It's no surprise that most cats dislike car rides. Unlike their canine counterparts, cats don't get to stick their heads out the window or take fun trips to the dog park. Instead, cats usually associate cars with a dreaded visit to their nemesis, the vet.
Car rides are a stressful experience for many cats. Cats typically prefer environments that are familiar to them. Also, the noisiness, unfamiliar smells, and fast-moving pace of cars create anxiety for cats.
While a crate is a great option for shorter road trips, it's not ideal for a trip longer than six hours. Your cat needs access to water and litter, and anything more than six hours is a bit unfair.
If your cat is past kittenhood, don't worry: Adult and senior cats can still learn to tolerate car rides. Rule out motion sickness: If your cat already has difficulty traveling in the car, ask your vet whether your cat could be getting motion sickness. Symptoms include drooling, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
While it may be tempting to let your cat roam freely in the car, that is not safe for anybody. Your cat should always be in a carrier.
Most of the time, traveling is quite safe for cats. For extended trips that will be a week or longer, traveling with your cat may make more sense than leaving them at home. Being away from home with your cat for several days allows them to get comfortable with a new environment and stay on their usual routine.
The safest place for a cat is in a carrier
The safest place for your cat during a car ride is in a carrier. A free-roaming cat in the car is a safety hazard. A loose cat could slip under the brake pedal, escape through a window, or bury herself beneath the seat. Even well-behaved cats should be placed in a carrier.
Some cats become very nervous in unfamiliar situations, like cars. They might start meowing loudly or even get sick. If this sounds like your cat, you need every tip you can find to help calm down your cat in the car.
Many cats will be perfectly fine in the car without medication, as long as you take appropriate steps to keep them comfortable. But if your cat is particularly anxious, it may be a good idea to talk to your veterinarian about anxiety medication to keep them calm in the car.
Travel Litter Box, Scoop & Litter Supply
Bringing a travel litter box along on a road trip is a must. Your cat needs a place to go, and you definitely don't want that place to be your back seat. Bring "The Porta Pawty" Travel Litter Box and use your cat's normal litter to keep their mess contained.
Most of the time, cats travel quite well with no need for any medication. Some cats, on the other hand, do experience stress when traveling. Consult your veterinarian to create the best travel plan for your cat if she does not travel well.
For short distances, you don't have to worry about planning potty breaks, setting up a litter box, or providing food and water. In fact, it's best for kitty not to eat or drink before or during a car ride as the motion and anxiety can upset her stomach and lead to vomiting in the crate.
Cats are very sensitive to smells, and having something with them in the car that carries a familiar scent can make them feel much more at ease. Some options could include their bed, a blanket they like, or a pillow they usually sit on at home. The scents and textures will feel familiar and act as a calming presence.
Most of the time, cats travel quite well without the need for medication. Some cats, on the other hand, experience tremendous stress when subjected to air travel. Consult your veterinarian to create the best travel plan for your cat if she does not travel well.
Your car ride really throws a wrench in their plans. Your cat wants to maintain control over a familiar environment. Cats want access to all the things they want at the precise moment they want them. Your cat can't cuddle up in the windowsill and watch or stalk the birds when you're driving down the interstate.
Many car seats are sloped, so the best way to make sure the carrier is on a level surface is to place a rolled-up towel on the seat underneath the carrier. Cover the carrier with a sheet or blanket to provide your cat with extra privacy and reduce how much your cat is disturbed by things going on outside.
Am I giving the cat opportunities to tell me if they still want to be stroked? You can test this by following a simple 3 second rule: If you pause after 3 seconds of stroking your cat, do they try to reinitiate contact (i.e. rub against you)? If not, your cat has probably had enough for now!
It is not safe to have your cat roaming freely in your vehicle while you are driving. Your cat could become frightened and dart under the brake pedal or accelerator, possibly causing an accident. In addition, having a cat jumping around the vehicle is a dangerous distraction.
Anyone simply "present" in their life is someone they may remember, but not associate with any emotion. But as long as you and your cat have shared a pet or two, and as long as you fed them a few of their favorite meals, your cat will remember you as well no matter how long you are gone.
Many cats like going outside and one way to keep them safe is to teach them to walk on a leash. Before you take them outside, get them used to wearing a harness. Most cats have never had something wrapped around their body like a dog has.
Catnip can calm and soothe some cats. As an herb, catnip is easy to grow at home. If you grow it, you may find your kitty indulging in it at intervals throughout the day and maybe even chewing on it. For the most part, it's a fairly harmless indulgence.
Some airports have pet relief stations that you can use. If you cannot find these, you can use a family bathroom with a door. Our suggestion is that you set up your cat litter tray with a little bit of cat litter. You can remove their business using the doggy bags while wearing your gloves.
Most adult cats are fine being left home alone for up to 24 hours, under the right conditions (more on that below). If you need to leave for two or three days, a full week, or longer, you should make sure someone is coming over to care for your cat daily.
No matter how independent your cat is, we do not recommend leaving your cat alone without daily visits from a friend or a professional cat-sitter for more than two or three days. Today, there are many options to care for your cat while you are away. Keep in mind that, cats tend to be independent, territorial animals.