Help! I Want to Travel With My Cats! (Vet Answered)
This question has been answered by a vet
Veterinarian & Animal Behaviorist
With nearly two decades in veterinary medicine, Dr. Paola brings hands-on experience across multiple species. A graduate of the University of Guadalajara, she specializes in preventive care, animal welfare, and positive reinforcement training.
The Question
“Hi Dr. Paola,
We are trying to make it less stressful for our cats, Kraken and Yetti, to travel. We have a vacation home about 5 hours away and need to bring our cats when we go there. We’ve gone twice driving with them. They are in a big crate that has some fluffy things to lie on and a few toys. I also put in a small litter box just in case. Both times, one of them has gotten sick. I cover the crate with a blanket so they can’t see anything. They cry almost all the time. I put on some soft classical music, gave them some treats, and even tried some catnip, and I bought some collars that are supposed to give off some pheromones to calm them down, but they obviously don’t work.
I would just put the collars around the crate because they won’t wear them. So my question is, what else can I do to make traveling with them easier for them? It breaks my heart that they get so wound up. We even play with them before we get them in the crate to try and wear them out, but that doesn’t really work. What are your thoughts and suggestions on this? Thank you in advance, “- Linda
Quick Info about Kraken and Yetti
I feel you, Linda.
Travel can feel overwhelming for many cats because the motion, unfamiliar scents, and loss of control disrupt their sense of safety. It sounds like you are already doing so many thoughtful things for Kraken and Yetti, and their reactions are very common. Cats often experience motion-related nausea along with fear-based stress, much like how some people feel queasy and anxious when riding in a car. Using a secure carrier that feels like a protected den is ideal, although covering it completely sometimes makes the motion more disorienting. Leaving part of the carrier uncovered can give them a visual anchor and may help reduce the nausea that often leads to vomiting during car rides.
Before your next trip, offering a gradual desensitization plan can be very helpful. Short practice sessions where the cats enter the carrier, then sit in the parked car for a few minutes, and eventually take very short drives tend to build predictability and confidence. Synthetic pheromone sprays have better evidence for calming effects when applied inside the carrier about fifteen minutes before loading the cats, rather than using collars placed externally. Many cats travel more comfortably when the carrier is secured so it does not sway, the temperature inside the vehicle is cool, and they have access to familiar bedding that smells like home. Since vomiting is occurring, it would be wise to speak with your veterinarian about nausea control because medications that are available with a prescription.
Good luck!
– Dr. Paola