Most cat owners will have had the “interesting” experience of taking their cat on a car trip. Many cats don’t like travelling at all but sometimes it has to be done, whether it be a trip to the vet or moving house.
There are few things you can do to make a car trip with your cat easier. Firstly, buy a cat carrier. Cats should never be unconfined in a car, and although that carrier might look small to you, a cat will feel more secure in a small space with a soft blanket inside.
Most pet shops sell cat carriers and it’s a good idea to let the cat sleep in the carrier for a few weeks (of their own free will, of course — with the door open) before a car trip so they can get used to it. If you’re going on a longer trip, you might want to opt for a dog-size carrier so you can fit a small litter tray in.
If your cat is really not coping with car travel and you have to go on a long trip, you might want to ask your vet about mild tranquillisers to get your cat through a journey. Make sure you take your cat’s favourite food for the trip, and bring some drinking water from home — water can taste different in various areas and your cat won’t like it.
If you’re heading to new territory with your feline friend, make sure your cat is up to date with all his or her vaccinations, and that the contact phone numbers on their ID tags are still applicable.
You might want to put your cat on a lead if you can’t keep your cat indoors when you reach your destination, or if you need to take your cat out of the carrier and the car along the way. The best cat lead consists of a body harness and a lead, rather than a collar and a lead. To get your cat used to this, put a harness on your cat at home and let them wander around until they get used to it. Then you can try attaching the lead and allowing your cat to walk around until it becomes used to a lead.
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