Travelling with your kitten
Making the
trip
If you want to take your kitten away with you, or you need
to take her out of the home for any reason, you'll need to
transport her in a secure cat carrier.
Most cats don't really like carriers and will run away as
soon as they see it coming out of the cupboard! To prevent this
fear from developing in your kitten, it's a good idea to leave
the carrier in an accessible place from the word go, with the
door open. It will help if you make it a fun, comfortable place
for your kitten - especially if you put some of her favourite
toys in there. Your kitten will soon come to regard the carrier
as her own little nest, and shouldn't feel frightened or
insecure about going out in it.
What type of carrier?
Plastic carriers are best because they are sturdy and easy
to keep clean. Cardboard carriers aren't really suitable for
anything other than a short journey. A carrier that opens from
the top is better for getting your cat in or out of the basket.
It will need to be well ventilated and escape-proof, make sure
the base is lined with absorbent paper and a soft blanket or
towel. A small litter tray should be provided for a long
journey. And there should always be plenty of room for air to
circulate around it.
Away you go!
When travelling by car, position the carrier so your kitten
can see what's going on outside. Make sure you provide some
shade for the carrier as kittens can suffer from heatstroke.
Car sunshades are available from nursery outlets. It may sound
obvious, but you must never leave a kitten unattended in an
unventilated car.
Feeding your kitten before a journey could make her sick, so
you might prefer to wait until your arrival. But she will need
water on a longer journey, and you can get water bottles or
clip-on bowls specially designed for travelling. Your kitten
might suffer from motion sickness anyway, and medication might
help, but take your vet's advice on this - and prepare for the
fact that it might be better not to take the kitten with you at
all.