Hi Dr. Barchas,

What can you tell me about bringing cats on a plane? I’ve never done
it before, so I’m completely clueless, and completely panicked. Here
are some specific questions I have:

Do I need to send them through the X-ray and, if so, is it safe?
Do their ears pop and, if so, is there anything I can give them to ease
the pain?
Do cats get motion sickness?
I know that I always get a cold when I fly, is there a similar risk of
infection for cats?
Is there anything I can do to keep them calm?
What should I do if they have to use the bathroom?

Is there anything else of which I should be aware?

Thanks!

Stefanie
Princeton, NJ

Flying with pets has the potential to be stressful for all involved. Fortunately, in my experience few people and animals suffer significant problems in the process.

First, check with your airline to determine what their regulations and requirements are. As well, familiarize yourself with the laws regarding transport of animals into the state or territory of your destination. Your pet may need certain vaccines or a health certificate prior to travel. Your veterinarian should be able to help you work through the legal and bureaucratic technicalities involved in flying with your pet.

When you fly, keep your pet with you if possible. Often, cats and small dogs can be brought on board as carry-on “luggage”. Keep your pet in a small but comfortable and well-ventilated carrier. Place a towel or fleece on the bottom of the carrier and keep another towel handy in case your pet soils the first one. On long trips, you can offer your pet water occasionally, but I don’t recommend placing a water bowl in the carrier if your pet will be traveling with you. Pets can suffer motion sickness, but it is rare and usually not severe.

It is possible to tranquilize pets prior to travel, but tranquilizers usually aren’t necessary for pets who are calm when in their carriers. If you have doubts, try placing your cat in the carrier and driving around for a while to see how he reacts. If you want tranquilizers, your vet should be able to provide them.

Believe it or not, X-ray machines at airports use very low doses of radiation, and in theory you could send your pet through the machine and it won’t hurt him. However, the security screener may be willing to perform a hand search of the carrier, which would make X-ray screening unnecessary. Some people have sent the empty carrier through the machine and walked through the metal detector carrying their pet. This should be done carefully–you don’t want your pet jumping from your arms and escaping into a crowded airport.

It is unlikely that your cat will catch a cold while flying. People catch colds on flights because we are cooped up with hundreds of other people in tight quarters. Germs spread well in such conditions. Fortunately, cats aren’t susceptible to most human pathogens, so your cat probably won’t be exposed to any dangerous viruses on the flight. However, the stress of traveling may weaken his immune system and make him more susceptible to other types of infection.

It is very likely that pets’ ears pop on flights, but they can’t complain about it and therefore nobody knows for sure. Although pets can’t chew gum, you could leave a chew toy in the carrier. It might help to relieve the pain of pressure equalization in his ears.

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Hi Dr. B,

My friend told me that some artificial sweeteners are poisonous to dogs. Is this true?

Ruby
Chico, CA

Your friend probably was referring to recent reports regarding the artificial sweetener xylitol. Xylitol is very popular in Europe, and its use is increasing in the United States. It is used in gums, candies, and some low-carbohydrate diet foods. It also is sold as a powder for home use.

In people, xylitol is touted to have a number of health benefits, such as prevention of cavities. But it most definitely is poisonous to dogs.

In dogs, xylitol has been associated with two problems: dangerously low blood sugar, and liver failure. Either of these problems has the potential to be fatal. Dogs should not allowed access to products containing xylitol. Any dog who ingests xylitol should be taken to a veterinarian immediately, because severe toxicity can occur within 30 minutes.

I have not encountered any reports of feline toxicity from xylitol. However, this may be because cats generally aren’t attracted to sweet foods, which makes xylitol exposure less likely. To be safe, I strongly recommend that cats not consume the product.

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Hi Dr. Barchas,

Our vet told me that Toby has loose knee caps and will
probably develop arthritis later on. She recommended we start him on
Cosequin. The medication is expensive, but I will start it if it is
really important for him. We walk two miles four times a week. Should I start limiting how much we walk and run?

Thanks!

Sheila A.
New York

The condition your veterinarian describes is known as luxating patella. It is common in small dogs. There are many degrees of severity, and in my experience not all dogs with the syndrome develop arthritis. In fact, most of the cases I see are mild and don’t require treatment.

However, moderate or severe cases of luxating patella can cause pain, decreased mobility, and arthritis. Very severe cases require surgery at an early age. Depending on which category best matches Toby, you may not have much to worry about.

Cosequin isn’t really a medicine. Rather, it is a nutritional supplement that contains glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. These compounds are thought by some people to slow the development of arthritis. There is a lot of debate among professionals regarding the effectiveness of glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate prducts. However, dozens (or maybe hundreds) of my clients have given me positive feedback about their experiences with Cosequin and related products. Many vets (myself included) recommend these products for animals who might be at increased risk of arthritis.

Because glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate products aren’t heavily regulated by the government (in the United States or elsewhere), and because they are very profitable, there are plenty of products besides Cosequin that contain glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. You can find less expensive formulations at pet stores, grocery stores such as Trader Joe’s, or even Costco.

To answer your final question, I don’t see any reason to limit your dog’s exercise as long as the walks don’t make him sore or uncomfortable. In fact, the walks are probably good for him. The link between obesity and arthritis in dogs is well proven, and the walks will help to keep Toby slim. As well, walking the dog is fun for all involved, and it’s no doubt part of the reason why you have a dog.

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I adopted a homeless mixed Terrier (Benji) last year… a little boy who
has not been neutered. He has a habit of hiking his leg and wetting in
the house (but not when I can catch him) on anything: chairs, trash
cans, boxes, whatever. I don’t know how old he is. Do you think
having him neutered will stop this behavior, or has he adopted a
habit that will continue?

Barbara
New Lebanon, OH

Neutering your dog may help with this problem. Intact male dogs have high levels of testosterone in their systems. Testosterone can increase the drive to mark territory by urinating. Neutering your dog may reduce this drive, which may relieve the problem.

However, be aware that issues other than high testosterone levels could be playing a role in your situation. Simply put, your dog could have housetraining problems which may not respond to neutering.

My advice is to neuter your dog. As well, implement a back-to-the-basics housetraining refresher program. In your case, I recommend that you keep your dog confined to a small area (such as a comfortable run or crate, or a small room containing all of his necessities) when he is not under direct supervision. Dogs are unlikely to soil a small, confined area. Restricting access to the house also limits the damage he can do when you are not home.

Allow your dog out of his area only when you can supervise him and ensure that he does not urinate in the house. It may be necessary to keep him on a leash at first, even when he is inside. Take him out frequently so that he has ample opportunity to relieve himself appropriately.

As your dog learns appropriate urination habits and builds trust, you can become less stringent about keeping him confined. It is normal for neutered male dogs to mark territory. However, your goal should be for him to do this only when he is outside.

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