Long journey with a cat

[User838960]

Hello all - I wondered if anyone had had to do a long car journey with their cat? I am looking to move country in a few months which would involve a long car journey, a ferry journey, and then another short car journey. In total probably about 12 hours travel in a day.

Does anyone have any tips for such a journey? My cat is pretty confident and adaptable to most situations however she is like any cat and doesn’t like being in the car! I would rather do it this way than putting her on a flight though as at least I could sit in the back with her and put her at ease.

If you’ve done something similar or have any tips, please let me know!

I've travelled with my cats quite a few times. I've had pet cabins on board the ferry, so that they can always be with me, instead of being left in the car, below deck. Prior to your trip, take your cat for a few car drives in the travel box, so she gets more used to it. Don't forget her litter tray and plenty of changing facilities!

We did a 10 hr car journey with our cat and survived. Asked the vet for tips - her advice was that the cat would hang on and wouldn’t need to use the tray (she was right), but it was a straight car journey and didn’t involve decamping to a ferry cabin. Cat managed to stay awake the entire time too - she was more tired than we were by the end of it!

You can medication from the vets (Zyklene, maybe?) to help to calm them down, or try things like Valerian if she's likely to be a stressy traveller.

I would line her crate/carrier with puppy pads (and take some poo bags) just in case she has any accidents. Most adult cats should be able to hold their pee/poo for 12 hours but if they're stressed or scared they may just do it without realising.

See what the rules are for the ferry too - does she need to stay alone in the car or can you take her to a pet cabin/kennel/cattery area on board?

The timing to watch out for on arrival is dehydratation. Out cat flew Manchester to Bordeaux and although her cage had a water bottle she hadn't drunk at all. Took a few trips to the vet to sort