Pet Travel: Why Travel with a Cat?
“Is traveling with a cat a good idea?”
”Can you take a cat on a road trip?
”Can cats travel on a plane?”
”Won’t cats get stressed if they travel?”
”How do you travel with a cat?”
”Wouldn’t your cat rather be comfortable at home than visit unfamiliar places?”
These are just some of the many questions that we’ve received over the years when we tell people that we like to bring our cats on vacations and road trips. We don’t mind these questions because ultimately it shows that people care for animals and are looking out for their best interests. It’s also certainly true that some cats would prefer to stay home rather than road tripping through the US or visiting Europe, but we’ve found that both Reinhardt and Perseus prefer to join in on the adventure and tend to do poorly if left behind for too long.
If you’re wondering about pet travel, here are some things to consider:
Benefits to Travelling with a Pet
You spend less time worrying about whether your pet is happy at home
Provides your pet with enrichment and exercise
Increases the bond between you and your pet
You create unforgettable memories together
Pets with separation anxiety won’t have to suffer because you are missing
The trip photos become 10x cuter with a pet
No need to pay for a pet sitter or worry about finding a trustworthy petsitter
You can maintain everyday routines (ex. training, providing meds, brushing teeth)
If travelling solo, you feel less alone
Potential Issues with Travelling with a Pet
Long distance travel can be stressful if a pet is not properly prepared
Requires significantly more preparation and planning
Reduces what you can do on the trip and limits your access to some locations
Your choices for accommodations or rentals become limited
Makes spontaneous ideas more difficult to pursue
You will need to pay many extra pet fees
Emergency services are often not as readily accessible in a foreign place
Remember that travel with your cat can take many forms, whether its a weekend staycation, a week of road tripping, or a month-long trip overseas, and every pet will take to travel differently. You should also consider how much experience your cat has when it comes to travel; if your cat has never been in a car or left the house, they may find travel to be too stressful which can lead to health problems. Cute photos and videos of your cat are always lovely to have, but they certainly aren’t worth taking at the expense of your cat’s health and happiness!
