TRAVEL & VACATION WITH YOUR CAT

You’ve spent months planning this vacation: chosen a location, made plane ticket reservations, even booked a hotel and written down a rough itinerary based on the hundreds of tourist websites you’ve read. But while you’ve prepared for everything that lies ahead, what about the pet you’re leaving behind?

There’s always the option of leaving your pet with friends or in a kennel, but what if you want to bring him with you? He’s part of the family after all, and you can’t imagine fun without him. Bringing a pet on vacation is possible—and not just for celebrities like Oprah, Paris Hilton or Robert Goulet. But it’s not as simple as packing him into a pet carrier. You need to prepare for it as carefully as you have the other details of your trip.

Is your pet ready to travel?
First of all, make an honest evaluation of your pet’s health and temperament and whether or not he can take the long distance trip. Think twice about bringing a cat that is pregnant, sick, or has a long-term health condition, or is too young (or too old). If in doubt, bring him to your veterinarian and get his official go-ahead.
You should also consider your mode of transportation. Some cats, like the Himalayan and the Persian, are more prone to respiratory problems caused by thin air, and should not be placed in aircrafts. Give your veterinarian the details of your trip so he can tell you about the specific needs or concerns of your pet’s breed.
Once you’ve determined that your cat can withstand the rigors of travel, chart your route or itinerary and contact all your chosen lodging facilities. Ask if they allow pets on their premises, and on the days that you’ll be out touring the city, if they’ll agree to keep a pet that is unsupervised. If you are traveling abroad, you also need to verify the country’s policy is on bringing in pets. Some will require quarantine, or specific documents from your veterinarian.

Preparing the documents (and your pet!) for the big day
You also need to update your pet’s vaccines. Be sure to bring your cat’s vet records, as well as its health certificate. You may also want to have your cat implanted with a microchip, for ease in identification just in case you and your cat are separated from each other. A photo of your pet will also come in handy, so in the unfortunate case that he goes missing, you can readily create posters.
Aside from ironing out the travel arrangements, you need to get your cat used to staying in his traveling case or pet carrier for long periods. Hold “dry runs” by bringing him with you on short trips to the market or the bookstore. End each travel activity with a treat or a reward.

What to do during the trip
Your pet needs to stay in his carrier during the trip; never let him move freely inside the vehicle, as he could injure himself or distract you while you’re driving. To make the travel comfortable, put a blanket and some toys for your cat inside the case. If you need to leave the car in the middle of the trip, take the cat (with or without the carrier) with you. Never leave him inside a locked car, even if you parked under a shade or left the windows a little open—he could still suffocate or suffer heat stroke.
Just before leaving for your trip, make sure that all the identification tags of your cat are updated. Always put your name, address and contact information on the cat’s leash, carrying case and harness (if applicable). Ideally use elastic or Velcro collars for your cat.
Finally, always make sure that you bring the necessary equipment and supplies to keep your cat comfortable and remedy any emergencies that may happen along the way. You need to pack cat food, water, his food tray, litter box, scooper, old newspapers and plastic disposal bags. Feed him in regular intervals, taking periodic pit stops (ideally, every three hours) to take your cat out for the walk and let him stretch his legs and relieve himself. You also need to bring extra bed covers, to protect the bed and furniture of your hotel or inn.

What to do at the hotel
You survived the trip, reached your hotel, and are more than ready to start your vacation. But wait—before you head for the pool, ask the receptionist where you can take your cat out for walks. Put his food tray, water bowls and litter box in the bathroom, lining the area with newspapers to make clean up easier.
Do not leave your pet alone in the room as he may either startle (or hurt) the cleaning lady or destroy the furnishings. Even if he behaves like an absolute angel at home, remember that he is alone in a strange place, and the stress of the trip could have made him a little edgy. If you really need to leave him, lock him in his pet carrier. In case your cat does manage to get his claws on any property, report the incident immediately and offer to shoulder repair costs.