How To Travel In A Car With A Cat
Can You Really Travel with a Cat?
As free-spirited animals who just love an adventure on their own terms, you’d think that cats and cars simply don’t mix.
With the right preparation, planning and time though, you can give yourself a calm trip with a safe and comfortable cat.
For both you and your cat, it’s vital that reduce stress and remove any issues that may cause discomfort, whatever reason you’re moving house.
Roadchef is here in 31 locations, 24/7, 365 days a year to help make travelling with your feline companion easy with pet-friendly facilities, calming environments to take a seat and all the essentials you need.
Read on for our top tips!
How to Prepare Your Cat for Car Travel
Rule 57 of the Highway Code states that all animals in vehicles must be “suitably restrained” to when travelling in a vehicle to stop unnecessary in-car distractions.
Whilst your cat is unlikely to want to be restrained with a seatbelt harness (and good luck to anyone who tries to fit one!), with the right prep work, your cat can travel comfortably in a first-class style with their own cat carrier.
Prior to travel, get your cat used to the carrier and take the fear away from getting in and out of it; you’re trying to make it their temporary home for a few hours after all!
When purchasing a carrier, Cats Protection recommends looking for one with plenty of ventilation and light without scrimping on sturdiness - you’ve got to lift it in and out of the car after all.
To encourage comfort and relaxation, build your cat up to being in the carrier, simply by making it an extra piece of furniture in your house for a few weeks.
Fill the carrier with their favourite blanket and treats to create a positive association; you won’t have the battle of trying to get a tense cat into a small space then!
Added extras like a water bottle will keep your cat hydrated, whilst lining the carrier with puppy pads will make those little messes easy to clean up.
Remember, cats are highly active animals, so choosing a carrier with enough turning room (or even play room) can support a cat's comfort in the car.
Once you’ve cracked this step, start by taking short drives to help your cat adjust to the sounds, noises and movement of being in a vehicle. We don’t just mean the vets!
Where possible, keep your journeys calm, quiet and without sudden stops, acceleration or profanity. Calm journeys begin with you, and if the driver is starting to feel stressed, take a break at any of Roadchef’s 31 locations and rest.
The final preparation step is packing your cat’s suitcase - as classy creatures, they like to travel in style too.
Food, water bowls, familiar-smelling blankets and toys, plus their litter tray, will make their carry case feel like home away from home.
Many manufacturers offer calming scented sprays, too, that reduce feline anxiety.
Keeping Your Cat Safe in the Car
Safety first, safety always - the mantra that comes with travelling in the car on any journey, let alone on the motorway with a cat.
There are simply steps you can take, though, to ensure both yours and your cat's anxiety is kept at a minimum.
Your carrier can be secured with a seatbelt if your cat is riding shotgun, but otherwise is best placed on the floor behind a seat.
When driving keep loud noises to a minimum, if at all, and don’t drive with sudden braking or acceleration. By keeping your driving efficient and smooth, you’ll save money too!
In car, temperature is key and Battersea Dogs and Cats Home recommends keeping in car temperatures between 20°C and 30°C. Where possible, keep the carrier out of direct sunlight.
If you seeing signs of anxiety, like excess or extra meowing, aggression or destructive behaviour, consider covering the carrier with a light blanket to block out any uncomfortable sights or noises.
Ultimately, you know your cat best!
Why Roadchef is the Purr-fect Pit Stop
Long journeys deserve a little bit of peace and quiet - and some cats love moments of solitude.
Roadchef should be your choice to break up your journey with your cat. Each site has ample parking, with up to two hours free, to take a break, find some shade to give your pet some fresh air and avoid the hustle and bustle of the main amenity building.
When entering site, though, you’ll find a plethora of essentials for you and your cat.
WHSmith and our Roadchef & Co-op stores have a variety of bottled water to keep you both hydrated, whilst those with refillable water bottles can get fluid for free at any of our units.
Both WHSmith and Roadchef & Co-op offer pet essentials too, including wipes, treats, food and accessories to make those trips extra special - even when you’ve left items at home.
How to Reduce Stress for Your Cat While Driving
Calm cars make for successful journeys - but travelling with a cat needs to be like sailing on a smooth sea.
It’s not that cats don’t like Metallica (or maybe they don’t?) but avoiding loud, raucous music is a must. Think more Norah Jones than Sabbath!
Open windows also create too much noise and can encourage bugs and pests to frustrate your cat's environment. Strong scented air fresheners can also be annoying to cats.
There are many calming cat products like sprays that encourage relaxation, whilst the ultimate calming tool is your own voice. That familiar sounding tone and cheery voice can be reassuring - if you’re calm and collected, it’s likely that your cat will be too.
Where and when to stop
Taking a journey with your cat needn’t be stressful for either of you, with prior preparation, it can actually be quite enjoyable. If Dick Whittington can take his cat on a journey, then you can too.
Using our journey planner ahead of time can mean you can block out your journey with those all important regular breaks every two hours.
Our relaxed environments are not only great for that relaxing cup of Costa Coffee or McFlurry treat, they’re also great to keep your cat calm for the journey ahead.
Don’t worry if you’ve forgotten the essentials either, every site has a 24/7 WHSmith whilst eight sites have Roadchef & Co-op stores.
Ultimately, security, safety, hydration and a calming environment are the name of the game for a smooth, successful journey for you and your cat.
Need pet travel essentials? Visit your nearest Roadchef for all your cat-friendly travel needs.