How to transport a cat on a train: detailed instructions, rules and tips

Legislative regulation

If you are not allowed on a train with an animal, two points are considered. The first is that you have not carried out all the preparatory measures regarding the documents. Secondly, you simply forgot the animal at home.

Knowing and observing all the requirements that are needed to transport a cat on a train, the conductor will not reprimand you, and certainly will not refuse to board the carriage. Everything is explained by Russian legislation.

At the moment - in 2022 - there are two legislative acts regulating the transportation of pets on trains.

— The first act is Federal Law No. 18 of January 2003. This bill approves the rights and requirements for persons who have purchased a train ticket. They automatically become passengers in the vehicle in question and are responsible for complying with safety requirements.

— The second act is Order of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation No. 473 of December 2013. Here are the regulations for the transportation of passengers and animals by Russian Railways.

It follows from both legislative acts that you can transport a cat on a train. To do this, you just need to follow the rules.

Registration of a veterinary passport and microchipping

A veterinary passport for transporting a cat on public transport is a mandatory requirement. This document contains information on vaccinations, routine examinations, treatment for helminths and fleas. You must take your pet to the veterinarian for a routine examination 5 days before your trip. After completing this procedure, you should have a veterinary certificate in your hands.

To obtain permission to transport a pet by train, you need a veterinary passport and certificate. Please note that the animal must be microchipped. While this procedure is not mandatory, however, if necessary, it allows you to prove that the pet belongs to you. In accordance with the latest innovations, it is impossible to obtain a veterinary certificate without microchipping.

After collecting the documents, you can move on to preparing things for the long journey.

About the rules of transportation on various types of trains

Every cat owner, if he wants to take an animal with him on a trip, must prepare for the trip in advance. To do this, familiarize yourself with the general rules for transporting pets on a train, which highlight the following points:

Transportation of animals is possible only in specially designated carriages. They have corresponding icons. The owner of the animal purchases a ticket for himself, but in a special carriage where the transportation of animals is allowed.
Cats are small or indoor animals, so you can take them with you on the train. An important condition is to notify the conductor in advance of your intention to travel with a cat. To do this, it is enough to show the animal to the handler when boarding.
Cats must be kept in special baskets, houses, and carrier bags. There is no separation between an adult pet and a kitten.
There are also restrictions on the container in which a cat can be transported on a train. The total size of the sides of the bag or basket should not exceed 1.8 m. This is standard passenger hand luggage, so there is no need to purchase an additional ticket.
The owner of the cat is obliged to keep the cage clean, feed the animal in a timely manner so that it does not disturb others with its plaintive sounds.
The rules for transporting cats on the train do not exclude the fact that the conductor can remove the passenger along with the animal. This happens when there is a danger to others.

Short distances on the train can be covered without additional containers, keeping the cat on a leash and under constant supervision.

And regarding questions about how to transport a cat on a long-distance train , the following rules must be observed:

Long-distance trains are considered to be routes over 700 km. The cost of tickets for an animal depends on the distance of the journey.
A separate ticket must be purchased for the animal, the cost of which will be found out at the ticket office at the time the passenger issues the ticket.
If the ticket was purchased online, then 2 hours before departure you can purchase a ticket at the railway station ticket office.

Modern high-speed trains do not allow animals to be carried along with passengers. There are special carriages for them, for which you need to purchase a ticket. The luggage with the cat is handed over to the conductor, and they themselves go to the passenger carriage. The cost of such a ticket for a pet is 1.5 times higher than the standard tariffs for transporting an animal.

Let's go on a trip

The list of necessary things will depend on the country of arrival, location (are there any pet stores with the necessary goods nearby) and the duration of the trip.

The most necessary things on the road will be:

harness for walking;
wet wipes;
spare diapers;
water;
water bowl;
food bowl;
diaper cleaning bags;
1 package of filler;
dry and wet food for 2 - 3 days of travel;
favorite treats;
favorite toy;
if the cat is prone to damaging property, a scratching post is a must-have item. Or, as an alternative, protective caps for the animal’s claws.

Some travelers advise giving the animal a sleeping pill or sedative.
But it is undesirable to do this, since when the pressure changes, the body experiences a strong load. And drugs in this group are not safe in themselves. Calming sprays with pheromones and scented harnesses can help.

Before transporting a cat abroad , you should make sure that your place of residence allows pets . Usually, having a mustachioed companion is treated complacently. However, there are exceptions.

There are cases when they try to impose an additional payment on a traveler for a pet upon arrival. Screenshots of correspondence with the owner of the premises , where it is indicated that you will be with the animal, as well as a screenshot of the advertisement will help to disarm lovers of freebies . And there is no information about the need to pay extra for this.

Rules for transporting animals

There are also rules on how to transport a cat on a train, based on issues of preliminary preparation of the pet.

Here they highlight:

It is required to be vaccinated against rabies, upon which veterinarians issue a certificate. Its validity does not exceed 30 days.
It is recommended to clean the animal of parasites. 1-2 weeks before vaccination, a deworming remedy is given.
If the cat has not been vaccinated for several years in a row, a double vaccination is required 20 days apart.

Vaccination will be required if the question arises of how to transport a cat on a train abroad. While a vaccination passport may not be required within the territory of Russia, you will have to obtain one to travel abroad. A vaccination passport is required to transport an animal in business class and high-speed trains across Russia.

How to transport a cat in a car

The main issue is safety. If you are traveling to the country with your pet and do not intend to cross the border, you are unlikely to need a package of documents.

The cat in the car should be in a carrier; it is better to place the carrier at the feet behind the driver's seat. This is the safest position. If a cat walks freely around the cabin or lies under the rear window, this is a big risk. During emergency braking, it will turn into a projectile that will straighten its claws and fly straight at the passengers or driver. It's better not to take unnecessary risks.

Documents for transporting a cat

It is necessary to carefully consider how to transport a cat on a train in Russia, regarding the required documents.
Until 2022, having a veterinary passport for an animal was mandatory. Without it, it was impossible to purchase a train ticket. Now there is no need for this, although the relaxation does not apply to all cases:

The Russian border crosses with a cat only if it has a veterinary passport and a stamp indicating that it has been vaccinated.
In business classes and high-speed trains, where the cat is placed with other animals, conductors require a veterinary passport.
Transporting a cat to an exhibition also requires the presentation of a veterinary passport.

It follows that it is better to obtain a veterinary passport for the animal in advance and vaccinate it. This will protect your pet from infection on the road.

Vaccination requirements

Even when preparing for your trip, you need to show your cat to a veterinarian. The specialist must check that the animal has the necessary vaccinations and assess its health status. Information on vaccinations must be indicated in the veterinary passport. In addition, you will need to obtain permission from a doctor in the form of a certificate to transport your cat by train.

If a veterinary passport has not previously been issued for the cat, this will need to be done before the trip. Before the trip, you will need to get another vaccination against rabies and be treated for worms. Advice on the need for other vaccinations can be obtained from the veterinarian who will conduct the examination. If you haven’t given your cat any vaccinations within the last year, it may take longer to prepare for the trip.

What to take with you on the road

Most owners, when going on a long journey for the first time, do not know what they need to take with them for their animal.

The following list of items will help:

Container for transportation. It is required, but a container means a carrying bag, a basket, a house and other items in which the animal will be comfortable. An important condition is that the pet must be in the “house”, so it is recommended to check the condition of the zippers and locks.
First aid kit. A first aid kit for an animal should contain essential supplies - antidiarrheal and painkillers, antiemetics, antiseptic, bandage and cotton wool.
Tray with filler. It is recommended to take a special filler that absorbs urine odors.
Dry diapers are disposable. They are put in a container so that the cat can relieve itself - animals on trips do not always go to the tray after being dropped into it.
Wet wipes and plastic bags. Will be needed to clean up after the animal.
Bowls for water and food.
Leash, collar or harness. Even if you don't keep your cat on a leash, it's a good idea to do so when traveling. The animal may become frightened at the station and run away.
Warm small blanket. The cat will need it for an overnight stay. It is recommended to take an unnecessary blanket or one that can be easily washed, in case your pet uses it for other purposes.
Toy. A favorite toy in a container will help your animal cope with stress.

When it comes to toys, you should not purchase a new item before traveling. It should remind your pet of home. Let it be a favorite sock or string, but it gives the cat some protection.

How to prepare your pet?

Constantly changing conditions are stressful for cats, so the owner’s task is to do everything to ensure that the pet suffers as little as possible from this. It is necessary to purchase a container for transporting cats, with normal ventilation and a strong frame. Lack of air and lack of support in the bag provoke nervousness and panic in the cat. You need to prepare your pet for moving in a container in a calm home environment. You should place the carrier in the room so that the cat sniffs it and climbs inside. Once he gets used to it, he will calmly ride in it. It is not recommended to give food to the animal before the trip. The last feeding is allowed 6 hours before departure.

How to calm an animal?

To prevent your cat from becoming nervous during the trip, it is recommended to give her sedative drops, selected by a doctor.
Few cats tolerate travel well, especially for the first time. They meow for a long time out of excitement and sometimes get motion sickness. To relieve discomfort, veterinarians advise giving your cat sedatives in drops. It is better to discuss the selection of the drug with your doctor at your appointment, since they do not have the same effect on all pets. Some cats become even more nervous due to the unusual sensations caused by the medication. You need to start giving your pet drops a few days before the trip. There is no need to leave your cat alone, but at the stations you can go out for a walk with him. List of effective medications to calm your pet:

"Fitex";
"Stopstress";
"Fospasim";
"Cat Baiyun".

To transport a cat abroad, you will need to have a microchip implanted under the skin for identification.

Sedatives for cats

If your pet is nervous on the road or behaves inappropriately, it is better to use sedatives. The list of effective means includes:

Fitex are special drops that are easy to give during a trip. It is better to use them before boarding the train so that the animal can calm down and endure the journey more easily. It is better to give drops a month before travel, since the product has a cumulative effect.
Stopstress is a faster and more pronounced effect. It is not addictive, it is recommended to give it in drops.
Fospasim is a homeopathic remedy whose action is aimed at eliminating fearfulness, panic, stress and aggression.

You can contact your veterinarian in advance and explain the problem of the animal’s behavior on the way. In extreme cases, a specialist injects the cat with a sleeping pill. The cat will sleep for a long time.

Condition of the cat after transportation

After the move, the animal, of course, continues to experience stress. This happens not only because of the transportation itself, but also because the animal ends up in a completely new place for it, in a new apartment.

Basically, the behavior of the animal is as follows:

refusal to eat for several days (1-3 days);
refusal to go to the toilet (up to 24 hours after moving);
the animal does not make contact with the owner, hides under the sofa or in another secluded place.

After 2-3 days, this condition passes and the cat begins to behave as usual. After a week, Mars had already completely settled down - his appetite returned, he began to go to the litter box and behave like the master of the house.

Useful tips

Transporting a cat on a train is difficult for owners, since during the entire time people are worried about the condition of their family member. You can make the animal’s fate easier by following these recommendations:

You cannot limit your cat's access to water. Place a bowl of water in the container and constantly monitor its contents.
At stations you are required to walk your cat. A leash is used for this. Walk with her as far as possible from large crowds of people, but observing safety precautions.
During a walk, you need to check whether the animal has gone to the toilet. If not, health problems may arise. Sometimes the animal does not go to the toilet, eat or drink during the trip, which can last up to 3 days. In this case, immediately upon arrival you need to contact a veterinarian and explain the situation. The doctor will prescribe treatment to eliminate dehydration and restore the functions of the urinary system.
For food, it is better to take dry cat food on the road. But if your pet has not tried it before, it is better to keep the same food and provide it on the train. Otherwise, you may experience stomach and intestinal upset.

Monitor your cat's condition closely during the trip. If the situation allows, you can remove the animal, which is on a leash, from the container and hold it in your arms. Or put him to sleep next to you if you know for sure that he won’t run away. To avoid funny things, it is better to tie the leash to the train table.

In addition to our article, we recommend reading the story of one traveler with a cat. You will find a lot of useful information in it - https://pikabu.ru/story/v_poezd_s_kotami_4974906

Food and drink during the trip

It is unlikely that your cat will want to eat or drink during the trip, as transport is a stressful event for the animal.

I took with me some dry food and 2 cat sausages as treats. The cat ate the treat, and even then in several passes, but did not touch the food.

It's the same with drinking. You can completely refuse water, since nothing will happen to the animal during the day, and an extra trip to the toilet in a carriage will be uncomfortable.

Preparation

If the owner decides to go on a long trip with his pet, he will need to take care of many things. The most important accessory in which the cat will spend the entire trip is a carrier, and the pet’s comfort and calm behavior will depend on its correct choice. There are different types of carriers.

A bag for transporting small animals - it does not have a rigid base and supports, so the cat will be uncomfortable 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 well, which is why after some time the pet will begin to suffocate in such a bag. This option is convenient for short trips, but is not suitable for long trips.
The frame bag is almost the same as the previous one, with the difference that the bottom has a rigid base and the upper part is attached to stiffening ribs, thanks to which the product can maintain a certain shape. The problem area in this case remains the access of fresh air inside the product.
A plastic box is 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 holes that allow air to circulate freely, and the pet to monitor everything that is happening around, which will help him calm down. The only relative disadvantage is the impressive size of such containers, which are not always convenient to transport on a train.
A metal box is suitable for very active or aggressive animals, since the metal frame will not give the furry animal a single chance to get out. Disadvantages include heavy weight, susceptibility of the material to corrosion, and lack of aesthetics, since the box will resemble a cage.

When everything necessary has been collected, the traveler himself needs to be prepared for the upcoming journey. The process looks like this:

the last feeding should be carried out no less than an hour and a half before leaving the apartment for the train;
if the trip is the first, or the pet has a hard time with transportation, then 1-2 hours before leaving it is worth giving the cat a sedative;
before leaving the apartment, check all the documents for the animal and the things it needs on the road;
take the train on time to get there safely, without exposing your 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 is traveling for the first time, and even over a long distance, it is best to give him a sedative. The most popular and effective drugs: “Fitex”, “Stop-stress”, “Fospasim”, “Vetranquil”. Each medicine has its own characteristics and contraindications, in addition, they may cause certain side effects.

In order not to get an unpleasant surprise on a trip, it is advisable to try the chosen product in advance, or better yet, several times, in order to know exactly what kind of action to expect from it.

And if abroad, then...

Then you will need a veterinary passport and a certificate of vaccinations, issued in compliance with the rules:

A veterinary certificate (form No. 5) obtained only in a state clinic, but not in a private clinic, is recognized;
it is valid only for 5 days after receipt; and for the return trip, a similar document is issued at the clinic of the country from which you are leaving;
it is issued on the basis of a veterinary passport with notes of the necessary vaccinations, deworming and treatment for fleas, lichen, made during this year, but no later than 30 days before departure - this is the quarantine period;
The cat must be microchipped, which will be written down in the passport.

We wish you a successful journey and a pleasant holiday with all our hearts!

We will be glad if we could help you with advice. Ask questions and share your experience in the comments. Until next time!

With respect, Edik Skarzhinets.

Problems on the way

It is not always possible to transport a cat by railway transport without misunderstandings. Some guides do not thoroughly know the rules for transporting cats, which provokes conflicts with pet owners and demands for money, even if all the documentation is available. The owner needs to carefully study the rules and assure train employees that the pet will be under supervision and will not damage property. The next problem is unfriendly fellow travelers. They need to show documents for the animal, and during the trip make sure that the cat behaves calmly. If any of the passengers are allergic to cat fur, they should be offered an antihistamine.

conclusions

So, let's summarize. Your main actions if you plan to transport a cat by train to the Russian Federation:

Find your way around the flight.
Call the Russian Railways help desk (or the carrier) and find out whether pets can be carried on this flight and in which carriage. Find out more about the conditions.
Issue a receipt for transporting your pet. You can do this in parallel with purchasing a ticket for yourself or after, presenting your ticket when issuing a receipt.
Buy a durable cat carrier.