In the picture above, Svenn seems to be saying, “You want me to get into that death trap and go where???” That’s pretty much every cat, everywhere’s attitude toward travel. The article below gives great (as in sanity-preserving) advice on traveling with cats.

Jordan contributes to this blog as well as Coops and Cages. He has taken his own cats and dogs to trips himself and would love to share his insights on pet care to fellow pet lovers. He desires to educate them on safety travel tips when bringing along cats during trips through this article.

It’s time of the year that your cat is looking forward to – the time when you take him out of the house and with you to new places. Cats like to travel as well. They like seeing the countryside. They are not satisfied with just staying home.

The problem is some cats hate cars. They are not as behaved as most dogs when you get them into the car. You have to train them on how to behave when you are traveling with them. Teach them not to scratch the car seat and better yet, not to pee. But as a cat owner, you also have to remember that a the first cat car trip aren’t always that pleasant, simply because, cats as much as they like venturing into new places, the getting there is not that exciting for them.

Here are tips on traveling safely with your cats.

Take the time to train your cat in the carrier
Since you will be traveling for long hours, train your cat to stay in his cat carrier for long periods. Condition your cat to become comfortable as well as teach him how to go in and out. Do some practice runs of driving around your area and having the cat in the carrier. This should be a gradual process. Some cats get upset when you turn the car engine on, especially those who haven’t traveled.

Familiarize your cat in the new environment
Cats are sensitive to the environment as well as their territory. Place a blanket or towel with the scent of your cat on the car seat. In that way the car would not be a totally foreign area for him. Allow your cat to explore your car and rub and spread its scent on it. Do this a couple of times for the next few days.

Air Travel for Cats
Most major airlines accept cats as passengers. Cats that are under 15 lbs travel in the cabin. If they are heavier, they must be booked in cargo or they should be in cat carriers. There are some seasonal restrictions so it is better to check with the airline what these are. When booking your flight, inform the representative that you have a feline with you. Get a locator number associated with the seat for your cat. This is a necessary security precaution. If this is your cat’s first  time to fly, it is better that it is a short distance. Observe how he acts and behaves during the ride. You will be asked if your cat has its rabies and other pertinent inoculation. Various requirements exist for each airline and just accommodate to them as best as you can.

Feed the cat at the right time
Once the cat is calm in the car, give him his meals. Offer high value treats for cats that he doesn’t normally get at home. In that way, he is more motivated to behave. You can also give him cat nip and also indulge with his favorites during the car traveling times. He should also know you are there beside him so he shouldn’t be scared.

Don’t forget your pet identification
This is a necessity especially when it is your first time to travel to new places. Tags and collars are an excellent for quick identification. A microchip is something you can also order and it provides the essential information needed once the tags or collars are lost. Keep the microchip registered and updated.

Check with hotels if they allow cats
When you book for your trips, check if they have the “pets accepted” symbol on their homepages and if they allow cats in hotels. When checking, be sure to inform the front desk that your cat is traveling with you. Many hotels also provide snacks and bowls for your cats. They also have sitting services. Some hotels have “pet in room” door tag which let the maids know that they should leave the door open so the pet cannot wander out. You can keep cats secure and safe by having them in a safe and sturdy cat crate. They should just be the right size because you wouldn’t want your cat wiggling out of the cage. Make sure that the room for the food and the litter box are separate. Get the crate with the sides so that the litter cannot be kicked out.

Pack a travel bag for your cat
The bag should also contain medication (if your cat is currently on), plastic bags (for soiled litter), litter scoop, grooming supplies, treats, pet wipes, toys, towels, as well as the cat’s food and water bowls. Treat it as something like a baby would have. Your cat is your baby and he too needs a travel bag.

Positive Reinforcement helps
The minute that your cat is calm in the car, start giving him catnips. If that motivates him, let the cat indulge for a while in the car. By positively reinforcing your cat that he is doing a good job, he will enjoy traveling more and more.

Don’t forget to make the cat go potty
The cats’ trip begins and ends in the bathroom. Before leaving your house, make sure that your cat has gone to the bathroom. The first thing you also do after you alight is to let your cat out for a few minutes. With your guidance, he should poop or pee before you even check in the hotel. If your crate is the one that has the litter, clear the poop and pee. Potty breaks are also included. If it is a drive, stop at restaurants or gas stops and bring your cat with you. Take him out and see if he has to go or not.

Feed your cat four hours before leaving
The cat has to have eaten a light meal before you put him in the carrier. If your trip would take long, feed him just the right amount. You wouldn’t want him pooping and peeing a lot. This wouldn’t be sanitary inside the car, worse, on the plane.

Whether it’s including your cat while running errands around town or visiting relatives in another side of the country, you can make him happy by bringing them with you. Train your cat on how to become more comfortable when traveling in the car with you. It will take some time and a lot of patience but it will be totally worth it.

Author Bio:

Jordan is the lead content curator for Coops And Cages as well as a couple of other pet related blogs. His passion for animals is only matched byhis love for ‘attempting’ to play the guitar. If you would like to catch him, you can via Google+ or Twitter: @CoopsAndCages.
Author Bio:

Jordan is the lead content curator for Coops And Cages as well as a couple of other pet related blogs. His passion for animals is only matched byhis love for ‘attempting’ to play the guitar. If you would like to catch him, you can via Google+ or Twitter: @CoopsAndCages.