How to Travel With a Cat by Car: Carriers, Calm and Safety

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 20, 20264 min read

Most cats would rather stay home, but there are many reasons to travel: a move, a trip to the vet, a holiday or a visit to family. With preparation, a car trip can be much less stressful for everyone, and it begins long before the car starts.

Choose the right carrier

A good carrier is sturdy, well ventilated, large enough for the cat to stand and turn, and easy to open from the top and the front. Hard-sided carriers are safest in crashes and easier to clean, and soft-sided carriers can be more comfortable and lightweight. Carriers with a removable top let a nervous cat be examined without being pulled out. Avoid cardboard boxes, which can fail or be chewed through.

Train your cat to love the carrier

Cats that see the carrier only before vet visits learn to hide when it appears. Fix that by making it part of the home.

1. Leave the carrier out all the time, with the door open.
2. Place a soft blanket and an item with your scent inside.
3. Feed meals or toss treats inside.
4. When your cat enters on its own, praise and reward.
5. Close the door for a few seconds at a time, and work up to a minute, then a few minutes.
6. Carry the carrier around the house, then to the car, with treats between steps.

Several weeks is ideal, but even a few days of practice helps.

Secure the carrier in the car

Place the carrier on the floor behind a seat or buckle it onto the back seat with a seat belt, so it cannot slide or tip. Avoid the front passenger seat, where airbags can injure a cat. Cover part of the carrier with a light blanket so the cat feels secure but still has airflow. Never let the cat roam free. A loose cat can get under pedals, run out of an open door and distract the driver.

Prepare your cat and your kit

Visit your vet before a long trip to check health, update vaccinations and ask about motion sickness or anxiety. Never give human medication. Make sure your cat has a microchip registered with your current contact information, and a collar with a tag, because an escape during a rest stop can be disastrous. Carry:

• Food and bottled water, plus portable bowls
• A small litter box and litter
• Waste bags and cleaning supplies, including enzymatic cleaner
• Medications and your vet's contact information
• Vaccination and health records
• A recent photo of your cat
• A favorite blanket or toy
• Paper towels and a spare towel for accidents

The day of the trip

Feed a light meal a few hours before leaving, since a full stomach increases the risk of nausea. Keep the car at a comfortable temperature, and use quiet music or none. Drive smoothly, brake gently and avoid sharp turns. Talk calmly to your cat, and avoid opening the carrier while the car is moving.

Motion sickness and stress

Signs include drooling, repeated vomiting, panting, loud crying and trembling. Cats are less prone to motion sickness than dogs but they do get it. Talk to your vet about medication or calming options before long trips. Pheromone sprays on the carrier blanket help some cats. Do not sedate a cat without veterinary guidance, because sedatives can affect breathing and body temperature.

Rest stops and long journeys

For trips longer than a few hours, stop every two to four hours. Keep the car closed and offer water and a small litter box, then reopen the carrier only inside a closed vehicle. Use a harness and leash only if your cat is trained, and never open a car door with a cat loose. Plan pet-friendly lodging in advance and cat-proof the hotel room, checking for gaps where a cat can hide.

Hot cars are deadly

Never leave a cat in a parked car, even for a few minutes and even with windows cracked. Interior temperatures can climb rapidly on mild days, and heatstroke can kill. Signs include panting, drooling, rapid breathing, weakness and collapse, and they need urgent veterinary attention. See the emergency warning signs guide. In cold weather, avoid leaving a cat in an unheated car as well.

Arriving and settling in

At a new home or hotel, set up a quiet room with a litter box, food, water and a hiding place before opening the carrier. Let the cat come out on its own and explore gradually. Keep windows and doors closed. Provide familiar items, and spend time with your cat. See our indoor cat enrichment ideas for ways to make an unfamiliar space feel safe.

Vet visits

Short trips to the vet are a chance to practice. Reward your cat after each visit, and keep the carrier accessible between trips. If you are traveling and need care on the road, our US vet directory can help you find a clinic, and the guide to cat vet visit costs gives an idea of expenses.