As a general rule, cats don’t like being in the car, and if you can avoid taking them on trips, you should. However, if there is no other choice, here are some steps you can take to make the trip as painless as possible.

Always travel with your cat in a crate. A loose cat can decide to crawl around the brake pedal, or get tossed about the car in an accident, or jump out when you open the door. Get your cat accustomed to the crate before your trip. Give it treats in the crate, let it sleep in the crate, and ideally, take it for some test rides in the crate.


The crate should be large enough for the cat to stand up, turn around and stretch. It should have a comfortable bed, preferably one that smells like home. You can put a water dish in the crate, but keep it small in case it spills. Feed the cat a light meal a few hours before the trip begins. Bring a litter box and take frequent stops to use that box, and perhaps snack a little.

Make sure your cat is wearing a collar (breakaway, of course) with tags giving your home contact information, your cellular number if you have one, and your destination contact information. You should also bring your cat’s health and vaccination records, especially if you are going to cross a state line.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, never leave your cat in a closed car. Cars can get hot very quickly, and cats are very sensitive to heat. Always err on the side of caution.