An Indian couple travelling from Jeddah on March 2 on Saudia Airlines had brought the cat along with them.
The animal was seized and detained by the Customs sleuths as it was not a recognised route for importing the pets, Customs Commissioner Sumit Kumar told PTI here.
The official said Saudia Airlines was asked to send the cat back to Jeddah as the couple had not carried documents necessary for bringing a pet to India.
Besides, Kochi International Airport is not a route for bringing pets as it does not have a quarantine facility, the official said.
"Import of pets is allowed only at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad Airports which have animal quarantine facility," Kumar said.
The seizure was subject to adjudication, payment of fine and penalty, he added.
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