Traveling with your cat may seem daunting, but it can be done! Here are a few things you can do to ensure the safety and well being of your cat when traveling.
Use a cat carrier
Never travel, even short distances, with your cat loose in the car. Cats can get under your feet or climb on you and impair your movement or vision. Always travel with your cat safely in a cat carrier. For longer distances, get a large dog crate (the bigger the better) and include a litterbox, a cat bed and some toys, as well as food and water (ensuring the water bowl is secure so it doesn’t tip).
Help them relax
Help keep your cat calm and relaxed by playing gentle music or using pheromones like Feliway. Give your cat treats to reinforce that their enclosure and the car ride are good things.
Prevent escapes
Make sure your cat is secure in their kennel before opening car doors or hotel room doors to ensure they don’t escape into unfamiliar territory. Always have a collar and tags on your cat, and you may want to consider having your cat wear a harness while in their kennel, so you can clip a leash on as soon as you open the door. (We do not recommend having the leash attached while they’re in the carrier, as they may get tangled and injured.)
A few other tips:
- Have current photos of your cat from different angles in case they escape so you can use them on lost posters or for identification purposes at the shelter or neighborhood where they were lost.
- Make sure your cat is current on vaccinations, including rabies, when traveling and have a copy of your veterinary records with you.
- Have your cat microchipped and register the chip with your current address. Microchips are a permanent form of identification, unlike a collar and tags which may slip off.
- If your cat is on medication, be sure to take it with you and include extra days’ worth in case your plans change and you are gone longer than expected.
- Take your cat’s food with you so you can keep them on the same diet and take extra just in case. Include treats for positive reinforcement.
- Put a T-shirt, pillowcase or something that smells like you in your cat’s carrier to help soothe them.
- If your cat has a favorite toy, take it with them.
