The car is all packed, the kids are buckled in, snacks and drinks are within easy reach, the road map is in the glove compartment, and there are enough CDs to last the entire trip—no need to suffer through the same three songs on the radio every hour. You’re just pulling out of the driveway when you hear it: that horrid mewling, like someone in the backseat is slaughtering a cat. You know it won’t last long as you pull onto the highway, cranking up the stereo just a little more. It doesn’t matter; you’ve been in the car for less than fifteen minutes, and the original horrid mewling would be a welcome relief compared to the squalling cries your feline friend is belting out. You still have six hours to go, and you know he has a lot more juice in him than that. Traveling with a cat can be a living nightmare for some kitties.
It’s becoming increasingly popular to bring your pet on vacation. With pet-friendly hotels and the welcoming nature of long-distance relatives, you might find yourself traveling with a cat more often in the upcoming years. That is, of course, if you can figure out how to prevent the shrieking yowl that has the kids covering their ears and begging for the first rest stop within half an hour of leaving the driveway. It can be enough to make you turn the car around.
Tips for a Smoother Journey with Your Cat
Fortunately, there are numerous little tricks you can try before your next road trip. However, not all disgruntled felines will take to anything other than their beloved home, and you may want to consider the quality of the trip overall for those who refuse to be comforted.
To rule out general dissatisfaction and loneliness as the main cause for the ruckus your cat insists on creating, try keeping the carrier (he’s in a pet carrier, isn’t he?) close enough so that a human he really likes can reach in from time to time to reassure him that he’s not alone. For some cats, this is really all it takes. Others, however, seem to demand their own personal suite for the next trip.
Cats are truly unique creatures. No two are alike, and their personalities can range from dog-like companionship to aloof beings who only show up for food and the occasional scratch on the head. How your cat relates to you—and how much interaction he prefers—will partly determine how well he handles traveling as your companion.
Cats should always go inside the carrier. Even lap-friendly cats, who are more than content to roam around the car while you rack up the miles, need to be confined for their own safety. Some cats may go crazy at the mere thought of enduring a car ride. These cats are usually better off being left at home or sedated if the trip is unavoidable.
Keeping your cat safe is the number one priority. Cat carriers, hotel rooms with pet privacy (which is nothing more than a “Do Not Disturb” sign and the option to refuse housekeeping services), and some form of safe confinement while you’re out of the room are essential. If you’re staying at a relative’s or friend’s house, you’ll still need to ensure that your cat can’t escape—especially if there are other animals in the house.
Keeping your cat happy while also keeping him safe is no easy task. He needs to be confined, which can be torturous for a cat who hasn’t yet adjusted to the carrier. Introducing him to the idea of the carrier well before the trip, for random periods of time, is highly recommended. Traveling with a cat becomes much easier when your feline companion has a basic understanding of what’s going on.
The actual act of traveling—whether by car or by plane—is undoubtedly the hardest part of the trip for 98% of cat companions. Some cats can be comforted through the bars of the pet carrier, while others may claw, bite, or scratch at any fingers attempting to offer comfort. How he handles his fear will determine his actions. Never let children try to comfort the cat until you know how he will react.
Other cats may be more content with a few familiar toys and belongings scattered throughout the carrier. Some prefer to be completely covered—a blanket over the carrier works well for the kitty who doesn’t want to see the world rushing by. Others are more interested in their surroundings and feel the need to peek out the windows of the car to maintain a sense of control. Finding what works best for your cat is a matter of trial and error. A few short trips in the months leading up to the big trip will help you figure out what works best.
If your cat requires regular use of sedatives before a trip, you may want to reconsider whether travel is truly better for him—or for you. Sedatives should never be administered lightly.
If you know you’ll be traveling with a cat from the start, begin car training him as early as possible. Small trips here and there (never leave a cat unattended in the car, especially in hot or cold weather) will help him get used to the idea of traveling from the very beginning.
