Travel Train Your Cat

Contrary to some beliefs, it is possible to train a cat to ride stress-free in your car. You can even teach your kitty to 'do his business' at rest stops along the way. All it takes to travel train your furry friend is a little patience and a lot of love.

Steps

Accustoming Your Cat to a Halter and Leash

  1. Get a halter that is specifically designed for cats. Allow your cat to sniff it thoroughly, then place it on him. It should fit snugly, but not painfully tight. Let him wear it until he forgets that it's there. Do this daily for a week. Reward with treats and praise each time.
  2. Snap a lightweight leash onto the halter. Supervise him while it's attached—he could get caught on something. Let him drag it around the house until he forgets about it. Do this daily for at least 2-3 days. Again, reward your cat with treats and praise each time.
  3. Take hold of the leash. If he shows no reaction, tug it gently and call your cat. Do this a few times a day, for 5-10 minutes at a time, for a week. Reward with treats and praise each time.
  4. Take your cat outside on the leash. Continue the previous exercise, but outside, for a week; reward each time.
  5. Start taking your cat for short walks, praising him profusely. Let him wander where he wants to. If he goes to the bathroom outside, praise him and give him treats.

Training Your Cat for Travel

  1. Place your cat in the car without turning on the engine. Get in the car with your cat and allow him to explore it thoroughly. Remember not to turn on the engine. Do this for at least two consecutive days — longer if he's uncomfortable.
  2. Place your cat in the car and turn on the engine. Let him get used to it. Repeat this step daily until he is fine with it.
  3. Place your cat in a carrier in the car while the engine is running. Repeat this step daily until he's fine with it. If your cat is used to carriers, this might not take any time at all. Be sure there's a towel or cloth in the carrier so he has something to grab a hold of with his claws. This will reassure him.
  4. Take your cat on short trips around the block. Limit your trips to approximately 5 minutes or so. Don't do this more than twice a day. The first time or two, he might be scared and vocal — most cats dislike the vibration of a moving vehicle. Try to stick to smooth roads in the beginning. Repeat this step until he is quiet and not afraid to be in the moving car. This is the most important step! Give him lots of praise and treats after the ride, so that he looks forward to it.
  5. Expand your daily trips. Do this until he is accustomed to being in the car for long periods of time. Take him to a park, put him on his leash and halter, and let him out of the car to sniff around and drink some water. If he goes to the bathroom at the park, reward him profusely. Repeat this step for a while and your cat will love going for rides with you!

Tips

  • It is much easier if you can start to train your cat when he is still young.
  • Make sure that your harness and leash are right for your cat. If it isn't, it will add to his/her stress while traveling.
  • Always praise your cat and give him his favorite treat every time he does well. If he does not do well, remember that he is frightened; don't punish him, but speak calmly and soothingly to him and pet him reassuringly.
  • Once trained, you can take your cat with you on vacations comfortably, and moving will be much smoother as well. Be sure the cat is micro-chipped, though, just in case he runs away!
  • Try not to rush things. Some cats will take to this quickly, while others will take a very long time to lose their fear.
  • When you take your cat in the car, first let your cat walk around the car and sniff everything. Just be careful not to let your cat get under the car seats.
  • Plan your route with a map and find pet friendly hotels along the way and put a seat belt on the caring case.
  • It is better to train a cat as a kitten. Older cats can be set in their ways!

Warnings

  • A frightened cat can pull out of a cat harness by wrenching his head out of the opening. Never tug the harness forward when walking in front of the cat, or he'll slip out of it easily.
  • Some cats get carsick. Don't feed your cat or give him treats until the ride is over. Water is fine. If you're taking a long trip, try not to feed him during the trip (he won't starve in a day), or feed him at the beginning of a nice long stop, perhaps when stopping for a meal yourself.
  • Strap the cat carrier in place with the seat belt. If you stop suddenly and it slides off the seat, your cat will be terrified and may regain his fear of cars.

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