Road Trip…With Your Cat!
Move over, Rover! Many felines are also joining their favorite people on car rides around town and across many states.
I know this firsthand. Casey, my confident orange tabby, is always up for new adventures. He has traveled to 16 states to accompany me for pet behavior talks and pet first aid/CPR courses. He is also a certified therapy cat who visits seniors at memory care centers as well as kids in schools and at libraries.
Can I get a Me-WOW?
Our next big adventure is a road trip from Dallas, Texas to Williamsburg, Virginia where we are among the headliners at the second annual Virginia Cat Festival. Last year, Casey charmed attendees by wearing his cowboy hat, riding calmly in a pet stroller, delivering paw high fives, posing for photos plus assisting me in my cat behavior talk and my interactive cat pet first aid presentation.
Safety needs to be your top priority when traveling with your feline friend. Do an honest assessment of your cat – not all wish to hit the road with you and that is okay. But there are plenty of cats like Casey who welcome new sights, sounds, smells and meeting new people.
Let me unleash these must-dos to keep the trip safe and fun:
Verify the hotel will accept cats. Some pet-friendly lodgings may only allow dogs.
Double up on your cat’s medical records. Bring a printed copy and upload a copy on your phone.
Pack plenty of disposable litter boxes and litter with a scooper and a small whisk broom.
Stick to your cat’s usual food and serve bottled water to your cat to reduce the risk of digestive issues like vomiting or diarrhea. Yuck!
Secure your cat in a spacious pet carrier in the car in the back seat or the floor of the back seat. Cats allowed to freely roam in a moving vehicle can slide under your gas pedal or slip out a door quickly.
Fit your cat in a harness with an ID tag on the D ring and never on a breakaway collar. Casey also wears his harness attached while riding inside a pet stroller at events.
Treat your cat to a comfy familiar towel or blanket for the car ride.
Casey and I wish you a meowvalous time with your cat on your next adventure!
Final tip: Be the best health ally for your cat and your dog by enrolling in one of our Pet First Aid 4U classes. We are the only pet safety company to offer three ways for you to learn and earn veterinarian-approved two-year certificates in pet first aid/CPR. Your options:
In-person classes primarily aimed at pet professionals.
Interactive via ZOOM classes are offered once a month and on demand.
Self-paced online for those who prefer to learn anytime, anywhere on their own schedule.
Pick your option and sign up today!
About the Author:
Arden Moore, founder of Pet First Aid 4 U, is a Master Pet First Aid/CPR Instructor who teaches veterinarian-approved, hands-on safety courses alongside her teaching team of Kona (dog) and Casey (cat). Known as “The Pet First Aid & Safety Coach,” Arden is also a nationally recognized behavior consultant, bestselling author of over 25 pet books, and the award-winning host of the “Oh Behave!” podcast. A Fear Free Certified Professional, she brings decades of pet expertise to all her endeavors — with a mission to help pets live safer, longer and healthier lives.
