Fat Louie Diaries

Ready to hit the open road with your feline friend by your side? Whether you’re embarking on a weekend getaway or a cross-country adventure, road tripping with a cat requires a little extra planning. My cat, Louie, and I have gone across the country together many times, and have worked out a few of the kinks so you don’t have to learn the hard way. Here are 5 essential cat travel tips to ensure your furry companion enjoys the ride as much as you do!

1. Book hotels in advance: We love the spontaneity of a casual road trip with pals, but if you’re traveling with your cat, you need to clearly map out overnight destinations. Many hotels have unclear pet policies, and you want to have a firm “yes” in hand before rolling up with your cat just to be turned away (I’ve had this happen before in a remote Idaho town, and trust me, it’s not cute). Before I reserve a room, I always call ahead to confirm with the property that Louie will indeed be allowed onsite and to clarify pet fees. The only thing worse than being turned away might just be having to pay an unexpected $200 for your furry friend to be allowed inside. 

2. Get a sturdy crate for the car: Some cats seem to be able to vibe in the passenger seat carrier-free, but Louie is unfortunately not one of them, making a cat travel crate a travel essential on our trips. If we’re road tripping alone, he stays in his crate in the vehicle to protect both me and him. I once made a devastating mistake and let him out of the carrier on a short road trip- he proceeded to roam the vehicle, meow at passersby from the trunk, and almost got under the brakes. Since then, he has been a crate cat unless I’ve got another person in the passenger seat who can hold him firmly in their lap. I use a hard crate for the car- it stays upright in the seat, and keeps Louie protected in case of an emergency.

3. Break up the day: When I’m traveling with Louie, we keep days to an 8-hour maximum drive time, with a sit-down lunch in the middle of the day to break up the ride. Louie has a harness and leash, and at lunch, he can get out, stretch his legs, drink water, and have a quick snack. Sometimes I pull out the travel litter box as well, but he’s often a little bathroom shy on road trips, so he typically waits until we reach the hotel (which is completely normal- cats can hold it for quite a while, and if your cat is anything like mine, will not go unless they’re completely comfortable).

4. Respond to their needs: Louie likes to meow a LOT when we start driving for the day, but he typically settles down within the first twenty minutes, and then will lazily meow at me from time to time for the duration of the trip. However, if he starts meowing wildly, or scratching at the carrier, I know it’s time to pull over and check in. I’ve been on the side of many highways across the country, trying to coax Louie to go to the bathroom, drink water, eat a treat, or simply relax. It’s part of the process, so just remember to leave a few minutes a day free to support stops like this. 

5. Support with comfort items: When we travel, I always bring Louie’s favorite treats, toys, etc. along for the ride to ensure he has some level of comfortability on the trip. I’ll also bring his preferred food, (he likes Meow Mix more than anything, but in our daily life sticks to a healthier brand), to brighten up the ride for him. Louie tends to get anxious on the drive, but with his toys, food, and treats along for the ride, I’m hopeful it makes things a little easier on him.