5 Easy Steps to make your trip with your Cat as smooth as possible!
Ready to drive? Before you hit the road, make sure to follow these 5 simple steps to make your feline compainion feel happy and safe!
(Creative Commons, bullcitydave)
First - Feed your cat no less than three to four hours before you leave, making sure they use the litter box before hitting the road. The food needs time to settle so your cat doesn’t leave you a little gift in the middle of your trip.
Second - Lay a piddle pad on the bottom of the carrier, then lay a layer inside with a blanket that smells of home, or a old t-shirt you wear often but don’t mind getting possibly ruined. A scent your animal recognizes provides comfort as well as a soft bed to lay in.
Third - Secure the carrier in the car where it will not fall forward or tumble over in a sudden stop. Place the carrier in a higher location or the seat next to you where your cat can see you. If possible, Secure the carrier with a seatbelt.
Fourth - Unless it is a car ride exceeding 10 hours, Cats can go for some time without food and water, though It is a good idea to make sure to give a treat here and there to keep their mood up. If your trip is over 10 hours, make sure to stop for a half an hour and give your cat a chance to use the box, eat and drink, and play a little too. (Don’t let them eat or drink a lot! Only enough to keep them satisfied till the next stop.) Many say it is a good idea to transition timing of routines slowly a few weeks before you leave to accommodate any time-zone changes if you have a regular routine with your cat.
Fifth - Crack windows about an inch if you get out of the car for any length of time, but don’t let the cat roam the vehicle. Cats are very good at wiggling out of tight spaces, so don’t roll the windows down any farther than that. Don’t leave the cat in a parked car for more than a couple of minutes, no matter the weather, the ASPCA cautions. Warm days can quickly heat up a car to dangerous temperatures, while cold causes hypothermia just as fast.
*Bailey always drove out of the carrier because she was so well behaved, and would perch on the top of the backseat with a great view out of the back window. If your cat is not as relaxed, or escapes easily, I highly recommend keeping them in the carrier for the duration of the trip.*
(Creative Commons, Craig Bennett)
Dont forget to check out “Overseas with a Kitty Cat”
and Safe Travels!