Travelling with your cat

Most cats aren’t keen on travelling, feeling much safer at home where the world isn’t moving around them. Whether you’re heading to the vet or a little further afield, any journey can be stressful for our feline friends.

However, with some careful preparation, you can make travelling easier and safer for you and your cat. Here are some top tips on how to make your necessary outings a positive experience for everyone involved…

What type of carrier is best for travelling with a cat?

Knowing what cat carrier* to buy can be difficult, since they seem to come in all sorts of shapes and sizes! 

Whatever you choose, the ideal cat carrier should be:

• Sturdy. 
• Lightweight. 
• Secure. 
• Ventilated. 
• Easy to clean.

Other things to consider when buying a carrier include:

Size – your cat should be able to lay down comfortably in their carrier, adjust themselves as needed while on the move, yet be snug enough to ensure they don’t hurt themselves.

Opening – cat carriers with a top opening can make visits to the vet easier, since your feline friend doesn’t have to be removed immediately to be examined. When needed, your cat can be lifted gently out of their carrier, instead of having to worry about reaching in and losing the battle against sharp claws!

Ventilation – make sure any cat carrier you’re considering provides adequate airflow and has ventilation openings on at least two sides. This will allow your cat to keep cool while viewing the world outside the carrier.

Security – check all carrier openings have a locking mechanism, so your cat isn’t able to escape.

How to get your cat used to their carrier

Training your cat to get used to their carrier before you have to use it will help them feel safe in and around it, ahead of needing it for travel. Here are some steps to take to help your cat become more comfortable in their carrier:

Step 1

Make the carrier a part of your home by keeping it out in a room where your cat spends a lot of their time. Place a familiar blanket or bedding inside the carrier, so it smells just like them, to help your cat feel more secure.

Step 2

It may take days or weeks before your cat starts to trust the carrier, so it’s important to remain calm, be patient, and reward them for any desired behaviours.

Step 3 

If your cat doesn’t interact with the carrier within a few days, remove the top half (if possible) and let them use the bottom half as an extra bed. Then, leave it a week or so before trying to encourage your cat to interact with the carrier (with the lid back on) again.

Step 4

Once your cat is happy going in and out of the carrier with its lid on, try closing the door for a few seconds at a time. Be sure to offer your cat some treats to eat while inside, to develop a positive association with the carrier.

Step 5

When they seem comfortable with the door being shut while they’re inside, you can gently lift up the carrier for a few seconds before putting it back down, and letting your cat out.

Step 6

From here, you can build up to carrying your cat carefully around your home in their carrier, while still providing plenty of encouragement and treats.

Step 7

The next step would be placing your cat in their carrier, in the car, while letting the engine run for a few minutes to get them used to the noise and sensation of a running car. 

Do not put treats in the carrier while in the car, in case of choking.

Step 8

Should your cat continue to struggle to feel comfortable in or around their carrier, you could try placing a blanket or sheet over the carrier to give them privacy. Some cats can find travelling in the carrier less stressful if they feel like they’re more concealed.

Step 9

Even when not training your cat, try keeping their carrier out at home and praise them for interacting with it – as a reminder it’s a great place to be!

Remember: It’s important that your cat travels inside a carrier, because leaving them loose in the car puts you at the risk of an accident.

Car travel with cats

Rule 57 of the Highway Code states that you should make sure your cat is suitably restrained at all times while travelling. This is vital, to avoid any distractions while you’re driving.. Your cat also needs to be safely restrained to avoid injuring you or themselves if you need to stop the car suddenly. 

Before you head out in the car with your cat, there are a few things to consider to ensure they’re safe, secure, and comfortable:

Before travelling

To help reduce the risk of your cat being sick during the journey, try not to feed them for a few hours before you set off.

Inside the carrier

Placing their bedding on top of some old newspaper, or puppy training pad, could make cleaning up any little accidents that might happen during the journey even easier.

Secure the carrier

Secure the carrier using a seat belt, in a seat where they can’t distract the driver. For example, the back seat. 

Never place a carrier loose in the boot, under luggage, or on top of the parcel shelf – and try to avoid placing the carrier in direct sunlight.

Staying hydrated

Depending on the length of your journey, you can buy water bowls that clip to the inside of your cat’s carrier so that they can keep hydrated while travelling.

Ventilation

Make sure there’s plenty of ventilation around your cat’s carrier, so they’re not too hot or too cold. If it gets too warm in the car, open windows to allow air to flow around the vehicle and switch on the cool air conditioning.

Preventing escape

If you need to open the carrier during the journey, check all of the car windows and doors are closed first – to prevent your cat from escaping.

Important: Always make sure you stop the car before doing this if you are travelling alone without a passenger to help you. 

Bus or train travel with cats

Travelling on public transport with your cat will be different to going in the car. 

Here are some tips on making bus or train travel as straightforward as possible with your feline friend:

Before travelling

Always check if the transport company you’re using will accept cats on board before heading out with them.

Consider your journey

Where possible, reduce the number of connections during your journey – to avoid disturbing your cat once they’re settled. 

Travelling at quieter periods will hopefully mean there’ll be less noise around the two of you, and more chance of getting a good seat, too.

Quieter areas

Try to find quieter seats for your journey. There are specific carriages that provide quiet spaces, but you should be able to move about freely to find the perfect spot for you and your cat to sit.

Stay close

Stay close to your cat and make sure they can see you or know you’re nearby. You could try putting something that smells like you near the carrier as a comfort to your cat, if there’s a little distance between you.

Important: Keeping the carrier close or in view will help ensure no one can take your cat.

When you get there

When you arrive at your destination, you’re likely to be somewhere unfamiliar to your cat or at a place they might not want to be (like the vet’s!). So, it’s important to take things slowly. 

If you can, make sure there’s a safe space to place your cat’s carrier. Organise everything they might need while you’re waiting, then, if possible (and safe to do so!), open the carrier to allow them to explore in their own time. 

Alternatively, if in the waiting room at a vet practice for example, your cat should stay in their carrier. You’ll also need to avoid sitting near barking dogs – which could cause distress for your cat.

Remember: Never take your cat out of their carrier yourself if you don’t have to, they should be allowed to exit in their own time. 

We know that travelling with cats may seem a daunting task, but with some preparation and a few deep breaths, your journey should go as smoothly as possible!

*This Animal Friends webpage uses affiliate links for VioVet – meaning, if you buy something through these links, Animal Friends may earn a commission.