Before you book hotel reservations and transportation, you need to know these top 5 things to prepare your cat for the trip. Bringing a cat along without making advanced preparations can be disastrous. Instead of having a lot of fun while out of town, you might find yourself in a difficult situation. We will look into the essential preparation you need to make. Be sure to make a quick list of these things so you don’t miss any of it.
1. A Reliable, Well-Ventilated, Cat-Friendly Crate
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Having loose pets in the car is dangerous. While it’s possible that your cat won’t distract you while sitting in the backseat, you can never leave anything to chance. Placing kitty insider a cat carrier is a must.
A distracted driver is a huge recipe for disaster if you are on a road trip. When you are riding in a plane or any other means of transportation, a crate is a necessity. Having a crate is not enough though, you should also allow your cat to get accustomed to being crated.
When you can, try to acquaint your cat with cars. This will make it easier for your feline to feel at ease during your trip. If you simply shove kitty inside the crate and go for a drive, your cat might get sick.
Aside from the crate, bring a harness too. If you are used to walking your cat, it would be easier to bring kitty along. This way, you can reduce the chances of losing your pet while you are exploring a new place.
2. Bring a Disposable or Small Litter Box
Cats love things that are familiar to them. Of course, when traveling, your cat needs to poop and pee too. For this reason, you need to come prepared.
In the same manner that you have disposable diapers for babies, you need to prepare a litter box for your cat. Unless you can bring your cat’s litter box, it would be better to get disposable ones or a small one so your cat can take care of its business.
Bringing litter is also a must. Be sure to prepare everything including bags and a scooper if necessary. You do not want to smell cat poop odor inside the car or room, after all.
3. Don’t Forget Kitty’s Beddings
Cats abhor the idea of change. When transported to a new environment, cats could feel uneasy. This is not unusual, even for humans.
To help your cat feel more at ease when you are on a trip, be sure to prepare their bedding too. The familiar feel will make kitty more comfortable even in a different environment.
4. Pack Food and Water
Going on a trip might be fun when you are a human because of the variety of food you can choose from. Your cats may not feel the same though.
Cats would be better off eating the same kind of food they have been eating all this time. Be sure to get cat food in smaller packs for this trip.
Other than food, you also need to bring water with you. If kitty is used to drinking tap water, don’t forget to bring some along. By feeding your cat the same things you always do, they will not find the trip too upsetting.
On the subject of food and water, be sure to bring food and water bowls with you. It’s always better to bring all the necessities with you.
Bringing treats might also come in handy. So, be sure to bring something that would make your cats interested in being on their best behavior.
5. Kitty’s Favorite Toy Should Be in Your Luggage
Traveling with cats is just like going on a trip with kids since you need to pack their favorite toys. Toys are a good way to keep cats entertained and it will prevent kitty from getting too homesick.
Toys are also a good way to make kitty behave. Be sure to pack the toys your cats love the most.
Final Thoughts
These days, traveling with a cat is no longer an inconvenience. There are a lot of places where pets are welcome. Hopefully, this list of the top 5 things to prepare for your cat for the trip will help you and your cat enjoy each other’s company.
Thanks Diana!
Diana Hutchinson is the founder of Tinpaw.com blog. She is a pet lover, especially dogs and cats. “A home without a pet is just a house.”
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