How to Travel with Your Cat
With the 4th of July right around the corner, you may be wanting to take a quick trip or perhaps being on lockdown has you dreaming of trips to the beach. However, the thought of traveling with your cat may be holding you back. We get it, our purrrfect cats can be a little picky when it comes to traveling.
As much as we love our kitty fur-ends, it’s no secret that they can kick up a fuss when their environment changes. Cats love consistency, and if a disruption arises in their routine, they may not be the biggest fan. Then there’s car travel with a cat - talk about a catastrophe!
If you’re wondering how to travel with your cat, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re planning for a grand getaway post-coronavirus or looking forward to a quick howliday, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we will give you our best tips and tricks to make you and your furry friend as comfortable as possible as you travel with pets.
Traveling with Your Cat: What You Need to Know
Before getting into how to travel with your cat, an effective place to start is preparing yourself for what’s to come. Preparing for a trip with your furry friend can be made a lot easier if you know where to begin and what to expect.
Consult Your Vet
If you have a nervous cat, we highly recommend taking a visit to your vet. Your vet will be able to provide you with medicine, if necessary, to calm your pet and help you navigate the best way to prepare them for the trip. You may also enquire about the use of catnip.
Check for Regulations
This step is particularly important if you’re looking how to travel with your cat on a plane. Each airline will have its own set of rules and regulations when it comes to transporting your cat. The same goes for your hotel or AirBnb. After all, the last thing you’d want is to get you and your cat ready for a big trip only to find that they can’t come along.
Prepare Yourself
Yes, your cat may become nervous when they take a trip, but it can also be nerve-wracking for us fur-parents. If you’re traveling by car, try scheduling in stops to let your cat out and catch your breath.
How to Travel with Your Cat
So, you’re ready to take a trip and finding a pet sitter isn’t on the cards for you. What can you do to ensure smooth sailing? Lots! Traveling with cats doesn’t have to be a catastrophe. With the right tips, it can be pretty purrrfect!
The best way to make your cat as comfortable as possible is to get them used to travel. If you’re taking a car trip, this tip is particularly useful. You can try getting your cat into the car and taking short, but frequent trips around your neighborhood. By doing so, they will get used to your car's motions and become less stressed in the new environment.
Whether you’re traveling by car or plane, a crate can be a huge help for keeping your kitty safe. Crates are wonderful for short trips as it stops your cat from jumping around. Of course, it’s a necessity if you’re going by plane. However, if possible, your cat may feel more comfortable to roam around the back of your car without any boundaries.
Furthermore, you can help get your cat relaxed by bringing some of their favorite things. Their tasty treats and go-to toys will help familiarize your cat with their surroundings. You can try placing these objects in their crates or putting them into your car.
Lastly, it’s important to remember that your cat’s natural instinct may be to bolt when they get a chance. Before going away, make sure to add updating your cat’s ID information to the top of your to-do list. We’d also recommend microchipping your cat in case of an emergency. However, a great way to prevent any bolting from happening is making use of a cat leash. When you take your cat out for a break, make sure they're safe and secure!
Of course, under the current pandemic, we encourage safe and careful traveling to all of our fur-ends! Remember to check with your state, and the state that you’re visiting, to confirm their regulations. Even though pets are less likely to become ill with coronavirus, it’s best to keep them away from other pets while traveling. Social distancing isn’t just for us hoomans!
With all of this in mind, we hope you have a safe and happy howliday!
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