Road Trips in Your New Car with a Furry Feline

Can Traveling With Your Furry Feline Be A Walk In The Park?

Planning holiday trips and vacations can be a stressful time for anyone, especially cat lovers.  Cats always let you know that traveling in a car is not their favorite pastime.  Even unavoidable vet trips can be a nightmare for a kitty.  Here are some tips to make the next trip in the car as easy as can be for us and your furry feline.

Pet Carrier.  Most cats enjoy the confinement.  Have you ever put a box down to see what your friend will do?  Curiosity takes over and soon your cat feels at home inside.  A cat given the entire area of a car can be a disaster, not to mention, harder for you to drive to your destination safely.
1) Make sure the pet carrier is sitting flat, not slanted.  Most car seats are slightly slanted backward, making the kitty’s car ride in the carrier less enjoyable.  No animal wants to fight for balance for extended periods of time.  Tip:  Place a towel in the seat, creating a level playing field, before placing the cat carrier.

2) Turn down the music!  Your cat is not used to strange noises of a car, so they will most likely not find comfort in the radio either.

3) Watch out for bumps in the road.  If the main route is bumpy, under construction, or traffic-filled, find an alternate route.  Give your feline a smooth ride. 
 
4) Stop for breaks.  Contrary to belief, cats will not like a litter box put in their carrier.  Not to mention, it’s not the best air freshener for your car.  So, if traveling for a long period of time, stop and let your cat stretch his legs and use the potty.   

5) Window seat.  Yes, dogs love to hang out the window, ears flapping in the wind.  Though we cannot give cats the same freedom, we can still provide scenery so they can make sense of the car movements and odd noises.  In doing so, those high-pitched cries from our furry friend may become a little less frequent. 
 
6) Avoid food and water before a drive.  Cats don’t always have the strongest stomachs, and taking them on a long car adventure could cause a mess in their carrier.  Try to refrain from dinner until after you have reached your destination.  However, if on a long ride and needing to rehydrate your kitty, bring some tap water from home.  The familiarity of the water will help comfort him. 
 

Car rides with your feline will never be an easy task, but paying attention to your cat’s needs, planning, and comforting your friend will make the drive a lot more enjoyable for both your cat and yourself.