Many cat parents are well aware of their kitty\u2019s aversion to driving. It could be due to motion sickness or something less overt, but cats often get stressed out by car rides. Fortunately, there are ways to manage this and make cat transportation painless, if not exactly enjoyable.<\/p>\n
Whether it\u2019s just a ride to the vet or an extended road trip, do yourself a favor by planning ahead. Here\u2019s what you need to know about cats\u2019 dislike of car travel, and what you can do about it.<\/p>\n
Why do so many cats react poorly to being driven around? The phenomenon is well documented, but there isn\u2019t a single universal explanation. Some experts suggest<\/a> <\/span>that the cause is biological \u2013 the feline sensory apparatus gets triggered by the vibrations of a moving vehicle. Others\u00a0remind us<\/a> <\/span>that cats are creatures of habit, so reliant on their territory that rapidly moving away from it distresses them.<\/p>\n Whatever the cause of your cat\u2019s dislike of travel, there are still ways to work around the issue. The one thing to keep in mind, though, is that the problem will never go away completely. If your kitty just isn\u2019t comfortable in a car, nothing you do will ever change that. You might train a carsick dog, but cats are much more set in their ways. So don\u2019t bother trying to convince your cat that car travel is actually pretty great. Instead, learn to mitigate the symptoms during cat transportation<\/a> as much as possible.<\/p>\n Before setting out, there are a few steps you could take to make life easier for your cat and yourself.<\/p>\n Let your kitty travel in style by providing a sturdy, comfortable carrier. It needs to be of sufficient size, allowing her to stand, stretch out, and turn around. Don\u2019t go overboard, though \u2013 you don\u2019t want tiny kittens bouncing around a large crate either. Flexible surfaces are OK, but the carrier\u2019s frame should be solid enough to maintain its basic shape at all times.<\/p>\n As with any other pet, your cat should have time to get used to the carrier before the trip. Put some food in there, maybe a toy or two, then leave it open for exploration. If the cat is comfortable enough to take a nap inside, congratulations! You\u2019ve greatly reduced the stress she\u2019ll experience in transport.<\/p>\n Double check that the door bolts are in place, and that there\u2019s plenty of ventilation room left. Ideally, you would fasten the carrier to the backseat using a harness or seat belt. The less bumping around there is, the easier it\u2019ll be on the cat\u2019s nerves.<\/p>\n Never sedate your cat on your own<\/a>! Talk to a vet if you\u2019re considering this, and explain the situation. If the symptoms are serious, they might prescribe meds to take the edge off. Optionally, they might suggest synthetic pheromones to make the cat feel at home inside the car.<\/p>\n This goes without saying, but make sure your cat is fed and watered on the day of departure. To avoid unfortunate accidents, give her a chance to use the litter box.<\/p>\n Finally, there are also ways of soothing the cat\u2019s nerves while on the road. If using\u00a0CitizenShipper<\/a><\/span>\u00a0for cat transportation, your selected transporter will be the one to cover this side of things. We\u2019ll list the most common methods here anyway just so you\u2019d know what kind of attention they\u2019re providing.<\/p>\nPlanning and preparation<\/h2>\n
Find the right carrier crate<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Introduce your cat to the carrier<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Secure the carrier properly<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Consult a vet about sedation<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Cover all the basics<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Monitoring during cat transportation<\/h2>\n
Keep the cat company<\/strong><\/h5>\n