Do you have a trip planned for soon? You will be pleased to learn that traveling with your cat is not only a possibility but also a wonderful bonding moment. You will not need a cat caregiver, and your cat will not be missing you as it shall be with you all along the trip. However, as with any excursion, it is critical to plan.
There are several details to consider when traveling with cats: How can I keep my kitten’s toilet breaks to a minimum? How can I be confident that my cat is at ease in that tiny pet carrier? Nonetheless, among the most crucial topics to consider is when and how to serve your cat when traveling. Here are some suggestions to have the friendliest, safest, and most enjoyable trip with your cat.
- When Travelling by Road
This transportation mode can be less distressing when traveling with cats because you can choose stops as needed. Mentioned below are some feeding tips for when you are traveling with your cat by road:
- Avoid Feeding in a Moving Vehicle
Try not to feed your pet while driving. If you provide the cat while taking breaks from the road, it is less likely to get sick. Take your cat around for a walk in the resting area or the public parking lot when you halt. Burning some calories before meals will keep the feline’s metabolism going, resulting in a happy and peaceful cat.
- Refrain Feeding the Cat several hours before the Trip
If you are not clear about whether your cat is susceptible to travel sickness, avoid feeding it for a few hours before the trip. Carry food and water bowls with you so you can provide the cat while taking a rest if it gets hungry.
Ensure that you have sufficient quantities of your cat’s regular diet to keep you going through the trip. This shall help avoid gastrointestinal issues in the cat. Changing your kitten’s food all of a sudden can cause stomach problems.
- Do not Feed Human Food to your Cat
Even if you sneaked a morsel of the human diet to your cat at home, do not give it any while traveling. Although it is enticing to offer your cat some yummy human foods, such as a piece of hamburger or a french fry, our meals, particularly oily fast food, can cause significant stomach discomfort in your cat.
- Take Care of your Cat’s Hydration
During long trips, always keep bottled water, especially if you plan on crossing states or borders. Consuming water from unknown and new regions can cause intestinal trouble and GIT discomfort in your pet.
Feeding wet cat food is another very reliable approach to monitoring your feline’s hydration during long trips. Wet cat food is not just tasty for your cat, but it also has nutritive and medicinal advantages. Follow this guide to learn more on the benefits of wet cat food.
Wet cat food, as opposed to dry food, will provide supplementary fluids, which is particularly necessary if your kitty will be accompanying you on your journey. This way you will not be worrying about your kitten staying dehydrated or drinking water from unfamiliar sources.
- When Travelling by Air
Flying with a cat can be a reasonably feasible alternative if your cat is tiny enough to fit underneath the seat along with the carrier. However, it is recommended that you contact the airline before flying to ensure you are informed of the carrier’s pet policies.
You would not want to go around assuming that you could bring your cat to the plane to find out later that you were not supposed to. With that said, let’s now look at some feeding tips for your cat when you are taking it to travel with you by air:
- Avoid serving them a few hours before the Flight
It is suggested to avoid feeding the cat 4-6 hours preceding your flight. This will reduce your cat’s need to use the restroom while flying. As mentioned earlier, some cats can get travel sickness, so it is better to keep their stomach empty prior to and during the flight. This way, they will not suffer from nausea and vomiting.
- Freeze the Water in a Container
Before you leave, put a small bowl of water in the freezer for your cat. While going through security check and boarding, the fluid will be frozen and not spilled. It will be consumable once you are both settled down on the plane, and your cat becomes thirsty.
Wrapping Up
We typically believe cats to be “place-oriented” creatures that prefer staying in their comfort zones rather than venturing outside. On the contrary, if we take a moment to create a pleasant journey for them, cats could be extremely energetic travel buddies. However, it is critical to consider a few essential practical considerations to allow a trip as pleasant and uncomplicated as possible.
