Our cat, Betsey, has been travelling with us since we started taking weekend RV trips in 2020. We strongly believe in animals being secured in vehicles- both for our safety and theirs. Over the years we’ve experimented with a variety of cat travel systems. Every animal has a different personality, so you may need to try different methods to find the best one for you. Read on to see what we’ve tried and how it went for us.
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1. Soft-Sided Cat Carrier
One of the first purchases we made when Betsey joined the family was a Henkelion soft-sided collapsible travel carrier in size large. This is the carrier we originally used for transporting Betsey to the vet, pet sitters, etc. We went with a soft-sided carrier to be more comfortable than a hard one. I also like that there is a top zipper, which is easier to place the cat into than a traditional carrier with front/side openings. We went with a large size so that Betsey would have room to turn around if she wanted. When using this carrier in the truck, it was on the backseat strapped in with a seatbelt or on the floor of the backseat. Overall, this is a very safe way to travel with a cat.
This didn’t end up working for us for longer travel, since Betsey didn’t like being contained. She definitely prefers having more room to move around and be able to see out the windows. But, we still use the Henkelion for short trips like the vet. We also keep it in our RV at all times in case we ever need to quickly evacuate or shelter during a storm.
2. Soft Cat Crate
When we realized that Betsey did not like travelling in the carrier, we thought she might need more room. We found the Necoichi portable cat cage that’s 31x20x20 inches to try out. We experimented with it on the backseat and the floor of the backseat. The crate also had room for a small litterbox, food, and/or water, which can be nice to have if your cat is travelling on a long trip. I also liked that the Necoichi crate folds flat and can be tucked under the backseat. We still have this crate as an option, but like the Henkelion carrier, Betsey didn’t like not being able to see out and having a barrier between her and us.
3. Cat Seat Belt Tether
This Kurgo tether was a game changer for cat travel for us, since it meant that Betsey didn’t have to be closed into a carrier (which she did not like!). One end of the tether clips to her harness and the other end plugs into a seat belt receiver. This means she is out in the open with us and can move around some, but it’s short enough that in an accident she wouldn’t go through a window. For the first drives getting used to the tether, Jen sat in the backseat so Betsey could sit on her lap.
Betsey has two harnesses. The PetSafe Come With Me Kitty Harness is a lighter, more comfortable harness, but she learned how to wiggle out of it. We do still use it sometime and love the bungee leash from the set, though. We’ve switched her to the Voyager Step-in Air Harness, which is very secure. It’s also easier to put on, we just lay it down and have her step into the leg holes. It then secures with a combination of Velcro and buckle.
4. Cat Car Seat
Our newest system for Betsey’s travel is this Cathpetic pet car seat. It is secured to the center console and then her harness is tethered to the seat. She has enough slack to move around in her seat, but isn’t able to climb into our laps. As much as she would love to ride on our laps, we don’t want her in range of the airbags. Now Jen can sit in the front seat and Betsey can still be up front with us. If you have a truck with no backseat, this could be a good option for you too. The main downside so far is that it means not being able to use the center console. So far it’s our favorite way to travel with a cat.
Tips for Travel with a Cat
- Some people have good luck with putting a sheet over the carrier so their cat calms down and naps
- Short frequent car rides help your cat get used to the car and teach them that it doesn’t only mean going to the vet
- Give lots of treats and attention so car rides are a positive experience
- For a long trip, consider setting up a litter box on the floor of the backseat
- Any time we are bringing Betsey between the truck and RV she is in her harness with a leash
- Offer water during stops, since it gets dry in the car
- Feed your cat well before leaving in case your cat gets carsick
