Travelling by Car with a Cat

The first thing to remember when travelling by car with your cat is that in almost all cases, they won’t like it.  Cats like to be within their comfort zone, in familiar surroundings and will get stressed when in strange and unfamiliar environments.  It is crucial to keep them secured for the trip and to limit the journey to as small a section as possible.

Travel essentials

Never travel with a cat loose in the car.  Not only is it a danger to you, there is a much higher chance the cat will flee the car at the first opportunity and get lost or even hit by another car.  So the most crucial travel essential is the cat carrier.

A cat carrier needs to be large enough for the cat to feel comfortable in but not too large that they can bounce around and injure themselves.  You want to be able to add a blanket or cushion that they like for a familiar smelling item.  There are plastic, wire mesh and wicker varieties to choose from but don’t be tempted to make your own from cardboard boxes as these are rarely strong enough to withstand cat’s claws.  Plus if the cat accidentally urinates in a cardboard box, it will soak through and weakened the box.

Journey tips

Positioning the carrier isn’t about you being able to see the cat so much as the cat feeling safe and the carrier not being able to move if you need to brake or manoeuvre suddenly.  You can use a seatbelt to help secure the carrier in place if possible.  With wire carriers, try to position it so the cat can see around them and know there are no threats.

It is a good idea if you plan to travel regularly with your cat to get them used to the idea from a young age.  Take them on short trips around town just to learn them that being in the car isn’t terrible. 

If you are planning a longer trip, then a carrier with built in food and water facilities may be a good idea.  That way they can eat and drink as needed and you don’t have to worry about opening the carrier to give them it.

Pop a waterproof sheet under the carrier to save the cat seats in the case of a little accident from the cat or if the water bowl spills during the journey.

Keep the windows of the car open enough to let air in and stop the car from becoming too warm.  Never leave the cat in the car for more than a few minutes or so and make sure there are a few windows open slightly when you do.

Some vets may recommend the use of a pheromone spray to help calm the cat during the journey and be prepared for plenty of meowing, especially when the journey behinds.  They should calm down after a short while, especially if they have had previous journeys to understand what the process is about.