Most people don't like taking their cat with them when they go on vacation or take a car trip. Some cats are brave and have no difficulty traveling, but for most of these animals, moving around and leaving their familiar environment can be a real nightmare. However, it is possible to take them with you without too much trouble; the "trick" consists in preparing them in time, gradually accustoming them to the journey and preparing all the necessary accessories before departure.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Preparations to Make Before Departure
Step 1. Get your cat used to travel
If he has not recently been transported by car, you must start the process several weeks before the event and have him take short rides in the car (half an hour or less long). Place it in the carrier you plan to use for the important journey so it gets used to the noise and movement of the car, as well as the smell of the cage.
- Offer him treats while he is in the car to make him feel comfortable in the cockpit.
- Consider these short trips as "tests" to solve any problems before tackling the demanding journey away from home.
Step 2. Get motion sickness medications from your vet if needed
If your pet is prone to motion sickness - which you may notice during short car rides - get him to prescribe antiemetics, such as chlorpromazine, which you can give your cat to keep his discomfort under control.
- The signs that can make you understand that you suffer from this disorder (obviously when in a car) are: crying or vocalizing that does not stop after a few minutes of travel, excessive salivation, immobility, fear reactions to movement, excessive activity or continuous walking, vomiting, urination or stool production.
- The ginger that is used by people to manage nausea is also safe for cats; you can find it in liquid or chewable form at online or physical pet stores, or sometimes even in veterinary clinics.
Step 3. Give him the Bach flower essence "Rescue Remedy" to help him manage the fear and stress of travel or anxiety about new places
Add a few drops to his daily water bowl and place a drop directly in his mouth before embarking on each trip if the animal is particularly agitated. You can test its effectiveness by giving it a dose and then taking it for a short drive half an hour later. This is the most recommended treatment of all, as the sedatives only numb the cat, while the essence of the Bach flowers helps him to remain calm and safe.
Step 4. Give him prescription tranquilizers only as a last resort
Before resorting to medication you should try to train the feline by doing driving tests or with non-drug options. In any case, the vet can help you find the most effective one for your specific case; Among the different solutions are over-the-counter antihistamines (such as Benadryl) and prescription drugs, such as alprazolam (Xanax) to relieve anxiety.
For best results, ask your vet about the right dosage and strictly follow his advice
Step 5. Try the sedatives at home a few days before embarking on the trip
Observe the cat's behavior, and if you notice any adverse effects, you still have time to call the vet and change the dosage or try other types of medications. Just like people, medicines cause different effects on cats as well; if you notice that he gets nervous or experiences other unusual reactions, your vet can find an alternative treatment.
- Most sedatives don't make cats totally unconscious, but they numb them. If the drug is too strong or ineffective, you must inform the veterinarian before leaving, as the cat must always remain aware of the surrounding environment, even under the effect of the sedative.
- When the animal has taken the medicine, put it in the carrier and take it in the car; this way you know what behavior to expect while traveling with a cat in such conditions. Check that your vet provides you with enough medicine for the entire journey (round trip); ask for an extra tablet or two to try at home before you leave.
Step 6. A few days before departure, put a towel or blanket in his kennel, or anywhere else he wants to sleep
The aim is to impregnate the fabric with the smell of the cat and the house, so that it becomes familiar and that the cat feels more comfortable.
Step 7. Prepare the cage the morning of the trip or the night before
Place the towel you left in the kennel at the bottom of the carrier and add another one, in case the cage floor needs more padding; also include his favorite toy, to keep him company.
Step 8. Twenty minutes before you leave, spray some Feliway into the carrier and cockpit
It is a commercial product that contains pheromones; it represents a chemical reproduction of the natural pheromones released by cats when they feel good and relaxed in their territory, and should calm the kitty in the car.
Test before spraying it in the cage to monitor the cat's reaction; even if in rare cases, some cats interpret the smell as the attempt to mark the territory by other animals and could behave in a negative or even aggressive way
Part 2 of 2: Taking the Kitty on a Journey
Step 1. Feed him a few hours before the trip and give him free access to the litter box
If you can create a space in the cage you can insert the litter box, even if it is not strictly necessary; the same is true for food and water.
Never leave the cat in the carrier for more than 8 hours without providing him with food, water and giving him the opportunity to "use the bathroom"
Step 2. Leave the cage door open so that he can enter and explore it
You have to make sure that he enters it spontaneously and that he feels comfortable; if at this stage he refuses, you must not force him.
Step 3. Place the pet in the carrier and then transfer it to the car
On the way to the car, you can cover him with a cloth or a blanket, so as to prevent him from seeing the outside and getting scared; however, remove the cover once it is in the passenger compartment.
You should keep the carrier in a safe place, even better if it is locked with the seat belt. If that doesn't work, however, you can take bungee cords or some segments of rope to secure it to the car in the event of an accident or if you are forced to a sudden stop
Step 4. Put the cat in the cage after putting him on a harness
Car travel is stressful for this pet, regardless of whether they like it or not. By putting on a harness and leash every time he's out of the crate (even in the car), you have something to grab him with, in case he decides to jump out of a window or open door.
Step 5. Allow him to stretch his paws
You shouldn't keep him in the car all day, which is why it's useful to put him in a harness with a leash. Attach the latter to the harness and leave the cat out of the vehicle for about twenty minutes; this is also an opportunity to get him to fulfill his needs, although you shouldn't be surprised if he proves picky.
Step 6. Wherever you are going, spray some Feliway (or turn on the diffuser) before taking your cat into the room
If you have to go out, put it in the carrier and hang the "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door, in case the staff of the tourist facility wants to enter. If you plan to be out of the room all day, you can put the cat in the bathroom with all its accessories and close the door (if possible). So leave a note on the door telling you that the cat is inside and be careful not to let it escape.
Advice
- Keep in mind that airlines do not accept sedated pets, as it is more difficult to tell if they have any medical condition, including heat stroke. If you have to take a long trip to the airport, don't give him the sedative, because he won't be able to fly; in this case, give him the Bach flower essence "Rescue Remedy", which is an acceptable alternative to calm him down when he is too excited.
- Don't forget to bring a scratching post or sandpaper tablet; many times people neglect this accessory, without which the cat may be forced to use some other surface that should not be damaged, such as the curtains or the hotel bedspread. Cats need to file their nails: this is not just an instinctive act, but also a way to stretch and work the muscles they usually don't use.
- If you have to go on a long journey with multiple cats, a foldable dog carrier is a great solution to install in the back seat. You can insert a small covered litter box that also acts as a "perch" for the cat who wants to look out the window; in addition, there is another space in which to place the kennel, food, water and toys. The zip-open sides offer easy access and allow the cat to see the landscape outside the cockpit. The carrier can also be used as a safe place to keep the cat when you are staying in a house where other pets live and you have to go outside; this "shelter" is large enough to contain the litter and offer some space to allow the cat to move around.
Warnings
- Make sure that the cat always wears the collar with the identification tag: you must avoid that it can somehow escape. A microchip with updated data registered with the competent body is a permanent means of identification.
- Don't let the little cat move freely in the vehicle while you are driving. Even the most insignificant events can scare him, and the last thing you want is a cat that's hiding in the back of the car, under the seat you don't have access to, or holed up under the pedals. If you are traveling with other passengers and the cat likes to look out the window, it may be a good idea to put the harness and leash on him, allowing him to sit like this; just make sure he doesn't get too excited.
- Don't leave it never in the car alone, even with the windows ajar; it takes less than 20 minutes for it to overheat and die.
