Traveling with your cat can be a complicated ordeal, especially when it comes to packing supplies. As any pet owner knows, making sure your pet is comfortable while you travel is a top priority. For Opal, that means bringing along her tofu-based cat litter. We didn’t realize that airport security has some very specific rules about what you can bring through security.
The Encounter with Airport Security
It all started when we were heading to Halifax from Toronto for a short vacation. We had everything packed for our cat’s needs: her food, her toys, and her cat litter.
When I got to the security checkpoint, things took an unexpected turn. They inspected the bag and then informed me that I couldn’t bring the tofu cat litter through. The reason? It was classified as a “granular substance” and fell under regulations that restrict the transport of certain materials.
Why Granular Substances Are Restricted
Initially, I was confused. It was just cat litter made from tofu, and we had traveled internationally with it before without any issues. Security would ask what it was and once we explained that it was just cat litter, they let us through. Airports and security agencies are particularly cautious about granular substances. These include sand, dirt, powders, and even non-food items with a powdery or granular texture. The concern is that these materials conceal dangerous substances or complicate security screening. Granular substances often face scrutiny, and many types are prohibited because they can obscure other items or trigger alarms.
Plan B (and a Bit of Panic)
The security officer told me to throw out all of the cat litter. I then re-entered the line for security. It was a busy day, so by the time I made it back in line I almost missed the flight. My partner and cat were at the gate already and I ran to get to the gate after security. I made it to the gate just on time, and we boarded all together. Now we just had to make it through a 4 hour flight without Opal having to use her cat litter. Thankfully she slept the whole flight, so we arrived in Halifax without issue.
We landed and started Googling pet stores on our way from the airport to our first destination. We found one on route that carried the Catit tofu cat litter, so we went as soon as we arrived.
This turned out to be a minor hiccup in what was an otherwise smooth journey. It highlighted how important it is to be aware of airport regulations, especially when traveling with pets. A bag of cat litter turned into an unexpected complication, and a reminder to double-check the rules before packing.
What Can You Bring?
If you’re traveling with pets and planning to bring along litter or other granular substances, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Check the Regulations: Check the relevant security agency’s guidelines on what can be in a carry on. If you’re flying internationally, make sure to review the specific rules for each airport.
- Consider Other Options: Some airports allow liquids, powders, and granular substances in certain quantities (usually under 350 ml). It’s often safer to just plan to buy the same item at your destination.
- Use Travel-Specific Containers: Make sure your cat litter is packed in a resealable bag to make security more smooth.
- Prepare for Contingencies: If pet stores do not carry your cat litter, consider ordering it ahead of time for delivery.
- Talk to the Airline: Some airlines allow special arrangements for pet owners traveling with essential items, like cat litter. It’s worth asking ahead of time if they can share guidance on how to handle your pet’s supplies.
Lesson Learned: Be Prepared for the Unexpected
We never guessed that cat litter would be flagged in airport security. This experience served as a reminder to follow the rules when traveling. What seemed like a small, insignificant item became a much bigger deal than I anticipated.
If you’re planning to travel with cat litter, make sure to review the fine print and be ready for surprises. Your pet will thank you for it. In Opal’s case, she was just glad to have her cat litter and a nap once we settled in.
Happy travels!