Cats and travel don’t always mix, so sometimes the kindest, and easiest, thing to do is to leave kitty home. If she gets upset easily and is fearful of the unknown, taking her along may make the experience miserable for both of you. Entrusting a cat-loving friend or relative to feed and play with her each day is one option. Sometimes, however, hiring a professional pet sitter or boarding your cat is a better solution.
If you do decide to travel with your cat, first ask yourself some questions: Are cats allowed at my destination? How will my cat adjust to certain rules and restrictions imposed by airlines and hotels? Will my cat be happy away from home?
Get Into a Routine
Cats tend to be creatures of habit, so help your pet adapt to change gradually. Train her to ride in a car by allowing her to sit in the car and become familiar with the surroundings—and with wearing a collar, if she doesn’t usually wear one. A short drive each day, even just around the block, will help her get used to the idea of traveling. If possible, start when your cat is a kitten, and try to make your training runs happy experiences for her. In other words, making your first joint car ride a trip to the veterinarian is probably a bad idea.
Limit the Stress
Changes in environment and routine may make your cat feel intensely insecure. Some cats, especially those who spend all their time indoors, can get quite stressed from travel. Tranquilizing or sedating your cat for air travel may be recommended, but you should always seek the advice of a veterinarian before doing so.
Hotel policies regarding cats vary. Contact the reservations department in advance to see if your cat will be welcome. Once you check in, never leave your cat alone in a room. (If a maid were to enter, your cat could become frightened and try to escape.) If you must leave your cat alone in the room, place her in a carrier and post a “do not disturb” sign outside the door.
Boarding May Be Best
In the end you may decide that a boarding facility is your best bet. Begin by asking your veterinarian or a friend for a recommendation. Look for a reputable place that is clean and odor free. Your cat should have enough room for herself, her litter box, and food and water dishes, as well as some room to walk around and stretch her legs.
Polly Theil, of the Avondale Pet Resort in Des Moines, Iowa, recommends bringing your cat’s food from home, as changes in diet can add to the stress of the new situation. Also, bringing bedding your pet is familiar with goes a long way toward making your pet feel more comfortable. In her experience, “It usually takes 24 to 36 hours for cats to get used to new surroundings.”
She also recommends asking some questions to find out how the boarding facility handles unhappy cats, cats who become sick, or cats who refuse to eat. Avondale, for example weighs each cat on arrival and then several more times during the stay to make sure she’s maintaining her weight.