When traveling
with your cat, there are many different ways you can transport
them. One option would be via a pet carrier that has
a locking door so that your cat stays safe.
Petsmart
Pet Escort
Price: $12.99
at Petsmart
This is an example of a generic
pet carrier that is available
at all pet stores, as well as common shopping stores
such as Walmart and Target. It is made of durable
plastic with a metal door that locks shut to keep your
pet safely contained inside. There is plenty of
ventilation and little screws on the side allow you to
take the top off for easy cleaning.
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Samsonite
Petite Carrier
Price: $39.99 at Petsmart
This
is an example of a more stylish carrier for your
cat. This particular carrier is constructed
of luggage quality nylon with vinyl mesh. There
is a full zip-around entrance on one side and a
partial zip-down flap on the other. There
is a mesh side that has a convertible flap so you
can either leave it open for visibility and ventilation,
or roll it down for privacy. There is a removable
padded floor for comfort, and a leash ring inside
keeps your cat secure even when the carrier is
open. It can be carried over your shoulder
with strap, and it contains an extra strap to buckle
the carrier in the car. Non-skid feet on
the bottom keep the carrier stable. This
carrier is approved for in-cabin use on most airlines. |
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While
traveling in the car, you can either have your cat in a
pet carrier or let them loose with a harness
and leash on. My cats do not stand to stay in
a pet carrier, so we let them loose with their harnesses
on. They have their favorite places to lay in my
Chevy Blazer, and after exploring for a few minutes they
usually end up sleeping for the whole trip. It is
recommended that if your cat serves as a distraction when
it is loose, you should attached its leash to a seatbelt
in the backseat to keep it in one area. If you do
keep your cat in the pet carrier, make sure to put it in
a secure area where it will not slide or buckle it down
with a seat belt.
If
your cat gets motion sick, speak with your vet about possible
medication you could give him before the trip.
For
a short trip, you really don't need to have anything set
out for your cat (by short, I mean 2-4 hours). For
longer trips, you should bring along a bowl of water (and
an extra gallon of water from your house - water that a
cat is not used to can sometimes upset his stomach) and
a minimal amount of food. A small litter box is also
a good idea in case of emergencies. Most times this
will go unused since cats generally like to be comfortable
with their surroundings when going to the bathroom; otherwise,
they just hold it until they get to their destination. Extra
towels, paper towels, and a disinfectant cleaner would
also be beneficial in case of accidents. |
