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Taking my cat to Germany by train

Reno

Reno

The In Kraut
As some of you know, I moved from London to Berlin a couple of months ago and in a couple of weeks I'm going to move into my flat here. This means I can bring my lovely cat Alfie over, who so far has been staying with friends in London.

Originally I was going to fly with Lufthansa, the only airline on that route to take pets, but their flights are really expensive. So now I'm taking the train, which will be a 10 hour journey. Alfie does not take well to being taken anywhere, so I'm looking into giving him something to calm his nerves. The vet said they don't recommend proper tranquilisers, because they are difficult to dose right for small animals, but they said I could look into something called Zylkene. Anybody used it or got other recommendations ?

Any other tips for long journeys with nervous cats ? He's got all the shots and documentation he needs.

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I've used Zylkene for my cat who was overgrooming. It did have a calming effect but ime you need to give it to your cat for a few weeks to feel the benefit. Good luck! I'm happy you're moving Alfie to Germany with you.
 
Ms T said:
I've used Zylkene for my cat who was overgrooming. It did have a calming effect but ime you need to give it to your cat for a few weeks to feel the benefit. Good luck! I'm happy you're moving Alfie to Germany with you.
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I could get it sent to my friend who looks after him, to start getting Alfie hooked on it early.
 
Reno said:
I'm pretty sure he'd be indifferent to it.

All I know is that his favourite film is the recent Jungle Book remake, he was genuinely quite enthralled by it. Maybe I could stick that on an iPad to put it in his cat carrier for the journey.
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mind he doesn't go on dirty protest
 
Reno said:
I'm pretty sure he'd be indifferent to it.

All I know is that his favourite film is the recent Jungle Book remake, he was genuinely quite enthralled by it. Maybe I could stick that on an iPad to put it in his cat carrier for the journey.
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Suddenly I feel alot less ridiculous about playing "Teen Titans Go" on my ipad to placate my toddler on a busy train.
 
Reno said:
I'm pretty sure he'd be indifferent to it.

All I know is that his favourite film is the recent Jungle Book remake, he was genuinely quite enthralled by it. Maybe I could stick that on an iPad to put it in his cat carrier for the journey.
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why not also see how he is with my neighbour totoro?
 
If you already have Zylkene, it might be overkill, but perhaps some spray / other smellable form of Feliway may put him more at ease...

10hrs is a long old journey, I'd lay bets he will need a bathroom break in there somewhere. Don't know if handsome Alfie has ever worn a collar and/or halter before, but you might need to have him in one JUST IN CASE he's got to be unloaded for a quick pee/poo at any point - the last thing you want is for him to bolt in an emergency.

Covering the cage may or may not help but it's a good option to have.

He may well shout/moan/complain/caterwaul a lot at first, but in my experience even cats who hate travelling will give up the fight after a while and just sleep through it. The first hour or two may be rough, though.
Good luck with this fantastic voyage! ;)
 
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trabuquera said:
If you already have Zylkene, it might be overkill, but perhaps some spray / other smellable form of Feliway may put him more at ease...

10hrs is a long old journey, I'd lay bets he will need a bathroom break in there somewhere. Don't know if handsome Alfie has ever worn a collar and/or halter before, but you might need to have him in one JUST IN CASE he's got to be unloaded for a quick pee/poo at any point - the last thing you want is for him to bolt in an emergency.

Covering the cage may or may not help but it's a good option to have.

He may well short/moan/complain a lot at first but in my experience even cats who hate travelling will give up the fight after a while and just sleep through it. The first hour or two may be rough, though.
Good luck with this fantastic voyage! ;)
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I've tried Feliway in the past, but he doesn't seem to like it. He does have a collar and he will wear it. If there is a pee/poo accident it will have to be in his carrier and I'll clean it. Not sure how the other passengers will feel about that. :oops:

I booked 1st class, because we'll have more space. It wasn't that much more expensive on Deutsche Bahn.
 
IME a cat will just hold it in rather than go in their carrier. I guess this might be uncomfortable for 10 hours.

I am surprised that a 1st class train journey to Germany was that much cheaper than a flight.
 
bi0boy said:
IME a cat will just hold it in rather than go in their carrier. I guess this might be uncomfortable for 10 hours.

I am surprised that a 1st class train journey to Germany was that much cheaper than a flight.
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Trains are cheap in Germany if you book ahead and 1st class was only €20 extra. Trains are so expensive in the U.K. because of privatisation. I'd actually booked what I thought was a cheap flight with Lufthansa and then it turned out it was operated by Eurowings, who won't take my cat. An actual Lufthansa flight would have been around €300 plus €50 for the cat and 1st class via Deutsche Bahn is €129 with no extra charge for the cat.

I agree with you that cats generally hold it in as long as they can and a day should be alright.
 
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Although I haven't used it with a cat, I would recommend Zylkene.

I used Zylkene for a large Labrador that had developed "night terrors" - he would pace about and was noticeably disturbed by the slightest noise. I found the tablets worked, even from the first night. He slept normally and was significantly more relaxed during the day, as well.
 
Reno said:
I've tried Feliway in the past, but he doesn't seem to like it. He does have a collar and he will wear it. If there is a pee/poo accident it will have to be in his carrier and I'll clean it. Not sure how the other passengers will feel about that. :oops:

I booked 1st class, because we'll have more space. It wasn't that much more expensive on Deutsche Bahn.
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I find the idea of yor cat shitting the length and breadth of Germany in first class rather uplifting
 
Check, but I don't think Eurostar takes pets. Euro tunnel is the most humane way, but you won't have a car. I think the ferries lock pets up in steel pages.
 
pseudonarcissus said:
Check, but I don't think Eurostar takes pets. Euro tunnel is the most humane way, but you won't have a car. I think the ferries lock pets up in steel pages.
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Really ? Now I've booked everything and was assured by Deutsche Bahn that i can take him.
 
That's a long old time for the cat to hold it in. Is the flight totally out of your means? No judgement btw... we drove our cat over, as you may remember and gave her cat valium from the vet.

Agree with Manter re the blankets particular one for over the top. Our cat was a lot more settled with the blanket over her.

Edit: realised you've booked it now.
 
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