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

Article verified by a practicing veterinarian

When going on a business trip, to the country, or moving for permanent residence to another city or country, responsible owners begin to consider options for transporting their four-legged friend.
To resolve the issue, many owners use the services of Russian Railways. We will tell you how to transport a cat by train in this article. There is a lot of controversial information on this matter on the Internet . Do you need documents for animals, and if so, in what cases, which ones? If you use the services of Russian Railways, where will the pet be located - in the carriage with the owner or as a large suitcase in a freight carriage.

To resolve the issue of how to transport a cat on a Russian Railways train, we will study the experience of the owners and official information published on the website of the Russian Railway, current as of September 1, 2021 .

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 2021 - there are two pieces of legislation in force 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.

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.

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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.

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.

Preparing for the trip

Before setting off on a long journey with your pet, it is advisable to do a number of simple manipulations that will make the trip easier for both the cat and you in the future:

Implant a chip into an animal. Despite the fact that this advice sounds somewhat threatening, many owners resort to this procedure. When transporting a cat, the likelihood of its loss increases, and no one can be 100 percent insured. The chip will allow you to determine the location of the cat using a special program in case of its escape and will save you from tedious searches;
The miniature chip does not harm the animal’s body and is not felt by it in any way.
Give your pet worm prevention three months before the departure date. The absence of the need to have a veterinary certificate should not entail a special lack of responsibility for your pet. This way you will protect yourself and your possible travel companions from possible infection;
Read also: How does a cat’s behavior depend on its breed, color and eye color?
Dirofen in the form of a suspension is literally created for pets who cannot tolerate tablets
Make sure you have all your cat's required vaccinations throughout the year.

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 2021, 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.

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.

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.

Carrying bag

I will dwell in more detail on the carrying bag. You can purchase either a hard carrier (plastic or metal) or a soft one. I have a soft fabric one with a rigid frame.

I recommend placing a pet diaper (available in pet stores) at the bottom in case the animal goes to the toilet directly in the bag (which is most often excluded). Also, bedding will not hurt if the cat has a plastic carrier. The animal will be more comfortable on a soft diaper or blanket.

Absorbent animal bedding

Mars traveled in such a soft carrier

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.

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