Have you ever made a road trip with your feline family member? Did it go smoothly? For many cat owners the answer to the first question is, ”No”, but if it is “yes” then there is a good chance the answer to the second is a resounding, “NO”. Although the most commonly traveled with pet is the dog, there are many cat lovers who choose to bring their cats along on their trips.
But unlike dogs who are typically eager to jump in the car for a road trip, cats are much more hesitant and usually require a bit more preparation. Should you be contemplating traveling with your cat, there a variety of steps you can take to minimize the stress for both you and your cat. Let’s get started!
- Place the carrier in your vehicle in secure location where your cat can see you.
- Always use a pet carrier when traveling in a car. It should be large enough for your cat to lie down in, stand up in and turn around, if it is big enough to place a few familiar toys and a blanket inside of, then even better.
- At the outset of the trip, allow your cat to explore your vehicle and become comfortable with the space, as this will reduce stress. Placing the carrier inside the car during this time will make it easier for the cat to become aware of the surroundings and space. Start the car, but don’t go anywhere the first time or two. In fact, it is recommended that you do this 2 to 3 times a day for several days prior to your trip.
- After several times where your cat has experienced the sounds of a non-moving vehicle, take a few practice rides to get your cat accustomed to the movement and space. You may wish to start with short trips and build up to longer ones.
- At the end of each ride, reward your cat. This will help to create a positive connection.
- If you will be traveling a long distance, be sure to allot for potty breaks for Fluffy. Have the leash handy, so that these breaks are easier and safer for all involved. The leash is also safer for walking your cat once you reach your destination.
- Be sure that the destination/hotel you plan to stay in allows pets. Also, keep in mind that hotel balconies can be extremely dangerous for cats as they can fall.
- Pack extra food, some bottled water and litter box related items. However, do not feed your cat the morning of the journey. This will lessen the need for dealing with motion sickness related problems.
- Keep the carrier at a comfortable temperature. Consider stopping periodically to check that your cat is cool/warm enough.
- Be certain that your cat’s color contains your contact information. You will also want to add a new tag that contains the name of the hotel at which you are staying. No one wants to think about something happening and your cat getting away from you, but having your contact info can help should the worst-case scenario occur.
- Be sure to bring the carrier into the room with you and ask the hotel for a sign that indicates to maid service that there is a cat in the room.
Don’t wait until the day of the trip to begin these preparations –especially the first few on the list! Start several days to a week or two in advance, so that your cat is not inundated with a plethora of new experiences all at once. Just as many people do not like sudden change, most cats do not either. With a little preparation, you can travel with your cat. Of course, if you decide that it would be easier for all those involved to leave your cat behind, talk the pros at A1 Pets and let us pet sit for you. We’re here to help!
