catmando.blog

I share this post from experience.

Traveling with a cat in your car can be both rewarding and miserable.  It all depends on how you prepare.

Preparing in advance is always a great idea.  Please don’t just decide to stick your furry little friend in a cat carrier and hope he or she will enjoy the trip.  Traveling or simply removing any pet from its comfortable surroundings is stressful and can cause unnecessary anxiety and even sickness.

There can also be stress on you as its owner.  Imagine getting to or close to your destination and learning your cat needs to have a health certificate or face some kind of unplanned quarantine. 

So here are 10 thoughts or suggestions a cat lover should consider before traveling with your furry friend.

1. Prepare in advance:

Before you even start your trip, make sure your cat’s vaccinations are up to date.  Make sure any travel permits and health certificates are also up to date and valid.  Just like you, there are times when your pet has to have proper papers and documentation before it will be allowed into some countries or even across some state lines.

• Get the proper carrier for your pet:

Just as your cat has a favorite chair or location in the house or apartment where it feels the most comfortable, the carrier you decide to use should be a familiar and comfortable place as well.  This will definitely, help reduce your cat’s anxiety.  The carrier should be spacious enough for your friend to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably.  It should also have good ventilation and be very secure.    It is also a very good idea to let your cat get used to it for a week or two before locking it up in the carrier.  Set the carrier on the floor and leave the door open.  Remember, cats are curious and eventually, he or she will begin to explore the inside.  If you make it “homey,” he or she may start using it as a safe place for sleeping.

• Go for test drives:

Gradually work toward getting your cat accustomed to traveling.  Once he or she is comfortable in its carrier, shut the door and lock it inside.  Begin by picking the carrier up and moving it around the house or apartment.  Eventually, work your way to the car and start taking your cat for drives.  Please do not let it out of the carrier, no matter how much he or she howls.  Cats tend to howl or cry when faced with the unknown and having no control over it.  After a while, it will calm down and after a few short trips, it will be ready for a longer trip.  Gradually increase the duration of your trips.

Another consideration when you finally get to the point of transporting your cat is the use of anti-anxiety medications.  Your veterinarian will be able to help you with this and remember to only use this medication as directed.  You want your cat to go on the trip you are on and not their own.

• Plan for plenty of rest stops:

When traveling, it may be difficult to keep food and water available to your cat.  They also do not have a litter box at their disposal.  Stopping often also allows you to check on your furry friend.  My number one recommendation here is DO NOT open your car door until your cat is safely in a halter and on a leash.  You never know whether your cat will make a mad dash for freedom or simply cower.  Either way, be prepared!  The worst thing that could happen is for your furry friend to decide it is going to try to find its way home on its own.

This also brings up the topic of leashes.  If you haven’t already, you should be getting your cat used to its harness, its leash, and especially being led or at least followed.  This should not be a surprise to your cat.  Just like its carrier, it is something he or she will need to get used to.

• When traveling, make sure your cat is safe and secure:

Just as if you would secure one of your children in a car seat, you should be just as careful and diligent with your cat.  Make sure its carrier is buckled in and preferably away from airbags or other flying hazards in the event you get into an accident.  This also goes back to my counsel to never let your cat out of its carrier, even if it is tame and there is no worry he or she will run off.  You would not let your child ride unsecured.

• For very long trips, consider flying:

For long trips, flying is the best and least stressful option for both of you.  Before you consider this option, make sure you do your homework and know what each airline’s rules and regulations are for flying with pets.  Find out if your cat can fly in the passenger cabin with you or whether it has to fly with the baggage.  This may have an impact on your decision.  Your cat may even need its own ticket, but traveling by air is one area where you don’t want to wait until the last minute to figure out.

• Prepare for flying:

Just like preparing to travel by car, you must do everything you can to help your furry friend get familiarized and accustomed to being in its carrier for extended periods of time.  You will also want to prepare food and water in advance.  This and the actual size of your carrier could influence the type of carrier you end up getting.  Remember to plan for the unexpected when traveling with your pet.  As many flights as I have been on, I have never seen or heard a cat in the passenger cabin. 

• When traveling, check on your cat as regularly as you can:

Pay close attention to your cat’s behavior.  You know what his or her body language looks like.  You will recognize signs of stress or anxiety, which, by the way, could include excessive meowing, howling, pacing, panting, or cowering.  Make sure you spend as much time as you can reassuring your feline friend by comforting him or her.

• Do your best to make everything as normal and routine as possible:

Try not to change your cat’s diet in the middle of a trip, or get them used to new toys or even a litterbox.  While preparing for your trip, act normal and do not ignore your furry friend.  If possible help reassure them by keeping the same schedule of feeding, litter box breaks, treats, and playtime.  All of this will help reduce the stress he or she is bound to incur when they travel.

1. Be patient and flexible:

As I mentioned, be prepared for the unexpected.  Traveling with any pet can result in unexpected challenges.  Remember the old United States Marine Corps saying, “Improvise, Adapt and Overcome.”  By knowing this in advance, you will be able to stay calm in the face of adversity and challenges.  By staying composed, you will also help your cat feel safe and secure. 

Lastly, consider having your cat microchipped.  Your local veterinarian or humane society can usually do this for you.  You can also do-it-yourself, if you’re brave enough.  This is just added insurance should you and your cat get separated somehow.  Along with this idea, I would highly recommend an air tag collar for your cat.  These are inexpensive and easy-to-use devices that can help you locate your cat should it be lost or left somewhere.  If you do not have an Apple device, here is another option.