How do you transport a cat over a long distance ?

Transporting cats to a long distance is like a nightmare to most of the cat owners. Cats are generally not fond of travelling. They like routined life and the coziness of home. According to WebMD and ASPCA’s research reports, cats act weird while it comes to move as they see moving as a drastic change in their lives. Their responses can be like aggression, crying or hiding etc.

In this circumstance you might be concerned about your cat’s comfort and safety during transportation. By preparing and planning in advance can make your cat’s journey as pleasant as possible.Here are some preliminary preparations and tips for your cat’s long distance moving given below:

Preparations for transporting your cat

1. The very first step to start a long way trip with your cat is to take it to a licensed vet for proper health check up, as your cat can be mentally and physically stressed because of traveling. So make sure that the cat is healthy enough to go for a long trip. Also, gather all the necessary health and vaccination records signed by an accredited veterinarian that might be needed during shipping.
2. Choose a sturdy crate to keep your cat while traveling. Crate should be large enough for standing up, stretching or turning around in. Try to select a crate that is made of hard plastic instead of fabric. Bottom of the crate should be covered with some kind of comfortable padding.
3. Make your pet familiar to the crate before planning for a trip. Crate practicing can ease your cat’s journey to some extent.
4. Cats generally never like to be harnessed. If you want to give your cat some breaks during travel or if you have an outdoor cat instead of the litter box trained one, then you should consider your cat for a proper leash training.
5. Though cats are not really fond of moving, it is a good idea to take your cat for some short trips frequently to make it accustomed to the travel process as well as to its carrier. Gradually increase the distance,so that the cat gets familiar to the long transport.
6. Pack a travel kit for your cat before traveling that includes essential things like food bowls, waste bags, pillows, blankets, one of it’sfavourite toys, food and water, litter box, flea combs, grooming supplies, certain medications, first aid kits etc.
7. Don’t forget to keep the special pet travel permit papers with you. Some states might want to see it during interstate pet transportation.

Things to do during pet transportation process

1. Always place the cart crate in the backseat of your car. Make sure that the crate is buckled with the seat belt. Otherwise it can get slided during moving. You need to make sure about this while moving your cat.
2. Don’t let your car’s window open. As cats are agile, they have a tendency to flee to get rid of travel hazards.
3. Tag your exact contact details to your cat’s collar. It is better to use microchip technology during a long way trip with your cat.
4. Keep the temperature inside the car comfortable that soothes your cat. Extreme weather can make it anxious and restless.
5. Try to give your cat frequent breaks during shipment. So that it can get fresh air and have few steps outside it’s crate for some time.
6. Don’t feed your cat immediately before departure. Give a time gap of at least 3 to 4 hours. Try to give them wet foods instead of giving too much water to drink. It doesn’t mean that you should dehydrate your cat. Give it a small amount of water or keep ice cubes in the attached bowl of the crate. Your cat can drink water from there when it gets thirsty.
7. Attach a suitable litter box inside it’s crate, so that it can be used when needed. Make sure to clean the litter box time to time.
8. Remove your cat from it’s crate during security scanning in the airport. Those rays may harm your cat.
9. Notify in advance about your cat’s transportation to the certain airline that you are going to book. It will help them to take extra precautions. Some airlines allow cats in the plane cabin in a specific crate.
10. Ask your vet if any kind of pheromones can be used. Pheromones help cats to stay calm and settled during long distance moving. You can also use Zylkenenutraceuticals protein supplements to your cat that would remove it’s discomfort due to journey.
11. Don’t use any sedative if your cat is on certain medications. It may have side effects.
12. Don’t leave your cat alone in the car in the extreme weather in summer or winter.

Reward your cat with plenty of attention and treats after reaching the final destination. It will take away it’s tiredness and will calm it down.