{"id":62101,"date":"2017-04-26T17:00:39","date_gmt":"2017-04-26T21:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stage.bhgrelife.com\/bhgrelife\/?p=62101"},"modified":"2017-11-30T12:49:41","modified_gmt":"2017-11-30T17:49:41","slug":"moving-cat-top-tips-road-trips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stage.bhgrelife.com\/bhgrelife\/moving-cat-top-tips-road-trips\/","title":{"rendered":"Moving with Your Cat? Top Tips for Road Trips"},"content":{"rendered":"

Unlike most dogs, cats typically aren\u2019t fans of car rides. \u00a0Unfortunately, the majority of cats\u2019 \u201ccar experience\u201d is gained through visits to the vet. \u00a0So, it\u2019s not surprising that they\u2019re not happy car travelers. \u00a0Inevitably moving with your cat means a <\/span>car ride<\/span><\/a> – whether it\u2019s long distance or short. \u00a0Planning and preparing your cat well before you move will help to ease his stress and who knows, he may even come to enjoy car rides!<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are our top tips for helping your cat become more comfortable when riding in the car.<\/span><\/p>\n

Acclimate Your Cat to Pet Travel Carrier<\/b>
\nWhen traveling by car with your cat, it\u2019s best to have him travel in a <\/span>pet carrier<\/span><\/a>. \u00a0Be sure to choose the proper sized carrier. \u00a0It should be large enough so your cat can comfortably stand up, turn around, and lie down. Allow your cat time to acclimate to his new carrier. \u00a0Start out by placing the carrier in your house with his favorite toys, bedding, and perhaps some treats or catnip. \u00a0Keep the carrier door open so your cat can meander in and out on his own terms. \u00a0Be patient and give him time to eventually become comfortable with his new carrier. \u00a0Make sure you are continuing this crate training while you simultaneously work on the rest of the tips.<\/span><\/p>\n

Make the Car Their Territory<\/b>
\n<\/span>Cats are highly sensitive when it comes to their environment. \u00a0They are most comfortable in familiar surroundings and in their own territory. \u00a0Making the car part of their territory is key in your quest to making them <\/span>happy travelers<\/span><\/a>. \u00a0Grab a blanket that has your cat\u2019s scent and place it on your car seat. \u00a0Get in your car with your cat, shut the door, and then let him explore. \u00a0Allow your cat to spread his scent around the car. \u00a0Start out doing this 2 – 3 times a day for just a couple of minutes. \u00a0Gradually increase the duration as your cat seems to feel more comfortable. <\/span><\/p>\n

Car = Good Things!<\/b>
\nAfter your cat starts feeling calmer in the car, it\u2019s time for some positive reinforcement. \u00a0Begin feeding him in your parked car for a week or two. \u00a0For cats that are less food motivated, you might want to engage them in play or give them some catnip while in the car. The key is to get your cat to associate the car with good things.<\/span><\/p>\n

Introduce Pet Carrier into Car<\/b>With time, your cat will start to think of the car as his domain. \u00a0Once that happens, he\u2019ll be ready for the next step — and that\u2019s to introduce his carrier into your vehicle. \u00a0Have your cat get into his carrier, then secure it in the backseat or cargo area of your vehicle. \u00a0Avoid placing the carrier near airbags. \u00a0The next step is to start your car but don\u2019t drive anywhere. \u00a0Keep it in park just so your cat can get accustomed to the sound and vibration of your car. \u00a0Practice this \u201cexercise\u201d a few times daily until your cat feels more comfortable.<\/span><\/p>\n

Start Off with Short Rides<\/b>
\n<\/b>When your cat is more at ease with your car and the engine noise, you can then take it out of \u00a0\u201cpark\u201d. \u00a0Start out slow and short (very short). \u00a0Go back and forth, down to the end of your driveway and back again. \u00a0Repeat this a few times, then bring your cat into the house, let him out of his carrier and reward him (treats, playtime, etc..). \u00a0Gauge your cat\u2019s comfort level. \u00a0When he\u2019s ready, gradually increase the length and duration of your car rides. \u00a0Be sure to do this very slowly and reward your cat after each step. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Stay Calm<\/b>
\n<\/b>Do your best to not let the stress of the move or the process of \u00a0\u201ccar training\u201d your cat get the best of you. \u00a0Your cat senses your energy. \u00a0So if you\u2019re anxious and out of sorts, your cat is likely to be as well.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Potty Time<\/b>
\nIn planning your <\/span>road trip<\/span><\/a> to your new home, you\u2019ll want to think about bathroom breaks for your cat. \u00a0Believe it or not, some pet parents use harnesses and leashes for their cats. \u00a0This allows them to actually \u201cwalk\u201d their cats at rest stops so they can relieve themselves. Since most pet parents use the more traditional litter box, it is recommended to limit your day\u2019s drive time to no more than 8 hours. \u00a0This will allow your cat to potty in their litter box set-up at your night\u2019s destination. \u00a0You know your cat best, so you can gauge how long he can comfortably \u201chold it\u201d. <\/span><\/p>\n

Ensuring that your cat is comfortable with car travel is a must when <\/span>moving<\/span><\/a> – particularly if it\u2019s a long road trip. \u00a0Working with him so that he is acclimated to car travel will certainly take some time — so plan ahead, be patient and go slowly. \u00a0<\/span>
\nTripsWithPets.com<\/span><\/a> is the premier online pet friendly travel guide — providing online reservations at over 30,000 pet friendly hotels & accommodations across the U.S. and Canada. \u00a0When planning a trip, pet parents go to <\/span>TripsWithPets.com<\/span><\/a> for detailed, up-to-date information on hotel pet policies and pet amenities. \u00a0TripsWithPets.com also features airline & car rental pet policies, pet friendly activities, a user-friendly <\/span>search-by-route<\/span><\/a> option, as well as pet travel gear. For more information, please visit <\/span>http:\/\/www.tripswithpets.com<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"