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Whether you're leaving on a jet plane or hitting the road, here's how to make traveling with or without your favorite feline a breeze!
Whether it's a simple day trip or an elaborate weeklong sojourn, inquiring cat owners want to know: Should she stay or should she go? "Leaving our cat, Chloe, behind became such a stressor that, at one point, I thought it was easier just to stay home and forget it," says Sandra Montgomery of Urbandale, Iowa. "Our cat would be depressed and have nervous diarrhea for days following our return," Montgomery says. "That's when we decided to try some other options besides boarding."
According to Montgomery, heading to a vacation spot where their cat could come along proved much more relaxing for all. When that wasn't possible, they found that a good house-sitter worked wonders! So don't fret. No matter which way you go, you can ensure that kitty has just as much fun as you do�whether staying home or packing up.
Air Care for Your Cat
Air travel can be rough on cats if they fly as cargo. It's best to find an airline that allows small pets in the cabin. That worked well for Clea Simon, the Boston-based author of The Feline Mystique: On the Mysterious Connection Between Women and Cats (St. Martin's Press, $22.95), who used to travel often with her cat. "I took Cyrus in an under-the-seat carrier," she says, "and he was great. He'd go right to sleep."
Another option when going by plane is trying Companion Air (www.companionair.com), a new airline that offers specialized transport for both pets and their owners. But whatever airline you choose, check their health regulations and requirements (including limits on carrier sizes) at least several weeks before your departure.
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Going Far by Car?
"With some think-ahead planning and a few tips for travel, you and your cat can enjoy that long-awaited vacation," says Suzanne Hetts, Ph.D., Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist. Visit her web site by clicking here.
"For most cats, car travel may be connected with destinations where the cat has been frightened," Hetts says. To overcome negative associations, she says, "take your cat for short car rides, and include treats or a favorite toy in the carrier."
Sedation is not recommended for airline travel but can be helpful for long car rides. "Certainly medication can be an option," says Hetts, "but it needs to be looked at individually."
Whether to sedate your cat depends on many factors, including age and past experience. Consult your veterinarian if you think sedation might be required.
To minimize travel upsets, take her bed, toys, litter box and feeding dishes to help calm her in unfamiliar surroundings. Also, research animal hospitals in the area where you'll be staying in case of a health emergency. Always be sure to identify your cat, whether it's with a collar and tag or a microchip.
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At-Home Care Options
If you decide your pet would be better off at home, here are some care options:
- Boarding Kennel (from $10 � $35 per night). Well-socialized cats will love the stimulation and attention. "For cats that aren't used to being in unfamiliar surroundings," Hetts notes, "a kennel environment can be a little bit stressful."
- Round-the-Clock House-Sitter (about $50 � $75 per day). It's a little on the pricey side, but people-friendly cats will thrive on the 24/7 care in familiar surroundings.
- Daily Pet-Sitter Visits (about $15 � $20 per visit). One or two visits per day are enough for a shy, stranger-phobic kitty, although a more sociable cat might get lonely.
- Provide Crucial Info You'll need to provide information and supplies to keep kitty safe and happy during your absence. Include:
- Contact information for both yourself and your cat's veterinarian
- Specific health instructions, including medication dosages and times
- Food, treats, litter and litter box
- A list of your feline's favorite hiding places (in case she decides to play hide-and-seek!)
- Written verification of vaccinations
Careful preparation will help your travel plans go smoothly, whether kitty goes with you or stays at home.
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Feline-Friendly Spots
Cats and their owners are always welcome here:
RED ROOF INN: All locations allow one small, well-behaved pet per room. 1-800-RED-ROOF
MOTEL 6: Motel 6 offers over 800 pet-friendly motels throughout the United States and Canada. 1-800-4-MOTEL6
LA QUINTA: Approximately 85 to 90 percent of locations accept cats.
1-866-725-1661
HOWARD JOHNSON: More than 170 locations in the United States and Canada accept pets. 1-800-446-4656
HOLIDAY INN: Approximately 65 percent of locations accept cats, although many require a deposit. 1-800-HOLIDAY
CHOICE HOTELS: (Clarion, Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, MainStay Suites, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn): Many locations accept cats, although the pet policy varies by location. 1-877-424-6423
HILTON: (Doubletree, Embassy Suites, Hampton Inn and Suites): Cats are accepted at select locations nationwide. 1-800-774-1500
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