Tips for travelling with your cat

Travelling a long journey can be stressful in itself, and adding a cat into the mix can often make the whole idea overwhelming. Known for being easily irritable, many people choose to avoid travelling long journeys with their cat as not to upset their pet or the passengers around them. However, travelling with your cat need not be as difficult as you think. Whether you’re travelling by car, bus, train or even by plane, Jaycliffe Pets are here to tell you how both you and your feline friend can have a safe, smooth journey.

Car Journey

Cats are natural wanderers. They love to explore and often find it difficult being in enclosed spaces. As such, keeping a cat in a vehicle for an extended period of time can lead to irritability. However, the following tips will help make the ride as easy as possible:

  • We strongly advise you keep your cat in a carrier for the entire journey. While this may seem counterintuitive, as we stated cats can find it difficult in enclosed spaces, it is highly recommended for your own safety that you don’t allow your cat to wander around the vehicle.
  • The carrier must not be uncomfortable. We highly recommend using a carrier that is large enough for the cat to walk around and lie down in. We also suggest stocking it with some of its favourite items – such as a favourite blanket or toy. This will help keep your cat occupied and relaxed.
  • It can be wise to ease your cat into the journey – especially if your cat is new, or hasn’t been on many journeys before. Before your long trip, try taking your cat on a few relatively short drives to get it used to the experience.
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Train/Bus Journey

  • You can take your cat on a train or bus free of charge. There are no strict regulations – just make sure your cat isn’t being bothersome to other passengers. Again, we recommend keeping your cat in a carrier so that it doesn’t roam out of your sight.
  • If you’re worried about your cat being loud and disruptive on public transport, one idea is to have your cat sedated. See your vet about this option and they should be able to help you further.
  • Be aware that, although it is free to bring your cat on a train or bus, you cannot place them on a separate seat without having paid for it.

Plane Journey

  • Before making plans to take your cat on a plane, make sure you are fully aware of the guidelines of your airline and your visiting country. Some countries will require your cat to get vaccinations, so be aware of any medical guidelines and see your vet in plenty of time. Once again, it may be wise to sedate your cat if you’re worried about it being a nuisance to the other passengers.
  • Make sure your cat is well fed so that it is full and comfortable for the journey. Try not to feed it 2-4 hours before take off, however, as this could cause the cat to become travel sick.
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At Jaycliffe Pets, we always ensure your cat, or any pet, is as happy as it can be. Our expert team live on site and tend to each pet’s individual needs. We work round the clock to make sure your pet can be cared for no matter the time of day. For more information, give our friendly team a call today.