How to Keep Your cat Calm on Long Car Journeys

While travelling with your pet is challenging, it can sometimes be unavoidable. If you’re lucky enough to be one of the 26% of people to own a cat in the UK, you’ll know how much joy this feline member of the family can bring. When it comes to travelling with them, it can be a bit different.

Today, we’re going to look over four of the best ways to make sure your cat is calm and relaxed on long car journeys. From taking them out for a pre-travel spin, to making sure their environment is perfect for their needs, here are the best ways to keep cats relaxed.

Take them for a test drive

If you’re unsure how a cat is going to react to being driven in a car, think about taking them for a short 10-15 minute test run beforehand. This will give you the chance to spot any things they might react poorly to, as well as giving you a good indication of any issues which might arise during transit which you hadn’t planned for.

Try to pick out a specific route for this test ahead of time. That way you’ll be able to know exactly how long you’ll be travelling, while also giving you the chance to come up with some clever shortcuts home if your cat really isn’t a fan.

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Know when it’s a bad time to travel

There are certain times when travelling with your pet is going to be more of a challenge than usual – or even potentially dangerous. Comparethemarket highlights some of the periods when going on a long journey with your cat could be a bad idea. They include:

• If they’re showing signs of sickness
• If they’re a newborn
• If your cat gave birth up to 48 hours before the trip
• If your cat is currently heavily pregnant

In essence, if there’s any reason your pet might be weaker than usual, it’s best to do everything you can to avoid potentially stressing them out further.

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Make sure to keep the temperature at a good level

The optimum temperature for a cat is roughly 24-29℃ (which is 75-85℉). Just as you would never leave a dog trapped inside a hot vehicle, a cat should also not be placed in conditions which might cause them to become uncomfortable and overheat. Keep a travel thermometer in the vehicle at all times to gage if conditions are adequate.

Also look for signs of overheating, such as:

• Rapid breathing
• A red tongue
• Vomiting
• Lethargy
• Stumbling or staggering

Have their carrier optimised to their liking

While every cat is different, there are some basic inclusions which any decent cat carrier should have to make a journey easy on your kitty. Some of the most important things include:

• Making sure the carrier is the right size
• Adding treats and toys to keep them happy and distracted
• Ensuring your cat can see you at all times
• Including a soft towel for them to lie down on

Large Carriers such as the Necoichi stress free pen provide ample space for your cat and their favourite toys while also allowing you to securely strap the carrier in with a seatbelt.

Have these tips made it easier to understand how to keep your cat comfortable on long journeys? Keep them in mind to optimise the experience for your kitty.