How To Have A Stress Free Car Travel With A Cat

For most of us, car travel with a cat doesn’t sound too appealing. But did you know, with the right training and patience traveling with a cat can be easy once they are acclimated to car rides. With the holidays coming up, many people are going to be going to their families and plan on bringing along their pets. Having an acclimated cat for car rides is also beneficial if you plan on moving or even plan on going on vacations, as it makes the process easier on you and your cat. 

Hopefully you have a kitten to start out with, as this process is simpler with young cats. But, even if you have a mature cat, you still can achieve success with time and patience. 

Getting ready for your road trip

Step 1: Get your cat to love their carrier or backpack

For every cat owner this should be the number priority. This is very important because it can alleviate  you and your cats’ stress while transporting them. If they love being in their carrier or backpack, they are less likely to fight you when getting in or out of it, making the whole transition easier. 

Also, if they are going in the car, like you, they need to be “buckled in”. This will protect them, you and anyone else on the road. Cats are curious creatures and may wander the car exploring. This is especially dangerous because they can distract you, or even get under your peddles. In the event of a car accident, if they are not in their carrier, they can also be projected from the vehicle which can lead to more severe injuries or them running away. 

The type of carrier you get will depend on your cat’s preference, your preference, and how long the trip is. If you are just taking a 5 minute drive, you will not need a big carrier for them. However, if you are taking a 12 hour drive, it is more important for your cat to be able to stand up, move around, and have access to a litterbox. There are also seatbelt harnesses available if your cat gets more stressed being confined inside a carrier.

In order to make your cat less stressed while traveling in a cat carrier, spend some time training your cat on how to love their backpacks before the road trip arrives. 

Don’t have a cat carrier yet? Keep scrolling for our recommendations on the best cat carriers for road trips.

Step 2: Get your cat to love the car 

After your cat loves their carrier, it’s time to start to get them to love the car. Depending on your cat’s temperament this can be a slow or fast process. Here are a few tips to help your cat get over the fear of being in a car. Pro tip: Getting your cat acclimated to the car is best done with the help of two people. This way one person can drive while the other pays attention to the cat and praises them. 

• Take your cat out to the car in their carrier
• With the car off and the windows closed, place and buckle your cat’s carrier to where they will be when you travel and make them feel comfortable. Slightly open the carrier and pet them, talk to them gently and praise them. If they are food motivated, try and give them a few treats to get them relaxed in the car. But do not over feed them as they can get car sick. 
• Next, start the car and let them get used to the sounds and vibrations the car makes before taking off.
  • Caution: if your car is parked in a garage during this process, make sure you open the garage door or move your car out of the garage as carbon monoxide is dangerous for you and your cat.   
• Now that your cat is used to the sounds and vibrations of the car, it is time to start to take short drives around your neighborhood or apartment complex. Do not overdo it here. It is best to practice this step a couple of times and build up to longer trips. Drive slowly and do not make sudden jerks when braking or starting. Take all turns easy and make sure your cat is comfortable during this whole process.
• Associate car rides to fun places instead of only the vet, like adventures! They will be more eager going into the car if they are rewarded at the end of it. Another thing you can try is to take them with you when you run errands. This really only works if you are going to a place that your cat can come inside with you, or if you have one person stay in the car with the cat while the other goes inside. But it is a great option if doable.
• Continue doing these steps until your cat is used to the whole process. Consistency is key with cats. Each cat is different and individual success will vary. The process can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of months depending on your cats needs. 

Step 3: Prepare the car for trips

The car needs to be prepared properly for your cat to be comfortable. We recommend you bring some of their favorite toys or blankets to help the car feel as much as home as possible. It is also important to be able to fit their litterbox in the carrier as well. 

Keeping the car at a comfortable temperature is also very important for your cat. If it is too hot or cold for them, it can add to their stress.

It is usually best to leave the windows up, as the sound of the wind can be scary to your cat.

Playing music may be an individual decision. Do not play too loudly, as cat ears are more sensitive than people’s and it may stress them out. If you are playing music, it should be quiet and calming. Be sure to read your cat’s body language, as some may prefer no music at all.

What if my cat gets car sick?

For cats, car sickness can be quite common. Whether they actually get sick, or they are just very anxious and nervous, it is not a good experience for them and should be addressed. We have a post on How To Deal With Motion Sickness In Cats that you can check out for some tips. 

Don’t have a carrier yet? Check out these great options:

Seatbelt Harnesses:

1. Slowton Harness and seatbelt

2. Vastar Safety Strap

Carriers for shorter trips:

1. Basic carrier – best if you can get a top loading one so that you have two options for getting your cat in and out of the carrier.

2. Sleepypod

3. Sherpa Travel Carrier (also airline approved)

4. Kurgo Car Booster Seat

Carriers for longer trips:

1. Sportpet Backseat Carrier

2. Handinhand Pet Tube

3. Siivton Expandable Carrier

4. Hippah Car Seat

Conclusion:

Car travel with a cat does not need to be stressful! You can work with your cat at their pace to hopefully be able to have a stress-free ride. Making sure you are prepared can help alleviate much of the stress of travel, and training your cat to ride in the car can help manage their stress.