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How to Make Flying With a Cat Easier, According to Experts and Owners

By Anna Borges

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When I researched how to travel with a cat for the first time a few years ago, the logistics alone were almost enough to scare me off the option of flying entirely. Between parsing different pet-friendly policies and questioning whether furry lil’ Francis would hate me when we reached our destination, flying with a cat seemed like it would be way more trouble than it was worth.

But like many pet parents worrying about the best way to travel with a cat, I had my reasons for leaning toward air travel—namely, money and quality of life for both me and Francis—so I took the plunge. Luckily, with the right research and preparation, flying with a cat can be a viable and safe option for many. There are just a lot of things you have to consider first.

You don’t have to take just my word for it. Below, I’ve rounded up the best tips from other cat owners and pet experts to help you every step of the way, from deciding whether to fly in the first place to ensuring the journey is as low-stress as possible for both you and your favorite furball.

Figuring out if you can fly with your cat

There are several important details to consider when choosing whether to fly with your cat (or cats , plural), but before you dive into the nitty gritty, start with the basics: Is it even possible?

Thanks to varying policies across different airlines and destinations, the most precise answer I can offer without knowing your exact situation is, “it depends!” In many cases, yes, you’ll be able to find a cat-friendly route to your desired destination, especially if you’re traveling domestically within the US. However, there are a few factors that might make air travel a no-go from the get-go.

First things first: Some airlines have restrictions on the number, size, age, health, and breed of cats allowed both in the cabin and in the cargo hold, so be sure to read the policies of pet-friendly airlines carefully to understand your options.

After confirming that you can fly with your cat or cats on a particular airline, you’ll then have to make sure you can travel specifically to your destination and on the dates you want to travel. Certain airlines restrict the number of pets onboard at a time, which means you should book early to ensure there’s room for your pet on a specific flight. Meanwhile, if you’re flying internationally, you’ll run into various vaccination and microchipping requirements, as well as places where you can’t travel with a cat at all.

All that said, once you know that you can travel with your cat, there’s something else you’ll want to consider before booking your flight: whether you should .

Deciding whether to fly with a cat

“Flying with a cat can be a complex and stressful experience for both the pet and the owner,” says Keston Smith, DVM, medical director at BondVet’s location in Hell’s Kitchen in New York City. But sometimes it’s the best or only option. When weighing practical needs against other concerns, bear in mind that the flight itself is one part of a larger (potentially taxing) journey: Your cat will also have to get to the airport, go through security, and acclimate to an unfamiliar destination.

Furthermore, travel-related expenses can add up, like paying airline pet fees, buying TSA–approved supplies, checking additional bags to compensate for your carry-on cat, and more. It might all wind up being as pricey as a pet sitter might cost, or as expensive as renting a car and going on a road trip with your cat, or another option you’re considering anyway.

So how do you decide? Dr. Smith notes that young kittens, elderly cats, and cats with underlying health issues may not tolerate air travel well, and for most cats, short flights will be more manageable than long ones. The same goes for nonstop flights versus those with multiple legs.

Physical health and flight details aside, your cat’s personality could predict how chill (or unchill) they might be on the journey. “A cat’s temperament is crucial,” says Dr. Smith. “Cats that are easily stressed, nervous, or aggressive may not be suitable for air travel.”

At the end of the day, though, these are cats we’re talking about. It’s impossible to know for certain how even the chillest pile of fluff will react to plane travel until you try it. Beyond your vet’s recommendations and acute safety concerns, you’ll probably have to make a decision based on a mix of your circumstances, your knowledge of your cat, and your gut.

The good news: You’re more likely to be pleasantly surprised than met with total disaster, at least anecdotally speaking. “It definitely wasn’t as bad as I worried it would be the first time,” says cat owner Suz Warshell, who has traveled twice with her cat Lentil, both times internationally to Mexico.

Frequent feline flier Sahalie Martin echoes that sentiment, noting that she didn’t run into many of the issues she was prepared to deal with when she traveled with her kitty Molly, like security chaos or accidents in her crate. That said, both Martin and Warshell agree that preparing for things to go wrong still gives them peace of mind when traveling.

Preparing to fly with a cat

Make an appointment with your vet sooner rather than later, especially if you didn’t consult them before booking your flight. According to Dr. Smith, they’ll assess your cat’s individual health, temperament, and general fitness for air travel, as well as ensure that your cat’s vaccinations are up to date.

And if you think your cat is in good health, or the airline you chose doesn’t require that kind of documentation? Pay them a visit anyway. Your vet can help you prepare and provide guidance on how to travel safely , says Dr. Smith. Importantly, they’ll advise you on ways you can manage your cat’s anxiety, including milder-than-sedation options like prescription medication, over-the-counter supplements, or special treats.

After that, Dr. Smith recommends getting your cat nice and comfortable with their carrier since familiarity can reduce stress during travel. (He also suggests packing favorite items, such as a toy or blanket, in the carrier for the same reason.) So if you buy a new carrier or don’t use the one you own frequently, try to acclimate them to it leading up to your flight.

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From personal experience, there’s no need to take them on unnecessary strolls around the block in their carrier. I simply left mine unzipped around the apartment the week leading up to the flight. My cat Francis quickly took to sleeping in it, and when the time came to load him up for the airport, it was noticeably easier than taking him to the vet in it a month prior.

But again, these are cats we’re dealing with, so your mileage will vary. No amount of training helped Martin’s cat Molly acclimate to her collar, for example, so Martin now tailors her pre-travel routine accordingly. “I just put it on [Molly] right before we go because I know she hates it,” she says. “No matter how much I have her wear it, she's gonna keep hating it.”

Stocking up to fly with a cat

Speaking of things your cat might hate, you’ll also need a few supplies before they can jet set with you. Most likely, they will be traveling in the cabin under the seat in front of you; few airlines allow cats to fly in the cargo, where they’re subject to more extreme temperatures, poor ventilation, and rough handling. This means you’ll need a pet carrier that fits the airline’s specifications for its size, shape, and material. You may also want to consider a harness, collar, or leash for added safety, since you’ll have to take your cat out of their carrier to go through security.

If you don’t already have one, there are a variety of TSA–approved carriers out there to choose from. For example, Martin likes this backpack-style carrier , which causes her less strain than one-shoulder options. Oh, and a tip from me: A durable carrier is worth the splurge. Trust me—if your anxious cat claws his way out of a cheap one and sprints free across the terminal, you’ll just have to buy a ridiculously overpriced replacement at the airport anyway. (True story.)

In terms of other supplies, Darnell Christopher, a New York City–based flight attendant with 10 years of experience, recommends coming prepared with what you need to be a courteous passenger. For instance, Martin and Warshell say it’s never a bad idea to stock up on sanitary items, like pee pads to line the carrier, which can simplify cleanup in the event of an accident. You might also pack sanitary wipes, a mini lint roller for excess hair, or extra foam earplugs to offer your neighbors just in case your kitty is noisier than expected.

Navigating the airport with a cat

Ahead of travel, don’t withhold food or water in an attempt to stave off unwelcome bowel or bladder movements on the plane. Ditto overfeeding to compensate for any meals they’d skip on the flight. Just feed and hydrate them as usual, says Dr. Smith. Other than that, leave yourself plenty of time before you board the plane. Give every cat-related step a generous buffer, just in case your cat decides to cat. For example, you probably don’t want to call your cab before your beast is safely in their carrier. And it might not be a great idea to unzip your cat at security before dealing with your inanimate belongings.

On that note, here’s how the process at airport security is traditionally supposed to go down: You’ll be asked to take your cat out of the carrier, send the empty carrier through the X-ray, carry your cat through the metal detector, and then put them back in on the other side.

But before you do any of that, do yourself a favor and ask a TSA officer for a private screening room instead. It’s not always advertised as an option, but one is likely available. Believe me, it is much easier to wrangle a struggling, scared kitty in and out of a carrier when you’re not holding up a line of frustrated travelers and worried about your furry companion getting loose in the airport. Plus, it allows you to take a second to offer your cat some comforting pets.

Actually flying with a cat

Good news, it’s the home stretch! The journey leading up to the flight is often more nerve-wracking than the flight itself, so you’re mostly in the clear from here. Once you board, Martin recommends giving your seatmates a heads-up that you have a cat, since many people won’t notice right away. “I always like to say, ‘By the way, I have a cat here under the seat. Let me know if that’s an issue,’” she says.

If there is an issue—like sitting next to someone who’s allergic to cats—Christopher recommends flagging down a flight attendant; he says it’s all part of the job. So if you’re worried about causing trouble on the plane by traveling with your fur baby, don’t sweat it. It’s not unusual for flight attendants to move passengers around or request passengers swap seats as needed. Same goes for them helping you in the event your cat has an accident. “These things happen,” Christopher says. “It’s just about communicating so we can utilize the tools that we have.”

During the flight itself, Dr. Smith suggests monitoring your cat throughout. (One of the reasons Warshell likes her carrier: It opens from both the top and the sides. “It’s nice because I can open it a tiny bit and slip my hand in when I’m on the plane to pet my cat from above,” she explains.) You’ll want to ensure the carrier stays well-ventilated and secure, and keep an eye out for signs of distress or overheating, such as excessive panting, vocalization, or lethargy. If you do see these signs, alert a flight attendant and ask if it’s possible to move your pet to an area with better airflow and lower temperature within the cabin, recommends Dr. Smith. You can also offer your cat a small amount of water.

Last but not least, once you reach your destination and arrive at your new or temporary home, get your kitty’s necessities set up and give them time to adjust to the new environment. “Be patient and provide a quiet, safe space for them to explore at their own pace,” says Dr. Smith.

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• Cat Behavior
• Health & Care
• Vet Approved

How to Travel With a Cat: 14 Vet Approved Tips & Tricks

Image Credit: Svetlana Rey, Shutterstock

Last Updated on April 27, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

VET APPROVED

REVIEWED & FACT-CHECKED BY

Dr. Amanda Charles

BVSc GPCert (Derm) MRCVS (Veterinarian)

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

Traveling with a cat can be rewarding, but it requires thorough planning. Whether you’re getting ready to drive a short distance and hang out with family or fly somewhere for a relaxing vacation, there are a few factors to consider when traveling with your cat.

Make sure to start the planning process early, particularly if you’re traveling internationally or are going to stay in a hotel during any part of your journey. Below, you’ll find 14 tips and tricks to make your journey with your cat successful.

• The 14 Tips to Travel with a Cat
• 1. Invest in a Good Carrier

Cats should always be restrained when riding in cars, and airports require them to stay in their carriers at all times (except during the security screening process). Airlines have several rules and regulations regarding traveling with pets, including guidelines regarding the size of carriers.

Make sure the carrier you use meets the airline’s regulations and requirements. If you’re driving, the sky’s the limit when it comes to the size of your cat’s mobile palace. Carriers should be sturdy, well-ventilated, secure, and easy to clean. Plastic carriers are usually the best options.

• 2. Give Your Cat Time to Get Used to Their Carrier

Because cats spend so much time in their carriers when traveling, they must feel comfortable in them. Consider leaving your cat’s carrier out so they can get used to it before your trip.

Letting your cat have dinner in their carrier a few times may encourage them to develop positive associations with their traveling home.

• 3. Invest in a Good Harness and Leash

If you visit a rest stop during a road trip, your cat should be harnessed and leashed when they’re away from their carrier to ensure they can’t run off and get lost if they become scared.

Make sure the harness you choose fits properly, and give your cat time to get used to wearing it so they’re ready to do so when you hit the road.

Are you looking for the perfect cat harness? We suggest Hepper's Cat Harness & Leash Set , which includes a nicely designed, machine-washable harness made from soft, sturdy velvet and mesh.

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This harness is easy to put on and take off and features reinforced stitching, reflective stripes, and quick-release buckles. This set also includes a great leash made from durable nylon climbing rope.

At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!

• 4. Practice Everything

No matter how you’re traveling, your cat must be comfortable entering and exiting the carrier. If you’re flying, you’ll need to take them out of their carrier during the security screening process in the airport.

You can practice taking your cat out of the carrier when you’re around other people to make them more comfortable during the security check. If you plan on driving, consider taking your cat for a few practice rides to get them used to spending time in the car. Make sure to reward them for their cooperation!

• 5. Ask Your Veterinarian for Advice

Some easily stressed cats may benefit from medication to help them stay mellow while traveling. However, sedation isn’t suitable for all cats, and most airlines won’t transport pets who have been tranquilized or sedated.

• 6. Have Cleaning Supplies on Hand

Pack a bag with cleaning supplies and plan to have it close at hand while you’re underway in case your cat has an accident and you need to do a bit of on-the-fly cleaning. It’s best to pack paper towels or cleaning wipes, gloves, and baggies for disposal.

• Gentle Care For All Pets - Infused with moisturizing hypoallergenic ingredients & enriched with...
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It's hard to beat the convenience of pet-safe wipes after a big adventure, between baths, or when cleaning sensitive areas. Our favorite option is Hepper's Wash Wipes, premium wipes designed to safely and gently remove grime from cats and dogs of all ages and sizes. These hypoallergenic wipes are made in the USA and feature moisturizing ingredients to soothe your pet's skin.

• 7. Pack Toys and Blankets

Take a few of your cat’s favorite toys and a well-loved blanket that smells like home to keep them comfortable while away from their territory. Putting a favorite blanket in your cat’s carrier may make being on the road less stressful.

A stuffed toy might look a little different than a traditional cat toy but many felines find them quite enticing. The Hepper Plush Whale serves a dual purpose, featuring a faux fur exterior that mimics prey and a soft interior for cuddling during long cat naps when playtime is over. The best part about it is it's an affordable option for ages, sizes, and conditions. Learn more about why your cat needs a plush here!

• Tailored size even for kittens - the compact size of the whale plush cat toy at 15cm long ensures...
• Catnip Free Cat Toys - Made with top quality plush exterior & cotton interior, it's perfect for cats...
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At Catster, we've admired Hepper for many years, and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!

• 8. Consider Portable Litter Boxes

If you’re traveling by car , pack a litter box with some of your cat’s regular litter. Plastic poop bags and a scoop are also essential. If you’re staying at a hotel, check their pet policies thoroughly.

Most hotels that accept cats don’t provide litter boxes and litter. Collapsible litter boxes are ideal for shorter trips and can be folded down and packed.

• 9. Pack Food, Water, Treats, and Medication

If you’re traveling by car, bring enough of your cat’s regular food to keep them happy while you’re away from home. It’s also helpful (and usually mandatory) to pack food and water for your cat while flying, but some cats may be too nervous to eat until you land.

If your cat takes medication, pack enough to last them for your entire trip, and consider putting it in your carry-on luggage to ensure you have access to it even if your checked luggage takes a detour.

• 10. Consider Pheromones

Commercial synthetic feline pheromone products may help some cats stay calm while underway by reducing stress and creating a sense of safety and well-being. They’re available in sprays and wipes, so your cat can enjoy the benefits of calming pheromones while you’re on the road.

• 11. Check Your Cat’s Microchip Registration

Ensure that the registry where your cat’s microchip is registered has the right contact information. Losing your cat when you’re out of town is a nightmare, but an up-to-date microchip can significantly improve the chances of their return.

• 12. Collect Your Cat’s Medical Information

It’s vital to collect your cat’s medical information before you plan to leave and make sure you have a way to access it while you’re on the road in case they require veterinary care while you’re away from home.

Ensure you have all the documentation and certificates your cat needs to travel, including their vaccination status. Remember that the requirements vary based on where you’re headed and how you plan to travel .

• 13. Double Check Your Reservations

If you plan on staying in a hotel at your destination, contact the property ahead of time to ensure pets are permitted and get information about the rules and requirements that may apply. Don’t forget to inquire about the availability of litter boxes and food and water bowls.

• 14. Invest in Physical ID Tags

It’s best to attach an ID tag with your name and contact information to your cat’s collar. It will make it easy for people to reach out to you if your cat gets loose and makes a run for it.

Microchips are helpful , but lost cats need to be taken to shelters or veterinarians with scanners for their chips to be read. ID tags make the reunification process far more efficient; if your cat runs off, anyone who finds them can simply give you a call.

Traveling with cats can be stress-free with a bit of planning and preparation. Make sure to get started before you hit the road with your cat , particularly if you’re thinking about flying or staying in a hotel. Also, don’t forget to invest in an appropriate carrier and give your cat lots of time to get used to it.

• Hiking With a Cat: Is It Possible?
• Traveling With Kittens: Essential Tips
• https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/flying-with-your-cat
• https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/road-trips-and-car-travel-with-your-cat
• https://www.petmd.com/cat/care/8-tips-traveling-cat
• https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/traveling-your-pet-faq
• https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/special-assistance/pets.jsp#:~:text=As%20recommended%20by%20the%20American,cardiovascular%20problems%20at%20high%20altitudes.

Featured Image Credit: Angels Relax CZ, Shutterstock

About the Author

Lorre Luther

Lorre Luther is a writer who is firmly convinced that cats are smarter than humans. She left her law career in the United States and moved to the Netherlands to follow her dream of becoming a writer. Lorre currently lives in Rotterdam, she enjoys traveling and greatly appreciates the beauty of nature. Lorre has a spot for animals and admires the intelligence of cats.

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Your ultimate guide to flying internationally with a cat: Tips & Essentials

January 28, 2019 by Karen Turner 56 Comments

One of the most challenging experiences that we had in terms of moving abroad was moving our cat. I adopted Lu in the United States at a shelter. Admittedly, she’s not so keen on traveling, but I knew that when we moved abroad that she had to come with us. Since then, she’s traveled with us to four countries following our various moves around Europe by plane and by train. I include my experience traveling with my cat internationally, some tips for traveling with your cat, and my favorite cat traveling accessories, including an airline approved pet carrier.

I urge you not to underestimate how many hours it takes to properly research flying with your cat to your destination as well as preparing them for the move. Cats are creatures of habit and it can be very traumatizing for many cats to be uprooted from their home. I can’t really say that it’s fun traveling with a cat, but sometimes it comes to this when making a significant move abroad with your cat.

• Tips for flying internationally with your cat
• Traveling with multiple cats
• Why you shouldn’t put your cat under the plane

Should you drug your cat for travel?

What you need to do before traveling with your cat.

• Cat traveling essentials

The best airline approved cat carrier

• Our experience flying internationally with a cat on a transatlantic flight
• Our experience flying within the EU with our cat
• Our experience taking the Thalys with a cat

• 1.1 Before you travel with your cat internationally
• 2 Traveling on the plane with your cat
• 3.1 Traveling internationally with multiple cats
• 3.2 Why you should consider NOT putting your cat underneath the plane
• 3.3 Should you drug your cat for travel?
• 4 What you need to do before traveling with your cat
• 5.1 The best airline approved cat carrier
• 5.2 Cat collar
• 5.3 Cat harness*
• 5.4 Folding cat bowls
• 5.5 Calming Spray
• 5.6 Portable Cat Bed*
• 5.7 Portable Litter Box*
• 6 Our experience flying internationally with our cat on a transatlantic flight
• 7 Flying within the EU with a cat
• 8 Taking the Thalys train with our cat
• 9 Have you flown internationally with your cat?

Tips for flying with your cats internationally

Before you travel with your cat internationally.

In general, I recommend not traveling with your cats unless you’re moving for a significant period. Both of my cats do not travel well and if it’s a few weeks, I found that it was better to board them at a facility rather than bring them with me to a destination where the paperwork would make my life more complicated.

In general, it’s generally cheaper to buy a round-trip ticket rather than a one-way ticket. Try to time the way back with when you think you’ll next head home, so you only need to purchase the way back to your new home.

If you intend to fly internationally with your cat, you need to carefully check the requirements of your final destination as well as possible transit destinations. Your cat needs to be healthy in order to fly. I had to first ensure that she was up-to-date on her vaccinations. Talk to your vet .

Some countries require a rabies vaccination to be given a certain amount of time ahead. As a result, you’ll need to plan at least 1-2 months ahead if you’re traveling from a high rabies country as a blood test may need to be done and your cat will need to have their vaccines done in advance. I had to bring my cat in for a check-up shortly before flying in each case to ensure that she was ready.

If you can minimize your travel time, do it by getting a direct flight. Your cat will appreciate it. Your cat will be stressed, hungry, and tired from the travel. Fewer flights will reduce the likelihood that you have a delay or missed transfer.

If you have a rolling suitcase , I recommend putting your cat carrier on top and rolling your suitcase slowly. I’ve tried a couple of ways in terms of minimizing trauma when traveling en route to the airport using public transit/walking and this way worked the best. It’s smooth, your cat is less likely to be jostled within the bag, and they can look out more easily!

If you can travel with your cat in the cabin, do it. I felt so guilty every time that I’ve traveled with Lu, however, it’s a small relief to be able to see how the cat is doing. Your cat might be deeply unhappy, however, at least you can give them water and pet them to calm them if needed. Just be careful about unzipping the bag, so they don’t escape!

Book your cat’s plane ticket in advance. Most airlines that allow animals on board have a limit on how many animals can be brought with you. I had to pay extra to bring Lu as my “carry-on” item and she had to fit in the space near my feet in her carrier.

Traveling on the plane with your cat

As soon as you get on the flight, talk to the flight attendants as well as those around you to check that nobody is allergic. Similarly, it’s good to notify the flight attendants of your furry friend on board just in case something goes wrong.

Keep your cat’s documents with you somewhere that is easily accessible. You might need to show them several times, so don’t put them away in your suitcase. I keep mine in the side pocket of my cat carrier . I have been rarely asked for them, but you never know!

Make sure that your cat carrier has a tag that states your information on it, including your phone number. I made sure that Lu was wearing a collar that stated my phone number on it, just in case she ran off.

The biggest risk in losing your cat is during security when they must be removed from the carrier to be carried through security with you. If you can find a non-metal collar , that’s probably best as you might need to remove the collar during security. I also had a photo of her on my phone, just in case.

Get through security when it’s not so busy and find a quiet place to sit. I recommend giving yourself extra time at the airport. That said, airports are really loud places and if you’ll be there for a while, find a quiet corner away from music, security, and people talking loudly to sit. Your cat will thank you!

Clip your cat’s nail before you travel. You’ll need to carry them through security most likely…and it’s not fun being clawed into with sharp kitty claws.

Avoid feeding your cat 4-6 hours before traveling. I caved during my flight with Lu and gave her a treat, which resulted in her pooping (a small bit) in the litter box. Obviously, for cats, this is not comfortable. I recommend carrying a small folding cat bowl that can be used for water if needed. I bought a water bottle once through security just to give Lu water as needed.

Once you arrive at your destination with your cat

Once you’re somewhere less chaotic and enclosed, let your cat out. They’ll probably be a bit traumatized from the journey as well as hungry/thirsty. The sooner that you can get a litter box, the better as they’ll probably need it.

Check with your hotel that it’s cat-friendly before you go . I find that dog-friendly hotels are often surprised that you want to bring a cat, but you’ll pay a premium for finding a cat-friendly hotel . Even if they say that they’re pet-friendly, not all will accept cats.

On average, you’ll pay 30-40% extra with the majority of hotels telling you no. It’s frustrating, but book your hotels/accommodation in advance as soon as you know your traveling dates. I always try to emphasize that my cat is very well behaved and doesn’t go outside.

Travel can be really hard on cats and it can take your cat weeks to get used to your new home. If possible, try to move slowly to avoid changing accommodations too often as they’ll want to be at home. I recommend looking for places with good windows (like our Paris apartment).

Traveling internationally with multiple cats

An acquaintance of mine contacted me about my experience moving abroad as she was moving with her two cats and one small dog. Airlines usually allow one pet per person, so she found out that it was cheaper to pay for a close friend’s round-trip ticket to her new home (e.g. a free vacation) than it was to have someone else bring her dog. Her friend got a free trip out of it and she got to bring her cats with her.

Why you should consider NOT putting your cat underneath the plane

Quite a few cat breeds, especially Persians, may have issues related to breathing and heat stroke. Putting certain cats into cargo may be a bad idea. Even if your cat is a mutt like mine, your cat might be hyperventilating during the flight. Coming with the uncertainty of not knowing what is going on and the sounds, your cat might be really anxious underneath the plane and/or have issues during the flight.

Some carriers will report the percentage of animals in their care that were injured or killed in transit. Choose carefully if you are considering putting your cat underneath the plane. Ask around if possible.

Lu tends to hyperventilate when on a plane and inside a car, so I opted to take longer to travel with her if it meant having her with me to check on her, even if there was a layover. I ended up going with Aeroflot due to their cat-friendly policy, which allowed her to sit near my feet!

Talk to your vet about your travel plans. I’ve seen several vets about traveling with my cat. Only one of them recommended drugging my cat for travel while the rest said that it was enough just to use a calming spray . There are a number of other drugs, but you should discuss what is most appropriate with your vet.

Generally, cats are given something similar to Xanax (benzodiazepines) if they’ll be traveling a long distance. This is what my cat had gotten prescribed for our U.S. to Netherlands move, however, it left her disoriented and unable to sleep. Since then, I’ve not used a drug.

• 6 Months ahead: Book your cat’s plane ticket and find a cat-friendly airline.
• 5 months ahead: Find out your airline’s paperwork requirements for flying with your cat. Your cat might need to be microchipped with a different chip if it’s not the same where you’re traveling.
• 2 Months ahead: Talk to your vet about your travels. Ensure that your cat’s vaccines are up to date.
• 1-2 months ahead: Ensure that your cat’s travel documents are up-to-date. Possibly see the vet and make relevant appointments shortly before your travels.
• 1-2 months ahead: Organize relevant transportation (buses don’t usually allow cats) and cat-friendly accommodations in your new destination.
• 1 Month out: Buy a good cat carrier , calming spray , cat collar , a cat harness , and other relevant supplies (see below)
• 1 Month out: Call your airline to check that all is well.
• 2-3 weeks ahead: Take care of relevant travel documents (if required)
• Week of travel: Check-up with your vet to ensure that your cat is healthy to fly. Clip your cat’s nails.
• The day before travel: Give your cat a nice meal 12 hours before! Organize your cat’s travel documents. Spray the carrier with Feliway and leave it out for them to explore.
• Day of travel: Stop feeding your cat 6 hours before your travels. Get the cat into the carrier. Leave early for the airport. Keep calm and try to find somewhere quiet.
• Day of arrival: Buy litterbox and cat litter once you arrive. (You can bring a small litter box with you if you arrive late at night) Feed your cat and let them relax/sleep.

Cat essentials for flying internationally

I got this bag around five years ago. This Argo by Teafco Pet Avion Airline Approved Pet Carrier perfectly fits my cat (who is on the smaller side) and it’s built cleverly. Inside, you’ll find a leash that hooks into your cat’s collar as to ensure they can’t escape the bag. Similarly, there’s a way for you to reach your hand inside without the cat escaping if you wish to calm them. There are several pockets around the bag, which can fit Feliway, travel documents, and cat travel accessories.

Most importantly, I love this bag as people assume that it’s a carry-on bag, not a cat bag. Travel is stressful enough for my cat and having strangers trying to pet her doesn’t help. She can look out of the bag through the mesh sides without people peeking in, which has been great for international travel with a cat. ( In quite a few cases, I was never asked about the cat as they didn’t realize I had a cat with me.)

In general, I recommend getting a soft cat carrier if you’ll be flying internationally as your cat needs to fit underneath the seat in front of you. If your cat is larger, you’ll want to get a larger bag to ensure they have room to move around. There might be some squishing of the carrier, so it’s much easier to have a soft bag. (Every vet that I’ve seen in Europe has asked me where I got this bag.)

I recommend ensuring that your cat has a cat collar as you’ll probably want to use the collar to clip your cat into the bag (if possible) and/or connect them to the cat leash. You might need to remove your cat collar if it contains metal, so choose carefully. If you can attach your phone number to the collar, that’s great. Ensure that it’s snug, but not too tight.

Cat harness*

Your cat might be frustrated inside of the bag. I found the cat harness to be helpful, however it’s really hard getting your cat into a cat harness in the middle of an airport. A handicap-accessible toilet might be a good option if you want to get your cat into a harness. In my case, I attached the harness directly to her collar to ensure she wouldn’t wander off.

Folding cat bowls

You cat might get thirsty during the journey and once you arrive at your destination, you’ll want to feed your cat. It was really helpful having folding cat bowls as it enabled my cat to eat as soon as we got cat food. (I brought some with me in a plastic bag.)

Calming Spray

Feliway has helped my cats travel. This spray mimics cats pheromones given off by mothers to help calm kittens. It can help reduce stress in some cases. I recommend putting an item of your clothing that smells like you and spraying it with Feliway before putting it at the bottom of the carrier.

Portable Cat Bed*

As I had to get rid of the cat bed that my cat loved, I ended up buying a smaller foldable cat bed that was in my house for a few weeks before my travels. My cat liked it as it was a good way for her to feel safe in a new environment. Similarly, it was squishy enough that I used it as a pillow in transit.

Portable Litter Box*

If you’re arriving late at night, you’ll want to bring a portable litter box with you as litter is typically easier to get at some late night shops/supermarkets, however you generally need to go to a pet store for the litter box.

Our experience flying internationally with our cat on a transatlantic flight

My first international flight with my cat was flying from New York to Amsterdam via Moscow. When moving to Amsterdam, flying Aeroflot with the cat was our best option for an affordable airline that allowed cats in the cabin. It took many hours to find a flight that would allow her in the cabin, but that was non-negotiable.

In our case, the paperwork involved my vet gave her an examination clearing her for flying prior to submitting the paperwork to a federal agency to be stamped. Ask your vet for the procedure for where you’re traveling. Some airlines have limited space for animals, so you should ensure that you reserve your cat’s place in advance. I reserved my cat’s place as soon as my ticket was booked.

On the day of our flight, we showed the paperwork as we checked our bags and headed through security. Security was difficult as Lu is very noise-sensitive and the various noises did not help at all. I was forced to take her out of the carrier as I went through the metal detector. She was very scared and clung to me. Once we were through security, she calmed down a bit.

Once on the plane, we asked everyone around if they were allergic to cats. (The passengers and the flight attendants doted over us and asked to pet her.) It was very painless. She was very quiet although very anxious during the flight. I checked on my cat at several points and she was too upset to sleep. As per our vet’s recommendation, we avoided feeding her during the plane ride and withheld food 4-6 hours before our flight.

Finally, once we arrived in Moscow for our layover. We put her on a cat leash and let her sit on one of the seats. She immediately curled up and took a small nap. Nearby, two burly Russian guys took selfies with her. On the next flight, she meowed quite a bit, but we managed to get to Amsterdam. We immediately went out and bought a litterbox for her as it was day-time.

Flying within the EU with a cat

If you’re traveling within or from the EU with your cat, I strongly recommend seeing if you can get your cat an EU pet passport . It will make your life a lot easier as it shows their complete medical record as well as recent examinations. Just a few days before our flight, we brought her to a vet for a pre-flight examination as required by our airline, who we booked her ticket through.

Last summer, we lived in Brussels while waiting for our French visas. We ended up flying with BlueAir, a budget European airline to Romania and France. The process was fairly decent as my cat already had an EU pet passport. She simply had to get examined by a vet in the days prior to the flight to clear her for health. At this point, she was up-to-date on her vaccinations.

I had Lu on a leash clipped to her collar. The most stressful part was security where one of the employees required that I take the collar off. I had to carry her through airport security, which was an immensely stressful experience for both of us. She tried at one point to jump back into her box as it passed through security.

The flight itself was fine, however we flew twice with her. It was quite hard on her and given the option, I prefer to take the train. That said, you will have limited options as most of the major bus companies in Europe do not allow cats on them, which is quite aggravating as a pet owner.

Taking the Thalys train with our cat

I’ve taken the Thalys with my cat between Belgium and the Netherlands and France and the Netherlands. Cats were free and allowed when I traveled, however I had to have all my cat’s documents in order (similar to a plane). She had stay underneath the seat.

When boarding the Thalys, you’ll need to scan your items. It was quite nerve-wracking going through the security line in Paris, which as outside next to the train tracks. I had to remove Lu from her bag and carry her through security. It was loud and I’d be a bit apprehensive about doing this with a cat who tends to run when they’re scared.

Once on the Thalys, I found my seat. The journey was uneventful and at one point, the conductor asked about the cat. On one journey, a woman next to me refused to sit next to me as I had a cat. (She was pregnant.) I was a bit confused, but she moved across the way with the permission of the conductor. The journey was easy and my cat was far more relaxed than traveling by slower trains and flying.

Have you flown internationally with your cat?

• More tips for traveling with your cat

About Karen Turner

New Yorker–born and raised. Currently living in the Hague, the Netherlands after stints in Paris and Amsterdam. Lover of travel, adventure, nature, city, dresses, and cats.

Reader Interactions

May 15, 2019 at 8:44 pm

do you have a recommendation of a vet in The Hague who is familiar with what is needed for cat “import”? will be bringing my fluffy friends and want to be sure I have all the proper docs up front. I am not in an EU country right now so they don’t know the regulations.

May 16, 2019 at 3:49 pm

Hi Molly, You should be able to ring basically any vet in the center of the Hague. I”m not sure if they’ll help you as you’re not a client (maybe if you promise to become a client!), but you should definitely check with your airline too. Depending on whether the country is high rabies, you might need to do an extra paperwork. There’s some good information on the various pet transit websites and it’s so different by country that I can’t say for sure. Best of luck moving to NL! 🙂

June 9, 2019 at 10:11 pm

I suggest you contact the nearest consulate or embassy for the Netherlands, they should be able to help you. Otherwise, their should be the correct info on their government website or the corresponding EU website. I am moving to France from the USA and found clear instructions on the French government and EU sites. On the latter, I was able to print out the documents which needed to be filled out by the vet in the country of departure (with instructions on how it should be filled out) and also a copy of the EU pet passport which you can print out. Your cat will need to be microchipped with an EU approved chip and also have its rabies vaccine up to date. If the cats aren`t vaccinated for rabies they have to have a primo vaccine and may have to have a titration (?) done by an approved lab 3 months before travelling. I`d advise you to look into this as soon as possible as there may be time limitations for some procedures. Best of luck with your move!

December 12, 2020 at 2:59 am

There are U.S. Veterinarians that are specialized on preparing the needed documents and doing the health exam within 10 days of flight. Not every vet does this but every community has one. We have reserved the cat spaces 6 weeks prior to the flight (during Covid). It is true, if your cat does not have rabies shot yet, you need more time for preparing the transfer, one has to wait 21 days for the rabies shot before being able to travel. One has to submit the documents to the animal export department of your state, which provides a quick turnaround with courier service. If you stay in Europe and travel with your pet there for a while we recommend getting a European animal passport through a vet there. Some countries (Switzerland) are annoyed looking at the U.S. documents and feel suspicious about them or don’t take the effort to understand them. Once the agent did not want to check us on the flight from Zurich to Greece… until her supervisor did a great job in understanding the U.S. health certification papers. This can be stressful.

June 9, 2019 at 10:13 pm

Thank you for all this great info Karen. I have traveled to several countries with dogs (diplomat husband) but never with a cat, you have helped a lot and reassured me!

July 1, 2019 at 3:46 pm

I have 3 cats and will be making the daunting move from UK to Canada. It will be close to impossible for me to have all 3 with me on the plane (Probably 1 can go with me – as she is the most nervous) but they will have to sit in the belly of the plane. i have discussed arrangements with PetAir, but after reading your blog speaking on dead pets absolutely worries me. Have you any tips on how I can go around this?

Many thanks

July 2, 2019 at 11:07 am

Apologies, but I don’t have any easy answers. Can a friend help you with the move to bring another cat on the plane?

September 17, 2020 at 8:40 pm

I have just been reading this blog for some reassurance and panicked at the same part you did. I am doing Canada to the UK in the next few weeks and it’s basically impossible for me to have my cat in the cabin with me due to UK laws. He also has to do two flights in two days due to the current flight situation with COVID. How did your cats do on the journey? I’m terrified something is going to happen to him and I won’t be aware. My cat is only 2 years old and healthy but I’m still so very nervous about it all!

March 25, 2021 at 4:07 pm

I am confused as I have fo fly two cats from DC to Brussels. When I get there I have to take them to hotel take and then to a vet for EU passport right?How do I do that and how long does it take as I have to take a nother flight out? Can you leave airport without a passport?

May 10, 2021 at 2:34 pm

I’d check with your airline as the EU passport is generally for cats already within the EU. It’s a good thing to get long-term once you have a vet. It takes quite a bit of paperwork/time though!

June 9, 2022 at 10:48 pm

Thanks for all this recommendations and insights, even so we have some questions not sure if yourw famiwith:

Were curre3in The Hague and will be moving to Bangkok in August and we have 2 cats. They can only for with KLM on the Cargo, and for that we need special cages that should be IATA approved, but we seem to find it difficult to find them here in Europe as to be 100% approved as they must have metal screws and so on ( do you know any approved one?)

Then the papers are of a different issue, and I think we can deal with it!

December 1, 2022 at 8:54 pm

I am sure PetPlus should have a good cage. If you have already moved, I would love to know how it went!

July 4, 2019 at 12:44 pm

Hi Karen…some great tips. Just curious to know how a 15 pound cat is able to fit Beneath the seat, in a carrier. Can one simply purchase an additional ticket? Thanks

July 4, 2019 at 1:10 pm

Hi Ric, I recommend asking your airline as the weight requirement varies by airline. 🙂

Best of luck, Karen

August 12, 2021 at 3:36 am

I traveled from Italy to Us with three cats. My big boy Orly also weighed 15 pounds. He did not make the requirements for under seat, so in the end I had to put them on in the as cargo in the hold to be able to take all 3 together. It was so stressful and very expensive. Especially nerve wracking as by law at least in 2014 , could not be on a flight longer than 10 hours. So we had to fly through a Eu city that had special overnight animal accommodation, which I was not allowed to check in on them as they were considered cargo. They do get fed and cleaned checked by a vet at this point. When I got on board in the morning, I asked the flight attendant to confirm for me they made it on board, and soon the captain made an announcement: “to the lady with the cats, I confirm they are all on board! ” It all went fine, we arrived in San Fransisco, and it is still a bit of an ordeal to get the customs approval stamped and driving here and there to pick them up. Withstanding restrictions for traveling in very hot or cold weather also. I would try anything else to try and bring them on board in cabin, and finding the most direct route, or one that has a comfortable layover. They do make very light weight, ( a couple of pounds) carriers so he might just make the cut. If you have a long time you could put him on a careful diet to lose a pound ( but slowly!) I am about to return after several years with just one, who is fortunately in the weight category so I found a flight combination with a long enough layover to go to.a hotel and refresh before the next leg.

July 26, 2019 at 10:14 pm

That’s a good idea to work closely with your vet for how to get your pet onto the plane and how to reserve a spot for them. My best friend doesn’t like to leave her cat during vacations so I’ll have to make sure she knows this. For me, I’d rather leave my cat behind at the vet’s boarding quarters so that I know she’s taken care of and doesn’t have to deal with the toll and stress of flying.

October 6, 2019 at 8:12 am

We have to get our cat ( and a snake) from Australia to the UK – this is not going to be fun!

October 25, 2019 at 10:32 pm

Thank you so much for this information. We are relocating to Ireland from the US next year with our two cats. I am worried about the travel but feel a bit more confident having read about your experience and tips. One of my cats meowed the whole way on a four hour car trip once, so I’m hoping the Feliway will help her, otherwise I may have to look into other options as I’m sure that will not be acceptable on a 10 hour flight. We also have two 5 year old children to contend with so it should be an adventure for sure! And I am getting that cat carrier! Thanks again.

October 27, 2019 at 10:39 am

Glad to hear that Brenda! Talk to your vet as they might have some recommendations.

March 1, 2022 at 12:26 am

Hey Brenda, we’re transporting a 5.4kg cat from Mexico to Ireland: how did you find your experience? It’s becoming a massive challenge for us, both in paperwork and maintaining our sanity. We want it to be as easy as possible for our little baby: have you any tips?

December 23, 2019 at 11:51 pm

I’m moving to Paris for three months with my Exotic Shorthair kitten, Waldo. He’s very social and has traveled by plane, but I am counting on total time door to door from my West Coast home t my Paris apartment will likely be about 18 hours. He has his rabies shot, and all his vaccinations are up to date. I plan a visit with my vet in March (our flight is in early April).

Do you know of any good pet supply stores in Paris? I will be bringing almost none of Waldo’s equipment, and plan to buy a scratching post, litter box, and maybe a climbing tree in Paris. I’ll bring a portable littler box and bag of litter on the plane, his food bowl, and his favorite blanket. CDG is the world’s worst airport for humans, and I dread negotiating it with a 12 pound kitten (Waldo is enormous!)

Our apartment is in St. Germaine in the 6éme arrondissement. Any help or additional tips you have will be greatly appreciated. We are flying business class on Delta, so I believe Waldo will have a somewhat quiet, safe little space for this long long flight.

December 24, 2019 at 12:25 am

I went to my neighborhood ones, which weren’t within the 6e. You will be best to ask within the local Paris expat group for others’ recommendations. Best of luck with the move and hopefully Waldo will enjoy his new Parisian apartment. 🙂

July 7, 2020 at 8:21 pm

Thank you SO MUCH! My husband and I are making a Trans-Atlantic move soon & this is the most thorough & *actually* helpful guide I’ve found.

July 28, 2020 at 4:57 am

Hi, I am Curious if the airline staff will allow the cat to be out of her cage for few minutes. I know my cat will be way more secure if I have her on my lap (with leash so others are not afraid of her). She is not an aggressive cat AT ALL! We’re you allowed to take your cat out during a long flight?

July 29, 2020 at 7:31 pm

I was told strictly that I wasn’t allowed to let my cat out.

August 16, 2020 at 11:49 pm

i’m considering a move to london from nyc. do you know which airlines allow in-cabin cats on transatlantic flights? so far, it seems all of the major carriers (united, british airways, virgin atlantic, american airlines, norwegian, etc.) only allow cargo transport which is a no-go.

thanks! melody

August 22, 2020 at 12:15 am

Apologies, but this list frequently changes. Best to check which airlines fly between the destination–and go through all of their policies

August 4, 2021 at 4:27 pm

Did you manage to fly your cat? Turkish Airlines allows cats, plus 2 luggages as checked in bag, they are the best for US-Europe travel

August 28, 2020 at 3:52 pm

Did your vet mention any risks with traveling even when they are in the cab of the plane? Do some cats get so stressed that they die from the long flight?

My cat is 16 now and I’m not sure if her age would cause problems traveling that far. I’m wondering if it would be a bad idea to take an older cat that far

September 15, 2020 at 1:33 am

Yes, there are risks associated with flying with older cats. This is why you should discuss the issue with your vet.

January 15, 2021 at 9:20 am

thanks so much for this information! We have to fly cats from the east coast of the US to France this coming summer. Do you have any recommendations for airlines. Is Air France possible? Also, of course, we are going to have to fly in the middle of this pandemic. Any suggestions as to the best way to do this? We are French citizens with US passports also, so we are authorized to fly between the two countries. But, I’m looking at this as being a nightmare scenario. All the best and many thanks, Valerie

March 19, 2021 at 2:58 pm

Apologies, but it’s really hard as some have suspended pet services during COVID. You will need to contact each airline, but I believe KLM might allow cats and AirFrance/KLM are technically one company 🙂

March 10, 2021 at 9:02 pm

Hi – Thanks so much for all this great info! I’ve been stressed about our upcoming move from Canada to India with 2 cats (with one having a heart condition). The whole journey could take 24-30 hours total but we are hoping to fly with them. In your experience, what might be the longest flight duration a cat can handle? We will probably have 1 or more connecting flights with the transatlantic flight being about 12-14 hours long. I am concerned about them pooping/peeing on such a long flight. Also, during layovers are there pet areas at airports where cats can poop/pee? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks once again for such insightful information.

June 9, 2022 at 4:28 pm

Hello, can you share how it went, I am travelling my self 24hs journey by plane too, and I have the same questions you had before. Thank you so much in advance!

July 23, 2021 at 8:03 pm

Thank you! Onni and I are about to take our first flight from Finland for a 6-month work stint in the UK, and I’m reading everything I can find. In case other readers are facing having to take their cat to the UK “as cargo” due to its entry rules, here’s a tip: you can fly into Paris with your cat and then hire a service to drive you both through the Eurotunnel, following proper customs procedures. It is NOT an inexpensive service, but in my case it worked out pretty much the same price as cargo. Our vehicle will have a large crate that Onni can move around in with his travel litter tray and bed.

August 6, 2021 at 10:20 am

Hello! Thanks so much for all the information you shared! I plan to travel from Austria to Brazil with my cat in a few months. I have some questions regarding the transatlantic flights. Did you feed your cat during the long flights? And what about peeing and pooping? I read in many blogs that it’s extremely dangerous for cats if they don’t eat anything in 8 hours, that could damage their liver. Could you share more information about it? Thanks!

March 17, 2022 at 9:46 pm

Please ask your vet for advice here. 🙂

September 30, 2021 at 3:42 pm

Hi Karen, thanks for this very helpful and informative piece! You mentioned that if going away for just a few weeks, it may be better to find boarding or a pet sitter as cats are sensitive to changes in their environment. I will be away visiting family in Europe for six weeks over the holidays, making two stops in two different countries (thanks for the info on the pet passport!) What is the duration of time away that you personally consider bringing your cats traveling with you? I am collecting different opinions as I don’t think there is one “right” answer to this question, and it could also depend on the cat.

March 17, 2022 at 10:01 pm

I try not to travel with my cats as they do not enjoy it. They stay at home. I would only bring them personally if I was going for more than 2 months or moving permanently.

October 5, 2021 at 4:29 am

Hi, I’m traveling from Dubai to Italy with a stop in Amsterdam and the company told me the second flight would be late of 3h, my concern is the trip would be 15h. My cat 1 and half year.old and he’s scared of everything. There’s any per friend zone in Amsterdam airport? Also the carrier bag looks small for my cat for such a long trip. I want to be able somehow to take him out and make him feel more comfortable. Also should I feed him in the time I wait the second plane ? I won’t leave my cat 24h without eating. I’m very worried.

March 17, 2022 at 10:02 pm

There is a place for dogs, but not for cats in Amsterdam. If you have a leash or ask staff, potentially that is something that can happen. Airports are busy, so I am not sure that taking your cat out is always the best move either. Please ask your vet for advice.

January 21, 2022 at 8:32 pm

I’ve held off moving back to the US from Australia because I was terrified to have my cats on such a long flight. This has helped a bit thank you, but I think I’m the one who will need Xanax not my cats! Anyone have tips for the parent on how to cope? Or what to do if your cat meows the whole time? I swear I’m more stressed out than they’ll probably be.

March 17, 2022 at 10:16 pm

I felt the same, but I hope that your journey goes well. I was stressed too, but it will stress your cat out more if you are stressed out!

February 15, 2022 at 4:59 pm

This has been super helpful! I am preparing to fly my cat from the UK to Singapore via Amsterdam. I had been reading that you can ask for a security search in a separate examination room and I was really hoping that would be the case, I take it you found airport security quite unforgiving with having to carry Lu through? Thanks Zoe

March 17, 2022 at 9:43 pm

It depends on the cat. They were kind, but she was just scared and very skittish. A private room might be a good idea for some cats!

April 19, 2022 at 11:25 pm

Hi Karen, Thank you for this well written and thorough article. Can I DM you for specific questions that I have? -Deepika

April 21, 2022 at 2:44 pm

I am not flown in a long time with my cats, so I would encourage you to contact your airline!

June 19, 2022 at 12:18 am

Hello Thank you for the tips ,I am going to travel with my cat this summer from Stockholm to Los Angles with a direct flight for 12 hours,I plan to take some food and littler box to use it during the flight but reading your article I understand that I should not feed my cat during flight?! And no litter box needed I was wondering how it is possible since I thin my trip door to door is around 18 hours can you please explain more how to take care of the cat during flight also can I bring out of her box little bit during flight ?!

December 1, 2022 at 9:07 pm

That is a really long flight! Please ask your vet as it might be tough for the cat to go so long. I was advised not to feed my cat before and she was too nervous to go, but she had to go really badly when we got home!

July 20, 2022 at 6:58 pm

Hello, In a couple of months I will have a terror flight with my 3 cats and 3 toddlers (4, 2, and 2 years old) . My mom is going to help me but am really afraid of the mess I will cause with the cats and the kids… We will fly from Mexico to Spain. One of the cats is really large and tends to be aggressive (he is 10 years old) I wonder if it is safe to make him sleep during the flight. We will have to take 2 flights, one domestic in Mexico and then the international. Total flight time will be approx 13 hs. All recommendations are well appreciated.

December 1, 2022 at 8:59 pm

I would recommend to talk to your vet or maybe arrange special transport for the one cat?

September 29, 2022 at 8:43 pm

We flew from Arizona to Portland (3 hours total) with 2 cats when we moved and it was a nightmare. They cried loudly the whole way. I felt for them plus it was embarrassing. We had the spray (not that one though) and even used some relaxer drug (but were afraid to give them too much). Im not sure if Im brave enough to try it again, especially internationally.

December 26, 2022 at 12:38 pm

I recently flew from my home in eastern Pennsylvania with my 2 year old cat the journey: took Uber from home to phl airport (2 hours) then a 3 hour wait at phl then 13 hour flight (on qatar airways) to doh and then 2 hour layover in doh and then 6.5 hour flight to Bangkok another 2 hours to get through customs and 1 hour to get to my destination in Bangkok. So doing the crude math my girl was in transit for well over 30 hours and she came through great! I give kudos to quatar airlways for her travel. One other thing I had a apple air tag on her collar which was helpful as I got a signal from it while in layover in Doha

March 3, 2023 at 7:45 pm

THANK YOU!!!

March 25, 2023 at 8:13 pm

Hi – My daugher has been living in Amsterdam for the past year and this summer, we are bringing her cat to her to live with her there. (btw, we are traveling from the US and total flight including layover will be about 12 hours). We will get all the necessary documents from the vet for her cat, however, my concern is his carrier for the flight. My daughter has a great one she has used when she has flown domestically (under seat in cabin with her), but I’m afraid it won’t fit the requirements for the airline for the international flight.Her cat is 13.5 lbs and fits fine in the carrier, but am afraid if I get s smaller one, they will say it is too small for him to move around…any suggestions? The current carrier is a Petsfit backpack carrier. Thanks for any suggestions.

April 3, 2023 at 2:41 pm

The airline requirements are what matter most at the end!

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How to Prepare a Cat for Air Travel

Last Updated: March 13, 2023 Approved

This article was co-authored by Russell Hartstein, CDBC, CPDT . Russell Hartstein is a Certified Dog & Cat Trainer and CEO of Fun Paw Care in Los Angeles, California. With over 25 years of training, nutrition, boarding, and daycare experience, Russell and the Fun Paw Care team provide the most current, humane, and science-based methods utilizing force-free positive reinforcement to train and care for pets. Russell is an author for PetMD, Chewy, and Dogster. He is also regularly cited in publications from various organizations, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). He is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant with the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and a Certified Pet Dog Trainer. He received his bachelor’s degree in History and Economics from Binghamton University. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, several readers have written to tell us that this article was helpful to them, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 61,800 times.

Just like their human counterparts, cats can feel stress and anxiety when traveling. Removing your cat from her familiar environment can throw her for a loop. Therefore, you should put careful time and consideration into preparing your cat for air travel. Your extra effort will help make the travel experience less stressful for the both of you.

Preparing Your Cat for Air Travel in Advance

• Your veterinarian may need to complete a health certificate for your cat, certifying she is healthy enough for travel and has all of the required vaccinations. The health certificate requirements may vary according to your destination, so confirm these requirements with the airline before your appointment. [1] X Research source
• There are time restrictions on health certificate completion. Airlines typically require health certificates to be completed within 10 days of a flight, but confirm your airline's specific time restriction. [2] X Research source
• Ask your veterinarian to microchip your cat for easy identification. [3] X Research source If your cat is already microchipped, consider asking your veterinarian to scan the microchip to make sure it can be read.
• If your cat is on medication, ask your veterinarian about how you can continue to medicate your cat on your day of travel.

• A good cargo carrier should be made of sturdy and durable plastic and have a secure door latch. [5] X Research source
• Make sure the carrier is large enough for your cat to move around and be comfortable in.

• Leave the carrier open at all times in a location where your cat frequents, such as her bed or a scratching post. [7] X Research source This lets your cat explore her carrier at her leisure and without fear of you closing the door when she steps inside of it. If you don't want your cat to be fearful in a crate, then the cat needs to get used to the crate at times when they're not traveling in it.
• Consider spraying cat pheromones inside the carrier so it smells familiar to her. [8] X Research source
• Feed her in the carrier so she can have a positive association with it. [9] X Research source
• Practice closing the door when she is inside of it (after you've given her time to explore it). Start by closing the door for a few seconds, then opening it and immediately giving her a treat. Slowly increase the amount of you leave the door closed before opening it and giving her a treat. [10] X Research source
• Make sure you understand that the one month timeline is simply an estimate. Each animal is different, and your cat might need less or more time to grow accustomed to the carrier.

• Secure the carrier in the car with a seatbelt.
• Take your cat to a desirable location, such as back home — not the veterinarian’s office. [12] X Research source Give her a treat at the end of the car ride if she behaves well (no scratching or incessant crying).
• Staying still in the carrier while the car is moving may be a bit bewildering to your cat at first, but she will get used to it over time.
• Try to start the car rides at least a few weeks before your flight.

• You could also take her inside the airport, near the flight check-in area.
• Give your cat some treats to reward her for good behavior.
• Allow a few weeks for your cat to get accustomed to airport noises.
• If your cat is extremely fearful, it might be a good idea to provide familiar bedding to dampen the external noises.

• A cat’s nails should be trimmed once every 10 days to 2 weeks, so time the nail trimming so her nails do not become long again before the trip. [16] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source If you will be away from home for a long time, bring some nail clippers with you.

Making Other Travel Preparations

• Expect to pay an extra fee for your cat, which may be up to $100. Be aware that, if your cat can travel with you in the cabin, her carrier will count as one of your allotted carry-ons. [19] X Research source
• When you book your flight, make sure to get a locator number for your cat that is associated with your seat number. [20] X Research source
• Try to book a direct, nonstop flight. Also, avoid booking a flight for the middle of the day in the summer. [21] X Research source

• Place a label on the inside and outside of the carrier, in case the outside label comes off during the course of travel. In addition, if your cat will be traveling in the cargo hold, make a few large ‘Live Animal’ labels and place them on the outside of her carrier. [24] X Research source
• Make the labels at least a few days before your trip so you will not have to rush to do it on the day of travel.

Preparing Your Cat on the Day of Air Travel

• Once you put her in her carrier, she will not be able to eliminate again until after you arrive at your destination. Keeping things calm and normal will help her empty her bladder and bowels before you place her in the carrier. [28] X Research source

• Alternatively, you could try to find a flight that time that would fall within 4 to 6 hours of her regular mealtime.
• Once you have fed her before the flight, do not feed her again until after you arrive at your destination. You or the flight staff may have to feed her, though, if you have an international flight or a flight with multiple stops.
• Your cat can have water up to 1 hour before the flight. [29] X Research source

• If you must take her out of its carrier at airport security, keep a very firm hold on it.
• Ask the airport security staff if you can go through an alternative screening where your cat can stay in the carrier. [34] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source

Expert Q&A

• If your cat is prone to motion sickness, your veterinarian can prescribe some motion sickness medication for her. [36] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Do not place a lock on her carrier, in case you or the flight staff need to get her out of her carrier quickly. [37] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
• Organized your cat’s documentation (health certificate, vaccination record, locator number, photo of cat) and keep it with you in your carry-on luggage. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
• Pets can become injured, lost, or even die in the cargo hold of a plane. [38] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source Avoid cargo travel for your cat as much as possible. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• Persian cats should not travel in the cargo section, since their facial structure can make it hard for them to breathe. [39] X Trustworthy Source The Humane Society of the United States National organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfare Go to source Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• Do not put your cat through the X-ray machine at airport security. [40] X Research source Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you'd like to learn more about traveling with cats, check out our in-depth interview with Russell Hartstein, CDBC, CPDT .

• ↑ http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=187
• ↑ http://pets.webmd.com/features/pets-travel
• ↑ http://www.catster.com/cats-101/cat-air-travel
• ↑ http://www.banfield.com/pet-health-resources/pet-health-concerns/pet-safety-tips/a-guide-to-getting-your-cat-in-a-pet-carrier
• ↑ https://www.petfinder.com/cats/cat-problems/cat-hates-carrier/
• ↑ http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/traveling_tips_pets_ships_planes_trains.html?credit=web_id110483989#airplane
• ↑ http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/cat-grooming-tips
• ↑ http://pets.webmd.com/features/pets-travel?page=2
• ↑ https://www.petfinder.com/blog/2013/05/flying-without-fur-flying/

About this article

To prepare a cat for air travel, purchase an airline-approved carrier and leave it out for a couple of weeks before the flight so your kitty can investigate it. On the day of the flight, feed your cat 4 to 6 hours before departure and avoid giving it any more food until you reach your destination. Then, place the kitty into the carrier and speak soothingly to keep it calm. Avoid giving your cat tranquilizers before your flight unless advised by your vet, since they can be very dangerous. For tips on preparing and labeling the carrier, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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5 best tips to keep your cat calm during a flight, according to veterinarians

• When flying with a cat, it's important to get your cat comfortable with a carrier before the flight.
• You should also pack a harness, training pads, a water dish, and cat food.
• You can try natural calming aids like pheromones or prescription sedatives for the flight. 

Flying with your cat can seem intimidating — it's hard to predict exactly how your cat will react to the airport and plane ride.

But preparing beforehand by testing out calming supplements and getting your cat comfortable with a carrier can help ease the process.

Here are several methods you can use to get your cat ready to fly and make the experience as smooth as possible.

1. Get your cat comfortable with a cat carrier

Your cat will need to spend the entire flight inside a carrier, so it's important to train your cat to feel comfortable with it. 

Here's how to get your cat used to a carrier:

• If you're using a hard carrier, you can leave just the bottom part in one of your cat's favorite spots in the home, such as a sunny corner, says Carlo Siracusa, DVM , a professor of animal behavior and welfare at the University of Pennsylvania.
• When your cat has become comfortable sitting in the bottom of the carrier, you can put the top on and encourage your cat to spend time in it using treats. "Progressively increase the time that the cat spends in the assembled carrier, starting from just a few seconds," Siracusa says.
•  "After the carrier has been out long enough to not seem threatening, start moving in favorite bedding, toys, treats, maybe some catnip," says A manda McNabb, DVM , a veterinarian in private practice in Washington state 
• The final step is to practice carrying your cat around the house in the carrier and eventually use it for short car rides.

If you're using a soft carrier, you can follow the same steps, but you won't be able to detach the bottom part.

If you don't properly acclimate your cat, they may panic in the airport or on the flight. This can be traumatizing for the cat and stressful for you and the people around you.

Siracusa recommends giving your cat at least three to four weeks to get used to the carrier. "We always suggest going slow, since if you try to go too fast, it can backfire," says Melissa Bain , DVM, a professor of clinical animal behavior at UC Davis.

2. Pack everything your cat needs

Being prepared also means gathering all the things your cat may need for the flight. Some of the most important items you should bring in your carry-on include:

• A harness and leash to help restrain your cat while you pass through security – the carrier may need to go through an Xx-ray, so you will need to carry your cat.
• Training pads to soak up urine if your cat has an accident during the flight.
• A dish and water.
• Extra food in case your flight gets delayed.
• Baby wipes, gloves, and Ziploc bags to help with any cleanups.
• For longer flights, a small, disposable litter box.
• Any medical records and your cat's microchip numbers. Airlines may ask for this information and it may be useful in case of emergency.

3. Don't give your cat any food the morning of a flight

Eating before a flight can increase your cat's motion sickness, causing nausea or vomiting. That's why, for most cats, you should avoid feeding them four to six hours before the flight.

You can still give your cat small amounts of water before the flight and while you're on the plane.

Your cat shouldn't have any issues from skipping a meal – in fact, he may not even want to eat if he's feeling stressed. "Healthy adult cats can be safely fasted for a few hours before and for the duration of the flight," McNabb says. Cats can go about 8 to 10 hours before feeling hungry.

Young kittens may not be able to fast, however. "Kittens less than 6 months should have food at their normal times," McNabb says.

If you have an adult cat with any serious health conditions, you should also talk with your veterinarian to find out how long your cat can go without food, Bain advises.

4. Try natural calming solutions

Some natural products may help with your cat's anxiety, Siracusa says. These include:

• Pheromones : Chemicals that animals emit to send emotional signals to each other. One pheromone product, Feliway , mimics a pheromone cats give off to mark an area as safe. Spraying this in your cat's carrier can offer comfort to a frightened cat.
• Herbal medicines: Though there are no formal studies yet, many cat owners have had success giving their cats certain flower essences or dried herbs. One product called Rescue Remedy combines five different flower essences and experts say that it should be safe for your cat.

You can also ask your vet about other natural products that may help him stay calm on the flight.

When trying any new product, follow the manufacturer's dosing instructions carefully, McNabb says. It's also best to try out products a few days before your trip to check for any side effects. "It is also extremely important to use a product specifically labeled for cats, as cats in general do not metabolize things the way dogs or people do," McNabb says.

5. Travel with a sedative

The majority of cats will not need to take sedatives for a plane flight, Siracusa says.

"Even those cats that do not like to travel by car, do well during flights as there are not the same vibrations associated with car traveling," says Siracusa. Cats tend to be more nervous, however, when the aircraft is on the ground during takeoff and landing, as these transitions have more changes in pressure and vibrations.

Even if you plan to use natural calming remedies, Bain suggests that you should talk with your veterinarian to create a backup plan in case your cat does need sedatives.

"If they are seriously anxious, then they may benefit from as-needed medication that only the veterinarian can prescribe," Siracusa says. 

Common sedatives include drugs like Gabapentin and Trazodone , which can make your cat less aggressive, less stressed, and more compliant. Most sedatives will last between 4 and 6 hours, and ideally, you should medicate your cat about two hours before flying, Siracusa says. 

Just as with natural supplements, you should have some trial runs to see how your cat is affected before actually traveling. "Individual cats react differently to different dosages and medications. The more you know about your cat's needs, the better the flight will be for you both," McNabb says.

Insider's takeaway

Bringing your cat on a flight can be challenging, but there are many steps you can take to ease the process.

Getting your cat used to a carrier, bringing extra supplies, and using natural or prescription remedies can all help to keep you and your cat calmer during a plane ride.

If you aren't sure what methods to try, talk to your veterinarian to figure out what will work best for your cat.

• Main content

8 Tips For Traveling with a Cat

If you are lucky enough to live with a cat, you are most likely aware of their desire for routine with as few surprises as possible. Cats are generally attached to their home environment, where they feel safe and secure. However, it may be necessary to travel with your cat, and there are many things you can do to ensure that it is as pleasant as possible for both of you. Preparation is definitely the key!

Make Sure You Have the Correct Cat Carrier

There are many types of cat carriers available , but an ideal carrier has a front and top opening to give you and your cat options for entry and exit.

It is also nice to be able to remove the top of a hard-sided carrier for a couple of reasons:

It offers a less stressful way to remove your cat from the carrier (do not “dump” your cat out of the front opening).

You can place a cozy blanket in the bottom of the carrier and place the carrier in a quiet spot in your home with the top off.

Allow your cat to check out the carrier before you travel; this can make going into the carrier just another part of your cat’s normal routine.

Get a carrier large enough for your cat to stand up and turn around in. If your cat is a larger breed, such as a Maine Coon, you may need to use a carrier designed for dogs to ensure that it’s big enough. Many cats also like having a blanket draped over the carrier to block out stress-inducing visual stimuli when traveling.

Cat Carrier Travel by Car

If you are traveling by car, try to make sure that the carrier is level in the vehicle, as this will feel more secure to your cat. It is also a good idea to buckle the carrier in the car with a seat belt if possible. Some carriers come with small dishes for food and water. If your trip is going to be several hours long, it is a good idea to offer small amounts of food and water in the carrier.

Cat Carrier Travel by Airplane

If you and your cat are traveling by airplane, a soft carrier with a waterproof bottom is preferred, but more than one entry and exit option should still be available.

You will be required to remove your cat from the carrier to go through TSA security screening, so be sure to have your cat wear a harness that you can attach a leash to, so you can safely hold your cat during this time. Airports can be loud, scary places, and you wouldn’t want your cat to get startled and run off.

 The carrier should not be larger than a typical carry-on bag—17.5 x 12 x 7.5 inches in some cases. Check with your airline for other requirements before you travel.

Chat With Your Veterinarian About Anxious Cats

If you know or suspect that your cat will be anxious during travel, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian well in advance of your trip to discuss options for preventing and treating anxiety. If your cat does not seem anxious, you can still get your veterinarian’s input on whether they recommend a medication or supplement. Your veterinarian will consider your cat’s age, demeanor, and overall health when making such recommendations.

If medication is prescribed, it’s a good idea to try it at home before you travel to make sure your cat tolerates it and does not have any undesirable side effects.

Examples of supplements and medications used for travel anxiety include:

Calming Care

Feliway Spray

Buprenorphine

Ensure You Have Cleaning Supplies for Your Cat

Despite your best efforts, accidents may happen when traveling with your cat. Pack some extra blankets or towels in case one gets soiled. It can also be helpful to place a disposable absorbent pad in the bottom of the carrier.

If traveling by car, bring along some paper towels and a cleaner in case you need to clean up urine, stool, or vomit. If you will be flying with your cat, unscented baby wipes or wipes designed for cats will help with any cleanup needed.

Pack Their Own Litterbox if Possible

When going on a road trip, it’s helpful to bring a familiar litterbox and litter from home if you can. Cats are very sensitive to scents, and asking your cat to use a different type of litter or litterbox may lead to accidents on the road or at your destination.

Bring Along Favorite Toys and Blankets

Just like you, your cat will appreciate having some of their favorite items from home when traveling. A favorite blanket or bed, familiar toys, and their own food and treats will make your trip more enjoyable and less stressful for both of you.

Additional Tips

Make sure to ask your veterinarian if your cat needs any vaccinations, bloodwork, or special documentation before you travel. This is especially important if you plan to travel outside of the United States. Requirements imposed by some foreign countries may require several months of advance planning, so do your research.

Whether traveling by car or airplane, take along proof of vaccinations and ask the airline or state/country of destination what other documentation is needed, such as a health certificate or certificate of veterinary inspection.

Always be sure your cat has identification in case you get separated. Having your cat microchipped and wearing a collar with an ID tag with your contact information will aid in reuniting you if you become separated.

Remember that traveling with your cat can be quite enjoyable for both of you, with the right preparation.

Featured Image: iStock.com/humonia

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Dr. Grota decided at an early age that she wanted to be a veterinarian. A native of Indiana, she grew up in a home where animals were...

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Road Trips and Car Travel With Cats

Author: LeeAnna Buis, CFTBS, FFCP

Published: April 17, 2024

Our mission is to help save dogs' and cats’ lives through our educational content. To support our efforts, this page may contain affiliate links . We earn a commission for qualifying purchases – at no cost to you.

During the summer months and around the holidays, many of us head out on road trips and consider taking our feline family members along.

Summer is also a peak time for relocating across town or across country.

The problem is that most cats don’t feel safe in the car. They may cry or yowl, hide in their carrier, and even soil due to fear. That means an unpleasant trip for them and you.

It is possible to help your cat feel more secure in the car. Some may even learn to love it. We’re going to walk you through the steps to desensitize your cat to being in the car.

We’ll also recommend travel items to bring in the car and for a hotel stay so that you both have a safe and comfortable trip.

Skip to section:

• How to get your cat comfortable with car travel
• How to use a litter box when you travel – and will your cat use it?
• Where to stay when traveling with your cat and what to consider
• Special travel considerations for sick cats
• Be prepared for emergencies while traveling

Getting Your Cat Ready for a Road Trip

Step 1: get your kitty feeling comfortable in their carrier..

If they're going to ride in the car, like you, they’ll need to be safely “buckled up” to protect not just them but everyone in the car and on the road.

After all, unrestrained cats can be a distraction, interfering with your ability to steer or brake, and even become a dangerous projectile in the event of a crash or sudden stop.

What if your cat is wearing a harness and leash? If the car is moving, I still say keep them secure in a carrier. If you want to let them stretch their legs on the harness and leash while the car is stopped and windows are up, go for it. Just keep in mind that you’ve got to get them back in the carrier when you start moving again, and they may not love that.

It could be less stressful for everyone to stick with the carrier in the car and try the harness and leash INSIDE your hotel or destination. More on the dangers of letting your cat out of the car on their harness and leash later in the article.

So, your first step starts well before your trip. Spend some time training your cat to love their carrier – we have an article on that process – before the big travel day arrives.

Don't have a carrier for your cat yet? Check out our carrier recommendations, including carriers that are crash-test certified . If your cat is going to be spending a lot of long hours in the car, you may opt for a larger carrier than normal. We cover that, too. Just keep in mind you’ll want that carrier sooner rather than later, so you can use it during the pre-travel training.

Step 2: Get your cat feeling comfortable in the car.

Now that your kitty feels better in their carrier, it’s time to help them feel comfortable in the car. Here are some steps to help you do that.

Pro Tip: Car acclimation is best done with two people … one to drive the car, the other to pet, praise, and treat kitty. It can be done with one person, too, but very carefully.

You’re going to do short sessions in the car – your cat dictates how long the sessions will be. The number of sessions depends on how quickly your cat gets comfortable. The main thing is that you don’t want to push your cat past their comfort zone. Your cat should always be calm.

You might be thinking that even if your cat is scared, leaving them in the car in spite of their fear will eventually show them they don’t have to be afraid. Nope! That’s not how cat brains work. Instead, think of it as starting at a really low intensity so your cat doesn’t have to be scared. As they’re ready, you slowly turn up the intensity.

If you turn it up too far and they get nervous, just end the session and lower the intensity for the next session.

Show them there’s no reason to be afraid because you’re not going to push them too far. And they’re getting good things through the entire process, so you’re actually turning a scary thing into a positive thing.

Take your cat out to the car in their carrier – covered on three sides with a towel or blanket for security.

With the car parked and not running and the doors and windows closed (weather permitting), sit in the back seat with your cat in their carrier. Partially open one of the carrier doors if you can do so without your cat trying to get out.

Then, make good things happen. Give treats (make sure it's a treat they love ), pets, praise, and show them this is a positive experience. Do this for just a few minutes (or longer if your cat is really enjoying it). Then, take them inside and end with treats and love. You’ll continue these sessions, gradually making them longer as your cat is comfortable, until your cat seems nice and calm, spending time in the car while in their carrier.

Next, you’ll turn up the intensity a bit by starting the car. Make sure the radio is off or very low (cats find classical music calming). And repeat the previous step.

Spend a few minutes in the back seat making good things happen for your cat while the car is running. If the engine really scares them, keep it short — just 1 minute with some treats. Again, you can gradually increase the length of time your cat is in the car, getting good things while the engine is on.

Caution: If your car is parked in your garage, either open your garage door or move your car out of the garage. Carbon monoxide is very dangerous for both of you!

Once your kitty is doing well with the car on, it’s time to turn the intensity up again. Time for a short drive.

Note: If they’re too nervous to eat treats, they’re probably not ready for this step. Back it up and spend more time on the previous steps.

It may just be pulling out of the driveway in the first couple of sessions. That’s just fine. You’ll work up to longer drives. And your cat will learn that being in the car doesn’t mean going to the vet. Never push these drives further than your cat is comfortable with. Also, be sure to drive calmly and go easy on the gas pedal and brakes.

Since each cat and each situation are different, it could take anywhere from a few sessions to several months for a cat to feel calm during car travel.

Car Travel Logistics With Cats

Will a cat use a litter box in a car.

Jumping right down to “business,” … depending on the duration of your travel adventures with kitty and where you’re winding up, you’re going to have to deal with litter box accommodations. This is the case both when you’re on the road and when you get to your hotel or destination.

Just because you give your cat access to a box doesn’t mean they’ll use it, especially if they’re nervous.

Cats don’t like to eliminate when they feel unsafe. They'll likely choose to do their business once you get to your destination. It’s nothing to worry about unless they go more than about 24 hours without peeing. At that point, call your vet and see what they suggest.

When I moved with my cats, and we had 8-hour days in the car, they held it all day and most of the night.

If they’re willing, you can help your cat take care of business on the road in a few different ways.

First, get them a good travel litter box. You’ll use the same litter they use at home, and (perhaps) even a litter attractant.

A good travel litter box will be large enough for your cat to fit in yet small enough to fit in their carrier. It will also be waterproof and sturdy. You can use a small plastic litter box or there are also disposable litter box options available.

We have travel litter box and large carrier recommendations here .

Set the travel box up in your home as an alternate option before your trip so your cat can get used to it. Don’t replace your regular boxes with the travel box, though. Have all options available.

If Your Carrier Can't Fit a Litter Box

Letting your cat out of a carrier to use a box placed in the car isn’t ideal. I actually rescued a kitten from the roadside once without a carrier. That kitten ended up inside my dashboard. So, if you think your cat can’t hide in dangerous places within the confines of your car, you’re wrong.

If your trip isn’t too long and their carrier isn’t large enough to fit a litter box, you can go with a larger litter box that they can use at the hotel or destination.

Note: If your cat uses the smaller travel litter box on the road, don’t consider replacing your larger boxes at home. Tiny boxes are not ideal and don’t fit your cat’s instinctual needs. They’re not a good long-term option. They’re the lesser of two evils when you’re traveling — the other evil being your cat peeing in the carrier.

Should You Let Your Cat Go Outside?

My vote is no unless you have a cat who is completely comfortable with travel, being in new places, and seeing and hearing strange people, pets, and sounds.

The first concern is that no harness is 100% escape-proof. If your cat gets scared, they can and will get out of that harness and take off.

Second, they’re going to be surrounded by newness — smells, sights, sounds, things you can’t control. Even if they don’t get scared, the idea that you’ll be able to get them to focus on peeing at that moment isn’t very likely. Cats don’t pee and poop on cue the way dogs can. It’s safer to keep them in the car.

What Do You Do With Your Cat When You Have to Go?

If the temperatures aren’t too hot or cold to leave your cat in the car, just leave them in their carrier and go about your business. Just make it quick!

Cover three sides of the carrier so they feel more secure and are less of a target for theft. Use a light cover (blanket) for warm days and a heavier cover for cooler days. Both should still allow for airflow.

It's usually safe between about 40–65 degrees F (4–18 degrees C), though every cat and every situation will be different, so use this as a rough guide.

Talk to your vet about more specific safe temperature ranges for your cat based their age, breed, and any chronic medical conditions they may have or medications they may be on. If the temperatures are outside of that range, you’re going to have to take some precautions when making your own pit stops that take you away from your car.

In some cases, it may be possible for you to bring your cat into the bathroom with you in their carrier.

Quick tips if you must leave your cat in the car

• Some cars now have pet mode , like Telsa, Chevrolet Bolt, Rivian, and other Form and BMW models. Caution: If you decide to leave your engine running in a gas-powered car, be aware that car engines and air conditioner compressors can and do fail, leading to excessively hot temperatures building up in the car quickly. Similar malfunctions can happen in EV cars, too, and if the battery dies, the cooling system will shut off.
• If leaving your car and running the A/C or heat isn’t possible or practical, pre-cool or pre-heat your car the best you can by running the system on high for several minutes before you get out. Then, be quick!
• Move their carrier from the back seat to the back floor. Since hot air rises, it should be a bit cooler on the floor. There are fans made for keeping pets cool in the car , but we really can't overstate this: pets should never be left in a closed car, even in the shade or with cooling devices. In this case, it's simply for a quick amount of time.
• Park in the most well-shaded spot you can find.
• Park with your front windshield facing the sun and put up a reflective windshield sun shade like this one .
• Cracking the windows doesn’t make a huge difference, but it also doesn’t hurt (so long as your cat is securely in their carrier and there’s no danger of someone reaching into your car and stealing them and your stuff).
• Make sure you leave your cat plenty of water.
• If it's cold outside, add a warm blanket or fleece to your cat's carrier for them to snuggle up. If it's sunny, move the carrier to a sunny spot in the car.
• Be as quick with your stop as possible. If it’s a food break, get it to go from a drive-thru and eat it in your car.

Where to Stay When Traveling With Your Cat

Road trips and long-distance moves with cats will often require hotel stays. But not all hotels, motels, or rentals are pet-friendly. And just because they say they’re “pet” friendly doesn’t mean they’re “cat” friendly. So, plan ahead. Call to confirm they take cats and reserve the room or rental in advance.

Pro Tip: “Pet-friendly” means other pets likely stayed in that room recently! Not everyone uses flea and other parasite protection on their cats and dogs. Make sure your cat is protected before heading out on the road! Learn more about safe and effective parasite prevention for your cat , and talk to your veterinarian.

What to Do With Your Cat in the Hotel or Rental

Once you’re out of the car, you’re faced with a question. Do you let your cat out in the hotel or rental to explore, or do you keep them confined? There’s a lot that goes into the answer. Here are some things to consider:

Is your cat relaxed in new places? Being in their carrier in the car is different than being in a completely new room with smells and places to hide.

Does your cat chew, climb, or otherwise destroy things? I couldn’t let my cat into a new space without putting cord protectors on every cord, or they’d be chewed in a matter of minutes.

Are there hiding places you can’t get to or unsafe spaces your cat can reach? The last thing you want is your cat stuck in the vents of a hotel or squeezing through that tiny hole in the wall behind the fridge in your rental. It happens.

Is it clean? Not to get gross, but you may not want your cat rolling around on a motel floor or getting under the bed.

Is it safe from toxins? There could be rodent traps or pest poison in the room that could be dangerous for your cat.

Is there any chance they’re going to pee on something? Yep, it happened to me on my road trip. My cat was stressed and peed all over the fabric carrier, and it soaked through to the bed. Talk about embarrassing. And there's sometimes an additional cleaning fee for mishaps like this.

Confinement for Safety

I like the idea of bringing along a much larger, collapsible pet pen for overnight use. They’re plenty big enough for a good-sized litter box and everything your cat needs. There’s even room to play. Just make sure you get one with a top, or your cat will jump right out.

If you want to let your cat out on a harness and leash or heavily supervised, you have the option. But you’ve got the pet pen as a backup just in case you need it. You never know how a cat is going to react in a new space, especially when you’re sleeping or in the shower and they’re unsupervised. Here are a few great options:

Available at:

Travel Considerations for Cats With Chronic Health Issues

Before striking out on the road for a long trip or moving with a cat who has a chronic medical condition or is on long-term medications — like diabetes , hyperthyroidism , chronic kidney disease , or heart disease — there are a few precautions you should take.

• Make sure your cat had a recent (ideally within the past month or so) exam with their vet. You’ll have more peace of mind knowing that their condition is as well managed as possible and that they’re as healthy as can be before hitting the road with them. Your vet will also have recommendations for making their trip as comfortable and safe as possible.
• Bring a copy of your cat’s medical records with you! This should include recent exam notes, laboratory test results, and medication/supplement names and dosages. Your vet can often print these out (with enough notice), and they may even subscribe to an app or other service that allows you to keep updated copies of such records with you always on your phone. This will make visiting another vet on the road much easier.
• Especially for cats with known chronic health concerns, it’s a good idea to know about a few vet hospitals along your route and in the area of your destination before you head out. See the vet locator tools listed in the next emergency section to start searching.
• If your cat is on a special prescription diet, like for their kidneys, make sure to stock up on it from your vet before leaving. It’s not always easy to get prescription diet refills when you’re away from home. You should take enough with you to last for the duration of your trip PLUS an additional (at least) 2 weeks.
• Similarly, be sure to stock up on your pet’s medications and supplements, as well as any supplies you need for them. This would include needles and a travel-sized sharps container (or larger needle container ) for safely disposing of and storing used needles for diabetic cats, pills for blood pressure, overactive thyroid, and any other chronic medications. Again, you should take with you enough to last for the duration of your trip PLUS an additional (at least) 2 weeks.
• If your cat is diabetic and on insulin, don’t forget a cooler and ice packs to help keep it cool while in the car. You can also look into a cooler that plugs into your car’s cigarette lighter or USB, like these: Cooluli Mini , Wagan 14L , or the Wagan 24L (which could even store some of your food and drinks for the road). Pro Tip: Depending on the type of insulin your cat is on, you may be able to get an insulin “pen” that may be more stable outside of the fridge and easier to administer to your cat. It's still advisable to use a cooling case for the pens . Talk to your vet to see if an insulin pen is an option for your cat — it isn’t for all cats, but if it is for yours, it could be a great travel (and even long-term) solution for you.

Emergencies on the Road With Your Cat

It’s a good idea to plan ahead and map out a few 24-hour Emergency Clinics on your route, just in case. Try this vet emergency locator .

Have your hometown veterinary clinic number handy, too. For less serious issues, call them first. They may be able to give you advice or let you know if it’s a true emergency.

Make sure you have a card in your wallet or attached to your cat’s carrier with your cat’s name, the number where you can be reached during travel, and an emergency contact who is not traveling with you. If your cat has medical issues, you should list those as well or the contact info for your veterinary clinic. If there’s an accident, your car is stolen, or something happens where you’re separated from your cat, emergency services will have options.

I just got this great set for myself (featured below). The keychain says “pet home alone,” with instructions to look in your wallet for a card with emergency contact info. It’s meant to notify emergency services if you’re in an emergency situation and someone needs to care for your pet at home. In this case, you’d just include a note on the card that you’re traveling with your cat in the car.

It’s also vital to ensure your cat is microchipped and the contact information is up-to-date (including a way you can be reached on the road).

First Aid on the Road

Consider putting together a pet first-aid kit for your car. Here's a shopping list of first-aid essentials . Look for the icon of a little car 🚗, as it's these products that are the most essential in a smaller, travel-sized first-aid kit.

We encourage you to leave a comment below if you’ve got any tricks, tips, or products you’ve used that made car travel with your cats easier. Best of luck on your travels or your move. Have fun and be safe! 

About the author

LeeAnna Buis, CFTBS, FFCP

LeeAnna Buis has adored cats her entire life and thought she knew them inside-out and sideways. But it wasn’t until she worked with a feline behavior consultant that she fully understood how incredible, complicated, and inspiring cats really are. Literally, that day, she made a career change knowing she wanted to give other cat parents the same experience of truly “seeing” and appreciating their cats. Now, she works virtually with cat parents all over the world through Feline Behavior Solutions and Preventive Vet.

LeeAnna earned her certification through Animal Behavior Institute, earning the CFTBS designation. She is a certified Fear Free® trainer (FFCP), a training professional member of the Pet Professional Guild (PPG), and a member of both the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) and Cat Writer’s Association (CWA).

More about LeeAnna Buis, CFTBS, FFCP

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• Travel with Cats

How to Drive Long Distance With a Cat

Last Updated: May 7, 2024 Approved

This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS . Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 90,191 times.

Cats like routine, and so traveling with one can cause stress. If you have to move or want to take a long car journey with your cat, you may be concerned about its comfort and safety. By gathering the right supplies and preparing your cat beforehand, you can make the trip as pleasant as possible.

Preparing for Travel with Your Cat

• You can also discuss with your vet whether or not feline sedatives are a good idea while traveling with your cat. [1] X Research source These can calm some felines, but your cat may react badly to the medicines, or it may wear off during the trip. Never give your cat a sedative designed for humans.

• Well-ventilated
• Large enough for your cat to sit, stand, turn around, and lay down in
• Made of a sturdy material, whether soft (cloth or mesh) or hard (plastic or wire)

• Favorite toys, pillows, blankets, etc.
• Food and water
• A litterbox and litter
• A waste scoop and/or plastic bags
• Brushes, combs, and other grooming supplies
• Any medications your cat takes
• A pet first-aid kit (ask your veterinarian about getting one)
• Travel papers (showing vaccinations, health records, etc.), if needed in your destination

• If you wish, you can also have an identifying microchip placed in your cat. [5] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source

• If you and your veterinarian have decided to give your cat sedatives, make sure to give it a dose prior to your trip, according to instructions.
• For trips under 2 hours, you won’t need to feed your cat on the road. Otherwise, feed it every 2 to 3 hours. Your cat may not want to eat or drink while traveling.
• Don’t feed your cat while moving in your vehicle, as there are risks that it could choke, become sick, or get loose in the vehicle. If you need to feed your cat en route, stop first.

Traveling with Your Cat

• Letting your cat loose in the car while traveling is not safe. If your cat is not safely in its carrier, it may crawl to a dangerous place (such as under your feet), or it may become even more stressed.
• Only let your cat out of its carrier when you are safely at your destination or a stopping point.

• The safest place to keep your cat’s carrier is in the backseat.
• Don’t leave a car window window down while traveling with your cat. It might try to escape, the noise might bother it, or the wind might make it cold.

• A product that mimics this feline facial pheromone is called Feliway. You can spray it in your car to make your cat feel more comfortable.

• Zylkene is available without prescription and comes in 75 mg capsules. The dose for a cat is a 75 mg capsule once a day, given with or after food. It can take a couple of days to take effect, but if there is no noticeable difference after 7 days, it is unlikely to help your cat.

• Buprenorphine, gabapentin and alprazolam are examples of medications that have recently begun to be used to reduce the anxiety associated with car travel or veterinary visits. If one of these medications is appropriate for your cat’s situation, your veterinarian will prescribe it. [9] X Research source
• Be sure to ask your veterinarian about the potential side effects in order to properly weigh the pros and cons.

Expert Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://indoorpet.osu.edu/cats/felinelifestressors/traveling-your-cat
• ↑ http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/car-travel-tips
• ↑ http://www.cathealth.com/inappropriate-behavior/cats-and-stress
• ↑ https://www.wikihow.com/Reduce-Stress-in-Cats
• ↑ http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-health-information/article/animal-health/medication-to-reduce-the-stress-of-veterinary-visits-for-cats/10567

About This Article

To drive long distance with your cat, first get a sturdy carrier that's big enough for your cat to sit, stand, and turn around in, and leave it out in your home for a few days so your cat gets used to it. You can also take your cat on a few short trips in the carrier before your long drive. When it's time for your long-distance drive, put a collar on your cat with a tag containing your contact information in case it escapes. You should also pack toys, blankets, food, water, a litter box, and litter. For more tips from our Veterinary co-author, like how to keep your cat calm during your trip, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Travelling with your cat

Need to take your cat on a trip by car, taxi, or train? Or perhaps just need some advice on how to travel long distance with a cat? Read our guide on making travelling as easy and stress-free as possible for you and your cat.

Travelling with cats

Choosing the right cat carrier when travelling, how to get your cat used to a carrier for travel, what to bring when travelling with your cat, how to get your cat used to travelling in a car.

• Tips for travelling long distance with your cat

Travelling with your cat by taxi

Travelling with your cat by train or bus, how long can cats travel without going to the bathroom, what is motion sickness in cats.

We know that most cats find travelling stressful. They feel safe in a familiar environment and are not used to the different smells, noises and sensations of travelling in a vehicle. Even the sight of the pet carrier being taken out can stress some cats because they associate it with a sign of an upcoming trip.

It is best to only take your cat on trips if absolutely necessary, but some journeys, like going to the vet or moving to a new place, may be unavoidable.

If your cat gets very stressed when travelling, speak to your vet as they can discuss further options.

Find out more about spotting signs of cat stress .

One of the first things to prepare before travelling is to have a cat carrier that is safe and comfortable.

It should be well-ventilated and made of sturdy material such as plastic or metal wire that is also easy to clean in case of any accidents.

While some cats prefer being in small spaces when frightened, it’s important to choose a carrier that’s the right size for your cat, so they can stand up and move around if needed.

Learn more about how to choose and use a cat carrier .

To help your cat feel more comfortable, get them used to the carrier at least a few days before the trip. Place the carrier in a room where they like to relax and leave it open so they can explore and get to know it better in their own time. You can also put in their familiar blanket and add some treats.

For more nervous cats, a pheromone spray like FELIWAY® can be used inside the carrier around 15 minutes before going on a trip.

When going on a short trip with your cat such as to the vet, apart from having them in the carrier you can also bring their favourite toy or blanket.

For longer road trips, you should take the following to ensure your cat has everything they may need:

• cat carrier and soft bedding
• food and bottled water
• litter box, familiar litter and waste bags
• puppy pads (to line the carrier or place under a blanket)
• pet-safe cleaning wipes and disinfectant  

If your cat hasn’t travelled in a car before, introduce them to travel gradually. Start with a short trip and go on a slightly longer journey the next time.

Your cat may be loud and meowing excessively. This is a sign of stress, but they should settle down eventually. You can show them attention and help them calm down a little by talking to them gently and reward them with treats when the journey is over.

Can I drive with my cat loose in the car?

To keep everyone safe, your cat should be kept in their carrier at all times when driving. Leaving your cat loose in the car can be a distraction and put you at risk of an accident. To secure the carrier, it’s best to put it on a backseat and fasten it with a seat belt.

Tips for travelling long distance in a car with your cat

• Book a routine vet check to make sure your cat is healthy for travel
• Unless you’ve been told otherwise by your vet, try to limit food for at least a few hours before the journey to avoid vomiting and reduce motion sickness
• Plan your journey route and breaks in advance. Don’t leave your cat unattended in the car, especially in hot weather . If travelling alone, limit to only essential short breaks and make sure inside the car is well-ventilated and the temperature is comfortable for your cat
• If possible, avoid travelling with your cat for more than four hours in a day and let them out in a room where they will spend the night. For longer journeys, aim to take regular breaks every two to four hours to give you a chance to check up on your cat

There may be situations when you need to go to the vet urgently or take your cat somewhere quickly, and if you don’t have a car, a taxi can be a good option.

As for taxis, whether or not you can travel with your pet depends on the taxi company or driver. Some companies may charge extra to bring a pet. Depending on your location, there may be a pet-specific taxi service in the area.

Before booking, make sure the taxi driver will accept travelling with pets. You will also need to keep your cat inside the carrier for the duration of the trip.

If you’re wondering whether you can take your cat on a train, you should know that in the UK each passenger is allowed to travel with up to two pets, free of charge.

If you want to take your cat on a bus, the bus driver may decide at their discretion whether you are allowed on with a pet, depending on how busy the bus is and whether there are other animals on board.

Other things to be aware of when travelling on a train or bus are the many different smells, unfamiliar faces, and other animals, all of which can scare your cat. You can try booking a ticket outside of peak hours and, if possible, find a quiet place during the journey. Do not leave your cat unattended, and keep the carrier close to you. Throwing a light blanket over the carrier can help prevent overstimulation but ensure there is adequate airflow. 

When travelling by public transport, you should keep your cat in a carrier throughout the trip.

On average, cats with no underlying health issues urinate two to four times daily and poop about once a day.

However, being in an unfamiliar environment such as in a car is stressful for your cat so they might hold in their urge to go to the bathroom. But sometimes they are not able to hold it and will need to use the litter box right away. 

If you notice that your cat suddenly becomes extremely loud and shows signs of distress or wanting to get out, it might be the time you will need to let them use the litter box. It’s advisable to avoid letting your cat in and out of the carrier frequently but, if needed, have the litter box ready next to them and let them use it once you stop for a break.

Motion sickness is a common occurrence in many cats. There can be several causes, but the most common cause of motion sickness in cats is anxiety and stress associated with travel. If your cat experiences this, you may notice the following symptoms:

• fast breathing or panting
• excessive lip licking and drooling
• increased vocalisation and meowing
• lethargy or inactivity

If you see any of these signs, you should let your vet know so they can do a physical exam to rule out any health issues or advise you on ways to manage your cat’s anxiety when travelling.

Although desensitising cats to travel can take some work and patience, over time your cat should become more comfortable when going on a trip.

Related topics

Foreign travel and cats

Moving home with your cat

Going on holiday without your cat

What to Do With Your Cat When You Travel: Boarding vs. Cat Sitter

There are pros and cons to both cat sitting and boarding. It really comes down to what works best for your individual cat.

Going out of town? Vacation?

So, what’s happening with your cats while you’re gone?

Are you leaving them for an extended time with just a bunch of water and food? Are you letting the kid down the block just throw some food in the bowl every other day?

You want our professional opinion? Those are not very good ideas.

Just because cats don’t have to be “walked” twice a day like dogs doesn’t mean they deserve poor home care while you’re away.

It can be tricky figuring out what the best arrangement is for your pet.

With any luck, this article will help you figure out what to do with your cat when you travel.

Someone Should Check In on Your Cats Regularly When You Travel

“In general, cats prefer staying in their home and familiar surroundings,” says pet expert Amy Shojai, CABC. “Some do well if left alone for a day or two as long as you provide adequate food and water and extra litter boxes.”

You still need to have somebody check on your cats regularly:

• An elderly and/or sick cat may need medicating.
• Kittens should be checked on.
• And all cats and kittens benefit from a little playtime.

“Cats are much more social than [many people] think, and may react with behavior problems if left alone for extended periods,” says Shojai.

Boarding Your Cat When You Travel

Boarding facilities aren’t necessarily bad places. Some of them are lovely, and the people who run them are extremely conscientious.

“Pet hotels with all sorts of amenities are more common,” says  Dr. Ken Tudor, DVM .

If you think the best and safest solution for your cats is a boarding facility, then plan early.

3 Types of Cat Boarding Facilities

You have options:

• Veterinary clinics: On the upside, your cats have on-site medical care. The downside is that they have to hang out in cages.
• Kennels: Some kennels have cages set aside for cats. But will your cat really thank you for a vacation that includes canine suite mates?
• Boarding (called “catteries” in some countries): They vary in style. The Cozy Cattery in Wales, for instance, has “11 units to house 2 cats sharing from the same home and 2 units to cater for 4 cats from the same home. All units have heated indoor chalets and covered outdoor play areas.”

It’s easier to medicate cats at a boarding facility: They’re confined to a room or a large cage, and they can’t pull a disappearing act on you. And if that facility happens to be a veterinary clinic, then you’ve got people on the spot should any health issues arise.

But it’s not as simple as that. Dr. Tudor actually isn’t all that much in favor of boarding animals at a clinic.

“Because medical and surgical cases are a higher priority in veterinary hospitals,” he says, “boarders are likely to be short-changed on attention and care.”

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Stress, he believes, is a problem at any sort of  boarding facility, especially for cats. Cats like the familiar and tend to resist change with every fiber of their furry being.

Also, cats aren’t usually very thrilled to suddenly find themselves in places with lots of other strange animals.

Do Your Research and Ask Lots of Questions

Do research now to secure a reservation at a highly reputable establishment. Cat-only facilities are a really good idea.

Visit the facility, if possible, or get recommendations from your cat-loving friends or veterinarian.

When making reservations at a cat boarding facility, ask questions, such as:

• What vaccinations are required?
• How much playtime do the cats get at this boarding facility?
• Does the staff give medications?
• If my cat gets sick, will you use your vet or my vet? Who exactly is your vet?

If your cat is high maintenance in needing insulin injections or oral medications, carefully check the nursing expertise of the staff. Some cats may be better off in a veterinary hospital if they are frail, or if they need subcutaneous fluids or medical monitoring and meds.

Among the amenities at some catteries are full-height sneeze barriers, a security corridor, viewing shelves for rainy days, and heat lamps and heating pads for older/more delicate cats.

The Downsides to Boarding Your Cat

Unfortunately, some catteries can be pricey.

And some cats don’t take to being boarded, no matter how lovely and story-bookish the place is. Let’s face it: No cat is going to be head-over-paws about being uprooted from their home.

“We didn’t want to have to put the boys to cattery,” says cat lover Sirpa Kutilainen. “They get very stressed with the whole situation and being cooped up in what is essentially one room.”

Cat therapist Carole Wilbourn advises strongly against boarding.

Cats, as she points out, “are very vulnerable to sickness when they’re kept near other cats. Their vulnerability increases when they’re separated from their people and home. Any added emotional stress lowers their resistance and makes them an excellent target for stray virus or bacteria.”

The other issue is how much personal attention your cats will get.

This will vary depending on the facility. For instance, some vet clinics have kennel staff, and some don’t.

If you do end up boarding, make sure your cat has their own dishes, food and litter with them.

A couple of your shirts or some towels from home aren’t a bad idea either, according to animal behaviorist Pam Johnson-Bennett .

Cat Sitters

We know some cats get separation anxiety if their people are just a little late coming home from work.

If your cat was a stray in a previous life, chances are good that they have abandonment issues . So taking them away from home and putting them in a boarding facility, no matter how nice it is, make reawaken memories of the strange uncertain time they spent at a shelter.

This can also happen with cats who were orphaned when they were young, according to Johnson-Bennett.

Her “preferred method” is “hiring a top-notch pet sitter or using a very trusted friend.”

“Just having that security can make a big difference in whether your cat freaks out during your absence or whether she takes it in stride with minimal stress,” Johnson-Bennett says. “For some cats, being placed in a boarding kennel, no matter how well run, is terrifying. ”

Keeping Up a Normal Routine

A great and responsible cat sitter is a gift.

Cats love to stay at home as long as their normal routine is not terribly disrupted.

Know that although cats left on their own for a few days may be safe in the majority of cases, health problems can occur quickly. Fevers, urinary blockages , blood clots — these are common cat-health emergencies.

And if your cats are used to human contact, they can get very stressed if they are left alone for several days.

Tell your cat sitter to find your cat at every visit — at least once and preferably twice a day. If Mr. Vampire Kitty won’t come out in the light of day, have the sitter go back throughout the day until Mr. Vampire comes out for his meal.

Where do you find a cat sitter?

• There are many licensed and bonded pet sitters .
• You can also sometimes find veterinary technicians who are willing to cat sit.

“I have 2 trusted vet techs from my animal clinic as pet sitters,” says Amy Tiedemann. “Depending on the circumstances, they either stay over or stop by as needed. This sure comes in handy if one of the cats gets sick or needs special care.”

The Trouble With Getting a Cat Sitter: Your Cats Hide

In cat sitting, sitters seldom see all the cats at once. After all, it’s their territory. They know all the good hiding places, and the sitter doesn’t.

This makes it trickier to tell if a cat has escaped . It also poses a potential problem if medications are needed.

“If it’s a house call, it’s a do-or-die situation,” says Chris Raimo, who owns The Happy Cat Hotel in Windsor, Connecticut, with his wife, Meg.

“You have to get it done at that visit. It’s not logistically feasible to come back. So, the pet sitter ends up “hav[ing] to force the issue with the cat, which can be kind of stressful.”

No Big Bowls of Food

If you leave 4 pounds of cat food in a vat, how does the cat sitter know if the cats are eating? Not to mention big vats of kitty tortilla chips promotes overeating.

Eating too much dry food is never a good idea, in our opinion. If your cat is addicted to dry food, it’s even more important for the cat sitter to change the water frequently and properly portion out the dry food.

The Importance of Water

We previously wrote about “ watering your cat ” (not unlike your favorite house plant). Hydration for cats is important, and having several bowls around the house is key.

Set Clear Expectations With the Cat Sitter

If you tell the sitter to just “use her nose” when it comes to sifting/changing the litter boxes, she might have no apparent sense of smell. This happened to us. Lesson learned.

A responsible cat sitter will be your cats’ advocate while you’re away. They will pick up litter and food at the store if necessary and comb your cat’s mats out (if the cat will let them). They will play with and talk to your pet, and get them to your vet if necessary.

But, most of all, they’ll give your cats a sense of stability and security until you get back home.

What About Indoor/Outdoor Cats?

Always keeping cats indoors is the safest way to go, but many cats enjoy an indoor/outdoor lifestyle. So what do you do with indoor/outdoor cats when you go away?

Keep them inside when you are away from home, if possible, and seal pet doors. This makes your cat sitter’s job so much easier.

Outside Johnny may just give you the cold paw when you return from your travels, but he’ll survive house arrest for a week.

Final Thoughts on What to Do With Your Cat When You Travel

So, should you choose boarding or sitting for your cat when you travel?

Both options have their place. It all comes down to what works for your individual cat.

Cats are really smart . They know you’re leaving — they saw the suitcases and hopped inside them so you couldn’t finish packing. And even if the cats love their sitter, they’re still stressed.

So when you’re going out of town, please plan well in advance so your cat will be safe and secure — as well as fed and watered properly — while you’re gone.

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8 Tips to Help Cats Enjoy Car Travel

Sarah Scott is a fact checker with more than 16 years of experience in researching, writing, and editing digital and print media. She has verified and edited articles on a variety of subjects for The Spruce Pets, including pet behavior, health, and care as well as the latest trends in products for animals in the home.

Cats can't imagine something that's never happened to them before. Instead, they remember past experiences and believe the same thing will happen again. Because a puppy or kitten's first car trips aren't always that pleasant, some pets dread traveling.

Instead, help cats associate cars with fun, happy experiences instead of just trips to the vet. The process, called desensitization using classical conditioning , takes patience and time but works whether your kitty acts scared , sick, or hyper. Use positive reinforcement, and once he realizes a car ride means wonderful things for him, he'll look forward to every trip.

8 Tips for Cat Car Travel

• For safety's sake, it is recommended that kittens and cats ride inside a carrier while in the car. A loose pet becomes a furry projectile in case of an accident. The driver needs to concentrate on the road and traffic, not the baby on your lap or under the pedals. Even well-behaved cats loose in the car could be injured, because an airbag will crush the pet if on the front seat during an accident. So be sure to crate train the cat before you hit the road for a vacation.
• Even though he'll be inside a crate, it's helpful for kitty to experience positive things about the car before you start the engine. Cats are sensitive to the environment and territory which is why they prefer staying home in familiar surroundings. So make the car familiar by allowing Kitty to cheek rub and spread his scent to claim the car as personal territory, and he'll feel more relaxed and happy during travels.
• Place the cat's bed, blanket, or a towel you've petted him from inside the car on the back seat. That way, his scent is already inside. Spraying Comfort Zone with Feliway on the towel or car upholstery also may help the cat feel more relaxed.
• Get inside the car with your cat, close the door, and let him sniff and explore a bit. Take care that small kittens don't squirm into cubbyholes under the dashboard. Five minutes is long enough. Be ready to get the kitty back into safe, non-scary surroundings should he act overwhelmed. You might see fluffed fur, down-turned ears , active tail , or vocalizations . Repeat this five-minute car visit a couple of times a day for several days, extending the time whenever the kitty stays calm.
• Make mealtime car time. Once he's calm in the car, feed all his meals in the car for a week, or offer very high-value treats that kitty gets at no other time. If your cat is more motivated by play or catnip, indulge him with favorites during the car times. He should learn that only these good things in life happen when you're near the car.
• You should be combining the crate training with car visits. Once kitty accepts the car as his territory, place him in his carrier, set it on the back seat (away from airbag danger), and start the car. Then turn off the motor and get out without going anywhere. Do this three or four times during the day until the pet takes it as a matter of course. Each time, you'll give him lots of play or other rewards once he's released from the crate.
• Finally, after you start the car, back the car to the end of the driveway and stop. Do this two or three times in a row, always letting the pet out after you return. If the pet cries or shows stress , you may be moving too fast for him. The process takes forever, but it works.
• Continue increasing the car-time by increments—a trip around the block and then home, then a trip down the street and back, and so on. Make every car trip upbeat and positive, so the experience makes the cat look forward to the next trip.

Treatment of Behavior Problems in Cats . Merck Veterinary Manual.

Travel Training for you and your Pets . United States Food & Drug Administration.

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Breaking news, cat owner baffled by ‘crazy’ neighbor’s ‘unhinged’ letter about her beloved pet: ‘sheer insanity’.

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A pet owner was left scratching her head after receiving a bizarre note from her neighbor about something so trivial she thought it must be a joke. 

Taking to a local Facebook group, the woman shared the “unhinged” letter about her cat that was left in her letterbox the other day. 

“Bark all day long”

It read: “Hey neighbor! Can you please keep your cats out of the window?”

“They are causing my dog to sit in the window and bark all day long.”

The anonymous author ended her letter abruptly, saying, “I work from home so this is very difficult, thanks, K.”

The cat owner says she has three cats and two new kittens in her house, that “love to sit in the window when it’s nice out” but they “do nothing but sleep.”

“We keep the windows open because we don’t have aircon yet,” she added.

“Sheer insanity”

Her post, which has now received over 15,000 comments, left many people furious at the “entitled” dog owner. 

“Tell them to train the dog,” one advised, echoing the thoughts of many. 

“LMAO, you cannot stop a cat from sitting in a window. Cats will find a way, but you can absolutely do a number of things to stop a dog from barking at a window,” a second commented. 

“This can’t be real. What a crazy neighbor,” a third chimed in. 

“If ‘your dog’ is barking when they look out the window, then cover ‘your window’,” someone else pointed out. 

Even a dog owner sided with the cat owner, and that’s saying something. “I’m totally a dog person, but trying to make your neighbor discipline their cat for sitting in a window because you won’t discipline your dog for nuisance barking is SHEER INSANITY. I mean, what the hell?” they said.

“Train your cat not to chill in a window because training a dog not to disturb the sh-t out of everyone is too hard? I can’t believe this neighbor had the nerve.”

Others on the post told the woman not to reply to the neighbor. “Just ignore it,” someone wrote. “Imagine being so entitled that you think it’s someone else’s responsibility to control your pet’s behavior.”

“Your cats have every right to enjoy a sunny window, and if this person’s dog has a conniption because of it, that is 100 percent not your problem.”

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How do cats land on their feet?

Cats are masters of contortion — and the laws of physics — which helps them stick the landing more times than not.

When cats fall, they flip themselves rightside-up with seemingly little effort — which has perplexed scientists for decades. Our feline friends appear to defy the laws of physics by reconfiguring themselves mid-air without intervention from another force. So how do they do it?

Several factors affect how a cat is able to land on all fours, but simply put, there are two main forces at play: physics and neurology.

"One of the reasons that physicists were surprised that cats could rotate to always land on their feet is the conservation of angular momentum," Greg Gbur , a physicist at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, told Live Science.

Essentially, this means that if something twists clockwise, something else has to twist counterclockwise. Imagine a cat falling from a stationary upside-down position. By bending at the waist, the cat can twist the front half of its body in one direction and the back half in the opposite direction. By the time it unfolds at the waist, the cat is rightside-up. Gbur dubbed this the "bend and twist" model in his book, " Falling Felines and Fundamental Physics " (Yale University Press, 2019). 

But there are other techniques that can help cats right themselves mid-air, and it's likely they employ more than one. In the "tuck and turn" method, a cat extends its front legs and tucks in its back legs, giving the backside a lower moment of inertia, meaning a lower amount of resistance to changes in rotational motion. Then, it does the opposite, tucking in its front legs and extending the hind legs. It has an effect similar to a spinning figure skater : Extending the arms out wide increases the moment of inertia, while drawing the arms close to the body decreases it. This inversely correlates with speed. As inertia goes up, speed goes down, and vice-versa. Cats can also use what Gbur calls "the propeller tail," which works similarly. As the tail spins in one direction, the body can rotate in the other. 

Related: Can cats really see in the dark?

Such contortions are possible thanks to cats' flexible lumbar region — the space between their pelvis and ribcage — John Hutchinson , a professor of evolutionary biomechanics at the Royal Veterinary College at the University of London, told Live Science. Cats have skinny vertebrae, which makes them more flexible than other four-legged vertebrates. 

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This ability to land on all fours also has a neuroanatomical explanation: the righting reflex or response. Unlike a simple reflex, like a knee jerk, righting in animals is a complex reflex, meaning it's tied to the conscious brain, Gbur said. 

Righting is a behavioral response to gravity that relies on the vestibular system, which controls balance . Semicircular canals and sensors called otoliths in a cat's inner ear detect changes in its acceleration and position relative to the ground, prompting its muscles to move in a way that helps it land on its paws. Interestingly, experiments in the 1950s showed that this righting response isn't simply ingrained in cats from birth. When adult cats and newborn kittens were flown on jets in zero-gravity conditions , the kittens weren't able to right themselves but the adult cats did. Because otoliths are made of dense bone, it's possible that they need to develop fully before an animal can properly right itself, Hutchinson noted, but scientists aren't completely sure. 

However, the height of the fall also matters. Studies have shown that cats land with less impact when they fall from higher than the seventh floor, for example, than lower heights. This is mostly because of air resistance, which slows the cat's body enough to allow it to turn. Further, cats are unlikely to turn properly from less than 1 or 2 feet (0.3 to 0.6 meters), according to research published in Annals of Improbable Research . (It is not safe for cat owners to purposely drop their cats to test their righting response; they can get hurt, especially if they have a vestibular disease .)

— Why do cats purr?

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Righting responses aren't unique to domestic cats. Many wild cats exhibit the same behavior, as do rats and rabbits . For cats, the most plausible evolutionary explanation is their tendency to climb trees and other spots high off the ground. For rabbits, predation is a likely evolutionary force. As a hawk swoops toward a rabbit horizontally, for example, the rabbit will jump up vertically, causing the hawk to fumble for the rabbit , knocking it off its linear path. Thus, the rabbit evolved a way to land upright and unharmed.

For a behavior scientists once thought of only as an instinct for many years, Gbur said that multiple techniques can be the answer.

"We have it sort of built into our DNA to look for the simplest solution to a problem, but nature just cares about the most effective solution," he said. "Anything that gets it on its feet faster is better."

Marlowe Starling is a freelance environmental journalist who reports on climate, conservation, water, wildlife and culture. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Sierra Magazine, Mongabay, PBS, the Miami Herald, the Associated Press and more. Marlowe earned a master's degree from NYU's Science, Health and Environmental Reporting Program and a bachelor's degree in journalism with a wildlife ecology specialization from the University of Florida. She has received fellowships from The Safina Center, the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing, the Florida Climate Institute and the Pulitzer Center and won the 2024 Marlene Sanders Award in Journalism.

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What to know

• Plan ahead of time if including pets in your travel plans.
• Microchip your pet and make sure your contact information is updated.
• Make sure your pet's vaccinations are up to date.
• Check regulations and required documentation for your destination before traveling.

Preparing for travel with pets

Owning a pet can increase opportunities to exercise, get outside, and explore new places. You may want to take your pet with you when you travel to new places. Traveling can sometimes be stressful, both for you and your pets. Preparation can help prevent stress and keep you and your pets safe and healthy.

Before traveling, properly identify your pet in case you get separated during your trip. Make sure your pet is microchipped for identification and keep your contact and pet information updated.

Keeping pets safe in the car

Having a smooth and safe road trip with your pet requires preparation and planning, especially if driving long distances.

• To prepare your pet, take them on a series of short drives and gradually increase the amount of time spent in the car.
• Before traveling across state lines, check the requirements for bringing pets along.
• If your pet is riding on the seat, keep them in the back seat in a harness attached to the seat buckle to prevent injury. Allowing pets to roam around the car or ride with their head outside the window can be dangerous.
• If your pet is kept in their crate, check that your pet can stand, sit, lie down, and turn around while inside the crate. Also, make sure the crate is well ventilated. Secure the crate so it won't slide or shift when the car stops.
• Bring plenty of water, food, a bowl, leash, waste bags, grooming supplies, medication and first-aid, and any travel documents including proof of rabies vaccination. Feed your pet 3 to 4 hours before leaving on your trip to prevent car sickness or vomiting.
• Make frequent stops to allow dogs to go to the bathroom and stretch their legs.
• Never leave your pet alone in a parked vehicle. On hot days, temperatures can rise quickly within minutes and can cause death. In cold weather, animals left in cars can freeze to death.

Keeping pets safe on airplanes

Traveling with pets by plane takes careful preparation and planning and could also be costly. If you must bring your pet on a flight, here are suggestions to keep your pet safe:

Weeks before your trip

• Book a direct flight when possible to decrease the chances of your pet being separated from you during extreme weather or layovers.
• Check your pet's vaccinations to make sure they are up to date. Get a health certificate from your veterinarian dated within 10 days of your departure. For international travel , additional planning and healthcare requirements may be needed. Research the requirements for pets for your destination country as well as for the United States. When returning to the United States from abroad, your dog must meet all US entry requirements upon return .
• For animals stowed in the plane's cargo area, purchase a US Department of Agriculture-approved shipping crate. The crate must be large enough for your pet to stand, sit, and turn around in comfortably.

Before heading to the airport

• Line the cargo crate with some type of bedding—shredded paper or towels—to absorb potential accidents. Place a small dish of water in the crate. Check the crate door is securely closed but not locked, so airline staff can open it in case of an emergency.
• Your pet's crate should have proper identification if shipped as cargo. Mark "live animal" on the crate, and include your name, cell phone, and destination phone number.

At the airport

Before departure or after arrival, give your dog a potty break before securing it in the crate for travel.

On the plane

If hand-carried, never place your pet in an overhead bin. Pets must be secured in their crates below the seat in front of you in accordance with airline policies.

International travel with pets‎

Prevent injury and illness when traveling.

Practice safe and healthy habits to prevent your pet from getting sick or hurt on trips. Some diseases pets may be at risk for while traveling include rabies, leptospirosis, campylobacteriosis, and diseases spread by mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks like Lyme disease and West Nile virus. Some of these diseases can spread between people and animals.

• Always supervise pets while traveling and on adventures.
• Keep your pet in a carrier or on a leash.
• Don't allow pets to interact with other animals, especially street dogs, stray animals or wild animals.
• Don't let pets swim in, play in, or drink stagnant water or water that looks discolored, smells bad, has foam, scum, algal mats, or paint-like streaks on the surface, or has dead fish or other animals washed up on its shore or beach. Some bodies of water contain harmful algal blooms that can make people and pets sick.
• Check pets for ticks after outdoor outings and talk to your veterinarian about use of a regular preventive treatment for fleas, ticks, and parasites.

First aid when traveling

Keep basic first-aid supplies for your pet in your car. You can use a travel-sized first-aid kit for your pet on flights.

• Keep the phone numbers of your veterinarian, the National Animal Poison Control Center of the ASPCA (1-888-426-4435), and a 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital in the area where you will be visiting, easily accessible.
• Perform a daily health check on your pet when away from home to assess their physical and behavioral changes. If you have concerns about your pet, contact your veterinarian or a local veterinarian.
• Always remember: follow up any first aid administered to your pet with immediate veterinary care. First-aid care is not a substitute for veterinary care, but it may save your pet's life until veterinary treatment is available.

More Information

• Pet care (American Veterinary Medical Association)
• Traveling with Your Dog or Cat (American Veterinary Medical Association)
• Travel Safety Tips (ASPCA )
• Plane Talk: Traveling with Animals – U.S. Department of Transportation

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8 Essential Cat Training Tricks Your Kitty Can Really Learn

Cats are just as fun to train as dogs! Cat training is a great way to connect with your cat and teach her actions and behaviors.

Sarah Hodgson is reimagining the way we live with our pets. She is the author of 10 titles, including Puppies for Dummies, 4th Edition, and Modern Dog Parenting, as well as a renowned pet trainer and behavior consultant for multi-species households. She is a former guest blogger for the Huffington Post and New York Times.

Amy Shojai has championed cats and dogs for over 40 years. As one of the best known pet journalists, her career focuses on empowering pet lovers to make the best informed choices for their cats and dogs. She enjoys translating complicated "medicalese" into information everyone easily understands, to improve the lives of cats and dogs we love.

As an equal opportunity pet fanatic, dare I say cats are just as fun to train as dogs ? Your cat will welcome learning basic directions, and most kittens take well to leash training too if you pair the lessons with food and fun. "Many cats love training if done properly, with patience and rewards," says behaviorist Katenna Jones, ACAAB and director of Jones Animal Behavior in Rhode Island. Like with any other relationship, you get out what you put in!

We spoke with experts to learn why and how to train your cat to perform specific actions.

Why Train a Cat?

The benefits of cat training are vast. "Training provides mental and physical stimulation as well as positive social contact," Jones says. "Just the act of training in and of itself is incredibly valuable for frustrated, bored, shy, and fearful cats."

While cats can't be trained to do the array of tasks dogs are bred for, basic training comes naturally to them. Cats instinctively use a litter box , and common dog behavior problems like play biting are easy to avoid.

Often, training a cat not to do something, like not to bite or pull on a leash, simply comes down to not provoking that behavior in the first place. If you're leash training, opt for a harness instead of a training collar, which can lead to frantic pulling and might choke your cat. If your cat bites, teach her what to do instead by redirecting her predatory instincts to a feathery toy.

Before you start your cat training endeavor, walk a minute in her paws. Unlike dogs who relate to their family like toddler-aged children, according to behaviorist Stanley Coren , PhD, DSc, FRSC, cats are more like teenagers. While dogs will cooperate for a few kind words, cats are motivated on a pay-to-play basis. Dismissive of our gushy excitement, cats will participate in training games only if the rewards are worthwhile.

7 Functional Tricks You Can Train Your Cat to Do

Cat training is a great way to connect with your cat and teach them the meaning of a few specific words. "The important thing is to let your cat have the final say in what you teach them; not all cats like to do all things," says Ingrid Johnson, CCBC and director of Fundamentally Feline in Georgia. "Choose behaviors that already come naturally to your cat before setting out to put the behavior on cue.

"Keep it positive," she adds. " Clicker training is a very effective way to pinpoint the moments your cat does the behavior you focused on."

Cat training, in a nutshell, is just assigning words to natural behaviors and rewarding your cat for cooperating. Here are seven words and actions to teach your cat:

Encourage your cats to see hands as always rewarding. To discourage biting, dab your knuckles or the back of your hand with a little homemade or store-bought treat paste. Say "gentle" as your cat or kitten licks your hand, pulling your hand away calmly if she begins to nip or bite.

Toss high-value treats at your cat's paws, and once your cat can follow the toss, add the phrase "Find It." Yes, it's that simple. You can then play the shell game with Tupperware containers or even your hands. Say "gentle" if she claws or bites your hand, using a dab of cat paste to encourage licking . Reveal the treat after she licks or taps your hand gently with her paw.

You can use a DIY or store-bought target wand or even the point of your finger. Teach your cat to be alert to the target by presenting it two inches in front of your cat's nose. The moment she touches it, click and reward her. Once your cat reliably moves to the target, say the word "target" to put this behavior on cue.

Whenever your cat sits naturally, click and give her a reward. Soon you'll notice your cat sitting to cue you when you bring the treats out. Add the word "sit" once you can predict her behavior. Then, try luring her into position with a target wand or pointing signal. Click and reward this pose. Gradually phase off clicking every correct response, using the clicker and treats intermittently. Intermittent rewards offer a more powerful way to teach—if kitty never knows when a reward may appear, she's more likely to perform.

On Your Mat & Stay

Create a cat mat by laying a flat mat, towel, or cloth napkin on the counter, sofa, or tabletop. Curiosity might not kill your cat, but it will get the better of her! When she steps on the mat, click. Then toss a treat slightly away from the mat, so your cat has to come back for the next round. Gradually introduce using the cue "on your mat." Once your cat goes to her mat willingly and remains there, introduce the "stay" cue. Use the mat to encourage your cat to stay in a location such as her cat tree while you eat or cook. You can also bring your cat mat on vacation or to the veterinarian to console your cat during check-ups.

Cats can learn to come from the minute they enter your home. Pair positive experiences and the shake of a treat cup with the word "come." To do this, put treats in a cup or container and shake and reward until your cat recognizes the sound. Click and reward your cat when she arrives. Slowly increase the timing between saying "come" and shaking the treats until she comes on cue. Gradually phase out the clicker and reward her intermittently.

In the Box (or Cat Carrier)

Most cats will happily jump in a box or explore a bag. Having a direction for this behavior is useful when the time comes to pull out the cat carrier . In fact, pull out the cat carrier long before you ever need it, hiding treats and even feeding your cat or kitten portions of her meal in it. When your cat jumps into the carrier or a box, click and reward the behavior. When your cat prompts you, add the cue "in the box." Gradually add carrying her about in her box/carrier, rewarding her after each ride.

You can teach kitty to give you a high five (or a paw bump, if you will) using a technique similar to targeting. Start by having your cat sit. Hold a treat in a closed hand and reach out to your cat. Click and reward as soon as she touches her paw to your hand. Repeat this, gradually bringing your hand towards the 'high five' position a little more each time.

If your cat is reluctant to use her paw, try placing a treat under a sticky note or in a narrow cup (one her head cannot fit into). Click when she uses her paw to move the paper or cup. Hold the cup or stick the paper on your hand and repeat the process. Once she's reliably pawing at your hand, you can move the position as desired.

When you see your cat repeatedly pawing the right place, add the words 'high five' so she'll associate the words with the action.

Training Sessions

Lessons often require intense focus, so keep them short and upbeat—less than five minutes works well. End each one with a bout of fun using a feather flyer or a stuffed toy, letting your cat carry it away in victory.

Cat Training Don’ts

Cats don't respond to or learn from discipline. Swatting, spraying, or startling techniques may stop your cat from doing a certain behavior around you, but they won't stop the behavior overall. Your very presence will be a buzzkill, creating a suspicious cat who is wary of your togetherness. Physical discipline also may prompt an attack with tooth and claw, and once learned, aggressive responses are difficult to eliminate. That's why positive reinforcement training with your pet is so important.

"The behaviors we see, especially the ones we don't like, are how cats communicate," Jones says. "Any method that is punitive or designed to decrease a behavior simply shuts down communication. Instead, focus training on what you do want, rather than what you do not want."

Related Articles

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How to brush a cat: A guide to brushing long-haired cats

B rushing your cat is both extremely important and extremely dangerous. Indeed, there are few things that our beloved kitties hate more than having a brush pulled through their fur. Here's how to brush a cat.

It's time to glove up and mask up, it's time to pull your sleeves down and wear an extra layer, it's time to brush your cat. One of the more important fur-care routines that you can undertake as a kitty owner, and one of the most fear-inducing, brushing a cat is no easy task, and certainly one you may need help with.

In this cat guide , TAG24 will take a look at how to brush a cat. What's the difference between brushing long-haired cats and short-haired cats, why is it important, and what's the best cat brush? Let's take a look.

Why should you brush your cat's fur?

Cat fur might seem light, fluffy, and like it'll all just blow away in the wind once it becomes loose, but this is far from reality. With such a high surface area on a cat's body (because of all the fur), hairs have a habit of getting stuck, sitting there patiently until they are either removed, become a nasty matte, or are licked off by a kitty.

You can probably tell what the problem is already: If your cat consumes this much fur, it's going to have a lot of very bad fur balls. It will also start to look pretty nasty, and your house will be covered in a layer of fur – so much so that you'll never get rid of it all.

How to brush a cat

Think before you brush. What are the reasons behind your cat's fur-based problems? Why does it look the way that it looks? Does it need a better cleaning routine, is it not handling its self-grooming very well? What about its skin, does your cat have dandruff? What about shedding, is that a big problem? Think, think, think.

There are many aspects to cat grooming . Its nails need to be maintained, its fur needs to be kept in check, and its cleanliness needs to be guaranteed. If these things can't be achieved, then your kitty is going to start developing problems. We don't want that, do we?

Get yourself a brush, a pair of gloves, some band-aids, and get going. Here's how to brush your cat!

Step 1 - Get the right brush: We'll go into the specifics of brushes further into this article, but the gist is that you need the right tool for the right job. What are you trying to achieve? Identify this and buy what's appropriate. If you're unsure, consult your veterinarian or the pet shop assistant.

Step 2 - Always use protection: Wearing long and sturdy sleeves is always a must, as well as some comfortable gloves (that your cat doesn't hate) and probably something to protect your eyes. Most cats hate being brushed (who wouldn't?), so you can expect that attacks are imminent.

Step 3 - Hold your ground: You need to hold your cat sturdily, tightly, gently, and with a lot of strength. It's best to always brush your cat with help - maybe that next-door neighbor who keeps making noise complaints – so that you have one person holding firm (and being savaged) and one person brushing like their life depends on it.

Step 4 - Go head-to-tail: Cats hate being brushed against the grain even more than they hate being brushed. Use the right brush and go from your cat's head down towards its tail, never the other direction. Pay attention to the direction of your cat's fur wherever you are brushing it, and always brush with the grain.

Step 5 - Be careful and gentle: It can be hard to be gentle and loving when faced with an angry, steaming, and violent feline, but it's still necessary. Always check for tangles and brush slowly so if you meet one you notice before you start pulling on the fur and hurting your kitty. Also try to always check for any hidden wounds or bumps, and avoid them like the plague.

Brushing is a dangerous game, but one that will bring many joys if you win it. By braving this worrisome task you will reduce the amount of fur floating around your house and will keep your cat as healthy as can be.

Brushing a long-haired cat

Long-haired cats should be groomed more than short-haired cats (for obvious reason). It's best to start with their lower body and belly, to catch as much of that underside fluff as you can before you're inevitably torn to smithereens. After that, brush their neck, followed by their back, spine, and tail. Remember – always brushing with , not against, the grain.

The most important thing when brushing long-haired cats is to look out for tangles and handle them with care. It's best to use a metal comb and to get yourself a mat-splitter if things are getting particularly bad.

Brushing a short-haired cat

Short-haired cats are far easier to groom and brush, though they can be equally lethal. The most likely thing you will need to deal with is dirt, dust, and anger. Start with their backs, necks, and chests, then proceed with their stomach and tail. The order when brushing a short-haired cat is less important.

Remember to pay attention and look for tangles and dead hair (though there will be less in a short-haired cat). It should be a quicker process and hopefully a safer one, but equally important.

Brushing a cat that hates being brushed

Safety is the most important thing to focus on when brushing a cat that hates to be brushed. These little fluff balls will slash you faster than you can say "stop" if they get the chance, so we'd recommend having them professionally groomed to reduce the frequency at which brushing is required - pass on the risk.

Cats can be groomed professionally as well, and while this won't totally negate the need for brushing at home, it will help lessen the amount of fur on your cat's body overall. When brushing, though, still do it with the help of another person and plenty of safety equipment.

Does brushing a cat help with shedding?

Shedding in cats is a very serious and very difficult problem to deal with. It can be caused by a variety of things, both harmful and innocuous (so if your cat sheds excessively and unexpected, get it checked out by the veterinarian), and is also something that in most cases can be maintained and reduced through regular brushing.

If your beloved feline friend sheds like wild, then brushing is a great way to combat the inevitable side effects. Reduce the fur-balls, reduce the allergies, reduce the fur-tumbleweed, reduce all the risks by picking up the brush. You won't regret it.

While brushing obviously won't reduce shedding, it will mitigate the side effects by removing the loose fur that would usually just sit in a cat's coat. It's important for your cat's health and for your sanity.

Best cat brush

We're not here to sell cat brushes from certain manufacturers, but we can provide a little bit of advice on which cat brush types are best for which situations. Indeed, different fur types and different grooming situations will require different things - cats with sensitive skin, for example, shouldn't be brushed with steel pins.

Here are some tips and tricks on buying the best cat brush:

• Long-haired cats, as well as cats with a tendency to have a lot stuck in their fur, should have a steel brush or comb
• If your cat needs to be brushed because it has fleas or something, you need a specialized comb bought from the vet
• Specialized dematting brushes should be used if your cat's fur gets easily matted and forms nasty knots
• Cat combs and brushes should be gentle and calming. You should spend some money and make sure that they don't have any sharp or sticky ends
• You should make sure that every brush you buy is vet-approved for the purpose of deshedding, as this is the primary reason why you are using it.
• Buy one brush that you can use for all purposes. If your brush can be used to remove dirt, deshed, and tidy everything up, then you can get your cat used to one brush and then stick with it.

Cat brushes are a sensitive topic, and one that many people have many different opinions on. What everyone can agree on, though, is that the main point of this endeavor is to deshed as best as we can.

Best cat brush for shedding

Ultimately, you're going to need to buy a specialized brush to deal with shedding. Generally made with steel pins that are tightly bound together (so they almost look like one piece of metal), these brushes strip the loose fur off of your cat's body in giant clumps that can be collected and discarded.

We are not in the business of recommending certain brands, so it's best to go and talk to your vet. Every cat owner should have a deshedding brush and should use it as described.

How often should I brush my cat?

You should brush your cat at least once a week, preferably twice. It's important to stay consistent with your brush for two main reasons: 1) Your cat will get used to it and eventually won't mind it as much , and 2) if you constantly remove loose and dead fur, your cat will be much healthier overall.

It might seem like a bit of an overkill, but if you start brushing your cat from a young age (you know, like when it's a kitten), it will help you avoid many nasty fur balls, and might even help with those cat allergies you have. Cats also get used to things over time, so if you start on them young, then they will get used to it and it will cease being a problem.

Brush your cat to make it more darling than a doggo!

You want your kitty to remain fluffy, flamboyant, and well groomed. If you don't brush its fur, then it will retch all over your carpet, leave balls of fur rolling across your floor, and will become a matted mess that's unpleasant for both you and your feline friend.

As a result, brushing your cat is a vitally important and incredibly caring thing to do. Yes, your cat will probably hate the process and, yes, you should probably take precautions, but it is worth all the risks you face.

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How a Physics Professor Helped Shape Interdimensional Travel in 'Dark Matter'

Apple TV Plus subscribers can watch new episodes of the sci-fi series on Wednesdays.

• Apple software beta tester, "Helps make our computers and phones work!" - Zach's grandparents

Dark Matter has some real scientific theories at its core.

Blake Crouch isn't a scientist, but that didn't stop him from including real scientific theories in his bestselling novel Dark Matter and the Apple TV Plus sci-fi thriller based on it. One theory that really stuck with him was that of alternate universes.

Dark Matter was originally published in 2016.

"I got really turned on by the idea of multiple realities and more so the science behind it," Crouch told me in an interview. "I [thought] it would be really cool to write a novel about quantum physics." 

Crouch said he didn't take any science or math courses in college. So to incorporate quantum physics into the book and show, he worked with Clifford Johnson, a physics professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara. I talked with Johnson about the physics behind the fiction. 

"It really is a compelling story all about the choices we make in our lives," Johnson said. "It's a real pleasure to see that much science upfront, and so I helped [Crouch] develop a lot of the ideas."

The main theory Dark Matter explores is that of the multiverse: the theory that there are infinite other universes beyond our own. To explore this theory, the show uses an interdimensional travel device called "the box." 

The box is a hefty contraption that might not be as visually appealing as similar devices in other works of science fiction, like Back to the Future's DeLorean or Dr. Who's Tardis, but there are real theories behind how it might work. Who knows, maybe these theories will lead to breakthroughs in the world of physics, or maybe they already have in another universe.

Read more: Apple TV Added These Award-Winning Movies in March

How does the box work in Dark Matter?

Dark Matter's box is an example of an interdimensional travel device . According to TV Tropes , these kinds of devices allow a person or group of people to travel to another universe. That journey starts with the box.

In Dark Matter, characters enter the box -- which blocks out everything from the outside -- and take a mind-altering drug. Our characters then imagine the reality they want before exiting the box to a different universe. Johnson explained that the box is a way to visualize all possible outcomes for a superposed quantum state. 

OK, explain it to me like I'm five, please

It's no DeLorean, but the box will still get you to another universe.

An easier way to understand this, and superposed quantum states, is by using the famous Schrödinger's cat thought experiment. 

The gist of the experiment is you put a cat in a sealed box that you can't see into, along with something that can kill it, like poison or radioactive material. Then, because you can't interact with what's inside the box or see whether the item in the box killed the cat or not, you can't observe whether the cat is dead or alive at any given moment. Therefore the cat is both at the same time -- it's in a superposition of both dead and alive. Only after you've opened the box and observed the cat can you report on the cat's state.

Johnson said that the cat in the experiment has two possible outcomes -- alive or dead -- but when a person enters the box in Dark Matter, they have many outcomes they can choose from. Dark Matter's box is in essence the inverse of Schrödinger's cat. Instead of an observer not being able to see or interact with a small portion of reality, the observer can't see or interact with anything outside of a small portion of reality (the box). 

So, the way the Dark Matter box works is that a person enters it, imagines the reality they want to be in with the help of a drug and then exits the box to the reality they constructed with their mind. While the person is in the box, they put themselves in a state of superposition among all the different realities, and the one they focus on becomes real once they observe it by leaving the box.

Could the box really work?

Maybe we'll invent a device like the box one day.

Maybe, but we may never know. Some people have posited theories on reality similar to those posed in Dark Matter. 

"The guys who won the Nobel Prize for physics in ['22] were talking about nonlocality and the idea that objective reality doesn't exist," Crouch said. "There's no independent reality that is just hanging out there without conscious, biocentric beings observing it."

Others have said similar things. Robert Lanza , an adjunct professor at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, developed a theory of biocentrism that argues that consciousness is the driving force behind reality and the universe, not the other way around.

"Nothing has existence unless you, I, or some living creature perceives it," Lanza wrote in the American Scholar in 2007 . "The images you see are a construction by the brain. Everything you are experiencing right now… is being actively generated in your mind."

The biggest obstacle to proving these theories is building a device like the box. Crouch and Johnson both said designing the box was a challenge since it had to block out everything -- and I truly mean everything -- for a person to be in superposition.

"Things like temperature, anything above absolute zero," Crouch said. "Or neutrinos flying through our atmosphere, constantly flying through our bodies… Variations in wind, temperature, all these things…"

Any shifts in these variables would cause the box to simply be a hunk of metal since those shifts would act on the person inside the box, taking them out of a superposed state. 

"We've never built anything like that and it's not clear that we really can," Johnson said. "But it's fun to imagine what that might look like if you could."

Are there any other ways to get to alternate universes if they exist?

If entering a state of superposition to enter into another reality seems a little too far out there, perhaps a black hole can help. This might sound as fantastical as Dark Matter's box, but renowned physicist Stephen Hawking entertained the idea. Hawking theorized that a black hole could function as a passage to somewhere else, including another universe.

"They are not the eternal prisons they were once thought," Hawking said in a 2008 lecture . "Things can get out of a black hole, both to the outside, and possibly, to another universe. So if you feel you are in a black hole, don't give up. There's a way out."

We don't know for certain what would happen if a person fell into a black hole, but Gaurav Khanna , a physics professor at the University of Rhode Island , told me in an interview that a person might be able to survive the encounter. 

Sagittarius A*, the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way.

Khanna and a team of researchers found that if a person, or spacecraft, fell into a supermassive black hole, like Gargantua in the film Interstellar or Sagittarius A* in our own solar system, it might be a smooth and steady ride. 

"While we don't know what the other side of a black hole connects to," Khanna said, "If we make a leap of faith and envision that the other side of a black hole connects to another part of our universe, or perhaps another dimension, then you could smoothly, without much discomfort, go from one to the other."

Khanna said that a black hole must meet three criteria for it to possibly function as a portal: it has to be considered supermassive, it has to be old and it must be rotating. If a black hole doesn't meet those requirements, like it's too small, well…

"The smaller [the black hole], the worse it's going to be," Khanna said. "Even if you go to a black hole the size of our sun, I don't think there's any hope of surviving."

So we could travel to other universes with the right conditions?

"This is not a blueprint on how to travel to other worlds," Crouch said. "This is a speculative idea that says, 'Oh if we had a few things, a few advances in these certain areas of technology, then perhaps we can start having a conversation about how macroscopic objects exist in a state of superposition.'"

If traveling to another universe by getting a person into a state of superposition like in Dark Matter proves unreliable, a supermassive black hole might do the trick. 

"The door's open a little bit," Khanna said. "We have some understanding, experimentally, that this could actually work."

You can watch Dark Matter now on Apple TV Plus ( $10 a month ), and new episodes are available on Wednesdays. You can also check out how February was the warmest February on record and what to know about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch .

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They said her husband drowned snorkeling, but she saw him walk to shore. What happened?

A Michigan woman and her family are suing a Maui resort , the Hawaiian Tourism Authority, and the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau after her husband died while snorkeling . She doesn’t believe it was a drowning. 

Patricia and Ray Johnson, along with four friends, arrived at the Fairmont Kea Lani on Maui on the evening of Feb. 23, 2022, with plans to visit multiple islands over several weeks. This was the couple’s sixth time in Hawaii, and they had snorkeled the Hawaiian waters many times in the past, Patricia told USA TODAY. 

On the morning of Feb. 25, some of the travelers, including Ray, went snorkeling around Wailea Beach, which fronts the resort, while Patricia opted to walk a trail that overlooks the beach. “I looked out, and I saw my husband and my friends or people out there,” she told USA TODAY. “I’m waving at him, and it hits me.” Patricia saw what looked like other snorkelers helping Ray. 

She hurried down to the beach, but “things deteriorated quickly.” At first, Ray had his head above water and was returning to the beach, but then the 64-year-old fell onto his back with his head “snapped back at one point” and had to be pulled in. “I knew he was gone,” she said. 9-1-1 was called, but medical professionals failed to resuscitate Ray. 

The autopsy report called Ray’s death an accidental drowning, which Patricia doesn’t believe. 

“I was watching him come in, how could he be drowning?” According to her friends who were snorkeling with him, Ray was talking and also diving down under the water. At one point, he came up and said, “You gotta help me, I’m having trouble breathing,” and that’s when he decided to head back to shore. “I don’t think when people are drowning in a conditional manner, you’re going to be conversing,” she said.

What to do in Hawaii? Locals weigh in on if these popular spots are worth the hype

By a landslide, the leading cause of death for Hawaii tourists is drowning. And of ocean drownings for residents and visitors, the majority occur when snorkeling. While the ocean is powerful and unpredictable, some advocates, including the Johnsons, are trying to bring attention to a lesser-known medical condition that specifically poses risks to snorkelers and hasn’t gotten much attention over the years: Rapid Onset Pulmonary Edema (ROPE). 

The Johnson family believes ROPE is the real cause of Ray’s death, and the lawsuit alleges that Hawaii travel entities have failed to educate the public on ROPE, resulting in “an important public health concern,” according to the complaint filed in the Circuit Court of the First Circuit in the State of Hawaii in February 2024. The case should begin the fact-discovery process this week.

The Hawaiian Tourism Authority, Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau and Fairmont Kea Lani declined to comment on the lawsuit. 

“I would like to see warnings out there,” Patricia told USA TODAY. “I truly believe my husband would still be here if we’d been warned.” 

How is snorkeling dangerous?

Breathing through a snorkel tube is similar to pinching your nose and breathing in through your mouth. The resistance is immediate. ROPE occurs when the negative pressure on the lungs ends up sucking bodily fluids out of the capillaries and into the airways, according to Dr. Raj Dasgupta , a California-based pulmonologist. 

“That snorkel resistance to airflow,” he said. “They want to breathe in but they have to breathe through that straw.”

Once fluid is in the lungs, it becomes difficult to breathe and people can experience hypoxia, or a lack of sufficient oxygen. “You slowly become weak then into a loss of consciousness,” Dasgupta said. Underlying health conditions such as heart and lung disease also increase someone’s predisposed risk for ROPE, he said.

If a person begins to feel shortness of breath, they may panic, causing more exertion, which can be life-threatening if they’re already suffering from a lack of oxygen, Dasgupta said. 

Drowning by ROPE is “fundamentally different” than typical drowning when people are aspirating water or submerged and often showing signs of distress, the complaint said.

A lack of public awareness

In October 2017, after California woman – and avid swimmer and snorkeler – Nancy Peacock died while snorkeling in calm waters off the coast of Hawaii Island in a full-face mask and no signs of struggle, the Hawaii State Department created the Snorkeling Safety Sub-Committee to “address public concern about snorkel-related drownings.”

In a Snorkeling Safety Study led by the sub-committee, 50 different snorkels were tested, and the experts examined nonfatal and fatal drownings. The interim report released in July 2020 concluded that “ROPE-induced hypoxia is a factor in fatal and nonfatal snorkel drownings.” The study also had a survey conducted at Oahu’s most popular snorkeling spot, Hanauma Bay, but only 36 participants – mostly locals – were interviewed due to the islands being closed to travel during the pandemic. 

The high altitude from air travel impacting someone’s lungs may be a contributing factor, but there wasn’t enough evidence in the study to confirm this. Since getting to Hawaii requires at least a five-hour flight, it’s possible that fatigue and stress from flying could play a role in someone’s risk of drowning by ROPE. 

The Hawaiian Tourism Authority funded the study to “develop appropriate safety messages.” However, as of April 2024, there have not been any public-facing messages on any of the official Hawaii tourism websites. Information cards have been passed out to most Kauai and Oahu tour boat operators, the subcommittee said. Although the study is preliminary and not robust in terms of participants and even calls for further investigation, it is the only one to explore ROPE in snorkelers so far.

“Why aren’t we in Hawaii letting people know?” said Jay Stuemke, an Oahu-based attorney who filed the complaint on the Johnsons’ behalf. “Pamphlets in rooms, apps, websites, in-room videos, all types of mechanisms to warn people. It’s an easy enough thing to do. We believe had they done that, Ray would still be alive today as well as many other people.” 

Snorkeling safety tips

◾ Always snorkel with a buddy, and if you can’t swim, don’t snorkel.

◾ Choose a snorkel with a wide opening and no constrictions in the mouthpiece.

◾ Learn to use the snorkel device before venturing out into water that’s too deep to stand in.

◾ If you feel shortness of breath, stay calm, remove the snorkel and get out of the water immediately, Dasgupta said.

Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at [email protected] .