How To Travel In A Car With A Cat

Introduction

If you’re planning to travel by car with your cat, it is important to do a few things to make sure he stays safe and calm during the trip. First, you need to prepare ahead of time and take the cat’s personality into account. Once you’ve got a road-ready carrier, get your cat used to spending time inside it. Put a thick blanket inside so that your kitty will be comfortable, and don’t forget food, water and toys for on the go! Let her explore the car before you start driving so that she has time to get used to it. During the trip, keep her calm by turning on music or talk radio — not the news — or keeping the windows down just a little bit so she can hear outdoor sounds as well as you and your companions. Try to stop periodically so that she can stretch her legs, do her business, and get some fresh air. That way she’ll be perfectly fine when you reach your destination!

Prepare ahead of time.

Preparing for a trip with your cat is simple: make sure you have everything you need. This includes making sure you have the proper carrier, food and water bowls, a litter box (if necessary), portable bed or blanket, toys and treats.

Make sure your cat has been to the vet recently so that any shots are up to date. You might also consider bringing some medicine along in case of an emergency or something more mundane like motion sickness. It’s also wise to consider what sort of situations might upset your pet and plan accordingly. If they don’t like loud noises or sudden movements, it would be prudent not to drive through downtown Chicago while fireworks are going off during the Fourth of July!

Take your cat’s personality into consideration.

Cats have different personalities. Some are more nervous than others, and some are more willing to sit still in a car while it’s moving. Before you get started on your trip, consider your cat’s personality and decide what will make them the most comfortable.
Some cats prefer riding up front while others prefer riding in back (or even middle). If your cat is the type that likes being close to you, consider buying a seat cover so they can sit directly on top of you rather than needing to squeeze into their own space with room for both of you at once.
It is possible for some people to be claustrophobic but most cats aren’t—they just want something warm and soft to snuggle up against! A good way to keep a nervous or anxious kitty calm during long drives is by providing him or her with plenty of opportunities throughout each day (before going somewhere far away) where he can climb onto furniture near whatever window happens

Make sure your cat is microchipped.

If your cat is microchipped, it’s easier to find her if she gets lost. A microchip is nothing more than a tiny computer chip that’s implanted under the skin in your kitty’s neck. The process only takes a few seconds and is completely painless for your cat! Once the chip has been inserted, it sends out an ID number that identifies your pet uniquely to pet-tracking companies like [petfinders](https://www.petfinder.com/).

If you’re worried about cost or having to spend too many days away from home while they do their thing, try checking out some local shelters like [Humane Society of Southern Arizona](http://www.humanesocietysaaz.org) or [Arizona Animal Welfare League](http://aawl4pets.org/) for free options like vaccination clinics or low-cost services such as microchipping and spay/neuter surgeries for pets of all ages!

Get your cat used to the carrier you’ll be using.

Before you hit the road, let your cat spend time inside the carrier. Cats like to be comfortable, and they are more likely to settle down if they feel at home in their carrier. Let your cat play with toys and sleep in the carrier while it’s empty. This will help them associate positive feelings with their new home on wheels!

You can also help by parking your car with its windows rolled down for a few minutes every day before you go on a long trip—the sound of traffic will make your kitty feel less anxious about traveling!

Place a thick blanket inside your cat’s carrier to help make it more comfortable.

Place a thick blanket inside your cat’s carrier to help make it more comfortable.
Bring along a blanket that your cat is familiar with, even if it’s not their favorite one. A familiar smell will help them feel more at home during their travels and make them less stressed. Make sure that the blanket is warm enough for your cat to lay on comfortably and soft enough for them to sleep on. It should also be clean—if not washed beforehand, at least shake off any dust before putting it inside your car for the trip.

Bring along water, food and toys for your cat.

Bring along water, food and toys for your cat. It’s a good idea to bring along a few toys that can be tossed around or played with by your cat in the car. If you have an outdoor kitty, it’s best to keep them inside when they’re traveling in the car so they don’t run away. You should also fill up your water bowl before leaving the house so that you don’t have any accidents during long trips.

Bring along a bed or carrier if necessary: If you have an older cat who hasn’t had much experience traveling in cars, then it may be safer to put him/her in a carrier while driving to his destination instead of letting him roam freely outside of it because he may get scared and hide under seats/tables/trunks which could cause serious harm if something were ever dropped on top of them (or worse).

Let your cat explore the car before you start driving.

Before you drive, let your cat explore the car. Cats like to have a good idea of where they are before they start moving around. They also like to say goodbye to their surroundings, so don’t be surprised if your cat jumps on the driver’s seat and looks out of the window for just a few minutes. This is normal!

Keep your cat calm during the trip by turning on music or talk radio — not the news — or keeping the windows down just a little bit during the ride so he can hear outdoor sounds as well as you and your companions.

Keep your cat calm during the trip by turning on music or talk radio — not the news — or keeping the windows down just a little bit during the ride so he can hear outdoor sounds as well as you and your companions.
Make sure your carrier is secure in its place, with a seatbelt holding it in place before pulling out of the driveway.
Don’t let your pet out of his carrier until you are home safely (at least half an hour after driving).

Stop periodically so that your cat can stretch his legs, do his business and get some fresh air.

Take frequent breaks. Cats need time to stretch their legs, do their business and get some fresh air. You should plan to stop every couple of hours for at least five minutes so that your cat can go outside and stretch her legs. If you have a dog as well, be sure to give them both an opportunity to get out of the car and stretch their legs.
Don’t forget to fill up your gas tank before leaving on your trip!
Bring a litter box, a towel in case of accidents, food and water bowls and toys for entertainment (if needed) with you when traveling with your cat(s).

The more prep you do ahead of time, the better!

Before you head out on your journey with your kitty cat in tow, be sure to prepare for any situation that might come up. You never know what kind of trouble your feline friend will get into while on vacation or away from home. Be prepared for anything: anything at all. And if you’re not sure what things might happen when traveling with a cat and driving long distances, here are just some examples:

Your cat may fall asleep at random points during the trip and refuse to wake up until she’s ready or hungry (or both). This can result in some pretty big delays along the way if it happens when there are other cars around—even though it’s totally normal behavior!
Your cat might have an emergency bathroom situation that requires taking an unscheduled stop somewhere along the highway where nobody else is around to assist him in his momentary need for relief (and maybe even throw away his litter box afterward).
Your cat could get motion sickness from riding inside a moving vehicle for too long without stopping; this makes him feel nauseous and irritable as well as depressed about being millions of miles from home instead of lying peacefully on top of someone’s chest watching TV shows together like usual…

Conclusion

It’s important to remember that your cat’s travel experience will greatly depend on the type of car you’re traveling in. The more time you can spend getting your kitty used to being in his carrier, the better. A top-of-the-line carrier is essential; one with a solid bottom, secure door and plenty of ventilation. If your cat becomes extremely anxious or aggressive during the trip, try placing a thick blanket inside his crate so he’ll feel more comfortable or, if possible, take turns driving with another adult so you can sit in the backseat with your pet.