If you are someone who has recently adopted or bought a cat and now you are looking for how to travel with your cat in the car, then you are at the right place as here we will let you know how you can travel with your cat.
Traveling with catty in the car is an adventure no one wants to miss as it is a lot of fun, but anything can go south if your unrestrained cat has diverted your attention from the road to itself.
Traveling with cats in a car long distance while your cat is unrestrained can cause a lot of problems. Its unrestricted movement in the car can affect your pedal operations, steering movement, etc.
And if during the long journey, your cat is hanging its head out of the open window, it can cause a lot of damage as its head can hit passing vehicles or any other object.
According to research conducted by professionals, almost 47% of cat owners consider driving around with an unrestrained cat in the car, not an easy task to do. In addition, approximately 28% of people traveling with an unrestrained cat in their vehicle are waiting for an accident to happen as they don’t consider it something dangerous.
About 26% of people around us push themselves entirely into danger by ignoring all the rules set by the government.
But, on the other hand, you will be shocked to know that only 25% of people follow all the regulations and laws and keep themselves and their cats safe from all the impending danger by taking all the necessary steps as a precaution beforehand.
If you are someone who does not take precautionary measures seriously and still let your cat be unrestrained in the car after knowing all the risk, then you are not only risking your life but also the life of your beloved pet.
Furthermore, an unrestrained pet can jump in your lap during the journey, and it may cause you to distract your attention from the upcoming traffic.
Because of the sudden increase in these types of incidents, many states have made a law and restricted the cat movement in the car. So here in this article, we will let you know how to travel with the cat in the car by keeping everyone safe around you.
Safest Way For cat To Ride in Car For Long-Distance
Traveling long distances with your pet in the back can cause a lot of stress for your pet. So to make it less stressful for your pet, you should pre-plan the journey and take all the necessary measures to make the journey as comfortable as it can be for your pet.
Here are some of the steps which you can follow to make the journey stress-free and completely free from any type of risk.
The seat of the cat must be decided beforehand.
Deciding where your cat crate will go beforehand is very important as planning beforehand will provide you the edge, and you can make the arrangement as per your cat’s needs.
If your cat is used to sitting in the crate comfortably, then you should make sure to provide enough space in the car so that your pet crate can fit easily.
Remember, if you have a cat who can easily be stressed, then the best way is to keep its favorite protective blanket and some toys with it so that your pet can travel stress-free.
If you have anything hazardous or something that may hurt your pet during your trip, then it will be best for you to remove it before your cat crate has been placed in the designated spot.
And Make sure you don’t let your cat crate in the front passenger seat, as in case of an accident, your cat should remain safe in the back seat.
As in the case of an accident, airbags can seriously damage your pet, so it is best for you to keep all these points in your mind before you decide to start traveling with a catty in the car.
Restraining Your cat
If you have a pet who is not up to enjoy the trip in a crate, then the second-best option would be for you to restrain your cat in the back seat of your car. Restraining your pet in the back will fulfill the purpose it can secure your cat from any danger, and your pet can enjoy the trip too while sitting in the back.
There are different types of restraining harnesses you can choose from, but remember, choose the harness that should not be extended on its own as you don’t want your pet to move freely from one seat to another.
Not To Feed Your Pet Before The Trip
You should always be careful what to feed your pet before or while traveling, but mainly you should avoid feeding your pet before the trip. As per some experts, you should make some changes in their feeding routine while you are traveling, and you should not feed your pet before you start your journey.
The reason behind avoiding feeding your pet is that most cats get motion sickness, and it may upset your pet’s stomach, and it may ruin the fun behind your journey. So the most appropriate way is to feed your pet almost 3 hours before you start your journey so that you may get to enjoy your journey to its fullest.
Plan your journey with breaks
Before the start of your journey, you should always plan while keeping your pet and its preferences in your mind so that you can balance both the fun behind your journey and your pet’s preferences.
So the best way is that you should plan your journey in a way that you can take small breaks throughout your whole journey; no matter if your pet is in a crate or restrained in the back seat, your pet needs small breaks to relieve itself from the stress of a long journey.
While taking a break, your pet can walk for a while to burn the energy. Small breaks can make your journey a while longer, but these breaks will keep your pet happy and comfortable throughout the journey.
Look out for the laws before your journey.
If you are planning to travel a long journey throughout the states with your pet in the car, then you should always check the laws of that state as there can be some serious restrictions.
So you should always check the laws of the state from which you are traveling so that you may prepare yourself. In case of any ignorance regarding the laws can cause you to pay a hefty amount of fine.
Conclusion
Here in this article, we have tried to let you know the answer to how to travel with the cat in the car and the dangers and risks of allowing your pet to roam freely in your car while traveling. A cat can divert your attention from the upcoming traffic, and it may cause serious damage.
So to keep you and your pet safe and have fun throughout the journey, you need to put your pet into a crate or restrain your cat with a harness so your cat may not cause any distractions.
While traveling, you should always take preventive measures so that you and your pet can remain safe. You should always make your pet travel in the back seat of your car to make sure it stays safe from any danger.
Do let us know if you have any questions related to the safety of your cat while traveling.