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Taking Cats In The Car: Whisker Me Away

Cats notoriously hate going in the car. Being in a cage, the sights, the sounds, the smells – the stress can be too much.

As your veterinary team, we’ve put together a guide to ensure your feline friend has a safe, comfortable, and stress-free journey.

Whether it’s a quick ride to the vet or a long-distance trip for a holiday, this guide covers it all.

Planning To Travel With Your Cat

Health

Ensure your cat’s vaccinations are up to date and that you have addressed any existing health concerns.

Medical Records

Have a physical or digital copy of their important medical records and vaccination certificate, in case they need to see a vet along the way or go into a boarding facility in an emergency.

Emergency Plan

Always look up the location and contact information for the nearest 24-hour veterinary clinic at your destination before you need it.

Select The Right Cage

Use a cage that is sturdy and strong, with a secure door to prevent escapes. It must be large enough for your cat to turn around and ensure it has slats for proper ventilation. Plastic carriers are often the easiest to clean.

Inside the carrier, line the bottom with an absorbent layer, such as a puppy pad, and add comfort with a towel, blanket, or bathmat.

Finally, cover the cage with a blanket or cage cover to create a feeling of privacy and safety during the trip.

A pet carrier with a metal door is sitting on a wooden deck railing. It is mostly covered by a white fabric cover with a pattern of cartoon cat faces.

Get Cat Used To The Cage

Step one is for them not to associate the cage with “bad things”. Often, owners keep the cages away and out of sight, only bringing them out when it’s time to go. This makes the cat fear the cage itself.

Cats love finding nooks to hide in, so use that to your advantage by making the cage a sanctuary where they hang out whenever they want.*

Keep it in a quiet area, cover the cage with a blanket, and put nice bedding in there. Products like Feliway can help them feel safe and calm in the cage. Encourage and reward them for going in there with treats. Never force them in there or lock them in.

Having a cage that is a positive and familiar environment can make car rides more comfortable for them.

*Please note that this will probably not work if they have a fear of an existing cage. Providing an alternative cage is recommended to try desensitisation.

A close-up of a ginger and white tabby cat looking directly out of a hard-plastic pet carrier. A brown towel is partially draped over the front opening, and the cat is sitting on soft pink and cream bedding inside.

Identification

No matter how careful you are, pets can sometimes get spooked in new environments. A reliable ID is crucial to make sure your pet can be reunited.

Collar Tag

Ensure your cat is wearing a collar with an ID tag that includes your current mobile phone number.

Microchip Details

Make certain your cat’s microchip is registered in a national database and that all contact information associated with it is up to date.

GPS Tracker

Consider a pet tracking device, which can add an extra layer of security if your pet goes missing.

Pack The Essentials

Medication

Make sure you have more than enough of your cat’s medication for the whole holiday. Pack extra just in case your trip home is delayed.

Food

Pack their favourite food plus some treats. If cats are stressed, it may reduce their appetite, so encouraging them to eat with delicious treats can help. Treats like Feliway Happy Snacks are a creamy treat that are easy to give on-the-go, super tasty and also help promote relaxation with a natural milk protein.

Food & Water Bowls

Collapsible food and water bowls are handy for when you’re travelling to save space and easy carrying when out and about on adventures.

Litter Tray

Bring their litter tray and litter for toilet breaks. Travel versions are also available that can be zipped closed when the car is moving and folded up when not in use.

Cleaning Supplies

Carry some bin bags, spare puppy pads and a couple of spare towels. Pet-friendly wipes can also help clean up any accidents or quick messes.

An infographic titled "Cat friendly resources to support TRAVEL" illustrates the features of an ideal hard-plastic cat carrier (in pink and gray), including a removable top, slats for ventilation, a secure door, and absorbent lining. It provides tips on comfort (using familiar bedding and covering with a blanket) and safety (carrying with both hands and securing in a car's footwell). The infographic also lists three methods to avoid: backpack carriers, fabric carriers, and tethered harnesses.

Bring The Comfort

Home Comforts

Pack your cat’s bed, favourite toys, and blanket. The familiar scents will provide comfort.

Keep It Steady

When carrying the carrier, hold it with both hands from the bottom and keep it close to your body. This prevents the carrier from swinging around and banging into things, which startles the cat.

Keep It High

Cats feel safer when they are higher up, so keep the carrier off the ground by placing it on benches, for example. To prevent distress, avoid letting other animals and dogs approach them.
This is the reason we have separate cat and dog waiting rooms and a cat lounge, to keep cats off the floor and away from dogs.

Plan Stops

Schedule frequent stops every 2–3 hours so your cat can relieve itself, stretch its legs in the car, and hydrate.

Calming Aids

Supplements and pheromone sprays can help cats remain calm and adjust to travelling and new environments. These are both over-the-counter products that don’t require a prescription or veterinary consultation:

Zylkene is a capsule containing a natural ingredient derived from casein, a milk protein. This ingredient has clinically proven calming effects that help comfort cats and dogs.

The active component, a bioactive peptide (protein) molecule, supports your pet by sending ‘calming messages’ to the brain via the body’s natural messenger system.

For best results, start administering 1-2 days before the anticipated event and continue for the duration of the challenging situation.

Feliway works by releasing a synthetic copy of the Feline Facial Pheromone, a “happy message” that cats naturally produce when rubbing their cheeks on objects to mark their environment as safe and familiar.

When a cat smells these pheromones, they interpret them as a sign of comfort and reassurance, helping to reduce stress.

Feliway comes in a spray or a plug-in diffuser, but the spray is better for travel. Spray the carrier or area at least 15 minutes before using.

Safety First

Secure Them Safely

For their safety and to prevent driver distraction, always secure your cat in the vehicle. Never drive with a pet on your lap. It’s dangerous, illegal, and can result in a fine worth hundreds of dollars.

Cats should be placed in a travel-safe crate, and the crate must be securely fastened with a seatbelt or in the footwell of the car.

You can learn more about car safety here: RAA

Don’t Leave In Cars:

You should never leave your cat unattended in a parked car, even for “just a minute” or with the windows cracked. Temperatures inside a vehicle can rise dangerously fast without you realising it, making it unsafe for your pet.

A blue and white hard-plastic pet carrier is secured with a seatbelt across the back seat of a car. A black and white cat is visible peering out through the metal grate door.

More Help

If your cat has signs of car stress, such as meowing, vomiting, or toiletting, speak to your vet about a calming medication to help reduce their anxiety

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