Traveling with Cats

The new job, the one you have been anxiously waiting for has finally come through! There's one drawback though, it's on the other side of the country and Fluffy hates to travel in a car. In order to get her in the car, you first have to get her in the carrier. Fluffy associates the carrier with the unpleasant experiences of going to the vet's office, being dropped at the groomers, or worst of all, being sent to a kennel while you enjoy a much-needed vacation. How do you break through that fear, take her stress level down and make the two of you more comfortable in the meantime?

There are only two ways to move pets, by car or by plane. For interstate travel, or travel to a neighboring country like Canada, your cat should first be examined by a veterinarian and have a health certificate issued prior to traveling. At border crossings you may be asked if you have one. If you are unable to produce one, they will hold you up a bit, while you answer all the questions as to why you were not prepared.

Traveling cross-country by vehicle requires quite a bit of time versus air travel. Some additional requirements for longer trips need to be considered:

Let Fluffy get acclimated and friendly with the cat carrier. Leave it open with bedding in it, in the room she is most comfortable in. Once the initial apprehension dissipates, kitty curiosity can take over. If it looks inviting, is safe (meaning the door is propped open) and has treats inside, Fluffy should investigate it in her own time. If she does not, put her inside for a few minutes, then let her out. Short interludes where nothing happens will help alleviate the fear of the carrier. Don't force her inside. If she shows any reluctance, stand the carrier on end with the door open and scruff Fluffy gently and lower her inside. Close the door quickly behind her; gently lower the carrier to a normal position keeping her inside for just a few moments, then release her.

In order to prevent escape, or accidents on the road, cats should always be transported in a carrier. To keep her calmer, if you are only going a short distance, you can alleviate some of the stress (if it is not a really hot day) and cover the carrier with a dark cloth. But for longer trips here are some easy tips to follow:

• Planned rest stops: Stopping not only gives the driver a break, but also offers you the opportunity to check on your cat, and offer her the use of a litter box and a drink. Before you open up the carrier, be sure all doors and windows in the car are closed. Let Fluffy out of the carrier, with the litter box on the seat or floor near the carrier, but don't be surprised if she won't use it. Let her walk around a little bit before returning her to the carrier, but don't let her get underneath your seat where she will be hard to reach.
• Time Your Trips: Plan to travel no longer than 7 or 8 hours (most cats can wait to relieve themselves for that period of time) and the box can be then offered in the safety of a hotel room. If you cat is prone to motion sickness, don't offer her any food while she is in motion.
• Find Pet Friendly Accommodations: Schedule your trip around hotels that accept pets. Call ahead of time to find out if the hotel or motel is pet friendly. Several books and Internet sites serve as guides for pet-loving accommodations.
• Have An Escape Plan: Keep identification tags on your pet. In the event of an escape, the person finding the cat will know whom to contact. Consider leaving a temporary tag with your cell phone number on it, just in case. Also microchip your pet. Microchips provide universal protection.
• Offer A Comfort Zone: If your cat dislikes auto travel of any length, or tends to become car sick, speak with your veterinarian about using Dramamine or a similar product to control the nausea. A product like Benadryl can make the cat sleepy without the dangers of tranquilization; however, do not use these products without your vet's recommendation.
• Short & Sweet: Prior to the trip, take short trips with your kitty in the carrier around the block or to a local store. Plan to return home before the anxiety or motion sickness starts.