To travel with your cat

To travel with your cat
24 November 2021
To travel with your cat

Are you planning to travel with your cat? First of all, we advise you to consider carefully whether this will make your cat happy. A cat is a real creature of habit and prefers to stay in his or her familiar environment. Someone at home who can feed and attend your cat is often the best solution when you go on holiday yourself. If that's not possible, a professional animal caretaker or cat boarding facility may be a good option for your cat.

Is your cat one of the extraordinary cats that likes to go on holiday? Or do you have another reason to travel with your cat? Then we have listed a number of important things for you to travel well prepared.

Import requirements for cats vary by country

If you travel abroad with your cat, we advise you to inquire timely about the import requirements for cats in the relevant country. Your cat needs a passport, chip and vaccination against Rabies for all countries. This vaccination can be given from the age of 12 weeks and must be given at least three weeks before departure and documented in the passport. In addition, countries may have additional rules that your vet can inform you about.

Traveling safely with your cat

First of all, it is important to never transport your cat loose in the car. A good cat carrier is safe and comfortable for your cat and prevents you from getting disturbed while driving. In addition, during a long car ride your cat needs a break every now and then. Never leave your cat in the car, not even for a moment. A car heats up very quickly, with the risk of overheating your cat. Always keep your cat on a leash while on the road, so your cat cannot run away and get lost. Finally, you can make the trip more pleasant for your cat in a number of ways:

  • Traveling is very exciting for a cat. A blanket with the smell of home can comfort your cat. In addition, use Feliway spray in the car and carrier for a soothing effect. In addition, you can give your cat a calming food supplement to reduce anxiety and stress, such as Zylkène or Telizen. These supplements have a calming effect without sedating your pet.
  • Does your cat suffer from motion sickness, such as nausea, drooling and vomiting? An anti-emetic drug prior to the trip can prevent this, ask your vet for a prescription. Motion sickness occurs because the balance organ gets disturbed during the trip.

Protect your cat against foreign parasites

Flea and tick prevention is important to protect your cat against tick-borne diseases abroad. Besides that, In Southern Europe a mosquito species can infect your cat with heartworms. Treatment with a product against heartworms, such as Milpro cat, is therefore important upon returning home and one month later. Treat your cat against heartworms on a monthly basis during a longer stay in Southern Europe.

What else does your cat need on holiday?

Take enough of the food your cat gets. If your cat has a condition that requires medication or supplements, make sure to bring plenty for the entire vacation. Finally, it is wise to take some first aid items for your cat and find the contact details of a veterinarian near your holiday address, in case your cat becomes ill unexpectedly.

 

We wish you and your cat(s) a safe journey!

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