Posts in category: Traveling with Cats

Most cats can travel long distance without any problems. These tips for traveling with cats in a car long distance can make it less stressful for you and your cat. If your cat is trained from a young age or has become accustomed to car travel, it can be something they really enjoy.

Safest Way for Traveling With Cats in a Car

The safest way for traveling with cats in a car long distance is with a cat carry cage or crate. You need to ensure the carry cage is the right size for your cat who should have room to spread out, stand up, stretch and turn around. It’s a good idea to get your cat used to the carry cage a few weeks before the trip. Leaving it out around the house is a good way for your cat to become accustomed to it, you could even leave a few treats inside the cage for your cat to find, along with a comfortable blanket that it can lay down on.

Training Your Cat to Get Used to the Car

Training your cat to enjoy being it’s carrier cage will make long distance trips more enjoyable. Most cats can be trained given enough time and practice. If time allows, you might be able to get your cat used to being carried around the house in the cage or even on short trips around town. Cats are naturally curious, and this provides a great opportunity for them to explore your car. Take your cat in the carrier out to the car and let it get used to being inside the vehicle with the engine turned off. Take some treats for your cat and a toy that you can play with your cat through the carrier door. Remember to use plenty of treats and keep these sessions short. Eventually you can turn on the car engine for a short time to let your cat become used to the sounds and vibration of the engine running. Limit this to a minute or two and don’t do it in an enclosed space as carbon monoxide from the car exhaust can kill quickly. Eventually, you can progress to short trips around your local area. Remember that all cats are different. Some may take to traveling while others may never really enjoy it.

Ensure Your Cat Is Comfortable

Keep a blanket or similar item in the cage which smells of home and that your cat is used to. If you have time, consider using a cat harness and leash. This provides extra security to ensure your cat doesn’t escape, and would allow your cat time out of the carrier on a leash for a break during the trip. Read more about how to teach your cat to walk on a harness and leash in our article here. You can buy a suitable harness and leash for kittens and cats from your local pet store such as Animates.

When traveling with cats in a car, give your cat it’s food as close to the regular feeding time as possible, although try to make this a few hours before you’ll be traveling so the cat doesn’t get travel sick.

Secure Your Cat’s Carry Cage

When you’re traveling with cats in a car, ensure the carrier is secured in the car using a seatbelt if possible. You’ll want to make sure the carrier can’t move if you have to swerve or stop suddenly. Try to place the carrier in a position where your cat can see you during the journey. You shouldn’t let your cat roam free around the car while you’re driving. This is both distracting and dangerous. Your cat will feel safer inside the carrier. Consider placing a blanket over the carrier, whilst allowing ventilation. Cats love to hide when they feel insecure.

Take Food and Water for Your Cat

Depending on the length of the trip you should plan to take food and water for your cat. Be sure to take bowls for water and food. If you’re taking a long trip then you’ll want to have breaks along the way. This might be a chance to let your cat roam around inside the car, but be absolutely certain your windows and doors are closed. It’s also a good time to bring out the litter tray if you’re on a lengthy trip. Never leave your cat alone inside a vehicle.

Whilst traveling make sure the carrier is not in direct sunlight and that your cat is neither too hot or cold. A towel or blanket can be used to shade the carrier from the sun if necessary. Traveling with cats in a car can be simple if you take the time to be well prepared.

Can you travel with cats? The short answer is yes, traveling with cats is simple. But for a successful trip you’ll need to be prepared. Getting your cat ready to travel is best done long before the planned trip. A kitten will learn to travel better than an adult cat, although an adult cat can still successfully adapt to traveling.

When you get a new kitten you’ll no doubt want to spend quality time with them, especially as kittens are simply adorable. This is an excellent time to train your cat to accept the things it may need to do during it’s life with you – including traveling.

Training a Cat

Whether you are training a kitten or an older cat to travel, the process is the same. It may just take longer with an older cat. The key to success and traveling with cats in either case is patience and treats. Reward your cat with treats whenever it does the desired action. Don’t focus on negative behavior. Punishing a cat will never achieve anything and can be detrimental. Rather distract them when they do something you don’t want them to do.

Invest in a Good Cat Carry Cage

A good carry cage makes traveling with cats a lot simpler. You’ll want to ensure your cat associates their carry cage with positive experiences. You should leave their carry cage out in the house in a place they can frequent often. Make it a safe place for them, a place they want to go. Feed them in the carrier or leave treats for them to find to make the carrier as inviting as possible.

When your cat is accustomed to the carrier, you can close them in and walk around the house. Keep this brief, and reward them with treats immediately after you let them out. You can progress to a walk around the back yard outside, remembering to give them plenty of rewards.

How to Get Your Cat Used to Traveling in a Car

The next step is to get them used to being in the car. Extend your walk outside to the car and take them into the vehicle with you. Once they seem happy being inside the carrier in the car you can start your vehicle. Let them get used to the sound and vibrations of the engine for a minute or so. A word of caution – never leave your vehicle running in an enclosed space. Carbon monoxide from the exhaust can kill quickly and gives no smell or indications. From here you can progress to a trip around your local neighborhood.

Traveling with Cats

When traveling with cats you must ensure the carry cage is properly restrained inside the car. If possible, use one of the cars seatbelts, or place the carrier on the floor in a secure position. A carry cage unsecured on a seat can fly forwards or sideways if you stop or swerve, and an unbalanced cat in the cage will amplify this motion sending the cage and cat flying.

There are many other considerations for traveling with cats depending on the length of your trip. A short trip with a cat may simply involve putting them in their carry cage, securing the cage in the vehicle and a one or two hour drive. A cat will generally be happy to spend a couple of hours in their carry cage whilst traveling without much fuss.

Whether it’s short or long distance traveling with cats, you always need to ensure they’re comfortable. They should have a comfortable blanket or similar in the cage to sit on, and they cage should be large enough for them to stand up, stretch, and turn around in. Make sure the cage is secured in a place out of direct sun. Your cat won’t be able to move if it gets too hot or cold, so monitor this during the trip. A great idea is to place a towel over the cage to protect it from the sun. Ensure there is plenty of ventilation if you do cover the cage. Many cats prefer traveling with a towel over the cage as it’s darker and they feel secure and safe.

Traveling With a Cat Long Distance

For long distance traveling with cats you’ll need to do a bit more planning. It’d be beneficial if you’ve already harness and leash trained your cat. Check out our guide about how to train your cat to walk on a leash. This makes it safer to let your cat out of the cage when you stop for a break on a long trip. You can buy a good harness and leash for traveling with cats and kittens from a pet store like Animates. Never have your cat out of it’s cage when you’re driving. This can cause distractions, is extremely dangerous and could result in a serious vehicle accident.

Bring the cats litter box, food bowls, and water, and you can let your cat prepare for the next part of the journey. Don’t provide too much food though, as your cat may feel travel sick. Ensure they have water to drink. A long distance drive can be dehydrating. On the day of travel it’s a good idea to withhold breakfast from your cat to reduce the risk of travel sickness. Ensure your car windows and doors are closed and never leave your cat unattended in your car for long periods of time.