- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Whether you’re dreaming of taking on the world with an adventure kitty by your side, moving to a new place, or bringing your cat home for the holidays, there’s a way to make traveling with a cat an enjoyable experience.
Whatever mode of transportation you choose, planning ahead is key to a successful trip. To learn more about how pet parents can make traveling with a cat easier, we spoke with Dr. Ann Hohenhaus, senior veterinarian and director of pet health information at the Animal Medical Center (AMC) in New York City.
With her insight, we’ve put together a travel roadmap, offering everything from general tips for traveling with a cat to more specific advice for the most common modes of transportation. Let’s go!
How To Make Traveling with a Cat Easier
Traveling with your cat for the first time can feel like a huge undertaking. Here are a few ways to make the experience easier for everyone.
1. Make the carrier a comfy home-on-the-go
Regardless of how you travel, your cat will most likely be in a carrier. That means your job is to help get your kitty familiar and comfortable in it before you leave.
Leading up to your trip, Dr. Hohenhaus recommends leaving the carrier out for your cat to investigate. Entice them to stay in it as much as possible. “Make it a haven with soft blankets, maybe some catnip, and occasionally a treat or two,” she says. Consider also spraying feline pheromones on the blankets, she adds, as they can induce a feeling of safety.
When it’s time to head out the door, line the carrier with potty pads in case of an accident so your cat’s not sitting in a wet mess. Consider also covering the carrier with a thick towel or blanket to block out the world like a cozy cave.
2. Manage the environment
While you can’t plan for everything, figuring out small ways to control your cat’s environment can go a long way. For instance, always place your cat’s carrier on a level surface so they’re not tilted to one side. You can roll up a towel and put it underneath the carrier to help balance things out.
If travel is going to be noisy, consider placing a portable white noise machine in or next to your cat’s crate. And always secure your cat’s crate so your kitty isn’t in for a bumpy ride.
3. Create a plan for stress and motion sickness
If your cat gets extra stressed when traveling, discuss possible anti-anxiety medications with your vet. If you’re worried your cat might get motion sickness, ask your vet if it makes sense to avoid meals until you get to your destination.
General Checklist
Before heading out the door, make sure to check these items off your to-do list.
- Visit your vet and gather health records. Before you travel, make an appointment with your vet to check that your cat is current on their vaccinations and that you have all the health certifications you need. Depending on where you’re going, this documentation can take weeks to months, so start the process well in advance.
- Ensure your cat’s IDs are up to date. Make sure the information on your cat’s ID tags and microchip is current. Dr. Hohenhaus also recommends having a recent photo of your pet’s face and side view on your phone in case they get lost while traveling.
- Condition your cat to the carrier. Consider adding one of your t-shirts or a favorite toy inside for added comfort.
- Pack a cat-away kit. Gather all of your cat’s essential items, like food, medications, and first aid supplies. You’ll also want to include bowls for food and water, treats, a portable or disposable litter box, waste bags, and pet wipes.
- Meet your cat’s needs. Make sure your cat has the opportunity to use their litter box before putting them in the carrier. Dr. Hohenhaus recommends only feeding them a light meal beforehand.
Liudmila Chernetska via iStock
Tips for Traveling by Car
Traveling by car tends to be one of the most convenient and flexible options when traveling with a cat. Here are some things to prepare before you and your free-spirited feline hit the road.
Get a crash-tested carrier
When traveling in a car with a cat, Dr. Hohenhaus recommends getting a crash-tested carrier. These carriers often have seatbelt attachments to keep your cat from moving or sliding around.
Before buying a carrier, check to see if it appears on the Center for Pet Safety’s website, as it’s the only nonprofit organization that has testing and performance requirements for these pet products.
Plan bathroom breaks
For longer trips, plan potty breaks along your route. Pack a portable litter box and keep it in your car for your cat to use. If your kitty has been trained to walk on a leash, use Google Maps’ “search along route” feature to find public parks and green spaces.
Don’t be alarmed, however, if your cat’s not interested in doing their business. It’s often perfectly normal for an adult cat to hold their pee for 8 to 12 hours under abnormal circumstances (like being in a car instead of in their home).
Plan lodgings ahead of time
Not everywhere allows cats, so you’ll want to plan overnight stays ahead of time. To narrow your search, use an app like BringFido, which has a “cats allowed” filter to help you find cat-friendly hotels and vacation rentals.
Keep in mind that some places won’t allow you to leave your pets alone in a room. And if you let your cat roam free, you’ll need to be careful to make sure they use their litter box and don’t scratch furniture, lest you end up with a hefty repair bill.
Tips for Traveling by Plane
Traveling with a cat on a plane can seem daunting at first, but once you know the ins and outs, it can become much more manageable. Here are a few key things to consider to make your trip a success.
Confirm airline regulations
Most domestic airlines in the U.S. allow cats to fly in the cabin with you as long as they meet the weight requirements. However, longer international flights, including many transatlantic routes, often do not permit pets in-cabin, and your cat may need to fly in cargo instead.
Before planning air travel with your cat, contact your airline directly to confirm the following:
- Whether pets are allowed in the cabin
- The combined weight and size limit for cats and carriers
- The number of pets allowed per passenger
- Any breed restrictions, such as for flat-faced cats
- Any seasonal cargo embargoes (for hot climates or summertime)
Check documentation requirements for your airline and destination
Depending on where you fly, you may need specific documentation, such as a USDA-endorsed pet health certificate. “It might be as simple as showing a rabies certificate and as complicated as a government-issued health certificate,” says Dr. Hohenhaus.
For guidance on these pet entry requirements, a USDA-accredited veterinarian can help you figure out which vaccines, tests, or treatments your cat needs for your end destination.
Plan bathroom breaks
Healthy adult cats can hold their pee for quite a while. If your total travel time exceeds 8 to 12 hours, then you may want to plan a bathroom break before or after your flight. Bring a portable or disposable litter box to use. If a pet relief area isn’t available, a family restroom might be your next best option.
AzmanL via iStock
Tips for Traveling by Train or Bus
Traveling with a cat on a bus or train is more scenic—and it comes with a different set of challenges. Here’s what you need to know before you buy your tickets.
Regulations and eligible cats
Rules and regulations for traveling with a cat by train or bus vary depending on the company. Before booking your tickets, Dr. Hohenhaus recommends confirming your cat will be accepted as a passenger. The best way to do this is by visiting the company’s website or by calling them directly.
Be strategic with seating
If you can choose your seat, try to sit in the quietest part of the vehicle. For buses, that’s usually away from the engine in the back. For trains, it’s usually away from the cafe car and bathrooms. Sitting next to the window will also keep your cat out of the way of the footpath of the aisle.
Medications for motion sickness
Like other modes of transportation, traveling by bus or train can increase the chance of anxiety or motion sickness for cats. If your cat has never traveled on public transportation, talk with your vet about potential medications to have on hand to prevent motion sickness, or that will help if they get nauseous during the trip.
To minimize the risk of vomiting, feed your kitty a light meal a few hours before departure. Water bowls aren’t very practical for train or bus travel, so consider installing a no-drip water bottle on their carrier instead.
Tips for Traveling by Boat or Ferry
While it’s not ideal to set sail on a two-week-long luxury cruise with your cat in tow, traveling by boat on a smaller scale, like on a ferry, might be an option. Before you set out:
- Check the rules ahead of time. Make sure you know what the boat or ferry operator’s rules for cats are so you can prepare. This could be anything from carrier requirements to breed and size limits.
- Choose a seat carefully. If you’re not traveling with your car, choose a quiet, safe seat away from engine fumes and loud noises. You may need to pay an extra cost to board early or reserve a seat.
- Plan ahead for accidents. Because boats and ferries can get rocky, have a plan in place for motion sickness. Limiting treats and opting for toys instead can reduce the risk of vomiting or accidents.
Whether or Not To Travel With a Cat
Before making travel arrangements, it’s important to evaluate if your cat is a good candidate for traveling. Some cats are a breeze to travel with, while others may become more stressed and not tolerate the sudden change in their environment.
“The challenging cats are the cat that screams in the carrier, the one that vomits from motion sickness in the car, immediately poops in their carrier, or their antics turn you into a distracted driver,” says Dr. Hohenhaus. “If any of these phrases describe your cat, maybe they should stay home.” To figure out if your cat is the traveling type, test run a short trip or two.
If it turns out your cat is better off not traveling with you, that’s okay! There are a lot of options to make sure your cat is well cared for while you’re gone.
If your cat does okay with new environments, just not traveling, then consider boarding them at a facility or at someone’s house. Or book a pet sitter to drop in on your kitty a few times a day. You can even get a house sitter to stay in your home with your cat while you’re gone.
No matter which path you choose, you can travel with peace of mind knowing your cat is in good hands.
