Travelling with a cat

If you've ever had your cat wake you up at 6AM on a weekend, you know what I'm going to talk about. Cats are creatures of habit and routine. They like to know when they're being fed, when and where they can nap safely, and they like to know their surroundings. They are very "type A" in that regard. While curious by nature, cats thrive when they know what to expect. Maybe you don't want to board your cat, or hire a pet sitter because you're going away for a long time. I recommend leaving your cat at home or with a boarding facility whenever possible as it eliminates stress and any accidental escapes, injury or illness but sometimes that's not realistic. So, how do you travel with a cat and cause the least amount of stress possible?

Ideally, starting early. By travelling when your cat is young, they adapt to the chaos and confusion that is airports, planes, hotels and car rides. That's not to say adult cats can't learn how to travel well, many do and can learn. If you're like me, you follow many cats on Instagram living their best lives on the road. "Great Grams of Gary" goes skiing in Alberta! "Moo" over at SlowRoamer explores terrain by camper van. Some of these cats are born for adventure, and some of these cats were trained to live that way. Some cats walk great on a harness, while others hate them. A harness is always better than a collar due to choking hazards, and it provides the most secure hold when you're in the wild. It's easier to quickly grab the harness than risk your cat getting out of the collar.

Safety first. When travelling with your cat, it's imperative they have a secure kennel or carrier bag so they don't get loose on the runway, or in the airport. I suggest using zipties on the gate or zippers as extra reinforcement. I also suggest never, ever putting your cat in cargo hold. Always have your cat as a carry on, and place them under the seat in front of you on an airplane. Cargo holds are very stressful for any animal, and there have been several fatalities due to airline negligence. Never put your cat in the carry on compartment above your seat, either. They will overheat, it's dark, and it's not safe amongst the other luggage. If an airline ever asks you to do this, - REFUSE!

When travelling by car, in addition to a carrier, I recommend getting a 'static strap' to hang from your trunk or out the car door. This reduces the amount of electrical static your cat will feel as the car is driving, and may help prevent car sickness. Cats should never be loose in the car as they can scare easily and cause an accident, or be ejected if the vehicle is hit.

Many hotels are not cat friendly, because there is a fear of damage. If your hotel or airbnb allows for cats, be sure to leave the "Do not disturb" sign up so housekeeping doesn't come in and let your cat out. Always leave access to water and litter while you're in a hotel. Using disposable litter pans have been great, and can be picked up at most dollar stores.

Medications. These may be of great benefit if your cat is nervous. Calming medications prescribed by your vet can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and help your cat feel drowsy so they sleep most of the way. It's equivalent to a person taking Gravol or anti-anxiety medications for their fears. Always discuss with your veterinarian prior to giving your cat anything as they may have adverse side effects.

Etiquette. Not all places are animal, especially cat, friendly. Some countries view cats as vermin believe it or not. Other countries worship cats, while others just don't have the resources. Knowing where you're going, what kind of attitude the country has towards animals, knowing how to access veterinarians or rescue groups is imperative. Hopefully you never need to use services while abroad, but if you are familiar with them, it can prevent a bad scenario from turning worse.

Vaccinations/ID. Check the requirements of the country you are travelling to. Your cat should be up to date for all vaccinations required by Canada, and may require additional ones for other countries. Have your veterinarian paperwork on you at all times to show customs officers. Make sure your cat has a form of permanent ID, such as a readable tattoo, microchip. A GPS tracker on their tag never hurts!

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