Traveling Cat?

Unlike dogs, whom seem to enjoy rides with their owners for adventure away from the home front, cats do not feel so comfortable leaving the comforts of home even for a little while. Trying to go for a ride with your cat can be quite an adventure in itself. By nature cats can be pretty picky and grow rather fond of their surroundings. There are many reasons why your cat doesn't enjoy traveling. Maybe they view the cat carriers as a restrive punishment or the thought of going to the vet with his tools and practices are enough to scare your cat. For whatever reason, there are some things that you can do to help your cat feel more comfortable about traveling.

You will find that if you have gotten your cat used to traveling at a very young age then they will tolerate the carrier and the travel much easier. You should try taking your cat for short, frequent drives if it is only to the store, a spin around the block or to visit friends. In this way, your cat will not immediately associate a car ride with a trip to the vet. If you have trained your cat to tolerate a harness and leash, then you should try taking him on car rides to check out the nature scene a little farther than your own backyard. When your cat tolerates the shorter trips then you can begin to try longer excursions.

If you plan on being away from home for quite some time, you may consider taking your cat along so that it will relieve the stress of the two of you being separated. This can have a positive effect on cat health . Perhaps you have lengthened the time of your trips with your cat and feel that he is now ready to get his feet wet and take an extended trip with you. If you happen to be traveling outside of the country, call the animal authorities in the place that you are going to be traveling to in order to find out if there are any special vaccinations that are needed for your cat, and if there are any special documents you will need as well as other regulations concerning animals. You should apply for any papers well in advance of your travel date as International traveling papers can take some time to process. If a quarantine is required, then I would forget about taking your cat. The stress would certainly not be worth it unless you are planning a permanent move. Make sure you see your vet for the cat to be checked over thoroughly and given any shots that are due. You should also be given some advice about sedatives as well as details about fasting before the trip. Make sure that your lodgings permit cats.

A very essential thing when traveling with your cat is to have a cat collar and identification tag that has the name of your cat, your name and your address and the phone number of not only your home but of the destination. Your cat will also need to have his harness and leash, the usual food that he eats, a bottle of his drinking water, his cat litter box, his bowls, a bag or two of litter, a scooper, grooming and first-aid supplies, medications, health records, and a few of his favorite toys from home. You should not forget such cleanup supplies as paper towels and spray cleaner. If you line the bottom of the carrier with disposable diapers this will help to soak up any accidents and make cleanup that much easier.

If you are traveling with your cat by car, be sure to place in carrier in a secure spot where it will not shift around or wobble. If your cat happens to be a nervous feline, then drape a towel over the carrier but be sure not to obstruct ventilation. Be sure to consider these cat care points each time you travel. Playing soft music on the radio can be soothing to a cat as well as reassuring words from you. Try to drive as smoothly as possible, and when you get to a rest stop harness your cat before you open the doors to let him stretch and use his litter box. You should always be on the lookout for heatstroke. Do not leave your cat unattended in your car for any reason.

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David Lee is the owner & designer of several pet sites. Find info on cat kidney disease , cat trees and for dog lovers, dog steps.