Many puppies enjoy car rides, and some eagerly look forward to them. However, when it comes to cats, they can be skittish and may prefer to stay on the home ground they are used to. Feline fur babies find it challenging to take environmental changes on board.
It can be arduous to train a feline pet not to resist being in a moving vehicle, but it is still possible. Start slowly and allow your cat the space and time it needs to get acquainted with your ride and learn not to fear it. Also, consider being prepared with pet insurance if you have elaborate travel plans with your cat.
Cat insurance helps support your furball with timely medical care during accidents, injuries, and medical emergencies. Consider buying a policy, so your munchkin has basic medical cover at least. Meanwhile, read this article to learn how to ready your cat for the next road trip.
1.Begin early
Any household cat can be trained to tolerate being in a moving vehicle. However, baby cats are more open to new things and experiences, which is why you can start training during kittenhood days. This way, your cat will be used to traveling in a car right from its younger days, so it may not get as stressed to be in it even as it grows older.
2.Use carrier
Crate train your cat. Some cats get frightened at the sight of carriers because they know it must be a hecking vet visit. However, you can make your munchkin feel comfy inside the carrier by placing a few layers of blankets and its favorite toys, including a catnip toy, to help lower stress. Use the carrier inside the home, too, so your feline gets familiar with it.
3.Introduce the car
Slowly and steadily introduce the car to your cat. Place the carrier containing your cat inside the car. Open the carrier and allow your cat to explore the vehicle. After this, through a reward-based positive reinforcement technique, get your fluffy friend to make positive associations with the car and enjoy spending time inside it. Later, practice the same with the engine on, short rides in the neighborhood, and then move on to full-fledged drives your cat can delight in.
4.Floral essences
Talk to your vet to learn about natural stress-relieving solutions. For instance, Bach’s floral essence helps relieve anxiety in animals undergoing various stressful situations (like a car ride) and suffering from various illnesses. Remember not to topically apply or administer medications or home concoctions without your vet’s approval. Some essential oil sprays can be sprayed minimally inside your cat’s carrier to lower its stress when inside – some are toxic, some are not, so find out which is which.
5.Pheromone sprays
Consider using commercially available pheromone sprays according to the instructions indicated on the product. It can bring about a wave of tranquility in your stressed munchkin. It shouldn’t be directly applied on your furball, instead just sprayed inside the carrier. As in any other case, don’t use any product without your vet’s recommendation.
Keep an eye on your cat’s stress levels inside the car. Stressed cats can wreak havoc inside the vehicle or try escaping at the first opportunity they get. This situation can be pretty scary when driving on busy roads.
Anyway, consider being prepared with cat insurance, so unanticipated medical emergencies are more manageable. Pet insurance covers a furball’s medical care during accidental injuries, sickness, and much more, depending on the level of cover chosen. Contemplate buying suitable cover, so your munchkin gets top-notch medical assistance in dire health situations.
