July-- Pawsitively Pets-- 5
-- Cats that Travel--
Before asking my cats, I checked the internet about cats and travel tips. After all, Hector and Jasper are definitely NOT traveling cats. Even though both arrived here by automobile, and Jasper was a companion to a traveling nurse, they are firmly against cars and travel. Hector explains that he has enough to do here: books to count, people to meet and rub against, and then there are the voles in the side yard that need constant attention. Jasper gives no reason but will bite you hard if you appear with a carrier- the dreaded instrument of cross country travel. When I travel, they have either live-in support, or a neighbor that checks in daily about the food, the water, and the need for pets and rubs.
The search on the internet generally agrees with the boys. The first five websites tell you to leave them at home. So, my cat companions are not alone in this viewpoint. Stress, anxiety, disrupted schedules are not what they are looking for. It can take several days for a cat to adjust to a new environment after its routine has been disrupted. A short trip may leave them off balance in their eating, sleeping, and daily routines the entire time they are on your trip.
But traveling cats do exist. My sister’ s cat, Lucky, was a happy traveler in the car, as was another cat of hers, Walter. They would simply hop in and enjoy the snuggle spot made for them in the front seat, or in Walter’ s case the rear, and watch the view from the windows. In Walter’ s case, it was actually part of the routine, as the household went from the Boston area to Vermont almost every week. If you have such a cat, congratulations! Enjoy them and take lots of photos of the mighty travelers.
There are several sites that do give tips on traveling with cats. Those tips address two different types of travel. Some cats just need to travel occasionally and need to be made as comfortable as possible doing something they do not want to do. For anxious cats on the road, secure carriers with a blanket or mat that has the scent of home, a favorite small toy, and anxiety medication prescribed by a veterinarian are the top tips. For a person who travels and wants a cat as a traveling companion, that process takes time and effort. In essence, you need to make the travel experience a normal part of your feline friend’ s routine. This can mean using the same crate in your house, your car, on an airplane, and at your destination. You are making the safety location mobile. Frequent short trips help make travel part of the routine. Do remember to make a litter box location and a food location, in different places, and those things must always be in the same place in your vehicle for your traveling companion. In this way, your cat’ s physical and mental needs are recognized and addressed.
Hector and Jasper wish all of you pleasant trips, from their house and their bookshop kingdom. Bring back stories and new smells, and they will greet you with joy on your return.
- by Linda Roller, Bookseller, writer, and owner of Liberty Book Shop in beautiful downtown Avis, PA.
LIBERTY BOOK SHOP
Linda Roller
“ Where yesterday’ s books are today’ s treasures.” www. thelibertybookshop. com
Hours: Thursday & Friday 10-6, Saturday 10-3, or by appt.
1 East Park Street, Avis • 570-753-5201
July-- Pawsitively Pets-- 5