Get tips and tricks for keeping your cats safe and calm during a trip.
Traveling with dogs has gotten easier over the years. Many hotels, Airbnbs, or vacation rentals are dog-friendly. Some charge a fee for your four-legged friend to stay with you and are advertised as “pet friendly.”
Pet-friendly doesn't always mean cat-friendly. Traveling with cats remains challenging. Only a few hotel chains offer dedicated cat rooms, and I haven't found any Airbnb or Vrbo rentals that allow cats. This is understandable, since many people suffer from severe cat allergies and fewer travelers bring cats than dogs.
On the other hand, let's remember that many cat owners prefer to take their cats on vacation; some relocate across the country, and others have cats with special needs that make it hard to find a pet sitter. Every cat owner can decide what works best for them or their cats. Many cats don’t want to leave their familiar environment, but there is a trend of people taking their cats out of the house from an early age. If taking your cat on a vacation with you makes you enjoy the trip more, I am with you on that! My senior cat Lilly sleeps most of the time and has medical needs. I would rather take her with me on a week-long vacation than leave her alone at home.
In any case, before your road trip with your cats begins, plan and think through the journey. Consider everything from the accommodation to the litter box. There are many aspects of taking a cat on a trip that require attention. And don’t forget, not every trip with a cat is a vacation. Many cat owners need to move across the country, even if their cats are terrified of car rides. If you've medicated your cat for a short trip to the vet, that might not be suitable for a cross-country move. Whether you're on the road for one day or three, it's crucial to plan for the necessary paperwork, reservations, and items to ensure your safety and your cats' safety.
Let's start with a very important item: a tracking device for your cat. Wearing a tracking device while traveling is a crucial safety measure, and it doesn’t matter which product or brand you choose. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the technical setup and give your cat time to get used to the tracker on its neck. Many indoor cats have never worn a collar, so move slowly and gradually desensitize and train your cat to wear a tracking device. You might think this isn't necessary, but cats can slip out of carriers, hotel rooms, or hide in unexpected places. A tracking device provides peace of mind. Many work well without a subscription and don’t break the bank. Don’t forget the collar should be break-away for the safety of your cat.
Another safety option is a harness. In my opinion, it requires significantly more training than a collar with a tracking device. Cats have floating collar bones called clavicles, which are not connected to other bones in their bodies. This unique feature offers many benefits, such as allowing cats to squeeze through tiny spaces. However, these floating collar bones can make it very difficult to find a safe harness. I prefer harnesses that cover the cat's front. Practice harness training at home and make sure your cat feels comfortable wearing it. If a cat shows signs of discomfort, it’s more likely that the cat will try to escape from the harness. Consider harness training if you travel by air and the flight lasts several hours, with no safe opportunity to let the cat out of the carrier.
My preferred car trip option is a playpen. They come in all sizes and styles, some with an extra section for the litter box. If you travel by car for several hours, a larger playpen is a great way to give them more space, and it can also hold a small kitten litter box, food, and water.
Inside the playpen, I prefer to use the bowl-in-bowl system for food and water. This minimizes spills while letting your cat snack and drink during a longer trip. Think about making the playpen really cozy with your cat's favorite blanket, a snuffle mat for treats, her favorite toys, or a lick mat for a snack.
The litter box and litter are key topics when traveling with your cats. While I usually don’t prefer covered litter boxes at home, having a standard-sized covered litter box with a handle can make it easier for your cat to do its business in the hotel room. You can carry the litter box into the hotel room and back to the car after cleaning out urine and feces in the morning.
The most important aspect of the traveling cat litter box is using a non-tracking, low-dust litter that controls odor. Whether you plan to use a small litter box in a playpen or a standard-sized one in the hotel room, make sure you choose a non-tracking litter. Hotels will appreciate it, and you might spend less time cleaning your car after your trip.
Whenever you plan a trip with your cat, plan ahead and be prepared for the unexpected.