How do I prepare my cat for long-distance bus or train travel?

I know how you feel. I just flew with 5 of my own pets for a flight that was over 7 hrs. So you are a bit limited here, but there are some safe things you can do to ease the stress for Moka. 1) No sedatives- these are not safe and also not permitted due to the vast temperature ranges that your fur baby can be exposed to. Also if she is going in cargo pressure changes can make her at risk for serious injury if she is on any type of sedative/tranquilizer. 2) Stress reducing natural remedies- there are lots of options here at your local pet store. Get an associate to help you find some that will work for you. 3) Place a clothing item with your scent on it in the carrier with her 4) Don't stop giving her food or water for any period of time. You want her well hydrated and well fed. Most cats won't eat much in transit, so letting her eat is a good idea. 5) Place a pee pad or towel at the bottom of the carrier in case of accidents. You will be surprised to know that most cats hold their urine and feces well during transit, unless of course Moka has a diagnosed separation anxiety condition, in which case she may have an accident or two. 6) Relax- your pet picks up on your mood! So if you are stressed, she will be stressed! Just relax and things will be just fine.

Hello, and thank you for your question. It is likely not possible to get a cat used to travelling if it is so infrequent. Travelling can be stressful for cats, so I would only advise it if you have no options for pet-sitters or pet boarding in your area. If you do end up taking your cat with you, you can try a feline pheromone spray called Feliway, which is designed to help minimize stress. You can start spraying it in your house a few days before your travel date, and spray it in the carrier. Leave the carrier out for a few days in advance, and try putting some treats and toys in it to get her exploring and getting comfortable with it. If you are flying, check the airline for requirements for pets. Some require a health certificate within 10 days of travel, and require up to date vaccinations. If you suspect your cat will be very stressed during the trip, consider taking him or her to the vet to discuss the use of temporary sedatives to make the trip easier for them. I hope this helps!

Congratulations on your move! Many times cats do quite well in the car. Depending on how long the trip is, it may be advisable to buy a large crate to put in the backseat so they can have a small portable litter box and a bed. This will also keep them from jumping around the car, keeping them (and you) safer. If your cats have a history of car sickness or nausea, I would reach out to your veterinarian to discuss a prescription (cerenia) that may help with it. Finally, some cats have a strong aversion to the car. If your cats have a history of stress or anxiety in ththe car, you could also reach out to your veterinarian to discuss a sedative, if needed. Good luck!

Here is a great article regarding traveling with cats: https://www.petcoach.co/article/safe-summer-traveling-tips-for-cats/ You should also get the cats use to the crates so have the crates out for at least a week in advance. You may also try feeding the cats in the crate to create a positive association. If the cats become stressed out easily, you may discuss getting sedatives for them from your veterinarian. Make sure the cats are up to date on vaccines, have a record of their vaccines, you may also want a health certificate just to be safe and you may also want to microchip them (if this is not already done) just in case they escape. Please feel free to post any additional questions.

I would recommend traveling with the cats in a car, each in a separate carrier for safety. If you are concerned that the trip may be stressful for them, you can talk to your veterinarian about prescribing anti-anxiety medication to help with this. You could also consider using a pheromone spray such as Feliway, along with a natural calming supplement like Zylkene or Composure to help them relax if needed.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! You can definitively do this and it should go well. I recommend you use a product called Feliway which can help him feel more at ease and help with the transition. You may obtain this from your local pet store or online. Best of luck!

What a lovely kitty you have! Yes she can travel with you. You will need a carrier that can be closed securely. You should put the carrier into the car in such a way that your kitty cannot look out the window as she will not understand how the landscape can go by so fast and that will scare her. She may be crying a lot and that is somewhat unnerving. Some cats settle after a while and sleep, others will cry for 2 hours. She will likely pee in the carrier, so put a potty pad into the carrier that absorbs the pee. Make sure it is not too hot in the car, have water ready, but if it is only a two hour trip, she will likely not need water until she reaches her destination.