Despite what the general public believes, cats can be great travel companions. They are, after all, creatures of comfort who cherish their space and habits, but you can have them accompany you on any journey—even if it takes hours, days, weeks, or longer—if you prepare ahead of time and practice mindfulness. As a regular traveler, I can say that having my cat, Rajah, by my side has made for some of my favorite trips. We’re excited to share all that we’ve learned with the Travel Cat community after traveling by car, train, and aircraft to all four corners of our nation and beyond.
Your cat’s comfort is the most crucial consideration for a successful cat-friendly journey, regardless of how adventurous or how much of a homebody they are (my cat is somewhere in between, for what that’s worth!). Everything you need to know about taking a cat on long-distance flights, trains, and automobile trips is provided here. If you want to know how to travel with a cat, then you are at the right place.
How to Drive a Cat in the Car Over Long Distances
The most popular—and advised—method of transporting your cat on a trip is via car. You will have the most control over the trip, making sure your cat is secure and comfortable at every turn, even though the travel may take a while depending on the location. There are some steps for how to travel with a cat, from which you can get an idea.
Determine All of the Journey’s Specifics
Determining the specifics of your trip should come first, before you worry about and get your cat ready for travel. You’re heading where? How much time will it take you to arrive there? Are you planning to remain overnight? If yes, for what length of time and where will you be staying? How are you returning to your house? It will be simpler to organize and make accommodations for your cat’s vacation role the more details you have in advance.
Take the Automobile for Practice Drives
For your cat and yourself, a two-hour car ride could seem like a long way if they’ve only ever gone to the vet. For a car ride that length, however, much less preparation is needed than for one that will take twelve hours. Before you leave, consider reading our advice on road-tripping with your cat here and making use of these suggestions.
Teach your Cat to Relieve Himself Outside
For cats who like to spend their time indoors, this advice is crucial! Because cats are creatures of habit, there’s no difference in the way or location of their “business” activities. Your cat will need to go potty outside or in a litter box that isn’t in their private spot at home while you travel with them. Certain cats may find this quite startling and may decide to hold their urine until they are in a more comfortable place. You should not force the cat to hold it in for too long, so before you go, try to convince your cat to use the lavatory outside or bring our convenient, portable porta-party litter box!
Top Tips for Preserving Your Cats’ Safety When Travelling
There are some tips that will make you able to know how to travel with a cat.
Durable and Comfy Carrier
Purchasing a durable and comfy carrier for your cat to travel in is the first and most crucial step in ensuring their safety in the vehicle. You can use it as a horizontal carrier, which enables my cat to stretch out and get cozy on longer trips, and because it is roomy enough while upright for my cat to stand, walk around or curl up, I own and use “The Jackson Galaxy” Convertible Cat Backpack. Due to “The Navigator” Cat Backpack’s extra-airy mesh material, I recently bought it for Adventure Cats as a backup carrier.
Because they can’t control their body temperature like people can, cats may overheat in your automobile if the air circulation isn’t very good. Although it’s crucial to maintain a comfortable temperature for your cat inside your car, you can unzip the top of the backpack to allow them to get a breath of fresh air if they seem to be getting too hot (they will frequently begin panting like dogs when this happens).
Ways to Make Your Cat More Comfortable on Lengthy Car Rides
As previously indicated, car travel that is much longer than usual—by a few hours or days, for example—can cause significant adjustment and maybe stress for your cat. Luckily, there are a few things to remember and techniques to get ready that will make it simpler and more pleasurable for you both.
What has to be Packed for Your Feline?
Don’t forget to include the necessities for your cat! Don’t forget about your cat’s favorite things if they provide them joy! This is essential to making your cat cozy in their new home, whether it’s a particular kind of food, their most cherished blanket, or a cherished toy.
Perhaps you might pack a portable cat scratcher to use after you get to your destination—not in the car or on the flight! You can let your cat enjoy the outdoors securely by getting them a play tent. To prevent your cuddly cats from being agitated when traveling, make sure you have enough food and water for them.
How much Pee or Feces can Cats Hold?
To keep your cat happy, you should take frequent pauses. Cats can frequently postpone using the restroom for extended periods, only using it roughly four times daily. My cat is more prone to become restless in his carrier the longer the car travels, but I still make sure to take lots of pauses. I’ll wait until we’re stopped before reaching down to pick him up and placing him on my lap for a quick break if he’s wriggling a lot and attempting to get out of the cat backpack. He enjoys sitting on my lap, giving kisses, and kicking back while gazing out the window!
How do you Handle Nervousness when Traveling?
Even when their favorite things are in their carrier and they’ve grown used to it, some cats may still experience anxiety when traveling. “Should I sedate my cat for travel?” is a question we are asked frequently. Furthermore, even though we are not veterinarians—please visit one if you are thinking about taking this route—we would advise “no.” We highly recommend Jackson Galaxy’s Easy Traveller: An All-Natural Holistic Solution as one of several safer, simpler, and more holistic alternatives to sedated cats.
Conclusion
Before your trip, make sure to find out from your veterinarian if your cat needs any shots, blood tests, or further documentation. In this article, we tried our best to answer you the question of how to travel with a cat. If you intend to travel outside of the United States, this is very crucial. Make sure to research the requirements as some foreign nations may need months of ahead planning. When traveling by vehicle or air, carry documentation of your vaccinations with you and inquire with the airline, state, or nation of destination about any additional paperwork that may be required, such as a health certificate or a certificate of veterinary inspection.
FAQs
Answer: Essential items include a secure carrier, food, water, a litter box, medications, and comfort items like toys or blankets.
Answer: Acclimate your cat to the carrier, ensure they are comfortable, and consult with a vet for any travel-specific advice or medications.
Answer: Keep the carrier covered to reduce stimuli, use calming sprays or pheromones, and maintain a calm demeanor..
Answer: Take regular breaks for feeding, water, and litter box use, and ensure the car is well-ventilated and at a comfortable temperature.
