Tips for Taking a Cat on a Road Trip

Going on Car Trips with Cats

Traveling with your feline friend can seem intimidating and many pet owners decide against it because they don’t know where to start. Going on car trips with cats is a good way to start and it’s not as hard as you think. Whether you are moving across the country or want to bring your cat on vacation with you, here are some tips for taking a cat on a road trip to help you get started.

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Before You Take Your Cat on a Road Trip

Double-check to make sure that the place you are staying in is cat-friendly and if they have any restrictions that would affect your plans. Keep in mind that it is best to check the actual location for the most updated information. Other sites might not be immediately aware of policy changes. Some travel plans will also require proof of vaccinations.

Make sure your cat’s tag and microchip are updated and that you have a recent picture of your cat with you in case you get separated. 

You may also want to consider getting a GPS tracker which is a great way to keep your cat safe and help bring them home in case they get lost. For help choosing the best tracker for your cat, check out How to Choose the Best GPS Tracker for Your Dog. The same questions will apply no matter what type of animal you are purchasing it for.

Train Your Cat or Brush up on Recall- Recall is a command that every cat should know, especially if you are traveling with them. If your feline friend ever gets out of the car or hotel room, this simple command will help you get them back. Cat Boss has some fantastic videos to get you started if you don’t know where to start.

Get Your Cat Used to the Car– Car rides can be stressful for any animal that is not used to them. Take them on short car rides to get them used to it so you will have a better idea of what riding in the car with them may be like and what extras they may need (anti-anxiety or motion sickness medications).

Cat Supplies for Your Road Trip

Crate– No matter how long your road trip will be, a crate is a necessity for a safe trip with your cat. A small travel-size crate can work well for short road trips but for longer hours in the car, or if you are staying in a hotel, you will want a bigger crate. The crate should be big enough for your cat, water and food bowls, a litter box, and a few toys.

Litter Box– Your cat will need a litter box to relieve itself. A litter box inside its crate will ensure that they can use the bathroom whenever needed.

Double-sided Velcro– Worried about bowls and litterboxes sliding around the crate and making a mess? Use double-sided Velcro to keep everything in place until you need to remove them.

Water and Travel Bowls– Make sure you have plenty of water and bowls to put it in! When you think you have enough water, grab one more just to be safe.

Food and Treats– If you are going to be gone during mealtime, be sure to pack dinner! Bring extra good treats for rewards and recall while on the road to reward your cat for being a good passenger.

Medicine– Take any medication that is needed. This could also include anxiety, allergies, or painkillers if recommended by your vet. They make some fantastic products to help keep your cat calm if they have a tendency to stress out in the car.

Poop bags and Scoop– Don’t forget a scoop and a few bags to clean the litterbox with. You will want to keep the area clean to ensure your cat doesn’t find another place to go to the bathroom!

First Aid Kit– Make sure you have a first aid kit available in case your cat needs it.

Cargo Liner– If your cat has a tendency to spray outside the litterbox, a cargo liner will protect the car’s interior from the mess, and you can easily remove it for cleaning.

Window shades– If you don’t have tinted windows, you might want to consider getting window shades to keep your pet a bit cooler in the back of your car. Limiting the amount of sun that shines into your vehicle can make quite a difference. 

Towel and Wipes– It is always good to have an extra towel and pet-safe wipes on a trip to clean up any messes your cat makes.

Back-up harness/leash– If your cat is leash-trained, make sure you have a backup set in case the original gets lost or damaged.

Toys– Have something on hand to keep your cat occupied and prevent them from getting bored in the car and wherever you will be spending the night.

Time to Hit the Road

Depending on your vehicle and your cat’s personality and needs, you may not need all these items. The more you travel with your kitty, you will get to know what items they really need to be comfortable on your car rides. Once they get to be more comfortable outside of your house and are harness trained, you can even begin doing more adventurous outings with them like hiking and camping!

We invite you to join our Facebook group for Traveling Pet Owners for a safe space to ask questions and get ideas on how to make traveling with your pets a positive experience.

Remember to subscribe to our community in order to get your Cat Road Trip Supplies checklist!

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