How To Travel Long Distances With A Cat

How To Travel Long Distances With A Cat

Introduction

While one of the most important things in moving to a new city is ensuring that your pet has all the essentials, sometimes having a car can make this more difficult. For example, if you’re taking your cat on an airplane or driving cross-country in an RV, making sure you have room for all the basics (litter box, food and water bowls, treats) can be hard enough. It’s still possible to take a road trip or move to another city with your cat! It just takes some planning ahead of time.

Get your cat used to their carrier.

It is recommended that you allow your cat to get used to the carrier before you leave. This means letting them explore the carrier, and even sleeping in it if they choose. If they do not seem interested in exploring the carrier, try putting a small amount of food or something else they enjoy inside it and closing the door so they can’t escape but can still see out. You could also try feeding them there or putting another toy or item inside that attracts them to go into it on their own accord.

Once they are used to being in the carrier, make sure to leave it open while traveling so they have access to water and food at all times (this is especially important if you have an older cat who might have trouble getting around). Make sure not too close the door when transporting them either; during this time, let your cat roam around freely so he/she doesn’t feel trapped in any way

Start with a short drive, then go for longer drives.

Before you leave, make sure your cat is comfortable in their carrier. Open the door and let them explore it. If they are not comfortable, try leaving the door open with a treat inside so they can explore at their leisure. Once they are comfortable, close the door and keep it closed for about 30 seconds before letting them out of the carrier (again with a treat).

Once you’ve left for your trip—and stopped once or twice along the way—feed your cat again after each stop to reward them for being good. If your pet seems stressed by the car ride, take frequent breaks so they can get out of their carrier and stretch their legs. As time goes on, gradually increase how long you travel between stops until you arrive at your destination.

Create a cozy carrier environment.

  • Make sure the carrier is big enough for your cat. If you’re using a soft-sided carrier, make sure it’s big enough to allow your cat to sit, stand and turn around comfortably. If you’re using a hard-sided carrier (or any other type of carrier), make sure the measurements are appropriate according to your cat’s size and weight. You should also measure how tall they are when sitting upright so that they can stretch out comfortably in the carrier without bumping their head on top or hitting it against furniture while you’re moving about as well as making sure there’s plenty of space between them and walls or other solid objects so that they won’t feel trapped or scared in any way during travel time—this means leaving at least four inches of opening around all sides for air circulation!
  • Make sure the material is comfortable for both yourself and your pet. Choose carriers made from lightweight fabrics like polyester mesh which have breathable properties allowing airflow between them; this helps prevent sweating from occurring when wearing them over long periods of time such as during plane rides where temperatures tend trap heat more intensely than outside environments do (especially if there are no windows). Some cats will even find these materials soothingly familiar because similar types were used back during kittenhood!

Try new things so your cat doesn’t get freaked out when you pack your luggage.

  • Start small. If your cat is already freaked out by the sound of an empty suitcase being closed, don’t try to introduce them to it full of clothes and shoes. Instead, put something small and familiar inside the suitcase: a toy, or even just some treats.
  • Try something new that’s unfamiliar but not scary. If your cat likes the little treat you put in their suitcase, try another one next time—and then maybe move on to an item that smells different than what they’re used to (but not unpleasant).
  • Keep trying new things! The more they get used to these new situations (like seeing a packing list) before you leave on your trip, the less likely they’ll be freaked out on the actual day itself (when you’re taking them for a walk for instance).

Bring along some familiar scents.

  • Bring along some familiar scents.

If you are moving, bring along some of your cat’s favorite toys and/or treats. If you are traveling, bring along a favorite toy or blanket that smells like home to help calm them down while they’re in the car or flying across the country (or beyond).

Bring along something comforting and non-perishable to eat, just in case they suddenly don’t like dry food anymore.

It’s not a bad idea to bring along something comforting and non-perishable to eat, just in case they suddenly don’t like dry food anymore. This can be anything from a favorite treat to a toy or blanket.

If your cat is used to eating wet food, you may want to consider bringing along some of their favorite brand or flavor in case they get picky on the road.

Make sure they’re up-to-date on vaccines and have a good vet nearby.

You’ll want to make sure your cat is up-to-date on all their vaccines. If you’ve adopted a cat from a shelter, they may not have been properly vaccinated and it’s best to get them up-to-date as soon as possible. It’s also important to have a good vet nearby so that you can take care of any health issues that arise quickly.

Make sure you trust the vet that you choose and feel comfortable taking your cat there if they need medical attention or if something goes wrong during travel. You’ll want to make sure they can help with any issues that may arise during long trips, such as motion sickness or anxiety attacks.

If a drive is completely out of the question, maybe fly instead.

If a drive is completely out of the question, maybe fly instead. If you’re going to do that, though, make sure you have a good carrier and airline. Make sure they both have experience transporting animals like yours. And pay careful attention to what happens with your cat during the flight: Are there people at home waiting for them? Do they have a place to stay overnight in case of delays? Do any staff members seem especially fond of cats or animals in general? Are there toys or treats available for their enjoyment? Is there an option to upgrade their meals from kibble and water (which may be understandable) to something more palatable like sashimi tuna or filet mignon (which might not be so understandable)? These are all important questions for anyone traveling with their feline friend; but it’s especially important if that person happens to enjoy flying as much as I do!

Your cat can travel with you in an RV trip or for a move.

If you’re planning a road trip or moving, your cat can come along. There are some things to consider before setting off on your adventure with Fido in tow.

What to bring:

  • Cat carrier and litter box (optional)
  • Collar and leash (if you plan to walk your cat outside)
  • Food and water bowls, food and treats (if you don’t want to carry these with you)

Conclusion

Traveling with a cat is not impossible and it can be done. Don’t let your fears keep you from bringing them along. With proper planning and preparation, they’ll be just as happy as you are to explore the world together.

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