How to calm a cat down in a car

We often think of cats as “place-oriented” beings who would rather stay in their own space than move out of their comfort zone. In reality, cats can be very lively travel companions if we take the time to create a positive experience for them. However, it is important to think through several important logistical issues in order to make travel as smooth and easy for them (and for us) as possible.

A successful road trip with a cat begins long before the day of travel. The best time to teach a cat to travel easily is when she is still a kitten. However, even for an adult cat, the sequence of learning to travel is essentially the same.

Teach your cat that her carrier is a great everyday place to hang out. Have the carrier open and available at all times in order to make it as inviting as possible. Feeding your cat in her carrier can create a positive association. Practice entry and exit from the carrier to make it as routine a process as possible, as this will be important during travel.

"Teach your cat that her carrier is a great everyday place to hang out."

Once your cat is used to her carrier, place the cat inside, close it up, and walk around the house with her. Be sure to reward her with a treat when she exits. Remember, the carrier needs to be a happy space. Once she is comfortable with an in-house walkabout, move her to the travel vehicle. Simply start it up, run the engine for a bit, then take her back into the house. Once this sequence has occurred a few times, take a quick drive around the block, then back home, into the house, out of her carrier, and a treat for her good behavior!

It is important for your cat to be appropriately restrained during travel. It is safer for here and safer for you!

"Remember, the carrier needs to be a happy space."

For a 2-day drive, confirm that your cat is welcome at the hotel/motel you have chosen for the night. It is not worth sneaking her in!

Are there details I should consider when packing?

Gather together your cat’s medical documents including vaccination certificates, recent lab-work, her rabies vaccination tag, as well as any medications she takes. Take along her regular food. Consider packaging her meals in individual containers for ease of feeding. using her own familiar food and water dishes will contribute to her comfort–be sure they are unbreakable. Also, take along some water from home. Sometimes water in different parts of the country has a different mineral content and may contribute to stomach upset or loose stool.

Take along a small supply of the litter she is used to. You may want to use a plastic dish pan as your travel litter box. Do not forget a litter scoop and some plastic bags for litter disposal both on the way and during your stay with relatives.

"Be sure to have your cat wear identification during travel."

Be sure to have your cat wear identification during travel and consider a microchip for permanent ID if she does not already have one. She should wear a well-fitted harness from which she cannot escape. Also, consider making a temporary ID tag with the address and phone number of the folks at your final destination - just in case!

What else will help my cat be comfortable on this trip?

On the day of travel, withhold breakfast from your cat. Traveling on an empty stomach minimizes the risk of nausea and vomiting. Feed a small meal when you arrive at your evening destination.

Offer water at any rest stops you make during the drive. Line the carrier with an absorbent “puppy potty pad” in case your cat needs to urinate or defecate during travel. Carry extra pads as well as a couple of zip-lock food bags, some paper towels, and a few disposable gloves for any necessary cleanup and containment of a mess.

"On the day of travel, withhold breakfast from your cat."

If you have the space for a large dog kennel for travel, you can place a small litter pan right in the carrier with the cat for bathroom use during travel. It is always safest to have your cat confined during driving. The only limits to her accommodation are the space in the vehicle and your imagination.

Should I ask my veterinarian for a cat sedative for travel?

Most of the time, cats travel quite well with no need for any medication. Some cats, on the other hand, do experience stress when traveling. Consult your veterinarian to create the best travel plan for your cat if she does not travel well. Strategies to de-stress cat road trips include:

• A Thundershirt® which swaddles the cat much like swaddling an infant and can reduce anxiety.
• Feliway® pheromone wipes and spray can be used to prepare the carrier and can help to lower anxiety.
• A pheromone calming collar can contribute to reduce anxiety.
• Medication prescribed by your veterinarian: Buprenorphine (brand names: Buprenex®, Simbadol®), gabapentin (brand name Neurontin®), and alprazolam (brand names Xanax® and Niravam®) are examples of medications that are sometimes used to reduce the anxiety that some cats experience when traveling. Test the medication at home as a “dry run” ahead of your trip in order to know how your cat will react to the medication.

With some advance planning, attention to detail, and consultation with your veterinarian, road-tripping with your cat can be as “smooth as silk”!

Many cats don’t enjoy travelling or going in a car. This is mostly due to the unfamiliar and unpredictable nature of the situation.

The majority of cats seem to be happiest with all four paws safely on steady ground at home, but sometimes there is a good reason for them to travel. 

The best thing you can do to help your cat be calm in the car is to ensure they see their carrier as both a happy and a familiar place.

This guide will help you keep your cat calm so you can take them wherever you need to go without high levels of stress or anxiety. 

1. Use A Good Cat Carrier

First things first, you don’t want your cat to be freely moving around the car while you travel. A carrier is essential for you and your cat’s safety.

If used correctly, the carrier also acts as a calming tool.

The carrier should be large enough for your cat to comfortably be able to stand up and turn around but it should not be too spacious. 

In order for the carrier to have a positive impact, your cat needs to be familiar with it.

It should be a carrier they have explored in their own time and they should associate it with being a safe place. 

Avoid Only Getting The Carrier Out On The Day Of A Trip/ Vet Visit

One of the worst mistakes pet owners make is only letting their pets see and experience the carrier when they need to go to the vets etc.

This causes pets to become immediately stressed when they see the carrier appear from storage.

Avoid this by letting your cat spend time in the carrier on their own accord and give them treats whenever they do.

This helps to build a positive association between your cat and their carrier. 

Let Your Cat Familiarise Themselves With Their Carrier

If the carrier is brand new or your cat has simply not had a chance to familiarise themselves with it, make sure you do this in the days/ weeks before the planned car journey. 

Simply place the open carrier in a centralised location of the house, place some familiar toys or blankets inside and let your cat explore it as and when they feel like it.

Once your cat has become comfortable going into the carrier, close the door for short periods of time so they can get used to this as well. 

Taking the time for this kind of preparation before travelling with your cat ensures your trip is starting on a solid foundation.

It is helping to set you up for success so is a step you definitely should not skip. 

2. Take A Familiar Blanket Or Towel 

Putting a towel or blanket that smells like your cat into the car and carrier can help them feel a lot more comfortable.

This helps to bring the smells of home with you and this will help calm your cat.

Remember, you want the carrier to be comfortable, secure and familiar.

Having it smell like home and your cat will go a long way in settling any nerves your cat has. 

3. Use A Calming Cat Aid 

If your cat gets particularly anxious when in new situations, consider offering herbs such as valerian root to help calm them.

Valerian root will help put your cat into a calm, docile state and may also encourage them to sleep.

This is a great way of encouraging your cat to relax and sleep without giving medication. 

For best results, give the valerian to your cat about 10-15 minutes before you plan to go in the car.

This gives enough time for your cat to start relaxing and will mean they will be feeling extremely chilled out when it’s time to go in the car.

Other options include pheromone sprays and catnip.

If your cat is very stressed and anxious, you can also speak to a vet about anxiety medication for the days you need to transport your cat. 

4. Cover The Carrier With Breathable Fabric 

This tip is dependent on each individual cat.

Some cats may like to be able to see you and see what’s going on while others may become distressed by the constantly changing light and scenery.

If you feel it will help your cat relax, you can place a breathable towel or lightweight blanket over the carrier to reduce how much your cat can see. 

5. Ensure The Car Temperature Is Comfortable 

Before getting into the car, make sure it is not too hot or too cold.

Be mindful of the temperature and the weather so you can make the relevant adjustments to the car temperature before putting your cat in the car.

The ideal car temperature for a cat is between 23-30°C (75-85°F).

Don’t leave your cat in the car alone and keep an eye on them as if they start panting this could be a sign they are overheating or could mean they are anxious. 

6. Go On Short Journeys First 

Slowly introducing your cat to being in the car is the best approach.

Driving to the vets on the first time your cat goes in the car is going to increase stress and cause negative association. 

Instead, the first couple of times in the car just go for a short drive around the block so your cat can get used to the sensation.

Always reward your cat with treats after a car journey so they begin to associate it with positive experiences. 

On The Day Of The Journey

Below are a couple of extra tips to keep in mind on the day of the car ride.  

Give Your Cat Lots Of Attention In The Hours Before The Car Ride

Playing with your cat and giving them lots of snuggles before you go in the car will help your cat feel good and will also help tire them out for later.

This extra love will help the car ride go more smoothly. 

Don’t Feed Your Cat Before The Journey 

If your cat has just eaten they are more likely to experience motion sickness.

Travelling on an empty stomach will reduce nausea so keep their meals light to help them have a comfortable travel experience. 

During The Journey 

When you have followed all the above advice and you’re now in the car with your cat safely in their carrier, you may be wondering if there is anything else you can do during the drive to help your cat relax.

Below are some top tips for the journey: 

Talk To Your Cat 

Being in the car and experiencing a lot of unfamiliarities can make a cat feel unsure and nervous but if they can hear your voice it will help relax them.

Calmly talk to your cat throughout the journey so they know that you are there. 

You can also position the carrier so your cat is able to see you too. Whenever you stop, you can give your cat additional reassurance by stroking them through the carrier.

Play Calming Music 

Some cat owners say that playing classical music helps to keep their cat calm during journeys. Different cats will have different reactions to this but it is certainly worth a try. 

Calming music can help cover the noise of the engine and your cat might like it. Equally, your cat might prefer it to be quiet so just see how they respond. 

Don’t Rush 

Make sure you give yourself enough time. Feeling rushed will make you feel stressed and your cat will pick up on this. It’s best to get everything else sorted before moving your cat into the car.

Drive Carefully 

Your cat will be sensitive to the movement so drive carefully to make the journey as pleasant as possible.

The carrier should be secured in place to prevent it from sliding around the car. Avoid bumps in the road and try not to turn corners sharply or quickly when travelling with your cat. 

Signs Of Stress During The Car Journey 

Being in a car may cause your cat to feel stressed. Signs of stress in cats may include: 

• Excessive vocalisation 
• Panting
• Lethargy 
• Agitation
• Excessive licking
• Aggression

Your cat may also experience motion sickness, symptoms of this can include:

• Drooling 
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea 

The Best Way To Move The Carrier

When you pick up the cat carrier, it’s much more comfortable for your cat if you support the bottom of the carrier and hold one side against your chest.

When you hold it by the handle it feels unsteady for your cat. 

Why Don’t Cats Like Travelling In The Car? 

Cat’s love routines and being in familiar places.

Going in the car disrupts both of these and also involves them being taken out of their territory.

They can find new places stressful too so all of this together results in most cats not enjoying travel. 

Cats also remember their past experiences quite clearly so if they’ve been in the car for a vet visit they probably remember it and think that’s what is going to happen each time they get in the car. 

Also Read: How To Calm A Cat

In Summary

As you can see, a lot of the above advice is geared towards making the car and carrier a safe and familiar environment for your cat.

Some of the steps are going to take some trial and error but as long as you are patient with your cat, reward them and don’t rush the process you will find car journeys to be much less stressful.

As an Amazon Associate I may earn a small fee from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. This helps us run the site, so thanks for your support!