CHENNAI: I have to travel about 5 hours every weekend to my parents place with my cat. Can the travel be stressful for him? If so, what can I do?
—Lena
Hi Lena,
It is a commonly known fact that cats do not really enjoy travel and tend to get stressed. They love routine and typically prefer the comfort of their home. This, however, is not applicable for all cats, and much depends on the individual personality of the cat. Whereas some cats wouldn’t care too much about travelling, others tend to freak out. In addition to the travel, you are moving him between houses and even this can add some stress to the cat.
With a little bit of pre-planning, you can familiarise the cat with the travel. Make sure that your cat is secure and comfortable. Use a carrier inside which they can stand, stretch, and turn around easily. If it is a longer trip, then plan to let your cat out of the carrier at regular breaks. If needed, offer him water and have his litter box available in case he wishes to use it.
Needless to say, when let out of the carrier, make sure he is inside the car with windows safely secured. Be prepared with necessary medications prescribed by a vet.
Before you start off on a long journey, plan short drives with your cat so that he gets familiar with the concept of being driven. You can start with short drives of 10-15 mins and slowly increase the time. The same is true for the crate as well. Get him familiar with the crate so that it becomes his cozy comfy haven.
Once you reach your parent’s place, let him remain in his crate and keep him in a quite corner. Have a small area in your parent’s place with things from your home and let him out within this area. This familiarity will put him at ease. Eventually, you can let him explore other places.
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