8 Essential Tips About Travel With a Cat

DREAM! You're finally leaving today on an amazing and adventurous journey with your felines, full of excitement and thrill. But we all know that traveling with your cat is quite easier than traveling with dogs. Every pet has its own nature and habits, and cats are one of them who don't usually like changes. Yes, they can easily become stressed and bored when they leave an environment where they feel safe and familiar.

No doubt, traveling with one can be the best experience, but it is quite challenging, and at the same time, it's also easy to make your cat feel safe and comfortable in any type of environment. So are you ready? 

Firstly, ensure your cat's safety and comfort by taking the cat supplies. Whether you're going to the vet, moving to a new home, or planning for a vacation, preparing your feline friend for the trip is key to a smooth and enjoyable experience. From choosing the right carrier to pack all the essentials that will keep your cat happy and stress-free, every step is crucial for a successful and no-stressful journey. 

Here, find some of the best essential tips for traveling with your cat so you can easily enjoy the journey as smoothly as possible. So, let's explore how the right cat supplies and a bit of preparation can turn your travels into a purr-fect adventure!

1. Choose the Right Cat Carrier

When choosing a cat carrier, firstly consider the size and type of carrier because it comes in various sizes and styles, including hard-sided carriers, soft-sided carriers, and backpack-style carriers. Choose a carrier that is spacious enough for your cat to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably. The carrier should also have proper ventilation to ensure adequate airflow for your cat's comfort. Most importantly, it's made of durable materials that can withstand the rigors of travel while providing a safe and secure environment for your cat. Also, remember while choosing a carrier for your cat that it must be safe, comfortable, and easy to use to ensure that your cat travels in style and comfort.

2. Get Your Cat Used to the Carrier

As humans, we take time to adjust and adapt to any environment and people; it also goes the same with the pet. But as we now know the importance of a carrier for a cat in their life, especially while traveling, we can help them.

1. Firstly, keep the carrier open in the house so that your cat can easily explore it. Also, avoid keeping the carrier at a distance or in a hiding place because it will create fear in your cat's mind.
2. Secondly, place a soft blanket, favorite toys, treats or some best cat accessories in the carrier so it attracts your feline and gradually starts sitting in the carrier.
3. And, lastly reward your cats with treats to encourage them and create a positive experience.
4. By doing this, your cat will get used to the carrier and will start feeling comfortable. Once your cat becomes comfortable, slowly start closing the door for a short time. After that, go for a short walk or travel with a carrier near your house to create the habit.

By following this process, you can get your cat used to the carrier in which both of you feel comfortable. However, keep in mind that sometimes this process may take a few days or even a few months. So, it's important to be patient or consistent.

3. Visit the Vet

Before traveling to any destination with your cat, it is very important to consult a vet for a health checkup and to take essential medicines. It is crucial to tell your vet about your travel destination, time, and days so that they can advise you on how to manage your cat's health according to the location’s environment. Moreover, don’t forget to discuss with your vet about which are the best cat products to pack while traveling for cat’s health and comfort.

4. Ensure Proper Identification

Identification is crucial while traveling with your pets because proper identification can help in case you both get separated. While traveling, it's important to ensure that your cat has a microchip and a collar with an ID tag that includes your information, such as your number or address, so that if anyone finds your cat, they can easily contact you.

5. Pack Essential Items

While traveling with your feline buddy, bag packing is not just about you, which means you'll not only have to pack your essentials but also your cat's essentials. To enjoy the smoothness of the journey, you must pack all the cat essentials such as food, water, bowls, toys, cat litter box, litter box accessories, and cat litter accessories. If you're going for a longer travel journey, you must pack a litter box for cats and cat litter supplies. Both the items you can find on Kwik Pets at affordable prices, or if you’re shopping from a local store of your vacation destination or some any store on the way, ensure the quality of the top cat litter box or supplies, which you wanna purchase.

6. Plan for Your Mode of Transportation

After deciding the destination of your travel, it's time to select the mode of transportation because every mode of transportation is different, and every other mode requires different preparations. So, if you are planning to go in a car, then ensure that your cat carrier is securely tightened with a seatbelt. Also, take minimal breaks so that your felines can stretch and relax. If you are going by plane, choose a direct flight if possible, and you must follow all the airline guidelines, especially for pets. In the end, it is crucial to decide the perfect mode of travel and understand the requirements for the specific modes because it will help you to keep yourself safe and comfortable.

7. Keep Your Cat Calm

Be it long or short travel, travel can be stressful for cats, so keeping them calm while traveling in any mode of transport is crucial. As cat owners, it's our responsibility to maintain a calm environment; using calming sprays or pheromone diffusers, which can help reduce anxiety. Remember, before utilizing any type of treatment, it is essential to discuss it with your vet. Also, communicate with your cat in a very polite way and avoid sudden movements to maintain a calm environment.

8. Stay Hydrated and Fed

We already know about this point, hydrate and feed, because we all know how much it is to give a good amount of water to our felines throughout the trip. Also, make sure to avoid feeding them before traveling because it may cause motion sickness. If the traveling period is short, then there is no need to worry, but if you are traveling long journeys, use travel-friendly bowls and waterers and keep extra water and food handy to maintain your cat's hydration and nutrition.

To Wrap It Up

Now you must have got the clear picture about traveling with your cat can be an easy, smooth, and enjoyable experience, but only through the right preparation. This includes choosing the right cat carrier to ensure safety and comfort, using the carrier to perfectly fit and travel without any stress on long or short journeys, going for vet visits to note some essential things to pick on while traveling, ensuring proper identification, and most importantly, packing all the essential cat supplies to provide smooth and enjoyable travel.

Remember, with good planning and attention to detail, you and your feline can create wonderful travel memories and strengthen the bond between you two. So, pack your bags, grab your feline, and enjoy the journey!

Happy Safe travels to you both!

Read more: Why Does My Cat Lick Plastic Bags?