Most people don't like the thought of taking their cat with them on vacation or on road trips. There are some brave cats who are not fussy about traveling but for many cats, traveling and leaving a familiar environment can be a terrifying terror. However, traveling with a cat without causing much trouble is possible. The key is to prepare ahead of time by gradually accustoming your cat to the journey and preparing equipment well in advance of the day of departure.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Making Preparations in Advance
Step 1. Get your cat used to traveling
If your cat hasn't traveled by car recently, a few weeks before your scheduled trip, take the cat on a short car trip (30 minutes or less). Be sure to put your cat in a traveling cage that will be used on trips so that the cat gets used to the sound and movement of cars, as well as the smell of the cage.
- Give your cat a treat while in the car. This will make him feel better while he is there.
- Think of this as an attempt to solve any problems before you go on a long trip away from home.
Step 2. Purchase prescription motion sickness medication, if necessary
If your cat is prone to motion sickness, which should be known from your experiments, ask your vet to prescribe medication for the condition. Anti-nausea drugs such as chlorpromazine can be used to help control motion sickness.
- Signs of a cat experiencing motion sickness (while in the car, of course) include: crying or making noises that won't stop after a few minutes of the car ride, drooling excessively, being unable to move, or acting afraid to move, or acting excessive pacing or pacing, vomiting, urination or bowel movements.
- Ginger has also long been used to treat nausea in humans and is safe for cats; It can be found in liquid and chewable forms from online stores, physical pet stores, or sometimes at vet clinics.
Step 3. Give your cat "Rescue Remedy" Bach flower essence to help her deal with the fear and stress of traveling or the fear of new places
Put a few drops into his drinking water every day and one drop in his mouth before leaving each day if he seems restless. You can test its effectiveness by putting a dose of flower essence in his mouth and then taking him on a short car trip 30 minutes later. Make this your treatment of choice as the sedative will only slow the cat down, while the flower essence will help keep her calm and confident.
Step 4. Use prescribed sedatives as a last resort
Try practicing with travel trials and non-medical options before turning to medication. Your vet can help you choose which medication will work best for your cat. Some options include over-the-counter antihistamines (Benadryl) and prescription medications, such as alprazolam (Xanax) to relieve anxiety.
Consult the dosage with your veterinarian and follow his advice carefully for best results
Step 5. Try any sedatives at home a few days before your scheduled trip
Observe the behavior and if it's negative, you still have time to contact your vet and adjust the dose or try other medications. Just like in humans, different drugs have different effects. Chances are if your pet reacts with irritability or something bad, your doctor will know what other treatments to try.
- Most sedatives will not render the cat unconscious and should only ease the anxiety. If the medication is too sedating or not sedating enough, you should tell your vet before leaving. Cats should remain aware of their surroundings even under the influence of sedatives.
- While on a drug trial, put the cat in a bag and take it for a ride. This way you will know what behaviors can occur when traveling with a medicated cat. Make sure your vet gives you enough medication to use during your travel time (go AND return) and ask for an extra pill or two to try at home before you leave.
Step 6. Take a towel or blanket and place it on your cat's bed, or wherever she likes to sleep, a few days before her scheduled trip
The goal is to stick your cat's smell, and the smell of the house, onto the towel. In addition, the cat will feel comfortable with the towel and find peace from it.
Step 7. Prepare the cage in the morning before leaving, or the night before
Place the towel your cat has slept on at the bottom of the cage, and put another towel under the cage if the bottom still needs extra padding. Also add his favorite toy to accompany your cat.
Step 8. Spray the inside of the bag and car with Feliway 20 minutes before leaving
This product mimics the nature of the pheromones that cats leave when they are comfortable and quiet in their territory. This will soothe your cat during the trip.
Be sure to find out your cat's reaction to Feliway before spraying it in the bag. A small percentage of cats interpret this spray as a sign of another cat and may react negatively or even aggressively to this product
Part 2 of 2: Taking Your Cat on a Trip
Step 1. Feed your cat a few hours before the trip and give it unrestricted access to its litter box
If there is room in the cage, you can put a small litter box, but this is not really necessary. The same is true for food and drinking water.
Never leave your cat in the bag for more than eight hours without giving him food, water, and a chance to use the litter box
Step 2. Leave the cage door open to give your cat a chance to explore the cage
Cats need to get into the cage comfortably of their own accord. Do not force your cat into the crate if the cat does not enter this stage.
Step 3. Place the cat in the bag, then take it to the car
You may need to place a towel or blanket over your bag as you take it to the car to cover its view of the "scary" outside world. Pick up the towel after you put the bag in the car.
The bag must be placed in a safe part of the car; should be fastened with a seat belt. If the seat belt doesn't work, you can use a bungee cord or short strap to secure the bag in the car in case the car stops suddenly or in an accident
Step 4. Place your cat in the bag with the harness attached to her body
Traveling by car can be stressful for a cat whether she likes it or not. Having a leash and chain attached to the cat whenever she is out of the bag (even in the car) will give you something to hold on to in case the cat decides to jump out of an open window or door.
Step 5. Let your cat stretch her legs
Cats don't want to be in a bag all day. That's what bridles and chains are for. Put the chain on and let your cat out of the cage and in the car for about twenty minutes. There's nothing wrong with giving your cat a chance to approach the litter box either, but don't be surprised if your cat refuses.
Step 6. Spray Feliway on whatever area you will be staying (or use a Feliway diffuser) before introducing your cat into the room
If you leave the room, put your cat in a bag and put up a sign Please Don't Disturb on the door, in case the cleaning staff came. If you're going out all day, put the cat and its accessories in the bathroom and close the door (if possible). Then leave a note on the door stating that your cat is inside and to be careful not to let it out.
Tips
- Keep in mind that airlines will not accept sedated animals as it is more difficult to tell if the animal has a health problem, including heat stroke. If you are going on a long trip to the airport with your cat, do not give him a sedative because the cat will not be allowed to fly with him. On the other hand, Rescue Remedy is an acceptable alternative to sedation as the animal will remain fully alert.
- Don't forget to bring a scratching post or a cardboard scratching mat! People tend to forget it and it can cause your cat to end up scratching unwanted surfaces, such as hotel curtains or bed sheets. Cats need to scratch. Not only is it instinctual but it also allows him to stretch well and use muscles he wouldn't normally use.
- On long trips with more than one cat, a large dog bag that folds and fits in the back seat is a great option. In addition to space for the cat's bed, food, drinking water, and toys, you can place a small covered litter box that can also be used as a chair riser so the cat can see out the window. The zippered fabric cover allows the cat easy access and lets him see yourself and the scenery outside the window. A larger bag can be used as a safe place for the cat when you visit other people with pets if you need to go out, as cats can still use the litter box and have room to move.
Warning
- NEVER leave your cat alone in a car, even with the windows open. It takes less than twenty minutes for your pet to overheat and die when left in the car.
- Make sure your cat wears a collar and identification tag at all times! You never know when your cat will sneak out somehow. The microchip with the latest information recorded on the chip company is an identity tag that will never be lost. A rescuer will need to ask the vet or animal shelter to scan it for the number.
- Do not allow the cat to have unrestricted access in the car while you are driving. Even the smallest thing can take a cat by surprise, and you don't want your cat hiding in the back of a car, under an inaccessible seat, or running under your feet and onto a footrest. If you're traveling with a passenger and your cat likes to look out the window, attaching a leash and chain and then letting him sit like that might not be a bad idea. But be careful that your cat doesn't get agitated while doing this.
