Feline Road Rules
by Darlene Goodman

Traveling in a car with cats is much like traveling with a young child. Either can be thrown about with significant force in a collision. When traveling by car, cats should always be placed in a travel crate. Although cat crates may seem small and confining, it is the restricted size that protects the cat securely inside. Never secure a cat with a leash in the car. Many will jump out the window or over the seat, and they could hang themselves. Most cats hate being contained anywhere; cars are no different. But as their caretakers, it is our responsibility to consider their well-being above their desires and place them in a crate whenever they are in a car.

Food is another consideration you need to address when traveling with your cat, particularly over long trips. Cats, like many other pets, require a consistent diet for good health, but all too often pet owners make do with whatever pet food is convenient on the road. Changing your cat's usual brand of food can cause digestive problems. If you do plan on changing your cat's diet for a trip, introduce the new food a week or more before departing, unless it is medically necessary to make a change just before traveling. James Thrash, DVM, from the Fulton Veterinary Clinic in Fulton, Mississippi, suggests putting cats on a high quality premium cat food before traveling. According to him, cats eat less of these high quality foods because they contain less fillers, reducing the quantity needed to carry along on the trip. The less food a cat eats, the less it will use the kitty box, making any trip more pleasant for both cats and their humans.

Drinking water is also a concern for traveling felines. Cats, like children and many adults, can get diarrhea if their drinking water is not obtained from its usual source. A simple solution is taking along a container of water from home. As the water is consumed, add portions of boiled and cooled water from new water sources to the home water. Once the contents of the container have been diluted to more than half of its original source, it is usually safe to switch to the new water. Care should be taken to keep the water container clean. If the water is not consumed in a reasonable length of time, bacteria can accumulate, making the water unsafe. Bottled water can also be a solution for extended travel, but make the transition gradually.

Fleas are always a problem, but within the confines of an automobile, they can be particularly unpleasant. The only real solution is to make sure your cat is flea-free before your trip. Monthly flea treatments usually solve this problem.

Traveling pets need to have their shots and any medications brought up to date. Travel is stressful for cats, and whenever resistance is lowered, the door opens for ailments and disease.

No matter how many precautions we take on our pet's behalf, emergencies happen. Thrash treats many feline patients that come in contact with petroleum products when they travel. He suggests cats who have petroleum products on their skin should be washed with a degreaser soap. For ingested products, Thrash recommends a one-teaspoon dose of ipecac syrup to induce vomiting, followed by water. Use a syringe to force the liquid into the mouth, but in very small amounts or the cat will choke. Follow this treatment with a call to a veterinary clinic. Anytime a cat consumes something that is toxic to its system, it is important to check with a veterinarian. Should their services be needed, the National Animal Poison Control Center can be reached by phone at (800) 548-2423. This toll-free line is operated 24 hours a day, including holidays. There is a one-time $30 charge placed on your credit card for this service. A veterinarian will answer the call and follow-up calls are free.

Perhaps the greatest affliction facing traveling cats is heat stroke. Cats confined in a traveling crate will have limited air circulation. Keep crates in a shaded, well-ventilated part of the car while traveling. If you must leave your cat in a parked car, make sure the vehicle is left in a shaded area and the cat has plenty of fresh air.

Some training and conditioning before the trip is always a good plan. Many cats have developed a healthy respect for car engine noise. Placing your cat in a crate and taking short trips around town conditions your cat to this sound and goes a long way toward reducing the eventual stress of a long trip.

When the travel destination is some distance away, cats, as well as their humans, will need to get out and stretch a bit. The only way to ensure your cat is safe during these exercise sessions is to keep your cat on a leash. Quite naturally, cats hate the entire idea of a leash, and many humans give up leash training in disgust, long before achieving success. Leash-training is not easy to accomplish for cats, but it can be done with patience. Lots of patience.

We all enjoy the companionship of our own special cat and want them to be a part of every aspect of our lives, including vacations and trips. As conscientious owners, however, it is our responsibility to keep cats safe and healthy from the harsh and sometimes dangerous conditions they experience during travel. With careful planning and preparation, as well as some training, cats can join their families wherever the road might take them.

DARLENE GOODMAN is a freelance writer residing in Fulton, Mississippi.