Most dogs love to jump into the car and take off on an occasional road trip or a quick jaunt across town to the grocery store or park. But the family feline will shed a whole new light on the idea of travel. The cross-country fun-filled Wally World family vacation will inevitably spell disaster and become every cat owner’s worse nightmare. Even the short trip to the veterinarian can end up in total chaos.  It’s a simple fact–cats do not enjoy travel.

Pet retailers are in a perfect position to help cat owners make transporting their furry friend from location A to location B a bit easier. High levels of stress, anxiety and frustration for both kitty and owner can be drastically reduced with some prior homework and the right equipment in place to accomplish this sometimes-daunting task. Travel education and tips are crucial for cat owners.  


Travel Safety
A good starting point is reviewing how drastically different cats behave in the car when compared to dogs. A cat will may be uncontrollable in a moving vehicle– scratching, biting and climbing into unwanted areas of the car. Human safety is greatly compromised when a cat is not restrained in a moving automobile. Encourage every cat owner to invest in a carrier or crate and to use it every time they take their cat on a trip.

Some other tips for safe travel include reminding owners never to leave a cat in an enclosed vehicle on a sunny summer day. It seems this is rather obvious, yet it continues to happen, and heat stroke and death are inevitable for the unlucky feline. Cats should also always be up-to-date on their vaccinations when traveling, particularly when stopping at pet friendly hotels.

Much like people, cats can be prone to motion or carsickness. There are several things that can be done about this. First, slowly introduce the cat to travel by first getting it acquainted with its carrier and then by taking it on short trips in the car. Withholding food several hours before the trip can help alleviate an upset stomach. Keeping the car’s interior temperature cool can also help. And lastly, sedatives or calming medications–particularly for long trips–can reduce stress and help control vomiting. Advise customers to consult with their veterinarian before any trip.


Develop a Travel Kit
Safe travel is extremely important, and there are many products a cat owner should be armed with prior to hitting the road. Having the right cat supplies for traveling reduces stress and anxiety, ensures there are no surprises along the way and clears the way for an enjoyable trip. Rather than taking a customer up and down the cat aisle, try to put together travel kits that are easy to grab off the shelf. Endcaps work well for displaying these kits. This approach is helpful during heavy travel seasons and major holidays. Keep in mind that cat owners traveling longer distances will need additional supplies for travel. Try offering both short- and long-distance kits.

Following are items to consider for a kit or endcap display:

- Food and water bowls, along with a bottle of water, are good items to suggest for extended trips–particularly when overnight stays are part of the travel arrangements.

- Food and treats in small containers and reduced-sized packaging.

- A litter box and litter is imperative. Consider a small or disposable box.

- A small scratching post (already broken in by the cat with its own scent) will make it feel more content. 

- Toys should always be part of every cat owner’s arsenal of supplies– even on a trip.

- A leash and a harness are important safety items for feline travel. A harness is good restraint and a leash allows for added control when out of the carrier.

- Cats that are accustomed to daily grooming regimens such as brushing, tooth brushing, ear and eye cleaning etc. should stay on schedule. These cat care supplies should be part of the travel kit.

Feline travel can be very frustrating, but cat owners can be proactive in dealing with a challenging situation. Talk to them about the woes of feline travel. Advanced preparation, setting the groundwork and having the right ammunition can help the next trip go flawlessly.


John Tyson is a freelance writer and photographer who resides in Charlotte, N.C. He has 20 years combined experience in the pet industry as a multi-storeowner, general manager and industry journalist.