posted by fmoore on May 7
If you need to travel with your cat it will be necessary to do a bit of preparation work beforehand to ensure that their trip is comfortable. A cat can become quite excited the first time it travels in a vehicle. You need to do all that is possible to help it remain calm.
If your cat is a kitten, or a younger cat, it might be necessary to put it inside a cage to stop it from running about the vehicle while it is traveling. It might be wise to take a litter box with you. When cats get excited, sometimes they need to go to the toilet. If there is nothing available for it to use, it is likely to hold on and feel sick or go to the toilet somewhere you don’t want it to.
If your cat seems calm, it is possible to let it out of the cage provided it sits quietly on a seat. Your cat might make an attempt to get out, particularly when you stop the vehicle. Make sure it doesn’t jump out of the door into potential danger.
Preferably, windows should be open just enough for circulation in the vehicle. If you do have windows down, make sure there are no drafts that could be adversely affecting your cat. More importantly, do not let your cat sit up in the back window of vehicles in direct sunlight where it might get overheated and become ill.
Cats can find comfort in having a favorite blanket or bed in the vehicle with them. A comforting hand from the owner beside them doesn’t hurt either. Consider your cat’s feelings. Treat them as you would a young child and you shouldn’t run into too many problems while traveling.
Always carry water with you. Stop regularly to see if your cat needs a drink, particularly in hot weather. It is preferable the first few times your cat goes for a trip in a vehicle to have eaten nothing beforehand. Recent feeding has the ability to make cats feel sick.
Generally, if you introduce your cat to traveling in a vehicle as a kitten it won’t mind it all that much as it becomes older. It will generally only become frightened if an unpleasant event takes place while traveling. Be sure to try these tips on your next trip. It will strengthen the bond between you and your pet.