By Solo Insurance® Updated 8/19/25
August 8th is International Cat Day so for all you cat lovers out there, this one’s for you.
TRAVELING WITH A CAT
“Unplanned” describes the first time I traveled with my cat. My nephew (age 3 at the time) convinced me that a nice, beautiful “barn kitty” needed a home. In addition, he advised me, she wanted to go home with me. Mind you, I lived 10 hours and a couple states away. Long story short, Kitty Toots rode home in the car with my mom and me. She curled up under my mom’s passenger seat the whole time. That was almost three decades ago. Thankfully, there were no stories to tell about it.
Looking back, her first car travel could’ve gone a whole bunch of ways. I’m grateful it went well. She didn’t have to go back to her barn and she was a good city house kitty. Kitty Toots lived a good life. She’d greet me when I came home from work and tell me about her day. She was a nice kitty and I’m glad she hitched a ride.
Not all cat travel stories end the same way since most cats don’t seem to naturally love the car. Being trapped in a moving box careening down the highway at high speeds could scare anyone. Cats can freak out, run around, crawl underneath your feet, get sick, or express themselves (yikes). In other words, on the cat stress and anxiety scale, car travel is near the top. It causes sometimes undesirable results for them and their humans. PetMD.com recommends using a cat carrier. Further, they say, “an ideal carrier has a front and top opening to give you and your cat options for entry and exit.”(1)
PRE-PLAN AND PRACTICE CAR TRAVEL
As with any animal, it’s a great idea to build up to car travel in super short successful doses. Ideally, your cat is carrier trained first. Carriers are to be their safe havens, not a punishment. They’re a place to go to get away from the crazy world. Feed your cat in the carrier to help this along. Now to the car. (If not carrier-trained, apply these baby steps to carriers first). Any stress you’re feeling will go to your cat so make it enjoyable for both of you!
So, how do you get to enjoyable? Here are some steps:
- Calmly and happily introduce your kitty to the car. “Yay, here’s a car…let’s get in together and have your favorite treat.” The car’s not moving, the door isn’t closed. It’s not so bad. Do this a few times in a secure place until it becomes an ok place.
- Next, add to step one by closing the door so in there together, then have the snack. Again do a few times. If the car is in a garage, add to this when comfy with car door closing, the opening of the garage door.
- Now that your feline is secure with all of the above, start the engine; if all is well drive a super short distance (like down a driveway and back) and end on a happy note. Always end on a happy note.
- Once steps 1-3 are accomplished, you can add duration. Recommendation: do not make first big trip to the vet!
CONCLUSION
As you’ve read, it is possible to travel safely with a cat. The key is to first help them feel secure and safe in the moving environment. Building up to that level takes a bit of effort and time on your part but in the long run, it is worth it! If your dear one hates it anyway, there are herbal remedies or medications that can help. With that, happy International Cat Day and may all your travels be fun and safe! If you need car insurance, truck insurance, motorcycle insurance, we’d love to help. 800-207-7656
Source: (1) https://www.petmd.com/cat/care/8-tips-traveling-cat
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