Traveling can be a nightmare. The packing, the traffic, the security lines, the cost – it’s pretty amazing what we put ourselves through just to get away. But traveling with cats is an entirely different matter, which I have dealt with personally.
In 2016, I moved from California to upstate New York with my two cats, Daisy and Fredo. There was a long layover between flights, so we had a good eight hours of travel during the day. None of the cats enjoyed the trip; Daisy screamed and thrashed around her carrier the entire time, while Fredo froze in one spot, refusing to make eye contact with me.
How to travel with a cat
Dr. M. Kathleen Shaw of Latham Animal Hospital in Latham, New York, says these types of reactions are common in anxiety-prone cats. The trick is to do everything you can ahead of time to keep your furry baby calm.
Using Feliway, which is available as a spray or wipes, is one way to do this. “It’s a calming pheromone,” she says. “We can’t smell it, but cats can. It’s been proven to reduce stress and really seems to help a lot of cats when they travel.” Another option is to place something that smells like you, like a t-shirt, in the carrier.
Before embarking on road or air travel, make sure you have the necessary items to keep your cat safe. “Always have a copy of your cat’s medical records with you,” says Dr. Shaw. “And put an ID tag on your cat that has your cell phone number.” So if your cat runs away while you’re on the way, you can be reached.
I found a few additional things useful:
A disposable pad to absorb urine and make the baby carrier a little more comfortable.
Wet wipes, small trash bags and disposable gloves to clean cat feces from the transport cage.
A harness and a leash, in case we had to open the baby carrier during a layover to clean it.
A small container with dry treats.
A bowl of water and a bottle of water to offer during our stopover.
Should You Give Your Cat Anti-Anxiety Medication When Traveling?
According to Dr. Shaw, anxiety and motion sickness are very common in cats. Know how your cat travels – does he panic every time you take him to the vet, or is he colder? – is a good way to gauge how they would fare on a long trip.
Before leaving, take your cat to the vet for a check-up. Discuss whether or not your cat would be a good candidate for medication for anxiety or motion sickness, which can make the experience much more pleasant for your cat.
That said, Dr. Shaw says “one thing we absolutely cannot do is sedate. Lots of people ask for sedatives, but it can be dangerous because some of them can lower a cats blood pressure. S “They have health issues, it can be risky. Anxiety is one thing, but sedatives are another. It’s a different class of drugs.”
Fly with a cat
You know how different airlines all are when it comes to baggage fees? Well, they are just as varied when it comes to traveling with pets.
Before booking your flight, check the airline’s website for details on acceptable carrier size, travel restrictions and fees. Most airline fees range from $95 to $125 per pet, per flight. There are also limits on the number of pets allowed on board at a time, so you’ll need to make a reservation for your cat in advance. This sometimes requires calling the airline, so give yourself time to do your homework before purchasing your ticket.
The Best Cat Carriers for Airplane
Airlines require pets on board to remain in an under-seat carrier, like any other smaller personal items. As such, you’ll want to invest in a tissue holder that can fit in a tight space. The Sherpa Travel Pet Carrier is the one I used for each of my cats, and it worked well.
A similar, cheaper option is the Henkelion cat carrier, which can hold pets up to 15 pounds. This one was not an option for me when I traveled as one of my cats is larger in size. And comfort, emphasizes Dr. Shaw, is key. “Make sure your cat can stand up and turn around comfortably in the crate if it’s going to be there for a long time,” she says.
Traveling with cats by car
According to Dr. Shaw, one of the biggest mistakes cat owners make on car trips is letting the cat roam freely in the car. “Keep them in the carrier unless you’re arrested,” she says. “If you get in a car accident, it’s like you weren’t restrained, the cat will die. And if the cat doesn’t die in the broken glass, it can escape and you’ll never see it again. ”
She adds that it’s also risky for the driver, because “he never wants to sit in the passenger seat and curl up in a ball. He’s either on your lap or under your feet. It’s too distracting.”
The safest way to travel by car with your cat is to secure its cage in the back seat. You can either keep the kennel on the ground or secure it to the seat with a seat belt. Covering the carrier can also help your pet feel more secure. Before you go on a trip, do a trial run to find out what they prefer.
Although you may be tempted to let the cat out to use the litter box at a sleeping area, Dr. Shaw says that’s not a good idea. “I can’t remember in 24 years and with all the cats I’ve had, a cat using its litter box in a rest area,” she says. “You risk them escaping from the car, and often it’s difficult to get the cat back into the car.”
The best thing to do is to get to your destination as quickly as possible. And, of course, never leave your pet unattended inside a parked vehicle. Even with the windows open, the temperature can reach dangerously high levels.
Best cat transporter for cars
Unlike air travel, a hard case is perfect for a long road trip. Two of the best sellers on Amazon are the Petmate two-door kennel and the Amazon Basics two-door top-loading kennel.
Luckily, in my experience, my cats were fine once we reached our destination and let them out of their cages. Although it was a long day, planning ahead and having all the right tools helped a lot.