Ready for a Summer Roadtrip with Your Feline Friend? Here are 6 Things to Consider Before Hitting the Highway!
Take your cat on frequent car rides prior to a big roadtrip.
Before hitting the road, it's important to get your cat comfortable with the idea of being in the car. You can do this by taking your cat on short drives around your neighborhood, gradually increasing the length of the drives as your cat becomes more comfortable. Harley and Lola have gone on car rides since they were kittens and enjoy the ride but in different ways.
Lola likes to snooze in her carrier so she arrives at her destination refreshed while Harley prefers to sit on the passenger’s lap so she doesn’t miss anything on the drive.
Fancy a cat co-pilot?
Pick a comfy and secure travel carrier or harness.
A great cat carrier provides a safe and secure space for your cat while in the car, and can also double as a bed for your cat when you reach your destination. If your cat is more active though (or wants to see out the window, like Harley) a secure pet harness might be a better option. It really depends upon how your cat is most comfortable traveling. And a side note, while your kitty might be tempted to ride on the dash it’s very important that (just like humans) they are safe and secure which means they need to be restrained or harnessed in some way.
Harley likes to stay alert on roadtrips
Pack plenty of supplies. Bring extra cat food, a litter box for each cat, and any toys they love from home.
We have a pop-up kitty condo that we love from Our Cat Backpack that we bring on all of our trips. The girls love it and are always happy to see “their” house in each hotel we visit. Also, consider your cat’s habits. Do they only eat from a specific bowl? Will they only drink from a fountain? Cats travel best when they feel safe and secure so make sure you bring any comforts from home that might make them feel more situated while traveling. Mr. Eatdrinkcat and I have found that we prefer a travel litter tray that we can throw away when we leave the hotel. We make sure to bring trash bags and a travel vacuum so we can clean up as we leave. And make sure you tip your housekeeping staff well if staying in a hotel!
Harley enjoys lounging at the Kimpton Rowan in Palm Springs
Plan your route with your cat in mind. If at all possible plan your drive around your cat’s food and bathroom schedule.
When planning your road trip, make sure to consider your cat's needs. This may mean leaving after morning breakfast and bathroom times and planning to be at your destination for the day before their evening routines. I find that my girls do absolutely amazing on trips as long as we leave after 9 AM so that they aren’t rushed in the morning. And we make sure we arrive at our destination by 6PM so that evening routines or playtime, food, and bathroom are not disrupted. Cats do best when they can stick as close to their routine as possible so make sure you plan around their pre-existing schedule as much as possible.
Checking in to the Kimpton in San Diego
Find cat-friendly accommodations.
This can be the toughest step sometimes because “pet-friendly” often does not mean “cat-friendly.” When planning your overnight stops, make sure to find accommodations that are cat-friendly. This can include pet-friendly hotels or Airbnbs that allow cats but be sure to check with any place claiming to be “pet-friendly” to make sure that extends to cats. We personally LOVE Kimpton hotels as they have a very relaxed pet policy and make our kitties feel like welcomed guests.
Mr. Eatdrinkcat naps with Lola at a rental home in Palm Springs
Take your cat's personality into account.
The most important step is to consider your cat’s personality and if they would really enjoy traveling with you on vacation. All cats are different and some love a good adventure while others may be happier at home with a trusted pet sitter. Just because you see influencers taking their cats on trips doesn’t mean that it’s the right thing for your pet.
Having a soak in the tub at Kimpton Rowan in Palm Springs