Cats are not good friends with car trips, in fact, most of them suffer high levels of stress and, in some cases, they can even get dizzy. However, on some occasions it will be essential to take our cat by car, for example, in a transfer or when the veterinary clinic is far away. So how do you travel with cats by car?
In this article on our site, in collaboration with Feliway, we will offer you some advice and recommendations to minimize the negative impact that this experience can have, offering you advice not only for your safety, but also for that of the occupants of the vehicle and, of course, for their he alth. Keep reading and discover our tips for taking a cat in the car
How many hours can a cat travel by car?
The total number of hours a cat can travel by car will depend on the tolerance of the animal. Of course, no animal should travel for more than two hours at a time, so it is recommended to make stops to hydrate it, allow it to walk, relieve itself, etc.
If you are going to take a car trip that will last many hours and you think that your cat will not be able to bear it, consider the option of leaving it in the care of another person or keeping it at home during your absence, always and when someone can go visit him, spend time with him, clean his litter box, fill his water and food bowls… Now, if you find yourself obliged to take him with you for whatever reason (long vacations, moving…), then read on.
How to transport a cat by car?
Before starting with the recommendations, it is essential to clarify how to travel with a cat by car following the regulations. Therefore, it is essential to know the legislation in force in each country in order to comply with it and guarantee both the safety of the animal and that of the rest of the passengers.
In Spain, the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) stipulates that the best way to travel with small animals in a car, such as cats, is to put them in a carrier [1] It is strictly forbidden to carry animals loose in the vehicle because they could hinder driving and endanger the lives of occupants.
If you do not have a carrier, or if the cat does not tolerate it in any way, the DGT also specifies that it is possible to travel with animals by car by holding them with a belt specially designed for animals, the which is anchored to the animal's harness, which must hold it completely. However, we emphasize that the use of the carrier is the best option.
On the other hand, the cat must be correctly identified, so it must have the implantation of the identifying microchip, as well as with the passport in case of traveling to another country.
Where to put the carrier inside the car?
According to the BOE and the Road Safety Law [2], the carrier must be closed in a safe and fixed area, preventing so that it can move around the vehicle or cause any problems in the event of an accident. In this sense, placing the carrier on the rear footrests can be a good option, but we can also place it on the seats, fixing it with the belt Likewise, if we have an open trunk in which we can fit it, we can also enable the area for our feline to travel there. The important thing is that the carrier is completely fixed and does not move.
Recommendations for choosing the carrier and getting your cat used to it
There are many types of cat carriers, however, the ideal is to always opt for a rigid carrier, since they are the most market insurance. In the case of receiving an impact, the cat that will travel inside would receive the least possible damage. Currently, the most reliable are aluminum carriers, but if they exceed our budget we can bet on one made of rigid plastic.
Once the carrier has been chosen, we must get the cat used to it so that it feels like a safe, comfortable and positive place for it. Traveling by car can already be a stressful factor, which is why it is so important to provide this security inside the carrier. This is advice that can be applied to virtually all pets. Although we know that in some cases it will be more complicated, for example when we have adopted an adult cat, we can always try to positively associate the carrier with a very simple exercise.
Follow this step by step to get your cat used to the carrier:
- Place the carrier in an area of the house that your cat already considers safe, such as the dining room or a room that he usually frequents, preferably removing the door and placing some blankets inside that already have his smell. To further promote peace of mind and a sense of security, you can use FELIWAY Classic Spray directly on the blankets. This product sprays synthetic pheromones on the chosen surface, which emit a message of tranquility, trust and security to the feline. Cats naturally emit different types of pheromones for different purposes, therefore, using this product that simulates appeasing pheromones is a success.
- Introduce small ones from time to time tasty treatsinside the carrier so that the feline associates his presence with treats and positive experiences.
- Once your cat is comfortably in and out of the carrier, try moving it to different areas of the home, continuing to introduce treats and even their favorite toys.
- Finally, when your cat feels totally confident and safe inside the carrier, you can add the door and proceed to close it when he enters, always rewarding.
Under no circumstances should we lock up the cat by force, force it to enter or provoke any negative situation while it is inside. This can cause the feline to negatively associate this transportation tool and run away from us every time he sees it. Likewise, it is essential to start this process of habituation to the carrier weeks before and even months, since a few days will not be enough for the animal to be fully prepared for undergo a more or less long car trip.
Tips for traveling with a cat by car
Trying to get your cat used to traveling by car from puppyhood is a good idea, but whether you don't have that possibility or if the task is not easy for you, following these instructions will help you make the trip be as satisfying as possible:
- Avoid feeding your cat two hours before travel. If the cat has an empty stomach before starting the trip, you will prevent them from turning their stomachs and getting dizzy during the journey. Likewise, during the trip do not give him food.
- Tire him up before leaving If your cat is tired during the trip, it is much more likely that he will take the opportunity to sleep and rest. To do this, play with him before leaving, allow him to run and jump. Of course, tiring your cat does not mean making him nervous or upsetting him, since at the time of leaving he must be calm and calm, not excited.
- Let him smell the vehicle Days before starting the trip, let your cat get to know the car, explore it and smell it to that is familiar to you. If you introduce him for the first time on the day of the trip, he can be scared and feel insecure because he does not know the environment. In the same way, practice small outings with your cat inside the carrier before starting the trip.
- Use a secure and fixed carrier. If the cat travels safely and also does not move, you will avoid dizziness, a bad time or fleeing through the vehicle that can cause an accident.
- Prevent the cat from leaving the carrier during the journey We recommend that you avoid taking your cat out of the carrier during the entire journey. You can only go out during stops, especially if you are one of those guardians who walks your cat. Remember to exercise extreme caution if you are in an area where vehicles circulate.
- Provides your cat with hydration If you are going on a very long trip, we recommend that you ensure that your cat has access to water. If you have a spacious container, you can place a bowl inside, otherwise, you can use a blunt syringe with water.
- Take your documentation with you In the event of any problem or, especially if you are changing countries, it will be essential to bring all the cat's documentation, such as your updated he alth card, census card and any other document that may be important.
- Use pheromones Just as synthetic pheromones will help your cat get used to the carrier, they will also help your cat during trip is calmer. Take FELIWAY Classic Spray with you and spray it on the blankets that you put in the carrier. Never spray pheromones on your cat.
How to calm a cat in the car?
In some cases, despite having accustomed the cat to the carrier and having prepared its stay inside it well, it may happen that the cat becomes dizzy or suffers from high levels of anxiety. Precisely to prevent this problem, it is recommended do a test before making a long trip In this case, we can contact our veterinarian and ask for advice or medication if necessary.
But for greater security, it may be opportune to write down some emergency veterinary clinics that are on our way if the journey will be long, in this way, in the event of any abnormal symptoms that may arise, we will know where to go quickly.
In addition to the above, you can reassure your cat in the car by using the pheromones already mentioned. As we say, they emit messages of security and tranquility, which is why using them is so beneficial in these cases. Also, if you use them from the beginning, they will help you avoid this situation. On the other hand, if your cat still gets very nervous, or you have not been able to take the pheromones, the best thing to do is stop so that the cat calms down little by little. Once he starts to calm down, you can help calm him down with soothing caresses and massages. Remember not to feed him until you reach the destination.
