wants to go in more comfortable conditions, you can take a deluxe room and pay extra for keeping a cat in it. If the train is “Swallow Premium”, then there are much more places to travel with animals in the fifth carriage, in addition, you can buy a ticket to the luxury carriage on the condition of a joint trip with your pet.

If you need to ride the Allegro train, then the places for transporting cats are located in the sixth carriage. In this case, it is impossible to agree on the transportation of an animal in rooms with increased comfort. 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. Ordering a ticket 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 the payment for carrying a cat, its location, this situation is different in different cars.

• In a common carriage where passengers ride while sitting, an additional fee will be required for the pet. The conductor must check the documents and ticket for the animal.
• Wagons 1 and 2B, 2 and 3G - a cat can be carried in them at no extra charge.
• In a reserved seat car with 3D and 3U lying places, you will need to pay for a pet.
• In a four-seater compartment carriage, where there are places for lying 2K, 2U, 2L, 2N, the transportation of a cat will also be paid, in which case all documentation for the animal must be provided.
• In the double coupe CB, 1B and 1E, you can carry your pet for free.
• In a double luxury coupe, where there are places 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 specify in which carriage you can accommodate with a cat. It is better to check at the box office, the Internet and directly at the conductors in which car of a particular train you can drive along with a furry beast. Such a check is done in advance so that there is firm confidence in where exactly to reserve seats. It is also worth buying tickets in advance so as not to worry about the availability of the right seats.

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