7 Road-Trip Essentials That Make It Easier to Travel With Your Cat

Lisa Selvaggio
by Lisa Selvaggio

Bringing the cats along for the ride? Traveling with your kitty can be a breeze – as long as you bring a few essentials.

Do you envy people who are able to take their dogs on vacation with them? Maybe you just don’t like the idea of leaving your kitty home alone because you’re worried about her well-being and you don’t want her to become lonely. Whatever your reasons are for wanting to bring your cat with you when you head out on a road trip, you might be wondering how you can do it without getting stressed, and without stressing your pet out either. 


Sure, cats could be challenging when it comes to taking them on the road with you. But the good news is that, with the right strategy, traveling with your frisky feline might become your new favorite thing to do. And, these days, there are some innovative pet products out there that could make traveling with your furry friend so much easier. Check out a few of our picks below, and consider using these the next time you’re planning a trip with your pet. 


Carriers and Kennels for Traveling in Comfort


Are you planning on traveling by car over a short or long distance? Either way, if you want to take your cat along for the ride, it’s important to get the right carrier to keep her safe. Rather than letting your cat roam around the car freely, aim to use a product designed for felines that will keep her safe and comfortable while you’re driving. And if you thought you needed to keep her in a small carrier, think again because there are some spacious options you can choose from. 


Remember, when taking your kitty on a road trip, you want to be sure that she’ll feel secure in your car. But a small carrier during a long journey could get uncomfortable pretty quickly. That’s why there are products like  Petego Pet Tube Kennel. This travel kennel, which comes in multiple sizes, is shaped like a tube, and you can open it to various lengths so you can give your kitty the space that she needs to feel at ease. It’s also lightweight, and it folds flat for storage when not in use.   


Related: Gen7 Traveler Portable Pet Bed Review


Another great option is the  One for Pets Fabric Portable 2-in-1 Double Pet Kennel/Shelter, which could also be used once you settle into your hotel. It’s spacious yet lightweight, can easily be secured onto your car’s backseat, and folds flat when not in use. There are also several entrances, and you have the option of hanging a hammock inside so your cat has an extra comfortable spot to rest. Plus, you can choose between using it as two separate compartments or one large space. 


Food and Water Bowls for Eating on the Go


Keeping your cat full and hydrated while traveling is important, so you’ll need to pack plenty of fresh food, water, and treats. But you might not want to pack the same food and water bowls that you use at home. 


Switching to food and water bowls that are made for travel is highly recommended, as these are made of materials that won’t break or shatter if you accidentally drop the bowls, and they’re easy to clean. Check out the  Prima Pets Expandable/Collapsible Silicone Food & Water Travel Bowl with Clip, as an example. It’s collapsible for storage and easily pops up when you need to use it. Plus, it’s made of food-grade silicone and it’s dishwasher safe. 


If that doesn’t suit your fancy, other similar products are available, too, such as the  Raw Paws Pet Food Collapsible Pet Food Bowl, which features a handy non-slip mat that can be useful when you are on the road with your cat. Simply pop the bowls open to the right depth for food and water for your kitty and use the mat to prevent messes and help ensure the bowls will stay in place while she digs into her meal.     


Don’t Forget the Litter Box!


Of course, another must-have when traveling with your cat is a litter box and litter, but you likely won’t be able to take the litter box that your kitty uses at home. Thankfully, you could choose from products like this  Portable Cat Litter Carrier or the  Pawaboo Foldable Cat Litter Box, as a couple of examples that boast some desirable features. Or, you might opt to use a disposable litter box instead of one that you can reuse.  


When searching for the right portable litter box, compare products by reading about their features carefully. For example, you can check that the size will be appropriate for your pet. Consider, too, how you will be traveling and whether or not the litter box will be easy to take with you by car. 


Another thing to think about when shopping for a travel litter box: it should be made of durable, waterproof materials. And you definitely want it to be easy to clean. Also, if it could fold up nicely into a neat little package that could be packed and stored with ease, that’s certainly a plus. 


In terms of the litter that you can use while on the road, you might want to continue using the same litter that you use at home because you know that your cat likes it. Switching to a different litter when traveling may not be the best idea, as your kitty might end up feeling stressed and may not be accepting of even more change to her routine in the form of new litter. 


Tip: Before leaving on your trip, you might want to introduce the travel litter box to your cat so she’ll become familiar with it and be willing to use it when away from home.   


A Pet Bed or Blanket


Another product you can take with you when traveling with your cat is a soft blanket or bed that she finds comfortable. You can place the bed in the carrier and you can also use it when you reach your destination to give your pet a place for napping. 


Also, you might opt to use your pet’s everyday cat bed or purchase a new one that’s just for travel. Consider if your kitty would prefer something familiar with her scent already on it.  


Calming Feline Pheromones


If your cat gets anxious or stressed when traveling, you might want to try one of the calming  feline pheromone products that are available. Follow the directions on the label carefully to ensure the best results.   


ID Tags, Pet First Aid Kit, and Medical Records


Whether or not your kitty is microchipped, it’s a good idea to get her a collar she can wear during your trip. It should have an ID tag that displays your contact information clearly too. That way, if she ends up getting lost during your journey, it may help increase the odds that you’ll reunite. 


Having a pet first aid kit can give you peace of mind while traveling with your cat, so packing one is wise. This should include any medications and supplements that your kitty needs to take.


In addition to that, packing your pet’s medical records is wise, as you just never know if you’ll need them when you’re far from home. In the event that your pet needs to go to the vet, this can be super helpful. 


Toys and a Scratching Mat


Once you’re settled in at a hotel, you can take some time to play with your cat to let her release her energy, stretch her body, and get some exercise. And, while you might not be able to pack her scratching post, you can find scratching mats that may work just as well. 


Traveling with Cats Has Never Been Easier


Traveling with cats could be a bit nerve-wracking, but with the high-quality products that are on the market today, you could make the entire process more fun and less stressful.  

Lisa Selvaggio
Lisa Selvaggio

Lisa Selvaggio is a freelance writer and editor, and our resident cats-pert, with certifications in pet nutrition and pet first aid. She enjoys producing content that helps people understand animals better so they can give their pets a safe and happy home.

More by Lisa Selvaggio

Next