Going On A Trip? Your Cat Wants to Come Too!

Many of us were taught to believe that when we go on a trip, whether it’s a vacation, business trip or visiting family, we need to leave our cats behind. We need to hire a sitter to watch them, then say goodbye until we return. We never like leaving our cats behind, and they don’t like being left behind, but we don’t have to do this anymore! In recent years, it has become increasingly popular to bring our feline friends along with us on our journeys Cats love to explore new places, try new things, and most of all, they love their humans, and want to be right beside us no matter where we go. But in order to bring our cats along with us, we need some items to accommodate them.

The first travel essential for cats is the carrier. This provides a safe, comfortable place for the cat to be during travel. Some cats may protest being put into a carrier at first, it can be a jarring transition. But if the carrier adequately meets their needs, most cats will adjust to the new environment and settle down pretty quickly. My own cat, Medea, meowed a lot when I first put her in her carrier, but after being in it for a few minutes, she actually became so comfortable she began purring! It is important for the carrier to be adequately spacious so the cat has room to move around and get comfortable, for the carrier to have good ventilation to prevent overheating, be made of comfortable material, and be easy to carry. Carriers come in many forms, from backpacks to hand-held or shoulder-mounted bags, or even convertible ones that can be adjusted to the situation as needed. We carry a wide range of carriers to suit a variety of different needs, but our favourite is "The Navigator" from Travel Cat. This convertible carrier is the pinnacle of functionality, convenience and comfort, with many different features to make your journey as pleasant as possible for you and your cat, making it perfect for long journeys. Medea and I make frequent trips to and from the studio together, and during these trips I use "The Fat Cat" from Travel Cat. This backpack-style carrier is simple yet elegant, convenient and comfortable. Medea loves the clear plastic bubble window, which allows her to see out of the carrier, observe her surroundings, and keep an eye on her humans!

Other travel essentials include a good harness and leash for when your cat is out of the carrier. It is a good idea to provide breaks from the carrier  especially when feeding, giving water, or litter breaks. Travel dishes can also be really useful for feeding and providing water on the go; these dishes need to be compact and easy to carry. Lastly, your cat will need a compact and convenient travel litter box for bathroom breaks on the road.