Going on long trips away from home can leave your furry friend lonely. So why not take them with you? You may not know how to go about it, after all, you can’t just put a cat on a plane. That’s why we have this article that explains how to travel with a cat in 2023.
Here you will find out how to travel with a cat on a plane and across the country. But wait, it doesn’t stop there. We also give you insight into some highly recommended cat sedatives for travel and we even go as far as to tell you about cat backpacks. Once you have completed this article you will have everything you need to bring your furry family member along on vacation. Are you ready to get the 101 on traveling with cats? Well, keep on reading.
How to Travel With a Cat on a Plane
Leaving your cat at home might not be an option when traveling. So you’ll probably want to bring them along. With that said, you should do your homework before planning your trip. Here’s some things you should consider:
- Are pets allowed by your airlines? on your flight? how many?
- What paperwork is required? (vaccination record/health certification)
- Required weight of your cat
- Dimensions of permitted carrier (must fit under seat in front of you)
- You’ll need a harness when going through security
How to Travel With a Cat Across the Country
You know how taxing traveling across the country is for you, well the same can be said for cats. However, there are a few things you need to take care of before packing your bags. These things will help your cat feel less stressed during the move.
- Make sure vaccinations are up to date
- Register for a microchip (optional)
- Get a good carrier (allow time for getting accustomed )
- Stay calm
- Find pet-friendly accommodations
Cat Sedative for Travel
Cats find traveling stressful just like humans. That’s why there are sedatives for travel. While it may be safe to administer sedatives in preparation for travel, there are also natural alternatives. So, if you aren’t too keen on sedatives, you can go the natural route. In either case, you should consult your local vet. But here are a few cat sedatives you can look into:
- SARIs
- Clonidine
- Gabapentin
- Chlorpheniramine
- Diphenhydramine
- Benzodiazepines
Cat Travel Backpack
You may not know this but there are specific cat backpacks that you can use when traveling. Think of them as small carry-on bags that your cat can sit in and sleep in. A cat backpack also allows your cat to feel more comfortable while traveling.
While cat backpacks have a tiny bit of space for extra things, they are primarily for transporting your cat. If you want to bring along essentials for your cat such as pee pads, food containers, medication, etc., you may want to bring a separate travel bag just for your pet.
How Long Can a Cat Hold Their Pee?
Knowing how long your cat can hold their pee, will allow you to gauge how long you will need before letting them go do their business. Typically cats can hold their pee for 24 to 48 hours. However, you should know that this depends on the age of your cat.
Cat Travel Litter Box
Unlike dogs, cats can’t just go anywhere. But that’s why there are portable litter boxes that you can get. In fact, there are a variety of travel litter boxes that you can choose from.
- Portable litter boxes
- Disposable litter boxes
- Self-cleaning litter boxes
- DIY litter boxes
To Put It All Together
You have officially reached the end of this article. This means that you have everything you need to travel with a cat. Now all you need to do is plan the rest of your trip.
Planning a vacation can be stressful but that’s why we trust Viator. With them, you get to select great adventures and sightseeing in your destination to add to your vacation, as well as restaurant suggestions. It’s basically a one-stop-shop for things to do. If you need any help planning the rest of your trip, contact any of our travel agents and get the help you need.