Tips for Traveling with Your Cat
When our oldest ragdoll cat, Elle, was diagnosed with FIP, long trips became essential so she could receive treatment and medication. Plus, Will and I were doing long-ish distance at the time, so I would drive two-and-a-half hours to visit him, and Elle would tag alone, too! She is seriously a pro at travel! Then, our second kitty, Lemon, was states away when we adopted her, so she became familiar with airplane travel very quickly. Through these experiences, I have learned a lot about traveling with cats, and I wanted to give you my tips, tricks, and must-have items for your next pet-friendly adventure!
Tips and Tricks
Create a Routine
It is essential when traveling with pets to make a routine before the trip begins. If you only bring your cats out of the house for vet appointments or necessities, they will not be fond of new environments. One way I acclimated Elle for traveling was through multiple short trips. She would come with me to the pet store to get her food, go on coffee runs, and hang out in the car for a joy ride. Through these interactions, Elle learned to love her carrier instead of fearing it. Now that we live in the city, I don't have my car, so having a pet stroller allows Elle and Lemon to leave the house safely and have positive experiences outside the apartment.
Cats as Carry-ons
If you're traveling through an airport with your cat, they must be taken out of their carrier during TSA. Security is always easier if you have someone to help you take care of the other items you're bringing on the plane (roller bags, purses, laptops, backpacks, etc.). I try to pack a lighter carry-on if I'm traveling with the cats, no matter if someone is with me or not. I always choose to have the cats travel on the plane with us, which means they are with us throughout the whole travel day and are placed under the seat in front of us. This process is an additional fee that varies by airline, but for Delta, it's ninety-five dollars, and it means your cat is your main carry-on and must be added to your ticket before travel day. You will hold your cat through security while their carrier goes through the machine. I've had TSA agents swipe both my hands while holding my cat, and once everything is cleared, your cat goes back in their carrier, and you head to the gate!I have only had one bad situation where the TSA agents were rude (I don't know y'all. Some people who hate cats REALLY have a passion for hating them. Couldn't be me).
Pet Relief Areas
Every airport will have pet relief areas, but our cats have never used them. We've taken both Elle and Lemon to give them time out of their carriers, but they'd rather stay inside and remain unbothered by the chaos of the airport. Plus, relief areas are typically designed for dogs, so there really is nothing there for the kitties to do anyway.
Litter boxes
When it comes to litter boxes, we have never flown with one. Our typical flight time is around two hours, and every time I brought a litter box, neither of the kitties would want to use it. However, when it's a car travel day, we place a litter box in the back for them to use. Honestly, neither of my cats has ever used a litter box on travel day, but this is obviously based on how the cat is feeling and the length of travel. We always want to give them the option so they feel comfortable and safe!
Reward System
We love to reward the girls after TSA and when we're sitting at our gate, and the clear reward winner has been treats! When we're on car rides, we let them take short breaks when we're getting gas or taking stretch breaks. Any time our car is parked, the kitties are outside their carriers playing, eating, and stretching!
Soothing + Anti-Anxiety Options
If your cat is known to have anxiety or easily gets stressed out, I recommend talking to your vet for tips and potential medication. Elle was prescribed a small dose of gabapentin for travel days, and while we don't always use it, it was a precaution by our vet based on her history of anxiety. Always consult your veterinarian before giving your cat medication!
A Positive Attitude!
Your attitude and mood will be picked up by your cats! If you are anxious and uneasy, they will sense it and become just as worried as you are. On the other hand, if you are calm, they will feel those emotions and be relaxed and comfortable! To prevent myself from having anxiety, I try to complete as many things as possible before travel day to prevent any hiccups on the actual day.
Travel Essentials
TSA Approved Carriers
Will and I have used both of their carriers (light pink and dark pink) for the kitties, and we love them! One of the major perks is the pockets on the sides, where you can store anything your cat may need while traveling, like food, treats, and medication. To ensure there are no problems at TSA, double check your carriers are TSA-approved!
Water Bottle
Your cats are going to want to drink while they're traveling, and this water bottle has been fabulous! If you're traveling on a plane, the bottle has to be empty, so I fill mine up using the filtered water bottle stations!
Treats
While my cats get treats as rewards for their good behavior, I also feed them treats during take-off and landing to help their ears pop. Lemon prefers the crunchy Greenie treats, and Elle prefers the Tiki Cat Stix. I recommend using crunchy treats over mousse, but Elle is a picky girl.
Secured Pet Bowl
Whether you need a bowl for food or water, you're going to need one that's secure. This lidded cat bowl is the perfect size for travel and secures at the top to keep whatever is inside from leaking out. Typically, my cats don't eat during travel, but with flight delays being a possibility, I like to have it just in case.
Personal Blankets
Something that always helps my cats is having their blankets and toys with them. I know what toys are their favorites, and I pack them inside of their carriers with them. I try to avoid any noisy toys when we're going on a flight to be courteous to others. Elle loves to snuggle up with her Marie blanket, while Lemon gets cozy with her lemon blanket!
Calming Spray
If your cat gets nervous, this calming spray is the ideal solution. The spray helped Elle during the beginning of a car road trip as she settled into the new environment. Since this is a liquid, I would spray it into the carrier before a fight, but if you're driving, I would bring it with you throughout the entire trip!
I hope these tips and tricks were helpful as you prepare for your next travel adventure. Please let me know if you have any other questions when it comes to traveling with your little furbabies! Good luck and safe travels!
