As much as you’d like to tour the world with your feline buddies, cats aren’t the best choice for travel companions. Your dogs may joyfully climb into your car for a peaceful ride, but your cats will rather sink their claws into you and meow and wrestle with you the entire time. If you’re traveling with a kitten, it’s even more likely.
Even with this in mind, travelling with your beloved kitten is achievable if you come prepared. So, before you fly or go on a road trip, make sure you have the finest shopping list for cat requirements on hand and spend some time putting all the stuff your kitten will need.
Here are six items you must have when travelling with a kitten.
Carrier for cats
A cat carrier was the first thing you needed. Allowing your kitten to roam freely during your travels is never a smart idea because it could bounce around, get under your feet or the gas pedal, or, worse, jump out of the running vehicle. Keep in mind that cats and kittens can become restless and agitated when introduced to new environments. You can put your cat in a car carrier to keep it safe for the entire journey. You might also provide some blankets that smell like you or your home to help them feel at ease.
Choose a cat carrier with openings on 2-3 sides and leak-proof materials for adequate ventilation throughout the travel. It’s also good to put a notice on their bearer that says ‘Live Animal’ so that strangers and cargo personnel know there’s an animal inside. If you’ve never taken your kitten in a cat carrier before, you can practice by putting it inside and carrying it on short journeys. Examine how your kitten reacts to being confined in a cat carrier, and repeat until your feline pal is comfortable.
Water And Food
If you’re considering feeding your cat food from the hotel or wherever you’re going, you should realize that this is not good. Changing your kitten’s nutrition at random during your vacation could result in intestinal issues and unwelcome poop all over the place. The best choice is to bring cat food from home rather than relying on hotel food or scouring a new supermarket for cat food. Maintain a consistent feeding schedule for your kitten as much as feasible.
Keeping your kitty hydrated while travelling is also essential. If you’re travelling to a tropical or warmer area, you may need to drink even more water. While obtaining your cat’s water from a new location is acceptable, allowing them to drink water from a different city or nation may be unsettling for their stomach. Take a couple of bottles of water from home, and rehydrate them frequently.
Litter Container
Your kitten’s basic needs include having a potty room. Remember that cats are not like people who can go to the bathroom whenever they want. As a result, you’ll offer your kitten their bathroom, which they may use whenever they need to pee or poop. You may create a cat litter box out of little disposable cardboard. Furthermore, it’s excellent for stopping along the trip for your kitten’s toilet breaks.
Don’t forget to bring some plastic bags and a little scoop for collecting and discarding their small gifts. To eliminate the odour from their litter, sprinkle some natural air fresheners.
Treats And Toys
Bring along some cat toys to keep your pet entertained during the journey. Keep in mind that they may not like the sun or the soft hotel bedsheets as much as you do. So bring along some of their favourite toys to remind them of home. You can also give your nice cat goodies for being a patient companion and accompanying you on this journey (especially if they were first reluctant).
First-Aid Kit for Cats
Remember to include a first-aid kit for your cat if they become ill or wounded while on the trip. Include the following items in your first-aid kit:
- Thermometer (digital)
- Gauze
- Eyedropper
- Tweezers and scissors
- Cotton swabs
- Adhesive-backed non-stick bandages
- Wipes for eyes
- Solution for ear cleansing
Pack the travel-sized versions of these products to take them with you everywhere you go.
Medical and identification certificates
Make sure your kitten is wearing an ID collar with your name, phone number, and address before you leave. If your cat gets lost or runs away during your trip, microchipping and putting a GPS on your cat will be useful.
It’s also good to take your kitten to the veterinarian a few days before your trip. It assures that your pet is healthy and fit to accompany you on your journey. Then, if you need to traverse state lines, ask for medical certificates signed by the veterinarian.
Final Thoughts
There you have it! Allow this list to assist you in ensuring that your kitty companion is happy, healthy, and thriving while away.