Should you travel with your cat or leave them home?
Key takeaways
- Consider your cat’s medical history, temperament, and individual needs before planning a trip.
- Ensure you have the right equipment to keep your cat safe and comfortable, and ensure any transportation or accommodations are cat-friendly.
- If choosing to travel without your cat, prepare by meeting the sitter or boarding facility, leaving detailed instructions for your cat’s caregiver, and having a plan in case of an emergency.
Travel can be a rewarding experience that many cat owners wish to share with their feline friends. However, there are some things to consider before taking your cat on a trip, such as:.
- Whether your cat should travel with you or not
- How to keep your cat safe and comfortable while traveling together
- What to do if you decide to leave your cat at home
Before traveling with your cat, make sure you’re well prepared. Traveling with a cat can be a bonding experience, but your cat’s underlying health, temperament, and individual needs have to be considered. Some destinations or modes of travel may require certain vaccinations, documents, or a cat carrier. Speaking to an online vet can also help you address any health or travel related questions. If planning to keep your cat at home, it’s important to set up a plan with your pet sitter and veterinarian in the case of an emergency.
How can I decide whether to travel with my cat or leave them home?
Although some cats may be well suited to travel and there are times when you may not have much choice, changes in a cat’s routine or surroundings are usually stressful. The majority of cats are creatures of habit and prefer to stay in a familiar environment.
Many cats experience stress in response to disruption to their schedules and territories. As Dr. Jo Myers, a veterinarian on the Vetster platform, notes, “Temporary feelings of anxiety can cause some unpleasant symptoms in your cat, although this does not mean they have an anxiety disorder. Ongoing stress can contribute to the development of an anxiety disorder or other medical conditions, however. New kittens, senior cats, or cats with preexisting health conditions may be more affected by the stress or change created by the demands of travel. If your cat is in an at-risk group, you may consider leaving them at home with a cat sitter, just to minimize the risk.”
Even if your cat’s disposition makes them well-suited to travel, you may find they make a difficult travel companion. If your cat is sick or has an ongoing condition that requires treatment, traveling may complicate caring for them. Young or old cats may be especially vulnerable to the stress of travel. Motion sickness is common in cats, and they may get sick in a car, on a plane, or on a train. If traveling with an anxious or carsick cat is unavoidable, talk to your vet about what options you might have to help ease the struggle. You and your vet may decide that medication is the right solution.
Some destinations have specific requirements. For example, health certificates are required for interstate and international travel. Up-to-date vaccinations may be required for certain destinations, types of travel, or to board your cat at any point during your trip. Health certificates may take weeks or months to get finalized, so it is important to do your research and start the process well in advance of your trip. Lastly, not all trips are cat-friendly. Depending on where and how you are traveling, your trip may not be comfortable for your cat due to noise, length of time, or how often they will spend time in the car, and other considerations.
How can you keep your cat safe when you travel?
Most of the time, traveling is quite safe for cats. If you travel with your cat, keep your cat safe by:
- Ensuring travel accommodations are pet-friendly before your departure
- Making sure your cat has up-to-date records and any necessary health certificates
- Keeping them securely in their pet carrier during travel and stops to avoid escape
- Updating your cat’s ID tag to display the address you will be staying at, and keep the tag securely fastened to them at all times
- Reviewing your airline’s requirements for pets, and calling before booking tickets to arrange pet travel
When traveling, you may choose to board your cat at a nearby location that may have different vaccination requirements. Make sure your cat is up to date on their recommended vaccinations and all mandatory ones for the region where you will be taking them, including any places where you will only be passing through.
How can you keep your cat comfortable while traveling?
To keep your cat as comfortable as possible, remember to pack:
- Your cat’s bed, food, food and water bowls, water, medicine, and collar with ID and rabies tags.
- A litter box and litter. If using a new box, take time to familiarize them with it before you leave.
Make sure your cat is comfortable with the pet carrier they will be traveling in before your trip. If your cat isn’t used to wearing a collar, being enclosed in a cat carrier, or riding in a car, this can be a lot of change to deal with at once, on top of being in a new place. Never leave your cat unattended in the car as temperatures can rapidly become too hot or cold.
Many cats get sick when traveling, and traveling on an empty stomach may be recommended for some cats. Talk to a veterinarian before changing your cat’s feeding schedule, as some health issues or medications may require food. Before traveling, you can check if your cat has a negative reaction to being in the car or their enclosed carrier by going on a trial car ride. Observe if your cat panics, vomits, or has a bowel movement before or during the ride. If your cat does get anxious or has motion sickness while traveling, you can book an online virtual care appointment to get expert help.
What should you do if you leave your cat at home?
Many cats may be more comfortable staying home in familiar surroundings with a trusted friend or professional cat sitter while you enjoy your vacation or business trip. A cat sitter can accommodate your cat’s normal routine and alert you if anything seems unusual. While a well-intentioned friend or family member may be a good option, a professional service has a contractual obligation to keep your pets safe according to the care instructions you agree upon. If you are using an in-home pet sitter, consider doing a practice run, leave the sitter detailed instructions, and have an emergency plan in place.
Do a practice run
If possible, a practice run can allow your cat to meet the cat sitter and become familiar with them. At this time, you can also show the cat sitter the location of your cat's food, litter box, and any supplements, medication, and other items they need to know about, as well as walk through your cat’s routine.
Leave detailed instructions
Cat sitters can come to your house anywhere from once a day to overnight stays. Make sure your cat is scheduled to receive the attention they need by leaving detailed care instructions. Write out these instructions and include feeding times, what to feed, treats to give, toys your cat prefers, litter box needs, medications, and anything else the cat sitter needs to know. Providing a clear set of instructions and expectations will give you peace of mind knowing that all of your cat's needs are being taken care of.
Have an emergency plan
Leave a list of emergency contacts for your cat sitter, and make a plan for what to do if there is an emergency and your cat needs medical attention. Veterinarians need owner consent before treating a pet. Talk to your vet ahead of time. Leave a letter of consent to treat your pet, and a payment method. Talk to your sitter about your emergency plan so they are prepared.
Should I board my cat?
A veterinary clinic may offer a boarding facility and on-site medical care. It may be better to board your cat at a vet or a boarding facility, such as a cat kennel or pet hotel, if your cat requires a level of care that an in-home cat sitter is not able to provide, such as ongoing care or medical attention. Some cats and kittens need to be checked on every few hours, and it may not always be practical or possible to have a cat sitter visit your home this often or stay for the duration of your time away. Other cats may require specific medical care, such as oral medication or insulin injections, that is better given by a veterinary professional while you are away.
Is traveling with your cat the best idea?
When you are traveling for more than a week or have multiple destinations, such as a vacation or business trip, your cat's needs may not align with your desire to bring them along. If you’d like to ask a vet about traveling with your cat, book a virtual vet appointment with Vetster. A vet can review your cat's medical records, medications, and disposition, offer advice on traveling with your cat on an upcoming trip, and make recommendations for how to ease the stress of travel. Proper preparation to care for your cat while traveling will give you peace of mind so you can enjoy your travels.
FAQ - Should you travel with your cat or leave them home?
Does my cat need vaccines and documentation to travel?
Health certificates are required for traveling between states in the US and for international travel. International certificates may take more than six months to prepare, so planning ahead is essential. You should keep your cat’s vaccinations up to date regardless of whether your cat is traveling or not. However, some vaccines may be required for cats on certain types of transport or at boarding facilities. Required or recommended vaccinations may include those for rabies and feline distemper.
Do cats get car sick?
Many cats find car rides challenging and some may require medication for motion sickness or anxiety. Try going on a practice run with your cat in the car to assess their response to the experience. If they are drooling, crying, vomiting, urinating, or acting in an otherwise distressed manner, contact a vet who can advise you on the best options.
How often or how long should a cat sitter visit?
A cat sitter should visit your home regularly for a minimum of about thirty minutes once a day. This will give them enough time to check that everything is okay, feed your cat, refill their water, and address their litter box. However, some cats may require multiple visits for medication or even additional time just for attention. Young kittens should be checked on every few hours and elderly or ill cats may need additional checks too. Many cat-sitting services allow you to customize the depth of care your cat needs while you are away. A vet can help you to come up with a suitable schedule if you aren’t sure of your cat’s needs.
