Many people travel with their cat, as can be seen by the YouTube videos that depict people taking their cats on hikes, boat trips or bike rides. While it can be fun, it requires a lot of careful planning and consideration of feline and human needs. This guide will help you travel with your cat successfully.

Just like humans, cats also have a list of items they need to take with them on vacation. In order to keep Fluffy healthy and happy and to prevent problems, she will need the following items:

You can also check out catster.com for more things to pack while traveling with your cat.

Microchip Your Cat

Transporting a cat in the cargo area of an airplane is not safe. It should therefore be done only if it’s absolutely necessary and there are no other alternatives. Do not use sedative drugs for pets traveling in cargo. 

Air travel is particularly tricky for Persians and other cats with brachycephalic or “pushed-in” faces. Their extremely short nasal passages make heatstroke and oxygen deprivation an extreme risk. Hairless cats like the Sphynx are more vulnerable to temperature extremes. Such cats should never be sent to the cargo/luggage hold.

Check your airlines’ guidelines regarding cats on planes while you travel with your cat.  Each airline has their own policies on travel with your cat.  Call the airline directly to make the reservation. Ask if there is space in the cabin for your cat before booking your flight, for many airlines restrict the number of pets allowed in the cabin. Try to get a direct flight if at all possible, since transfers and lay-overs will only add to the cat’s stress and increase the chances of something going wrong.

Ask about the space under the airline seat to make certain your carrier will fit. Also ask about what paper work you will need; many airlines ask for health certificates and/or veterinary records.

Schedule a visit with the vet shortly before the trip to make sure Fluffy is up to date on any required vaccinations and you have the needed certificates and records.

Get your cat acclimated to the carrier beforehand. Leave it out and open so Fluffy will get used to it. Feed her in the carrier so she will associate it with good things.

Practice entry and exit from the carrier to make it a routing process, for you will have to take the cat out of the carrier during the security screening.

Traveling on an empty stomach reduces the chances of nausea and vomiting. Therefore, don’t feed your cat for at least four to six hours before the flight. You should, however, give her small amounts of water. Also, put ice cubes in the carrier’s water tray; a full water dish will only spill and make for an uncomfortable flight. Try to make it as comfortable experience as possible for your furry friend!

The cat’s carrier will have to go through the security screening. You may be able to request a special second screening so you don’t have to take the cat out of the carrier. If not, take your cat out of the carrier and hold her while the carrier goes through the X-ray scanner. Your kitty will have to be harnessed and leashed so you can keep her under control while you travel with your cat. Meeow!

Pet carriers for cats can be hard or soft. The hard ones will be made of plastic and have holes for ventilation, and the soft-sided carriers have metal mesh panels for ventilation. 

The carrier must be able to fit under the seat in front of you, and it must be large enough to let the cat stand, turn around and lie down in a natural position. Soft-sided carriers are more comfortable and can be maneuvered more easily than hard carriers.

The cat must stay in the carrier for the whole flight. Individual flight attendants *may* allow cats to be taken out for a short period, but check with them. Other passengers may have severe allergies, so never assume it is okay to let your cat out.

The carrier must be clean, leak-proof and escape-proof. It should have absorbent bedding that is non-toxic and safe for the cat.

Different airlines have different rules about transporting cats. Most airlines will allow only so many animals to be transported in the cabin. Similarly, many airlines have “one carrier per customer” rule, and many have weight restrictions.

Some airlines allow people to check cats as luggage, but many do not.

Kittens must be fully weaned and at least eight weeks old to travel safely. 

Contact your airline for specific requirements.

While traveling by car is generally safer and provides more flexibility, there are still concerns that need to be addressed to make the trip a successful and pleasant one. There are many details to consider while you prepare.

There are pockets and hammocks that can be attached to car windows, so the cat can sleep and watch the world go by.

Take your cat to the vet shortly before leaving. Make certain Fluffy is up to date on all of her needed shots and that you have all of the necessary health certificates and proofs of vaccination when you travel with your cat. This will certainly give you peace of mind while you travel with your cat.

Cats are generally not comfortable with car rides. It is therefore safer for everybody to keep them in a carrier. Secure the carrier by fastening a seatbelt around it to keep it from bouncing around the car when you travel with your cat. Put the carrier in the back seat. Otherwise, if an airbag deploys, it could injure Fluffy.

Regardless of how cute it looks, don’t let a cat stick her head out of the window. She could get hurt by flying debris, and the cold air forced down her lungs could make her ill.

Take plenty of pit stops to give Fluffy a chance to stretch her legs and go to the bathroom. Make sure she is properly leashed and has a collar and ID tags before letting her out of the car.

Consider bringing a human traveling companion to help with the driving and pet-minding. A human friend can also watch your car and cat when you have to visit a restroom or shop while you travel with your cat.

Never leave a cat in a car unattended when you travel with your cat. A car’s interior can become dangerously hot very quickly, even if it’s mild outside. For example, if the temperature outside is 72 degrees Fahrenheit, the car interior can soar up to 116 degrees in an hour. If the outside temperature is 85 degrees, the temperature in the car can reach 102 degrees within ten minutes, even if you leave the windows cracked open. Such temperatures can cause organ damage or death.

Regardless of the temperature, people who leave their cat in a car unattended also risk having it stolen, especially if the cat belongs to a popular or expensive breed. Some pedigreed cats can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Try and keep your cat cool by cracking the windows in the car or providing some relief with air-conditioning.  Also, bring plenty of water to prevent against dehydration.  Factor in how much you need based upon the length of the car trip.

Cats are notorious for not liking car rides. In some cases, the problem turns out to be physical: like humans, cats can get car sick. A cat with motion sickness will display the following symptoms when you travel with your cat:

This is yet another reason to take the cat to the vet before going on a trip with her. There are several ways to handle car sickness when you travel with your cat. One way is to desensitize Fluffy by taking her on short car rides.

Car sickness can be linked to stress, and getting the cat acclimated to car rides may calm her down enough to reduce her symptoms.

Preparing your cat for stress free travel is a great way to ensure smoother travel.

Ginger is a holistic treatment for nausea, and it can take the form of pills or cookies. Giving it to the cat 30 minutes before the car trip may soothe her stomach. Ask your vet about the appropriate dosage.

Over-the-counter medications like dimenhydrinate and meclizine can also soothe a nervous stomach and reduce nausea and vomiting. Antihistamines like diphenhydramine have a sedative effect, and they also reduce drooling. In severe cases, the veterinarian may prescribe stronger sedatives like acepromazine.

Always consult a veterinarian before giving your cat any kind of medication. They can tell you if the dosage is correct, and they can also warn you if a given medication might have unpleasant side effects.

In other cases, the problem is purely psychological. Many cats hate cat carriers and car rides because they typically experience them during only one situation: a trip to the vet. No self-respecting feline enjoys going to a stranger who manhandles them, gives them shots, and takes their temperature with a rectal thermometer.

In this case, you have to educate Fluffy and teach her that cat carriers and car rides do not always equal “trip to the vet.” The only way to do that is to take her on car rides with some other, more pleasurable destination and get her acclimated before you travel with your cat.

Spraying the interior of the carrier with a pheromone-based product like Feliway® can also help the cat relax while you travel with your cat.

Most rental car companies do allow domestic pets in the car. Their main stipulation is that that the car be returned clean with no cat hair. A renter who fails to comply will probably have to pay an extra cleaning fee. To locate car rental agencies that accept cats, go here:

A growing number of hotels, bed & breakfasts, and other accommodations are accepting cats and other domestic pets. Accommodations range from basic to luxurious. The prudent traveler will do research ahead of time, for there are still places that won’t accept animals at all, while some will accept only dogs. Similarly, some hotels only allow pets to stay on the premises, while others have extra amenities for them.

While more and more hotels are forgoing the extra fee for a pet, others still charge, and the price can vary widely. Moreover, different hotels within the same chain can have different pet policies and fees, so call ahead to make certain that a hotel has policies and fees you can accept when you travel with your cat.

La Quinta Inns. Many La Quinta Inns in the US and Canada accept pets, and the pets can stay for free. No more than two cats are allowed per room, and you have to supply the litter box. Cats are only allowed outside the room if they’re in a carrier or on a leash. Except for authorized service animals, cats are not allowed in the breakfast room, laundry room, fitness center or pool area.    Learn more here.

Loews Hotels. Many Loews Hotels accept pets and allow up to two cats per room. Pet fees, which start at $25 per stay, vary between hotels. Cats cannot be left unattended and should be in a carrier or on a leash when outside the room. Pet-friendly hotels have a “Loews Loves Pets Program” and offer such amenities like a bowl and treats. They provide pet-sitting and pet-walking services and keep a list of nearby pet-friendly businesses. They will also lend scratching posts, litter boxes and cat beds.  Learn more here.

Motel 6. Motel 6 describes itself as “America’s original pet friendly hotel chain.” All cats can stay for free, but no more than two cats are allowed in a room. There are no breed or weight restrictions. Owners need to declare all pets and service animals when they check in. Motel 6 does have a rule that you can’t leave your cat alone in the room.  Learn more here.

Red Roof. All 350+ locations accept pets, but only one “well-behaved family pet” is allowed per room. Cats can stay for free, but you are responsible for any damage it causes. You are also not allowed to leave the cat alone. You also need to inform the front desk when you check in.  Learn more here.

Even the most placid and easy-going cats will be on edge during a stay in a hotel. It is unfamiliar to them and therefore threatening. Thus, many problems will be caused by a cat’s desire to hide.

Never open the cat carrier outside the hotel room. You may want to do nothing more than give Fluffy a few reassuring chin scratches—but she may decide to bolt.

Once you’re in the hotel room, “cat-proof” it before letting Fluffy out. Block all entrances to unreachable places like under the king-sized hotel bed. Also check for wires and other potentially dangerous items.

The best place for a cat to spend the night is often the bathroom. Leave the carriers in the bathroom, so the cats have the option of staying in a familiar place. Put the litterbox in the tub, so it will be separated from the carriers and food dishes. Don’t worry about being “mean”; Fluffy will probably feel safer and more secure in the smaller space.

The bathroom also has the advantages of not containing anything a cat is likely to destroy, and it is much easier to clean in the bathtub than on a carpet.

Get your cats microchipped, and make sure the information on the microchips is up to date. It doesn’t do anybody any good if the information includes an old phone number you haven’t used in two years.

Deal with any damage your cat causes immediately; don’t wait until checkout.

There are many websites that can help a cat-owner look for the perfect hotel for themselves and Fluffy to stay at while they travel with your cat.

HotelGuides.com has a page devoted to pet-friendly hotels and motels in the US. It also provides a free pet check service in which they will check a hotel’s pet policy for you to make sure you have the most up-to-the-minute policy. They also provide an online reservation form, and advise describing your cat in the “Special Requests” section.  Learn more here

PetsWelcome.com lists bed & breakfasts, cabins, inns, motels and cottages as well as hotels. They also enable you to create a “Passport Account” detailing your needs and preferences and allowing you to save directions and routes. Information about a given hotel is divided by state.  Learn more here.

TripWithPets.com lists 30,000 pet-friendly rental accommodations including hotels, vacation rentals and bed & breakfasts in the United States and Canada. Learn more here.

If you know that Fluffy cat absolutely hates travel, freaks out at strangers and would otherwise be miserable during a trip, your only option is to leave her home. That means making arrangements to have someone look after her.

Many veterinarians offer pet boarding services, and these can range from basic to luxurious. Ask your vet what their boarding services and/or what they recommend. Your friends may also have recommendations. Visit the boarding service beforehand to get a feel for how well it takes care of its charges.

The pet store PetSmart has a PetsHotel program that enables pet owners to track down accommodations for Fluffy or Fido. It also includes a list of requirements like needed shots and list of medications.

Cat sitters are another option, and they are usually cheaper than boarding the cat. In many cases, you can have a friend, neighbor or relative look after Fluffy. If they aren’t willing or available, professional sitters might be able to help.

One example of such a service is Fetch! Pet Care that looks after cats and dogs. Clients can choose the type of service they want ranging from 30-minute-long visits to overnight stays. The sitter will feed and water the cat, clean their litter box, and play with them. Fetch! Pet Care operates in 24 states and Washington, DC.

If you are in Pennsylvania make sure you check out the Pet Nanny for pet sitting needs.

PawPals is a great sitter in the Northern Virginia Area

If you are in the Long Island, New York area check out our friends at Love & Care Pet Professionals

If you want the absolute best for your feline friend, consider a cat hotel or cat spa. As might be guessed, a cat hotel is designed to a resemble a high-end boutique hotel or spa resort. The pampered kitties enjoy such amenities as gourmet food, heated floors, “bespoke” climbing trees, flat-screen TVs depicting fish or birds, exercise wheels, and an attentive human staff willing and eager to cater to their feline guests.

A growing trend is the “adventure cat.” Increasing numbers of people take their cats on hikes or on boat rides – and then post the results on Youtube or Instagram. After thinking long and hard about whether your cat has the “right stuff” in terms of temperament to be an “adventure cat,” you need to make the appropriate preparations. The website AdventureCats.org includes some helpful advice on how to train your cat to walk on a leash, how to clicker train them, and how to safely take them on walks in urban areas.

AdventureCats strongly stresses that a hiking cat needs to have a properly fitting harness and leash. She should also have a collar with ID. Ideally, Fluffy should also be microchipped. The website also advises people to start small and take things slowly: Let Fluffy get used to wearing the harness, then the leash, then walk her around a bit while still indoors, and then take her outside for a brief stroll.

After properly training Fluffy to walk on a leash, you now need a place to take her. If you need to drive her to a park or something, she should be kept in a carrier or specially designed backpack. You also need a place to take her. PetFriendlyTravel.com keeps lists of national, state, county and city parks that welcome pets.

Each park has its own pet policy, so you should check that policy first, for some parks may allow only dogs. Many parks regulate leash length; they typically say that the leash can’t be any longer than six feet. Many parks will also have rules about where pets can and can’t go. For example, pets are usually not allowed in many of the buildings.

PetFriendlyTravel also lists beaches, campgrounds and shopping malls that accept pets. Pets like adventure too just check out this adventure in Europewith great tips

There are many places to travel in the world, check out some of the local information regarding bringing your pet across borders. For information on exploring Indonesia or moving to Thailand with your cat or other parts of the world let us know so we can share.

Cats are creatures of habit and therefore do not always do well with changes. Traveling can make sticking to a routine difficult, but you should still try to provide your cat with regular meal times.

Sticking as close as possible to meal times back home will help keep Fluffy happy. Similarly, try to get her the same sort of food she gets back home. If you do have to make changes, introduce them gradually.

Look up vet clinics and other emergency services before you go on your trip. That way, if something does happen, you will at least know where to take Fluffy for help.

If you’re taking your “adventure cat” to the great outdoors, follow this guide for doing so in a way that minimizes your environmental impact.

Many people view cats as part of their family and therefore want to include them in all aspects of their lives. That includes taking them on their vacations. It can take more preparation and work, but there are definitely ways to take a cat along on a vacation and make certain everybody has a good time.