Start early. Taking time to help your pet feel more comfortable with travel can make the experience easier for everyone involved. Make sure you have a suitable carrier, crate, or other form of suitable restraint before you travel. If your pet will be travelling in a carrier, helping them become familiar and comfortable with it beforehand can make the experience less stressful. Leaving the carrier out at home and encouraging positive interactions with it can help your pet view it as a safe and familiar space.
Before you head off, check that your pet’s vaccinations, parasite prevention, and identification details are up to date. It’s also worth chatting with your vet about your travel plans, particularly if you’re heading somewhere that may require additional preventative care or specific health documentation for your pet.
It can be, particularly with adequate preparation. However, while some travel may be necessary, such as trips to the vet or moving house, many cats prefer the comforts and familiarity of their home environment. Travel, transport, and changes to their environment and routine can be stressful, so depending on your cat and the reason for the trip, arranging for a trusted pet sitter to care for them at home may be a better option.
If your cat does need to travel, help them get comfortable with their carrier beforehand and make sure they’re safely secured throughout the journey. A familiar blanket or toy can also help make their travel space feel a little more like home.
Never leave your pet unattended in a car. Temperatures inside a parked car can rise quickly, putting pets at risk of heat stress and potentially fatal heatstroke, even when the weather doesn’t feel particularly hot outside.
When you’re on the road, make sure your pet is safely and appropriately secured throughout the duration of the journey. Keep your vehicle at a comfortable temperature with adequate airflow, and plan ahead for your pet’s comfort and wellbeing, including access to fresh drinking water and, where appropriate, suitable breaks along the way.