Best Ways To Secure Your Cat For Travel

Depending on whether you are off on a relaxing getaway or moving house, there are times when you may need to transport your cat. Unfortunately, most cats don’t enjoy travelling; they often become stressed and really notice when things aren’t in their normal routine. For this reason, always consider whether your cat absolutely has to make the trip or whether there are other options available.

If you are off on a holiday, your cat could stay at a pet resort closer to home to save a long drive or plane ride!

It is definitely worth considering all of your options first as, ultimately, a happy cat makes for a happy life!

If you decide that your cat needs to travel, here are some options for securing your cat:

If you are travelling by plane, your cat will require a crate. Crate sizes are determined by the weight and size of the animal and need to be airline approved so are best sourced directly from the airline.

For car travel, cats are safest in carriers. Securing your cat in a carrier for the drive ensures that both your cat, yourself and anybody else in the car are safe for the duration of the drive. You can just imagine what might happen if you have a startled, stressed cat on the loose while driving! There are so many cat carriers out there on the market that it can feel overwhelming to choose the right one for your cat. To start simply, look at sizing; if the carrier is too large and your cat slides around this is both uncomfortable and dangerous while travelling so ensure that you have a cat carrier that is around 1.5 times the size of your cat so they have room to turn around and move but not enough to slide about.

Next, look at the practicalities of how the carrier will be used.

If you are using the carrier for longer drives, then it is safe to assume that your cat might poo or wee in the carrier, so choosing a hard plastic that is easy to clean would be a high priority. The downside to harder carriers is that they usually don’t offer as much padding and protection as their softer material counterparts, in this case, you will need to consider towels or bedding to ensure that your cat is comfortable.

If your carrier is for shorter drives to your local vet or pet resort, then perhaps a softer carrier that can be flattened and stored more easily could be a more attractive option. The softer carriers, which are predominantly made of mesh, are ideal for cats that are happy and willing to go into the carrier, while if you expect that your cat will try to escape, then a more secure lockable hard carrier may be a safer option.

The front seat is a definite no-no for cat carriers as if the airbags happen to be deployed it may injure your pet. It is important the carrier is secured in the back seat of the car using the seatbelt so the carrier doesn’t become a flying object in the case of a motor vehicle accident. Placing a light sheet over the carrier will reduce visual stimulation while minimising music or loud noises while driving will keep auditory stimulation as low as possible; this can help with reducing stress levels for your cat and help them to feel calm throughout the trip.

That being said, some cats who are seasoned car travellers and feel quite relaxed may like to have some visual stimulation on the drive to entertain them, so in that case, a carrier that has a mesh window can be left uncovered.

Prior to the trip, get your cat to love their carrier. If the carrier lives in storage in the garage only to be brought out for a trip to the vet or when ‘mum and dad’ are going away, then the carrier is likely to be treated as an ominous sign by your cat. So, to avoid anxiety being triggered the moment your cat sees her carrier, give your cat time to get used to the carrier well ahead of the trip. Place familiar blankets or toys in the carrier or perhaps encourage your cat to sleep in the carrier at home so that it becomes a place associated with familiarity and comfort rather than a reason to panic!

Finally, consider how you are feeling about the trip. Our pets are so good at picking up on our emotions; if we are feeling rushed and stressed by the prospect of the drive or by the packing if we are moving house, then the chances are that our feline friend will pick up on this and also feel out of sorts. So what can you do to calm the process down for you both? Perhaps spending some time relaxing with your cat in the time prior will be medicine for you both.