Packing for a Cat: The Guide

There’s no reason you can’t take your kitty on holiday when you might be driving just a few hours away. It can be an adventure for the whole family, but it takes a little more planning when you want to take a furry companion along with you. Once you’ve got your cat travelling checklist ready and packed, the family holiday will be smooth sailing from the get-go.

If you haven’t travelled far with your cat before, the journey to your holiday can be a little nerve wracking. Most feline owners are far more used to a quick trip to the vet rather than a lengthy drive across the country.

Cats take comfort from having known people and possessions around them. A big part of making sure they are happy on their travels is by minimising their stress and bringing along home comforts to ease their anxiety of being in a new place.

When packing with a cat, it’s important to have all their essential cat food, toys, and litter, with extras in case you run out on holiday. Changing any of their usual diet or routine can make your moggy uncomfortable.

After all the planning that goes into taking your cat on holiday with you, it doesn’t make much sense to leave things to chance by popping your pet in the car last minute and hoping for the best. Cats can become distressed by new experiences, so time needs to be taken to introduce them to each individual aspect of travelling to make sure everyone can have a happy and calm ride.

Firstly, they should have already been introduced to their carrier so it’s not a brand-new object to them. Inside you can even place a blanket that they’re already used to sleeping on, so everything smells nice and familiar.

Car journeys also need to be built up gradually. Firstly, you should make sure your feline travel companion is happy with shorter car journeys and gradually build on them until a long car ride is just a walk in the park.

Being able to prepare them for the journey will make it less stressful for everyone.

Finding the perfect cat carrier for your moggy is such an important part of travelling with your pets. You may think that bigger means better but in the case of a pet carrier, that isn’t true. Your cat should have the freedom to move but in case of any emergency breaking on your journey they shouldn’t have the extra room to cause any falls in an abrupt stop. A cat carrier should be one and a half times the size of your cat to give them space to lie comfortably, move around and adjust themselves.

Many pets are either not used to travelling in a carrier for long periods or they have a negative association, but the cat carrier will usually mean a trip to the vet.

To build a positive association with a cat carrier, you will want to have it in the house with a nice comfy blanket inside for up to a few weeks before you even plan on travelling. This gives your cat time to explore it and work out that it’s not a scary thing.

During the time they’re getting used to their carrier. It’s important to leave the door open or remove it so they can come and go as they please. You can pop their favourite cat treats in there to encourage them to explore and it will gradually become a little haven.

Once you get to the other side and start to settle into your new home away from home, the carrier should act as a safe space. You can leave the door open to allow your kitty to come and go as they please, so they have a hiding place to retreat to if the new environment gets a little scary.

Cat bowls are an important consideration when going on holiday as they need a constant and fresh supply of water along with something to eat out of. Bowls like the Beco Things BecoBowl Pink are super lightweight, easy to travel with and simple to clean. They make a great option for food time, but you may need something a little deeper for their water. The

When it comes to meals, you should keep your cat on the same diet as they’re used to at home. Sudden changes can cause upset stomachs so make sure you have more than you need when it comes to stocking up on their food for their holiday.

If you’re going to bring your usual litter box from home then as long as you show your cat where it is, you should have no issues. You just need to be sure you have ample litter to last the trip. If your usual litter box is bulky and not ideal to travel with, you can get something more light weight and easy to transport like the Savic Iriz Cat Litter Tray Grey & White.

If you’re planning on bringing an alternative litter tray, make sure to set it up at home before you go anywhere. Your moggy can then associate it with being their toilet well in advance of going to a new environment where everything is out of place. Knowing where to go to the toilet is important when travelling with your feline friends.

While travelling with your pet can be exciting, for those who are too nervous, it might just be more stressful than it is enjoyable for them. Some cats may prefer to stay at home surrounded by everything they’re used to so it’s easier to avoid changing their whole world just so you don’t miss them while you’re away.

Finding a pet-savvy neighbour who can drop in and spend some time with your moggy making sure they have plenty of food, water and lots of cuddles can sometimes be easier for everyone. You can even get pet sitters who will temporarily live in your home with your pets to make sure they don’t miss out on being pampered and loved while you’re away.

For all of your cat supplies when you’re planning to go away, whether you’re taking your beloved pet with your or leaving them at home, take a look at our wide range of stock in-store or online.