Top Tips for Traveling with a Cat: Your Complete Pet Travel Guide

 

Taking a journey with a cat is always seen as a daunting and uncomfortable experience for both cats and their cat parents, but it doesn't have to be that way!

I started traveling with Mia (my own bengal cat) about five years ago, and can still remember how stressful it was for us at the beginning. But after the first major trip, we managed to work out a system that we can now just adapt to whichever type of journey we plan on taking.

So, whether we are traveling internationally, taking trips within the US, or going on regular road trips almost every other weekend, we know we have a plan that works, and all we need worry about is just enjoying ourselves!

Whether it's a short trip to the vet, or an international flight taking you both home for Christmas, we’re going to share our most useful tips and tricks to make your upcoming trip as peaceful and stress-free as possible for both you and your feline friend. There are two main reasons for this:

1. If you don’t have a system, it becomes exhausting, frustrating and even dangerous for your cat. And if any of this means either of you has a bad experience on the journey, you’ll never want to do it again.

2. The flexibility you gain being able to take your cat with you is unmatched. No more travel guilt on your next trip, because this time your cat is coming with you!

We’ve separated the article into different areas to show you how best to approach traveling with an animal. These are things I learned myself by travelling on different trips with Mia, and cover important subjects such as creating the cats “safe space”, cat safety during travel, and how to manage all those unexpected other things.

Is it Cruel to Travel with a Cat?

I have yet to meet a cat that doesn’t like leaving the house, when the opportunity is right. However, cats that have had a full life indoors and never left the apartment, will generally prefer to stay inside.

This isn’t surprising though. I mean, I’m close to 40 and when I have to do new things, I also get nervous and over-cautious. It doesn’t mean that I can’t learn how to wakeboard or kitesurf, but if I’ve never done it before, it might look dangerous or scary to me at first!

The fact that a cat has been locked indoors and now is scared to venture outside doesn’t mean that the cat is only adapted to live inside an apartment. What it means is that if your cat's only reality is the safety and the quiet of an apartment, or the inside of your home, they can easily become overwhelmed when they first take a step outside.

Cats are athletes. Little hunting machines, engineered to be fast, agile, and great at climbing. They are designed to make their territory, patrol it, hide, pounce, and kill. Inside, we give them opportunities to mimic this behavior with their scratching posts, toy mice, and cat trees, but they would get many more natural stimuli outdoors. So, when they face them for the first time, it can be overwhelming.

As with any kind of cat training, we should never force a cat into a situation it is not prepared for. This could traumatize the cat, and create a negative association with anything to do with travelling in the future, which is obviously the exact opposite of what we want. So, we take our time and introduce the changes slowly, so the cat is comfortable with them.

 

How to Safely Travel with a Cat

 

When taking a cat on a long trip or vacation, we first have to enrich their immediate environment. This basically means either removing any stressors that make them feel uncomfortable, or by adding things that make them feel relaxed and at home, just like we did when cat-ified our apartments.

Part of the process means building up a safe space for the cat, so that even if the environment is unfamiliar, there is something within it the cat recognizes, relates to and smells like home, such as their favourite toy, blanket or their cat carrier. It could even be something that smells of you. The cat will then use this as a base to retreat to, if things get overwhelming.

There are 3 ways to travel with a cat:

• Cat Harness and Leash - Always in combination with a carrier or a backpack
• Cat Carrier - For plane trips and vet visits
• Cat Backpack - For everything else

Choosing the right harness for your cat is important. A cat harness is the one adventure cat gear item that your cat is going to wear in every trip, I recommend you to spend a bit of extra time and money to get the one that works best for your cat. There's a more extensive list of things you'll need to travel with your cat later in this article.

Adapting your cat to Traveling

The next important piece of advice is about the process of adapting our cat to the process of travelling with us. Remember, they don’t get to make this decision. So, it is important to ensure they feel as comfortable as possible when travelling with us. Especially if it is their very first time.

Mia and I developed the following framework over the years that will allow you to make every experience a positive one:

• Develop Trust

• Anticipate

• Start Slowly

• Be FlexibleNow let’s take a closer look at each of these ideas in turn!

1. Develop Trust with Your Cat

Let's face it, we are not cats. Our cat does not see us as a cat. We are a clumsy giant animal that seems not to be interested in eating cats.

A cat will stop being fearful towards their human as long as we respect their boundaries consistently and attend to their needs. With a little time of us feeding our cats, providing all kinds of luxuries, and proving to them that we are no danger, we will get a cat to stop fearing us.

That is just the beginning of a long process toward getting our cat to trust us. To develop trust, we need bonding activities, like playtime and clicker training.

Once your cat bonds with you, you become their safe space. As long as they are with you, they will feel brave and willing to explore. There’s a whole study talking about this that I find fascinating. Cats that display secure attachement use their owner as a source of security and comfort and are able to freely explore the room while the owner is present.

Read this article to learn more about increasing the trust of your cat.

Once our cat trusts us and we are a safe person/space to be with, we can move to the next step:

 

2. Anticipate and Plan your Trip with Your Cat

 

Cats after 16 weeks of age tend to approach new experiences with caution and care. This is because cats are both predators and prey and their curiosity peaks at 14 weeks. Every new experience after this period will be considered dangerous until proven otherwise.

This is why training a cat from a young age is much easier. So, anticipating what we want to do, and getting our cat ready in sufficient time is the key to adapting a cat to travelling.

 

3. Create Habituation or Desensitization

 

Habituation is the diminishing of a physiological or emotional response to a frequently repeated stimulus. It sounds complicated but it's very simple. Here’s an example:

When you first learn to drive, everything feels new and requires your full attention—like how hard to press the pedals, when to use your turn signal, and check your mirrors. It might even feel overwhelming because you notice every little thing.

But after you practice driving a lot, your brain starts getting used to all the actions and sounds. For example, you might stop noticing the hum of the engine or the clicking sound of the turn signal because they happen so often. Your brain decides those things aren’t super important to pay attention to anymore. This allows you to focus on what really matters, like the road ahead and the traffic around you.

We want to make sure that the first travel experiences with your cat are positive so that they learn to relax while traveling. To achieve that, we need to start slow, doing things that are easy and comfortable for them.

Select a carrier that provides enough space for your cat to stand, sit, lie down, and turn around comfortably. If your cat feels relaxed in the carrier indoors, they are more likely to feel secure when you use it for traveling.

Once you have the carrier or backpack, introduce it gradually. Place the carrier in a visible and accessible spot inside your home so your cat can get used to its presence. Encourage exploration by leaving the door open and adding soft bedding or treats to make it inviting.

Any new experience should be introduced step by step, with a modified version that gradually builds up to the real situation. This allows your cat to adapt without feeling overwhelmed.

4. Travel with Your Cat Wellbeing in Mind - Be Flexible

You should start making preparations for your vacation as early as possible since these things require time. The more prepared you are for a trip with your cat, the less stressed out both of you will be.

Plan for alternatives in case, your cat gets hot, there's a neighbor dog that makes your cat's life impossible or any other external factor that might make your cat not be as comfortable as they deserve.

If your cat is uncomfortable, move you your plan B, so that your cat does not link the bad experience with traveling. Be ready to stop, turn around and go home at any time. A traumatic experience will likely make it impossible to travel with your cat in the future.

Let's summarize what we've learned so far:

• Develop trust with your cat by training and playing with them
• Anticipate the type of trip you are taking
• Train your cat to be habituated to what they'll be facing during the trip
• Be ready to modify your ideal trip on behalf of your cat's wellbeing

Should You Sedate Your Cat for Traveling?

If despite your best efforts to prepare them for the trip, your cat still exhibits signs of stress or anxiety during the habituation process, a cat sedative for travel may be necessary. But the use of sedatives should only be the last resort, if all the other steps in the process we previously explained are not working.

Since there is no such thing as a completely risk-free medicine, your vet is the only one who can say for sure whether your cat is healthy enough to take sedatives. Because every cat is unique, you should consult your veterinarian about which sedative would be ideal for your particular feline.

My advice is that if you decide to use a sedative, always try it on your cat before travelling, to understand how it affects them. In this way, you can avoid a lot of stress or panic at the last minute if your cat starts behaving strangely because of the medication.

 

Traveling with a Cat Checklist

Bringing a pet on a trip nearly always adds extra stress. We have to remember all their documents and paperwork, there are more items to carry and keep an eye on, and we must always be checking to see that they are comfortable.

To make that process easier for you, we’ve put together a fast checklist of the most important things you need to remember when travelling with a cat. There is a brief explanation below each item below:

1. Cat Health

• Get your cat micro-chipped – Actually this is essential

• Your cat must be rabies vaccinated for international trips – At least 21 days before the flight.

• Make sure other vaccines are up to date

• Use anti-parasitic treatments or collars – Fleas, Ticks and Biting flies are the main culprits.

2. Cat Harness

We use our own Houdini cat harness because since we designed it , we know it works. It's escape-proof and lightweight, allowing Mia to explore freely and safely.

3. Portable Litter box

Getting a travel litter box is a game changer. Knowing your cat can use the litter box whenever they need to will reduce the chances of a mess and helps your cat travel more comfortably.

4. Litter Bag

Ziploc bags work but if they break they can make a huge mess. I use this litterbag instead.

5. A Pet Carrier or a Backpack

I generally use a carrier, as Mia rides well on my shoulder. The one we use is this one, but you may want to consider a more sturdy version which will protect the cat from what’s moving or falling around them.

6. High Value Treats

When outdoors, your treats will compete with other stimuli. Using the tastiest treats possible is the only way to go. We use our own brand called Feastfuls.

7. Moist Food sachets

Because traveling is dehydrating and cats are not very good at drinking water, I prefer to give Darwin's Pet Food to Mia, as it's hydrating. Always check beforehand if the airline will let you take them onboard in your hand luggage.

8. A Collapsible Food and/or Water Bowl

Something to serve the moist food or water into.

You can always bring more stuff, but these are the minimums you will for sure need.

When to Travel with a Cat and When not to

You should select a mode of transport that will keep your pet both secure and comfortable. If you won't have much time to spend with the pet on the trip, it's best to leave your cat at home. Otherwise, taking them with you will prevent them from spending alone time while you are out.

How to Travel with a Cat?

Taking a cat on a trip can be fun, if you and your furry friend are fully prepared for it. Whether you're traveling by plane, car, train, boat, etc., be sure you follow these tips for a safe and stress-free journey.

Long Distance or International Cat Travel

If you're taking your cat on an international flight, be sure it satisfies the regulations of both your ultimate destination and any stops along the way. The worst thing that could happen is that you arrive at the country of destination to learn that the hotel does accept cats but the bus or taxi that will take you there doesn't.

If you want to travel internationally with your cat, keep these things in mind:

• Check the regulations of the country of destiny
• Most will require at least the rabies vaccine up to date
• Look for an airline that allows cats in cabin
• Get a direct flight to cut down on your journey time
• Put a tag with your contact information on the cat's collar, including your phone number
• Your cat's nails should be trimmed before the trip so in case they escape, they can't hurt anyone
• Take a cat harness so that your cat can spend some time walking around the airport and getting tired

More tips in the video below:

 

We advise you to carefully consider the hazards before flying with your cat.

Note that animals with "pushed-in" faces, including bulldogs, pugs, and Persian cats, are at increased risk of injury during flight and they are banned from air travel. Flying with your cat if they have a flat face is not adviced and irresponsible because due to the limited airflow via their tiny nostrils, they are particularly susceptible to heatstroke and oxygen deprivation.

Most airlines will allow you to bring a cat or small dog inside the cabin with you for an additional fee. However, there are limits on how many pets may travel in the cabin, so it's best to check with the airline ahead of time.

How to Travel with a Cat on a Train

Trains are becoming my favorite means of transportation. They are ecologic, less noisy than a plane and you avoid all those security checks. Additionally, your cat will be able to walk on a leash up and down if they desire and that for me is worthelss.

Make sure your cat is comfortable in its carrier weeks before your trip since it will be kept there for the entirety of the train ride. Put in their favorite blankets (because they are impregnated with their pheromones) and toys so they may feel at ease and use it as part of their routine.

If your cat is acclimated to the carrier's scent and temperature, your next trip seem more like being at home and your cat will be able to relax more.

Be careful because in trains there's also dogs. Try to be in an area where there are no dogs around and if they are, ensure they are properly leashed and muzzled.

 

How to Travel with a Cat on a Boat

Sailing with cats has been one of the best experiences of my life.

Cats have been sailing for centuries and they are one of the best sea companions one can dream of. They have great balance, they are quiet and don't get dizze plus they get rid of any mice or insect that could be on board.

Despite cats' great sailing skills, only a small number of cruise lines—and often only ocean crossings—allow pets, and even then, only service animals are allowed. Many cruises only allow pets in designated areas, such as kennels.

If you want to sail with a cat on your own boat, keep reading to learn how, but if you plan on bringing your pet with you on your cruise voyage, it is important to contact the cruise line in advance to find out more about its pet-friendly policies and which ships provide kennels.

If you own a boat and want to sail or motorboat with your cat note that there are 2 very important things to consider safety-wise:

1. Cats have great balance but they cant grab onto the deck of a boat
2. Cats are great swimmers but can't swim forever

There are other considerations but that would make this article too long. Learn more about sailing with cats in this other article.

 How to Travel with a Cat on a Car

Your cat should ride in a carrier that is secured to the car with a seat belt or other method to ensure its safety. Restraints and seat belts for cats help keep them from wandering the car and distracting the driver, but they aren't effective in protecting cats from harm in accidents.

Said this, some cats will hate the carrier and having the cat on your lap will be a good way to sooth them. Note that every country regulations are different regarding pets in cars so check out what's permitted and what not in your country.

Never let your cat out of the car without a harness. If your cat were to run towards a road, they could be exposed to serious trouble.

If your cat doesn't like car rides, follow these steps to help create some desensitization:

• Introduce the stimuli slowly, at levels that your cat can accept and digest.
• Reward every time that stimuli are presented at a level that your cat can tolerate.
• Increase the intensity of the stimuli as your cat builds desensitization.

Traveling with Cats Hotels

Finding a hotel that allows cats is possible, but it will cost you more than one that allows dogs. Although they may advertise as pet-friendly, not all establishments allow felines.

Most hotels will tell you no, and you'll end up paying an additional 30% to 40% on average. Although it may be inconvenient, it is best to reserve a hotel room or other accommodation well in advance of your trip and don't trust those hotels that say pet friendly because most are only dog friendly.

Some big chains that allow pets are the following:

1. Marriott Hotels (more than 1,500 hotels that allow pets)

This chain has several chains that will allow cats. Make sure you call them before making a reservation because polices change all the time: Aloft Hotels, JW Marriott, Residence Inn, The Ritz-Carlton, or Sheraton Hotels.

2. Kimpton Hotels

They have fame of being very good with cats and other pets. They are some of the first cat-friendly chains going back to their founding times in 1981.

3. Comfort Inn

The Comfort Inn & Suites is a no-frills cat-friendly hotel chain. There is a fee for checking in a cat but beds and common off-limits to pets.

4. Quality Inn

Quality Inn allows two pets per room, with weight and possible breed restrictions (large dog owners should call beforehand to get approval from the specific hotel). No pets allowed on beds or in common areas. And there’s a pet fee.

5. Four Seasons

I bet this one comes as a surprise! There are many Four Seasons properties that allow pets and even provide upscale accommodations, like a special dining menu, grooming services and complimentary pet supplies. Expect a pet fee.

 

Traveling with Cats final Tips & Tricks

Bringing a cat on a trip is a major hassle. The key is to make sure they feel safe and comfortable the whole time. Taking care of a pet while traveling may be a pain, but with the tips we've shared here, you can make the journey more comfortable for both you and your furry buddy. If you plan, both you and your kitten companion will arrive at your destination in good moods.

As always, remember to Stay Wild and Stay Safe!

We will see you outdoors!

Albert & Mia