It is sometimes necessary to travel with your cat. This may be necessitated by scenarios such as when you will be gone for many days and there is no one in the house, when taking trips to the vet, or when you are relocating. Traveling with a cat is more complicated than most people think, but there are several tips that will ease car travel with cats.
Invest in a cat carrier because a free-ranging cat in a car is not only a nuisance, it can be dangerous. Many people believe the confinement is bad for the cat, but the opposite is true. The confinement will comfort your cat throughout the journey. When buying the cat carrier, make sure it is the right size for the cat. To larger and the cat may escape, and too small and the cat will be uncomfortable. You should acclimatize the inside of the carrier by putting a blanket in it, since the cat will recognize its scent and see the cat carrier as his/her home.
To prepare the cat for a long trip, take short, easy trips. This way, the cat will be accustomed to the noise and the motion of the car and it will be comfortable with the cat carrier. You should make sure that the cat is not sitting slanted. Note that many seats in the car are slanted a bit. If the seat is slanted, the cat will be very uncomfortable thorough out the trip because although cats have impressive coordination and balance, the cat will be fighting against the slope constantly and this will be tiring. You should avoid playing loud music. Cats have keen senses and the car will already have startling noises. You should avoid bumps and potholes to maintain the comfort of the cat. You should consider taking alternative routes that are smoother.
You will need to take regular potty-breaks for the cat. You can have a litter box within a larger cat carrier, but potty breaks outside the car are better because cats are more comfortable in small carriers, the litter box could be jostled, the exercise will be good for the cat, and the car will not have a bad smell. You should consider placing some absorbent towels at the base of the carrier in case of accidents. You should leash train your cat since this is the only way it can go on potty breaks outside the car without escaping. The harness will also help while familiarizing the cat with its new surroundings.
Do not forget to bring regular food and water for your cat. This food and water will be familiar and the cat will be more comfortable. Regular toys and bedding will also make the cat more comfortable. You should make sure that you place the carrier in place that has plenty of air and that is not prone to overheating. Consider creating a window seat for your cat. This will help it make sense of the movement and the cat may even end up being fascinated by the journey.
