Traveling with your cat? Here are 5 essential tips on how to prepare for a car trip and how to calm your pet beforehand.
Visit a veterinarian
Some cats suffer from travel sickness or are very stressed. Consult your veterinarian in advance about various medications and methods that can keep your cat safe while traveling. Consider microchipping and obtaining certificates if you plan to cross borders.
Test drive
Help your cat get used to car riding by taking them with you for short periods of time. Ideally, acclimate your cat to the outdoors at a young age, introducing them to the outdoors before they're 7 weeks old. Getting older cats used to car riding is more difficult, but it's possible!
Take everything you need with you
We recommend making a separate list for your pet in advance so you don’t forget anything.
- Food, water, and bowls. Bring your cat's usual home-cooked food with you on the trip; you can even bring water from home. For convenience, consider purchasing special waterproof travel bowls.
- Toys. Bringing your cat's favorite toys from home will help avoid unnecessary stress.
- Litter box and litter. Use your pet's usual litter. You can also buy a smaller, special travel litter box. Don't forget trash bags and a dustpan.
- A carrier. An essential part of traveling with a cat. Make sure the carrier is securely and safely secured in the car and away from direct sunlight to prevent your pet from overheating.
Be prepared for stops
Cats need breaks to drink, eat, and use the litter box. We recommend stopping every 2-3 hours. If you decide to take your cat outside, don't forget a harness and leash! You never know how your pet will react in unfamiliar surroundings.
Keep your cat in a carrier
When traveling with cats, always remember to consider human safety. A free-roaming animal could create an emergency situation by getting under the brake pedal or distracting the driver. Secure the carrier with a seat belt. It's important to keep the carrier in the back seat, as if the airbags deploy, your pet could be seriously injured.
