Safety & Comfort While Traveling With Cats

Call me a recluse, but I haven't left the house in nearly a year -- and I like it that way. So imagine my dismay when the people get my kennel out and lock me inside it. Then they pick me up, and carry me outside and into the car. Oh, no! We're going to the vet! I cry.

This is me when I was just 2 months old.

We didn't go to the vet this time. We just drove around, made some stops and came back home. During the trip, I was both scared and curious at the same time. I didn't know what was happening, and I so badly wanted to find out.

Later, I overheard them talking about moving. They said they need to help me, slowly, get used to riding in the car and being in new places. Next time, we're going to someone's house, I think.

Are you planning on moving to a new home with your pets? It can be stressful for cats who are homebodies. We are creatures of habit, and don't particularly enjoy being uprooted. Here are some ways to make the move easier on your feline friends -- and to keep them safe during travel.

1. Keep a collar with your pet's ID tag on at all times during travel. If your cat is not used to wearing a collar, start out a month ahead of time by securing it around your cat's neck for short, then longer increments of time. Keep it on for at least a month after moving, in case your cat escapes.
2. Carry a Bill of Health certificate if you are crossing state lines. You can get one from your veterinarian, certifying that your pet has the required vaccinations.
3. Keep your pets confined for everyone's safety. Especially if they are prone to getting excited and bolting. It can be dangerous to all involved if there is a cat jumping around the car and onto the driver's lap. Keep your pets in carriers or safety harnesses during travel.
4. Leash your pet during stops. Okay, this is just plain common sense. Do not let your cat freely roam at rest areas or gas stations; you never know what a scared kitty might do or escape to. If your cat is not used to being harnessed, start out by securing a harness around her at home, a month ahead of time.
5. Make sure your pets have access to food, water and a litter box. Many cats will drink and eat very little, due to stress, but it's important that they at least drink at least a little each day. Carefully monitor your cat's intake and output, and contact a veterinarian if her eating habits don't return to normal after the move.
6. Prevent carsickness as much as possible. Talk to your veterinarian about prescribing a medication, and discuss ways you can minimize sickness.
7. Carry baby wipes and paper towel in case of accidents. They can happen, especially while your cat is under stress.
8. Carry blankets or bath towels in the car. Keep one at the bottom of the carrier so your cat will feel more comfortable. Use another to cover the carrier -- to provide a warmer environment and to calm an anxious kitty, especially while driving through busy cities.
9. Give your pets a room to themselves. When you arrive at your new home, put your cat in this room with her things, and let her get used to the new environment. Stay a while, talk to your cat and comfort her. Surround her with familiar objects and scents. Once you have settled in, she can have access to the rest of the house.

 What have you done to make your pets more comfortable during travel, and to keep them safe?