As cats are man’s beloved companions, they want to bring them everywhere. It breaks their hearts whenever they step out the door and have to leave them behind. Good thing though there are professionals who can be trusted to at least ease the owners’ minds that their pets are well taken care of when they need to be away. Looking up a cat care facility when in East Bay to find a reliable one to take care of your cat’s needs sometimes is the first that pops into our mind.
However, there are instances when cats need to travel with the owner. Most cat owners jump at this chance as they don’t want to be parted from their favorite feline. But if you don’t know what to do and what not to do when traveling with a cat, this can easily become a disaster and you can even risk the safety of your cat and even yourself.
Here are some important things you need to take note of.
Traveling Do’s
- Visit your veterinarian.
As soon as you’ve made travel plans, the first thing you need to do is visit the vet. You need to make sure that your cat’s shots are up-to-date and also secure a health certificate especially if you would need to travel to another state. - Buy them a secure carrier.
Being inside a carrier is the safest way for cats to travel. It would not be good to have a loose cat in your car as it would take your concentration off from driving. This would also prevent them from hiding in unreachable areas of your car. - Do dry runs before the actual travel.
After your cat gets the clearance from the vet, do dry runs for the travel. Your pet needs to be familiar with the look, feel and smell of your car and even the sound of your car engine. If you’re buying a new carrier for your cat, it’s recommended that they be familiar with this for at least a month. - Pack them a travel kit.
Prepare a travel kit for your cat that includes food, water, toys, treats, a litter box, a scoop, paper bags, and towels. - Bring something that smells like home.
To eliminate the stress that your cat might experience when traveling makes sure you bring something that smells like home to them. This can be a favorite toy or a pillow. - Check with airlines regarding their traveling policies.
If you will need to travel by plane, make sure you know what the airline’s policy is when it comes to pet travel. Some airlines will allow you to have your pet with you in the cabin at an additional fee, but most will not.
