By Madeline Klein on June 7, 2021 in Travel
Dog or cat? That is the age-old question. Or at least one of them, probably. If you answered cat to that question, this blog is for you!
We know traveling with a pet can be hard, especially if your four-legged friend happens to be a cat. Cats can get extremely stressed when on the road and can make for a hard road trip. To hopefully make your life just a little bit easier, we’ve gathered some tips for your next trip.
1. Keep them in a carrier
Cats like to feel secure, so a carrier can be a great way to help them feel comfortable in the car. The carrier will also help keep them as safe as possible on your journey. You can test out different places to keep the carrier to see which your cat prefers. One option may be to set them on the floor of the passenger’s seat. It’s close to you and a little more enclosed for them.
2. Update their tags and microchips
Life happens fast. It’s hard to remember to update your pet’s microchip and tags with new addresses or phone numbers. Before hitting the road with your furry friend, make sure you check those tags and microchips. In the off-chance they do get out, you want to have a way for a vet to contact you.
3. Plan pit stops
Cats don’t need to stop as often as a dog would. But, if you happen to be on a particularly long road trip, you may want to stop every 4-6 hours. You can let the cat out of the carrier to run around the car. You’ll also want to give them access to a litter box. There are some disposable options that can be a lifesaver on road trips.
4. Go on a test drive
Before leaving the house for who knows how long, take your cat on a few short trips in the car. This will help get your cat acclimated to riding, and hopefully, be a little more comfortable when it comes time for the big trip.
5. Hold off on feeding
The morning of a trip, don’t feed your cat. It may sound mean, but they would thank you later if they could. The ride will probably make them uneasy enough, so you don’t want a full breakfast bouncing around their bellies on top of that. Feed them a little during a pit stop, or if you can, wait until you get to your destination.
6. Pack some toys
This one may be obvious, but don’t forget your cat’s favorite toys. They can help your cat pass the time, and can distract them from an unpleasant ride in the car.
Get ready for a happy ride
Cats tend to get left behind for most trips, but that doesn’t mean they always have to be. These tips can help you make the most of a road trip with your feline friend that will hopefully leave you both happy at the end of your ride, no matter where your road trip destination is.
Going on a road trip this summer? Share a photo with us on social media! Tag @SayInsurance on Facebook or Instagram and use the hashtag #SayAdventures.