The Ultimate Guide to Traveling with Cats: the Riding Around in Cars Edition

Last Updated on September 11, 2023 by Holly Anne Dustin

All cats need to ride in the car successfully enough to get to the vet, or the groomer, or to evacuate in an emergency. But there is an increasing number of people that go traveling with cats in cars as a matter of course. Younger cat owners take their cats out the same way they do their dogs without giving it a second thought. Cat Fancy exhibitors need to take their show cats on the road. Truckers and RV-ers love traveling cats as companions. Cats can learn to enjoy the travel experience. And we can learn to have a great time with them on the road. In this guide, we will provide an all-encompassing look at how to best travel with cats in cars. So if you’re ready for some tips and advice on the best way to take your cat on car trips – then buckle up! Let’s get started!

Learn to walk on a leash

Related Post: Training Kitty to Walk on a Leash

Any cat that is going on a car ride, even if just moving house or going to Grandma’s for the holidays, needs to learn to wear a harness and walk on a leash. Teach leash skills before you go traveling with cats in cars.

• Get Kitty used to the harness. Let him explore it by just leaving it in his space.
• Put it on or over him without clipping it. The best time to practice is when he’s hungry.  Let him eat while he wears it. The food will help distract him.
• Fit the harness and let him wear that until it is no problem for him.
• Add the leash. Hold it while he walks around. You can let him drag the leash but some cats panic when the leash follows them around.
• Encourage him to walk to you with his favorite treats.

Traveling Cats Must be Comfortable in a Carrier

Your cat needs to be comfortable in a carrier no matter what type of vehicle you travel in.  For short trips around town, look for a comfortable carrier that is big enough for your cat to stand up, sit up, stretch and turn around but not too big for you too carry easily.  Give him a bed or blanket from home in the carrier to help him feel secure.

Some cats like a cover on their carrier, others like the visuals.  If you cover your carrier, make sure you have adequate ventilation. Secure your carrier with a seatbelt.  Don’t let the cat out of the carrier with your car doors open unless Kitty is secure on his harness and leash.

Related Post: Teach Your Cat to Love her Carrier

Take Practice Rides

Start small, get Kitty used to the sights and smells of the car while sitting in the drive.  Then turn the car on so she learns the natural noise that goes with a road trip. Drive around the yard, then up the block. Take him to get a cup of coffee at your local drive-through.  Take him on errands. Walk around cat friendly stores. Work up slowly until he’s good riding for a bit. Even if he cries for the first 15-20 minutes as long as he’s not hysterical, keep working. Usually they calm down.

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How Long Can Cats Travel in a Car Without Peeing?

Unlike a dog, your kitty isn’t going to pee or poop on command. Likewise, they aren’t going to just “hold it” until you get to where you’re going. Cats are going to just do what they have to do and that includes peeing in their carrier. You don’t want that. Most cats won’t want a litter box on a trip of 4-6 hours unless they are young kittens or older cats. On average, most cats will urinate 2-4 times daily. This can vary from one cat to another, and it’s important to know your cat’s usual peeing schedule before you set out on the road. You can plan your driving breaks around Kitty’s usual schedule.

Don’t worry if you’ve been driving all day and no one has used that litter box. If a cat is stressed they aren’t as likely to pee until they get somewhere they feel safe. Cats can actually hold their pee for 24-48 hours even if they eat and drink normally though over 24 starts to border on a medical problem. We offer the cats a chance at a litter box every time we stop for our own comfort during long trips but it is rare it ever gets used before we get to our destination; even on a day when we spend 10-12 hours in the car.

When we started taking our cats on road trips we would buy a disposable litter box to toss at the end of the trip. Kitty Sift makes a recycled cardboard box and Cat’s Pride makes a single use plastic one that comes pre-filled with litter. Check your local grocery store for those.  I like them because they are easy to carry around. I put pee pads under it in the car.

We have changed since to using a Sterilite storage box with a lid. It fits in our enclosure, it’s easy to open when the cats seem to need it, and we can put the lid on after so we don’t have a mess or the smell to deal with until we get somewhere to clean it.

If your kitty’s crate isn’t big enough to fit the box, then offer him the opportunity for a bathroom break when you make your own pit stops.

Related Post: Ultimate Guide to Traveling with Cats: Pet Friendly Hotels

Safety and Comfort on the Road with Cats

Kitty needs a bigger space for a longer trip.  A dog crate, an expandable carrier, or a show shelter that can buckle in a backseat or be secured in the back of the car works well.  Because most of my travel is related to cat shows, I pop my show shelter up in the back seat. I put Plush’s carrier right in the shelter with the door off. He can wander in and out as he wishes but is still kept safe.

Offer kitty water breaks on your stops as well rather than putting a water bowl in his carrier or crate. You don’t want Kitty to get soaked if you hit a bump or stop suddenly.  Most cats aren’t inclined to eat or drink on the road anyway. Collapsible bowls are perfect for this.

Related Post: Best Carriers for Traveling Cats

Weather Factors When Traveling with Cats in Cars

Consider the weather when you head out on the road.  If it is hot be sure you keep Kitty hydrated. Bring ice packs or frozen bottles to keep Kitty cool.  Investing in a cooling mat was one of the best purchases I’ve made for travel.

If you’re traveling in cold weather, extra blankets, a self-heating bed, or a Snuggle Safe disc or Hot Hands packs wrapped in a towel or fleece. I stuck a hot hands pack in a sock under Plush’s carrier pad on a trip where my car’s heat failed on the coldest weekend of the year driving home from a cat show. I was miserable but he stayed nice and warm in his carrier.

Stick to drive through restaurants or bring food from home.  If you are traveling with a companion take your pit stops in turns so Kitty isn’t left in the car on his own. The heat or cold can become dangerous quickly.

Medications to Keep Kitty Calm

If you find your cat really doesn’t take to travel well, you can try Rescue Remedy or CBD oil. A spray of Feliway may also help calm Kitty down.  You can also try Benadryl or Pepcid AC if Kitty is prone to car sickness. But get dosing instructions from your vet and use with caution. Cats really hate the taste of Benadryl.

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

Your vet may provide a mild sedative.  I recommend testing everything you are considering using at home before heading out traveling with your cat.  My Jenny had a reverse reaction to that vet-prescribed sedative and we had the pleasure of listening to her howl and cry and carry on like she was in season while we drove from DC to Maine in a moving van.

Make Sure Your Traveling Cat has the Proper Paperwork

This depends a lot on where you are going. Check local requirements before you leave.  You may need vaccination records or a health certificate depending on where you are traveling, especially if you cross out of the country. Consider the risks of diseases or parasites in the area to which you are traveling. For example, rabies vaccinations are required in some states, but not in others.

Consistency is Key When Traveling with Cats in Cars

Keeping your pet’s diet the same will reduce stress and any gastrointestinal upset. Stock up before the trip. If your pet takes medications, speak to your veterinarian about refilling to last the duration of your trip. Keep her meal routine as similar to what she is used to at home.

Traveling by Car with Multiple Cats

Taking a car trip with multiple cats isn’t really much different than traveling with one cat. You just have to do a little more planning. Some hotels don’t allow more than one pet per room or charge per pet. The most difficult part of the trip is the logistics of actually having multiple cats in the car.

I’ve traveled up the East Coast with 8 cats. It can be done. Things to consider: how will your carriers all fit in the back seat? Is it fair to put two cats in one carrier, even it if it a big one? How do the cats get along? Bonded cats might travel better together.

Consider how to keep all the cats safe moving from place to place. How will you handle potty stops? Don’t let the cats roam without being on a leash. Make sure all your carriers are firmly closed before opening a window or door. What is your emergency plan if you break down while traveling alone? Traveling by car with multiple cats is possible if you plan ahead.

Conclusion

Traveling with cats in cars can be a great experience if you take the steps to prepare for it. With the right supplies and preparation, your journey can be stress-free and comfortable for both of you. Sharing the open road with your furbaby can deepen the bond you share and enrich his life. You will also open doors and creating a demand for more cat friendly accommodations, activities and events.