Most cats don’t like travelling and prefer to stay in a quiet home. However, there are times when it is necessary to take your pet with you: moving house (including to another city), going to the vet, going to a show, breeding, etc. It is very important to prepare your cat for the trip.
Cat transport equipment
Get your beloved pet a special cage for transport, sized and sturdy, with a metal door. Do not immediately cram your cat into the carrier, as it will get scared, try to resist and hate its temporary home. Rather, place the cage on the ground and put some cat treats inside. Let the cat approach, sniff the unfamiliar object and crawl inside calmly. It will take some time to get used to the cage, so leave it alone and go about your business.
What to take your cat on a trip
Collect a first aid kit for your cat. This is especially important if your cat is expecting or recentlyand gave birth if she has any illnesses or is already elderly. However, you should take a minimum amount of medicines and bandages with you in any case.
Take some food and water. Dry food is preferable as it is easy to transport, does not spoil, does not stain hands and does not need to be stored in any special conditions.
How to transport a cat
It is recommended that the cat is not fed for 12 hours before travelling to avoid an attack of vomiting or diarrhoea. It is possible to give the cat a drink from time to time on the road, especially on a hot day. Feeding should only be done when transporting the animal over a long distance.
Do not leave your cat alone. It needs to see and hear you. If you have brought her to the vet, large numbers of strangers and animals may frighten her. Talk gently to the cat, but do not take her out of the carrier!
If you have a long journey ahead of you, it is recommended that you first get your cat used to a leash and harness so that you can take it outside. If you have to take your cat outIf walking is not possible, put tissues in the bottom of the pet carrier and take some toilet paper with you. This will help you clean the cage of faeces and urine.
Cat in the car
If you are transporting a cat in a car, never let it out of its cage! If it is frightened by loud noises and unfamiliar surroundings, it will scamper around the car, distract the driver and may jump out of the window or crawl, for example, under the seat or under the brake pedal.
Also, do not overheat the room: stuffiness and heat can cause the animal to suffer a heat or heart attack. Give the cat water, keep the car ventilated, but at the same time, there should be no draughts, as the cat can catch cold.
How to transport a cat by train
If you are travelling by train and you are taking a cat with you, take the necessary veterinary documents and pay for the carriage. You can find out all the information you need about the paperwork and the fare at the train station.
Don’t let your cat out of the cage, even if it’s a long journey! It will be very easy for a small, agile animal to escape from you and disappear. Even in a closed compartment, this is still a possibility: cats can crawl out through the vents.
You only need to feed your cat when the journey is long. Put a toilet in your cat’s cage. Animals often start to fight: tearing the bars of the shipping container, meowing, etc. Don’t be provoked and your cat will calm down. It is easier to wait and ignore whims and complaints than to try to find the cat later and put it back in its cage.
How to transport a cat by plane
Travelling with a cat on a plane is the most expensive and the most difficult. Prepare yourself for the fact that you will have to process the necessary paperwork and certificates, which will take several days. If you are flying to another country, you need to find out what the rules are for transporting animals to that country and what documents are needed. You should also be prepared for the fact that the cost of the ticket will be significantly higher.