Happy Monday everyone!!  Thomas and I went to dinner on Saturday night and we started talking about all of the home projects we have completed this year.  We decided back in January that this would be the year to check the projects off our list and vacation next year!  This led to the discussion about taking Jake and Maggie with us, traveling with pets, and taking at least one vacation without them.  Our discussions also reminded me of when we lived in Missouri and my visit to our vet when I almost brought the most adorable kitten home!  The only thing that stopped me was that we made so many trips back and forth that having a kitten in the car and two dogs might not go well.  It was a 9 hour drive and I asked the vet assistant what I would do with a kitten and the bathroom situation.  Her response was…just put a litter box in the car!  Yikes!  I don’t think so :-).  Two puppies and a kitten and a litter box!  Nope!

Traveling with your cat typically means that you are staying in a hotel.  Cats can be finicky and spook easily so how can you make traveling with your baby easier.  

-Do your research, find hotels that allow cats and dogs, call the hotel and confirm their pet policy.  Be prepared that some hotels charge a steep pet fee especially if you have a cat or kitten.

-Ask if you can leave your cat or dog in the room alone.  Some hotels do not allow any animal to be left alone.  

-If you are transporting your cat and all of their gear, toys, litter, litter box, etc., you might want to stay at a motel where you can park in front or near your hotel room so that trips back and forth will be easier for you and your pet.

-Make a list of what you need for your cat and start packing.

-When packing for a hotel stay with your feline friends, there are few things you won’t want to forget. First is the litter box. Rather than bringing the one from home, consider picking up a compact litter box with a sturdy carrying handle for easy loading and unloading.  If you’re not sure whether your cat will use a new litter box in a new environment, Dr. Elsey’s (Amazon) makes a great cat attract litter.

-Bring a litter scoop and waste bags (consider buying the thick, scented bags). Keep these two things together in a large ziplock bag to help keep the smell contained.

-Pack pet wipes to clean your cat’s paws after a day of exploring, and for any other little messes.

-Don’t forget their regular food and some convenient collapsible dishes.

-If you think your cat or kitten might be nervous in a hotel, you’ll want to be prepared before you go.  Bring along some calming treats, his favorite toys, and a cat calming defuser. You might also consider a kitty Thundershirt, which swaddles your cat to help him feel less anxious.

-If you’re concerned about your cat “marking his territory,” it might also be worthwhile to bring some cat-specific stain and odor remover.

-If your pet walks on a leash, that is great but if not, consider a backpack or carrier to transport him from your car to the hotel room and back.

-Bring their favorite bed or blanket to help them acclimate to the new hotel room.

-If you plan to leave your feline alone while you enjoy some “us or me” time, make sure you have tired them out that day, brought their special toys to play with, keep the blinds open so they can see outside, and create a comfortable cozy space for them to curl up.

I think one of the most important step of all is calling the place you are interested in staying to make sure they do allow pets, specify whether it is a cat or dog, go over their pet policy, and weight restrictions.  Also, make a list of what you think you will need so that you don’t forget anything.  I have never traveled with a cat but I would love to hear if anyone has.  Comment below and let me know about your experience and if you would recommend anything different than what I have suggested.