Keeping your cat safe in your car requires a little thought. But whether you’re taking your cat on an adventure or just going to the vet, it’s worth the effort to make sure your cat is comfortable and safe.
Why should dogs have fun? Cats also make great travel companions. However, with fewer people traveling with their cats, there is very little information about keeping them safe in the car.
We hope some of the things we’ve learned will make things easier for you and your cat.
In-vehicle safety restraints
The first question that must be answered before traveling together is how to safely restrain your cat while traveling. It’s not wise (or fun) to have a cat jump on your lap while you’re driving down the highway at 70 mph.
There are three main options for keeping your cat in your car. Whichever you choose, get your cat well acclimatized before you set off on your trip.
It takes a lot of patience to train your cat to enjoy (or tolerate) car trips, so it’s important to give them plenty of time. But starting training early doesn’t just benefit cats. In fact, if your cat doesn’t like your choices for keeping them safe, you may need to start over with other options.
cat carrier
Does your cat like small and cozy places? Then the safest way to travel for them is probably in a cat carrier.
Carriers give cats their own personal space, protect them from impact if they are involved in an accident, and most importantly prevent escapes.
Carriers come in soft and hard options. A hard-sided carrier provides protection due to its rigid body. However, soft-sided carriers are easier to get in and out of your car and may even have built-in seat belt straps.
Luckily, Pet Safety Center crash tests and certifies both soft and hard carriers. So you have all the information you need to make an informed decision.
read more ⇒ Crash-tested crates and carriers to keep your pet safe
travel harness
Some cats love their carriers in the house. But when you put them in a moving vehicle, they wail. If this applies to your cat, consider trying out a seat belt harness. It keeps your cat safe and protects everyone’s sanity.
Many harnesses are designed for dogs. Therefore, you may want to try several until you find one that works for your cat. The safest harness distributes your cat’s weight across its chest. Sherpa crash tested safety harness (Amazon). A full-chest harness prevents suffocation in the event of a sudden stop or accident.
The harness snaps into the seatbelt receptacle and is used with a tether that clips onto the harness D-ring. This allows your cat to move around a bit so they can reach for their water bowl, look out the window, or lie down on long trips.
Much like a carrier, it takes a lot of advanced training to get your cat to like the harness before it even steps into your car.
read more ⇒ The best crash-tested dog harnesses for cars
Crash-tested crate
If your cat likes privacy but needs more space, consider a crate for small or medium-sized dogs. It’s a little less convenient than a carrier because carrying a cat in a crate to your car can be a hassle. However, you may be able to keep your kitty happy by placing it in the back seat or luggage compartment of your car.
Yet another advantage is that the dog crate has plenty of room for a water bowl.may also fit disposable cat litter (Amazon) It’s inside!
It is not safe to choose not to bind
There are other ways to protect your cat in your car, but one thing you should never do is leave your cat unattended. Cats can get into dangerous places in your car, such as under your feet while you’re driving, or get into distracting positions. It’s also possible that you’ll eat things you shouldn’t, or get stuck in places you wouldn’t expect. Not to mention, an unsecured cat could easily jump out and disappear when the car door opens.
Even if your cat is restrained, it’s best to be careful when opening your car door. Keep the cat carrier door closed unless the cat is in a safe enclosed area.
If your cat wears a seatbelt harness, make sure the leash is attached to the harness and hold it firmly before you unbuckle your cat. Also, putting an ID tag with your name and cell phone number on your cat’s harness will help your cat find a way home in the unlikely event of an emergency.
As an added precaution, consider microchipping your cat. And keep your contact information up to date.
read more ⇒ Keep your pet from getting lost while traveling
Soothing products for grumpy cats in the car
It’s only natural that you want to do everything possible to make your cat feel comfortable in the car. That could also include products that help keep you cool while traveling.
If you’ve done all the training and your cat still feels anxious in the car, you may want to consider a calming product. There are many different options in store. Unfortunately, while these products work for some cats, they don’t work for others. Therefore, you should test them to see which one works best for your cat.
Some cat owners love calming pheromone products such as: ferriway (Amazon). There are also CBD and calming products containing hemp oil that are becoming increasingly popular. And, of course, Actinidia puts some cats in a state of bliss. Others will be more energized and active…perhaps not the result you expect at the start of your road trip.
some pets are thunder shirt (Amazon), you can also relax.
One option is to ask your veterinarian what they recommend. They can know which over-the-counter drugs work for their patients. Also, if your anxiety is extremely strong, your doctor may suggest prescription and situational medications.
Travel safely with your cat
Ready to take your kitty on the road? We hope this information on keeping your cat safe in your car will give you two a great time exploring.
please visit Amazon store Learn more about the products we use to make traveling with pets easier, safer and more enjoyable!
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