We’ve become the type of people that travel with their cats. It might sound odd or eccentric or even inconvenient, but we’ve spent the last year or so learning to enjoy the process.
We originally started traveling with the cats to save our family the hassle of watching Mukki and Ember when we were away at our cabin during the summer. But after a few successful trips, we really learned to love bringing them along with us!
Now, these tips are limited. We don’t take our cats to hotels or on planes. But we do take them on decently long trips to our cabin every few weeks—a feat considering these two would whine on the 10-minute ride to the vet! So here’s how we do it and how you can give it a try yourself:
Keep Them Safe in the Car
First things first: Always travel with cats in carriers (I’m telling you this, but the ASPCA and Wisconsin Humane Society also recommend it). Cats are wily, weird creatures. Don’t risk them climbing beneath your feet in the car.
To keep the cats feeling safe (and for my own peace of mind), I make sure to secure the carriers with a seatbelt. I don’t want the crates to go tumbling if we make an unexpected stop. I also prefer hard-sided carriers to soft duffle-style animal totes. I don’t know if they’re actually safer, but I prefer the hard carriers just in case stuff shifts around in the car.
Do a Test Run
If you’re concerned about your pets in the car, do a practice trip. If possible, try a ride that’s a little longer than your regular trips to the vet. Why? Well, we found that the cats meow a lot on that 10-minute trip to the vet. After 10 minutes, though, they settle in. If I had only taken those quick trips as a sample we’d be searching for a pet sitter.
Also, experiment a bit! We found that the cats do so much better when we have their carriers facing one another. They also tend to settle in with a little background noise. I like to think they are fans of Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend.
Don’t Mess with Success
A lot changes when you travel with pets: the surroundings, the sounds, the smells. It’s not the time to mess with things like food or litter. Feed your cats the same kibble they get at home and use the same brand of litter. Simple things like this can help them be at ease.
Bring Some Familiar Things
It’s only natural to want creature comforts from home. Make sure you bring a few things your cats love like a blanket and a few toys. You don’t need much, but just the scent of home on a towel or toy mice is comforting.
Set Up Camp Before Unleashing the Beasts
It’s fun having pets in a new place! I get it. However before you open up the carriers and let them run wild, get everything in order. That means filling the water dishes, setting out toys, getting the litter boxes set up—all of it. It also means unpacking your stuff as well.
This will make things easier for the cats; all their needs will be met from the jump. Also, it means you don’t have to worry about stumbling over them as you put away your clothes or unpack the cooler.
Litter Boxes First
Before I show the cats anything, like food or water or even the picture window with an excellent view of the bird feeder, I show them their litter boxes. Yes, cats can pick up the scent of familiar litter, but it never hurts to be sure.
Check Their Collars and Tags
One of my worst nightmares is having one of the cats get out, especially somewhere unfamiliar. However, it’s best to be prepared if the worst would happen. Make sure your cats’ collars fit well and that they have an ID tag. I also can’t recommend microchipping enough. It’s super affordable (somewhere around $25) and vets and shelters all across the country are equipped with scanners.
This is also a best practice before the holiday season when visitors are in and out.
Have a Pack-Up Plan
Even though our cats are great in the car and love being in our cabin, they loathe getting into their carriers. This is not uncommon. I suggest having a plan before you even bring the crates out.
We corral the cats into a bathroom before leaving. Then when it’s time to leave, we can pick them up and take them directly to the carrier. They won’t even have a chance to get spooked or go hide. This step took an embarrassingly long time for us to figure out, but is completely necessary; Ember loves to hide under a dresser the second she thinks she has to leave.
Leave a Reply