Are you considering a trip with your cat? Don’t forget, “trips” don’t necessarily have to fall into the category of dream vacation; they can also include move to a new home, a drive to the vet’s office, a freedom ride home from the shelter or even an evacuation in the event of an emergency.
Be sure to keep your cat safe by taking a few moments to read through our top 10 tips for traveling with your cat:
Acclimate your cats to their carriers.
We only take one cat at a time to the vet’s office, but we have a pet carrier for each of our cats in case we should need to suddenly evacuate.
When wildfire danger was especially high in our region, we kept the carriers out 24/7 so they could be quickly accessed. It taught us an important lesson, though: by keeping the carriers out, opened, and filled with a soft blanket and special cat toy, it helped our cats lose their fear of the carrier! Instead of the carrier meaning a trip to the vet’s office, it became home base for our cats.
Today it is much faster for us to load each cat into his carrier, making it less stressful for them and far safer in the event of a sudden evacuation. Once in the car, we secure the carrier using a Kurgo Carrier Keeper so that, in the event of a sudden stop, the carrier is secured.
Make sure your cat is properly vaccinated.
Talk with your veterinarian about proper vaccinations for your cat; if there’s a chance you may need to board your cat en route, you’ll also need proof of those immunizations. (Even if you don’t plan to board your cat, it’s best to be prepared on a long trip. What if you should become ill or be involved in an accident?)
If you’ll be crossing state lines, you’ll also need a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI).
Research places to stay.
Don’t plan on overnighting with your cats? What if a natural disaster means you need to evacuate? It’s a great idea to have a list of pet-friendly hotels in driving distance in case you find yourself in a hotel. If you’re in a hurricane area, maintain a list of cat-friendly hotels outside your evacuation zone.
Prepare for Cleanup.
Let’s face it: messes happen. Although your cat’s litter box use may be flawless at home, either stress or the scent of previous four-legged guests and other factors may lead to a mess. Travel with a bag of cleanup essentials.
Look at pheromone products.
Cat pheromone products like Feliway produce an overall feeling of comfort and safety mimicking the pheromones released by a nursing cat. Sprays you can spritz on a cat carrier are easy to travel with; plug-in diffusers can be a great option for a hotel room or a new home.
Check and doublecheck before opening the carrier.
When you arrive at a hotel room, do a sweep of the room—twice—to look not only for anything you don’t want your cat to get hold of but also for hiding places.
Travel with food and litter.
While it takes up some space, it’s much easier to travel with your cat’s food and favorite brand of cat litter rather than shopping for it at your destination (or, worse, finding yourself having to buy a different brand.)
Microchip your cat.
Even if your cat wears a breakaway collar with a tag, it pays to have your vet place a permanent microchip in your cat in case she should be lost on a trip.
It’s also a good idea to create an ID tag with your cell phone number and–if you’ll be staying for a while– the address and phone number at your destination.
For added protection, look into high-tech tag options that use GPS or Bluetooth technology to help you track a lost cat using your cell phone.
Carry the scent of home.
Your cat’s favorite blanket, added to the cat carrier, is a comforting scent of home in a new place, whether that’s the carrier, hotel room, or a new home.
Prepare for the unplanned.
It only takes a few minutes to prepare a list of emergency veterinarians at your destination and along your route. A compact cat first aid kit also helps with minor issues along the way.
A little pre-trip preparation can make your next getaway with your cat a successful—and most importantly—a safe one for both you and your cat.
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