Cat Carrier

• A cat must be kept in a pet carrier while in a moving vehicle. The carrier should be large enough for the cat to stand up and turn around, but not so large that the cat slides around inside it while the carrier is moving. If the cat is traveling without its owner, such as in the cargo area of a plane, it must be kept in a hard carrier to prevent it being accidentally crushed. If the cat is traveling with its owner, it may be kept in a hard or a soft carrier. Both hard and soft carriers are secure and safe – if the cat will be with its owner for the entire cross-country trip, the choice of which to get may be guided by personal preference. Avoid cardboard carriers, however, because they are likely too flimsy to last the journey and they are relatively easy for the cat to escape from. Make sure that the interior of the carrier is easy to clean, because the cat may become sick or relieve itself during the journey.
  
  

Other Travel Equipment

• If there will be an opportunity for the cat to get out of the carrier on the trip, such as during a stop on the road, a cat leash may be useful. Cats should not go more than 12 hours without eating, or else they risk fatty liver disease, so the cat’s owner should also carry dishes for water and food, as well as some of the food the cat is used to eating. Disposable litter pans and a supply of ripped newspaper or litter may be useful if the trip is going to last longer than a day. If your cat is especially anxious or unused to traveling, you may consider feeding it a calming paste or placing a cat- pheromone -scented air freshener in the carrier, both of which are available at pet stores. Speak to your vet if you think the cat may need a stronger sedative.
  
  

Travel Preparation

• To get the cat used to the carrier before the trip, take the cat on walks or on short car rides that end back at home. In order to prepare the carrier before the cross-country trip, put a small toy that smells like home inside and place a towel or pillowcase on the carrier’s floor to provide padding. If the cat will be eating on the journey, adjust the cat’s diet at home to get used to that food – make sure that the cat is willing to eat the food and doesn’t get sick from it. If the airline or rail company requires it, go to the vet to get a health certificate and documentation of the cat’s shots. Attach your address to the carrier and write “Live Animal” on the sides in permanent marker.
  
  

During Travel

• During the trip, the cat may be silent or may meow incessantly or may vacillate between the two – regardless, the cat must stay in the carrier or on the leash. Do not overfeed the cat before or during the trip, or else it is more likely to soil its carrier. If you choose to feed the cat a calming gel or pill, give it to the cat half an hour before the journey. Don’t leave the cat unattended in a crowded place, such as the rail station, rest stop or airport. Don’t allow the cat to roam in an unfamiliar place.