The Only Way To Travel With Your Cat Is To Con Him Into It!

by Susan Nelson Hopkins

Well, maybe "con" is too strong... is "pamper" more acceptable? But for those of us who have battled devil-morphed, howling, hissing, let-me-claw-your-eyes-out cat demons... "con" may not be strong enough!

To be fair, there are emotional and physiological reasons for your cat's horrendous responses to traveling... confinement and motion.

Your cat's emotional response to confinement...

From a cat's point of view (and to his point of view, it's the only one worth considering), there's a world of difference between putting him in a carrier that he already knows is a cozy, comfortable den-like enclosure and stuffing him in that...  box thing!

Just look at him... his whole body is at escape-or-die attention. That thing could be a trap! All the beasties from his worst nightmares could be in there! His sixth sense is screaming warning after warning!

Here's the secret... it has to be his idea! You have to "con" him into believing it is... or "pamper" him into it if you prefer.

• Make it unavoidable. With the door open, place the carrier next to his bed or where he naps or plays.
• Make it irresistible. Put a treat just outside the open door. A little later, put a treat just inside the door. Finally, put a treat deep inside the travel carrier.
• Make it gratifying. Praise his every venture inside, petting him and giving more treats.
• Make it fun. Toss some toys inside, or hide a favorite one under a blanket or pillow.

A few days before an overnight trip, perform one more "con".

• Make it comfortable. The interior should be soft and inviting. Put his favorite blanket or pillow inside. Also, his food and water dishes and litter box. The goal is to pamper him into sleeping there.

Your cat's physiological response to motion...

Motion sickness can be more pronounced in animals than humans. And, as in humans, some cats can adjust to motion while some need to be medicated.

The most effective way for your cat to adjust to motion is to "con" him into it... to "pamper" him into it.

• Make it unavoidable. Pick him up dozens of times a day. Start taking a few steps each time you pick him up. Gradually increase the distance, including a few abrupt turns and up and down movement.
• Make it irresistible. Groom him while holding him. This may seem awkward at first, but he will love it.
• Make it gratifying. Give him a tiny treat and praise him lavishly each time you pick him up.
• Make it fun. Play with him... in fact, making turns and awkward movements into a game is a nice subtle "con".
• Make it comfortable. Try holding him with a pillow underneath. Not only is this more comfortable for him, but when you start playing the game of "around and around and up and down we go", he can sink his claws into the pillow instead of you!

It will also be a good idea to adjust him to motion while inside the carrier. Once he becomes accustomed to weird movements while in your arms, put him in his carrier and slowly start carrying him around it in. (This is assuming you've already adjusted him to the carrier.)

However... being carried around in your arms or in the carrier is a world away from traveling in a car.

Adjusting your cat to a car will be the granddaddy of all "cons"!

• Start by just taking him outside in the carrier. Put him on a table or chair next to the car where he can see you, and then walk around for a while. Open and close the car doors. Talk to him, and come back to the carrier every so often and give him a treat.
• The next day, put him inside the car... on a car seat or in the back if you have a van or station wagon. Keep the car door open for awhile, then shut it. Open and shut the door a few times.
• The next day, start the engine a few times.
• The next day move the car a few feet several times.
• Over the next few days, gradually increase the distance until you can drive around the block.
• Your goal is to drive for at least thirty minutes on at least three separate days. (It usually takes thirty minutes for cats to accept constant motion.

Starting out with a kitten is optimum, but a mature cat can still become accustomed to traveling.

Motion sickness is a physiological response to unaccustomed motion. If it cannot be remedied, then you should probably leave him behind. Arrange for a responsible individual whom you trust to house-sit for you, or to come in daily to take care of your cat. As long as your cat accepts this person, then he can stay at home in familiar surroundings.

It may be necessary to board your cat while you are gone. Be sure to visit the kennels first and ask lots of questions. Recommendations from friends are also quite helpful.

If you also need to get your cat used to a leash, check out The Benefits of Walking Your Cat

If it's absolutely necessary to take your cat on the trip, even though he is prone to motion sickness, you may have to sedate him. Check with your vet to make sure this is your only option, and for everything you will need.

I suppose you could say this would be the ultimate "con". Your buddy won't even know he's being "conned"... but he'll enjoy every mellow, pampered moment!

This started as a blog for our family cat, Venus... but she quickly became bored with the whole thing. So now, we're writing it from our point of view... as family cat owners. (Of course, Venus firmly believes that SHE rules the roost... but, don't all cats?)

Everyone in most every family has a million things to do - every day.

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