Traveling With Your Cat

Cats get very attached to their surroundings. Add the fact that most car trips result in humiliating (and sometimes painful) sessions at the vet, complete with pokes, prods and injections, and it's no wonder your cat disappears at the sound of his carrier being brought out. 
While many dogs like nothing better than to accompany their masters on car outings, travel with a cat can be difficult. Even if your cat is a decided homebody, there are ways you can help him cope a little better.

Cats tolerate carriers and the travel implied by them much more easily if they have been acclimatized at a young age. 
If you take your cat for frequent short drives to the store, to visit friends or even just for the occasional spin around the block, then he won't be as likely to associate travel with unpleasantness, such as those traumatic visits to the vet.
 If your cat is trained to a harness and leash, take him on car rides to check out nature a bit farther away than your backyard. 
When your cat becomes accustomed to these trips, you can begin to try longer ones.

If you will be away quite awhile and feel the stress of traveling can be offset by the pleasure of you and your cat being together, you may consider taking your cat along. 
Or, perhaps you've taken your cat on progressively longer rides and feel he can cope with an extended trip.
 If you are leaving the country, call the animal authorities in the jurisdiction to which you are traveling to find out about special vaccination requirements, what documents you will need and any other regulations concerning animals. International traveling papers can take time to process, so apply for them well in advance.
 If quarantine is required, forget about taking the cat; the stress isn't worth it unless you're moving permanently.
 Visit the vet for a checkup and shots, advice on any sedatives and details on fasting before the trip. 
Make sure your destined lodgings allow cats.

A collar and identification tag with your cat's name, your name and the address and phone number of both your home and place of destination is essential. Your cat will also need his harness and leash, his usual food (to avoid stomach upsets), a bottle of his usual drinking water (gradually substitute local water at your destination), his bowls, litter box, a supply of litter and a scooper, first-aid and grooming supplies, health records (including vaccination certificates) and medications, plus a few favorite toys from home. Don't forget cleanup supplies, including paper towels and spray cleaner. Lining the bottom of the carrier with disposable diapers will soak up any "accidents" and simplify cleanups.