Safety First When Traveling With Cats

Last Updated on January 2, 2024 by Holly Anne Dustin

January 2nd is Pet Travel Safety Day. A quick look around the web will show you most pet travel advice is aimed at those with dogs. But traveling with cats is becoming increasingly commonplace. More and more cat guardians are discovering the fun of taking Kitty touring.

Not all cats are natural travelers but they can learn to travel safely and comfortably. Following these tips will make sure you and your feline friends will get to your destination safely whether you’re moving cross country, out for an adventure, or taking a quick trip to the vet.

Keep Kitty Confined in a Carrier While Traveling

Get your furbaby used to her carrier before setting off on a road trip. She might want to ride in your lap or snooze in the sun on the dash, but resist the urge. Unsafe driving behavior doubles when a pet is free roaming in the car. It is safer for everyone to have her buckled in. Some states have actually made it illegal for you to drive without your pet being restrained. Plus, it keeps her out of trouble (and out of your snacks.)

Cats can also be thrown out of windows, or through the windshield in an accident.

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Choose a hard side carrier or a crash tested carrier such as Sleepypod, or Gen7pets. Make sure your carrier is well-ventilated and gives Kitty enough room to stand, sit, lie down and turn around. If you are traveling more than 3-4 hours, opt for a portable crate or SturdiShelter. A setup like that gives Kitty room to move around. You can put a portable litter box in with her.

Related Post: Best Carriers for Long Distance Travel

Buckle Her Up in the Backseat

The front seat gives you greater access to  your cat but, like a child, she is safer in the back. She could be injured if you are in an accident and the airbag deploys.

A new study from Volvo Car USA and The Harris Poll revealed that allowing them to roam unrestrained while driving led to significantly more unsafe driving behaviors, more time distracted and increased stress on both drivers and their four-legged friends.

Labeling your carrier with your contact information is a good practice no matter how you travel. But it is critical if Kitty is boarding a plane with you. Label the carrier with your name, Kitty’s name, your home and destination contact information, a cell phone number, and your veterinarian’s contact information.

Make Sure Kitty’s Identification is Up-to-Date.

Update her microchip information. Put your cell phone number and the contact information of someone at your intended destination on a temporary tag on her harness. You give yourself the best chance to be reunited if the worst should happen and you get separated.

Keep a card on you, or in your wallet, that gives an emergency contact number, states what pets you are traveling with, your car information, and your vet’s information. If you are in an accident that information will help first responders take care of you and your cats.

Don’t Leave Kitty in the Car Alone

Don’t leave your cat unattended in the car in the heat or the cold. Your car quickly becomes an oven in the summer or a refrigerator in the winter. Your furbaby’s health can quickly become compromised if you are delayed.

Related Post: Proven Ways to Keep Your Cat Calm in the Car

Ideally, travel with a friend. Not only will you be able to share the driving, but you’ll be able to take turns getting food or using the restroom while the other person can supervise the cat. Do drive thru meals and quick potty breaks if you must travel alone with your cat.

Be sure Kitty is secure in her carrier before you open the door or window when you stop. Keep her on leash anytime you open her carrier to let her have a chance to stretch her paws or use the box.

Bring All the Essentials When Traveling with Cats

What you need to bring with you depends on how far you are traveling with your cat. For a quick trip to the vet or a spin around the local pet store to check out the fish tanks, you probably don’t need to bring anything except her favorite treats. An adult cat can easily go 3-4 hours without needing a litter box.

A day trip requires a travel litter box, poop bags and scoop. A nice dog walking bag can hold anything gross and keep it from stinking up your car until you find a trash can.

Bring bottled water or a bottle of water from home. The last thing you need is a cat with a belly ache when you’re on a trip. And obviously you want to include Kitty’s favorite treats. If you’re staying over a meal time, bring her favorite food.

Be Prepared for Emergencies

Keep a first aid kit handy for emergencies. Have your vet’s number and the poison control numbers in your phone. Know where you can access veterinary care at your destination.

If you want more cat safety tips read this post.

I keep a copy of my cat’s vaccination records and a general health history in our first aid kit. I have one special needs kitty and I keep his latest test results with me as well. Hopefully I will never need them but I’d rather have them then put kitty through unnecessary procedures or try to get my vet’s office to fax something somewhere in an emergency.

Keep a list of cat friendly hotels, stores, restaurants on your route in case your car breaks down. You might want a plan B while your car is serviced. Kitty would probably prefer a tour of a pet store to the noise of a mechanic shop.

Check for Hazards

Think like a cat thinks when you’re traveling with cats. Even a seasoned traveling cat is going to check out everything in your cat friendly hotel room.

So you have to check it out first. Crawl around on the floor and look for hazards your Kitty could find, holes in walls or cabinets, wires, things on the floor the cleaning crew missed.

Be sure you block access to any piece of furniture you can’t move. Taking apart a bed to get kitty out is one thing. Moving the big, heavy cabinet she’s hiding under is another.

Check around before you let Kitty out of her carrier at a restaurant or a park too. You don’t want her getting into something someone else left behind that could be toxic or harmful. Or just messy.

Follow the Rules When Traveling with Cats

I did sneak Plush into a store once in an oversized purse because the heat was just too much to leave him in the car even for a short potty break. But I generally think it is important to follow the stated pet rules when out in public with my cats. I follow the dog rules unless there’s something that states differently.

If you are staying in a hotel, follow rules about leaving Kitty alone. And please, be a good role model for other cat travelers and don’t leave a mess.

Keeping your furbaby safe and comfortable should be your first priority when traveling with cats.

A short trip won’t phase an experienced traveler. They might not enjoy their annual trip to the vet but it won’t be because of the drive. Your feline friend might just look forward to hitting the road with you if you take proper precautions and put her needs first.

Post updated January 2023