Keeping cats safe in the car

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Keeping cats safe in the car takes some thought. But whether you’re taking your cat on an adventure or just going to the vet, it’s worth making sure she’s comfortable and safe.

Why should dogs have fun? Cats are also great travel companions. But as fewer people travel with felines, there’s less information about cat safety in the car.

Hopefully what we’ve learned will make things easier for you and your cat!

Two cats looking out of a car window

Safety restraints in the car

The first question you need to answer before traveling together is how to keep your cat safe while you’re on the road. It’s not wise (or fun) to have a cat throw itself in your lap while you’re driving down the highway at 70 miles per hour.

You will find three main options for keeping your cat confined in the car. Whichever you choose, start acclimating your cat to it well before you go on a trip.

Teaching a cat to like (or tolerate) car trips can take a lot of patience, so it’s important to give yourself plenty of time. But starting your training early doesn’t just benefit your cat. In truth, if your cat doesn’t like your choice to keep him safe, you may need to start over with another option.

kitten in carrier

cat carrier

Does your cat like small cozy spaces? In this case, the safest way for them to travel is probably in a cat carrier.

Carriers give cats their own personal space, protect them from bumps if you’re involved in an accident, and most importantly, prevent them from escaping.

Brackets are available in soft and rigid options. Rigid mounts provide protection due to their rigid bodies. But soft racks are easier to transport to and from your vehicle and sometimes include built-in seat belt straps.

Fortunately, the Center for Pet Safety has tested and certified both soft and hard carriers. This way, you will have all the information you need to make an informed decision.

LEARN MORE ⇒ Crash-tested crates and carriers to keep pets safe

Tabby cat in a travel crate in a pet-friendly rental car

Travel harness

Some cats love their carriers around the house. But put them in a moving vehicle and they cry and cry. If this describes your cat, consider trying a seat belt harness. This will keep your cat safe and save everyone’s sanity.

Many harnesses are designed for dogs. So you’ll want to try a few until you find one that works for your cat. The safest harnesses distribute a cat’s weight across the chest, such as the Sherpa Crash Tested Body Harness (Amazon). A harness that fits over the chest protects against suffocation in the event of a short stop or accident.

Use the harness with a clip that snaps into the seat belt receptacle and clips onto the harness D-ring. This allows your cat to move around a bit, so they can reach their water bowl and look out the window or lay down on long trips.

Much like the carrier, you’ll want to do plenty of advanced training to get your cat to love their harness before they set foot in the car!

LEARN MORE ⇒ Best Crash Tested Dog Harnesses for the Car

A harness is another way to keep cats safe in the car.  Cat and dog in harnesses in the back seat.
Photo Copyright: Monica Turner

Crash tested body

If your cat likes privacy but needs more space, consider a small or medium-sized dog crate. It’s a little less practical than a carrier, as transporting your cat to and from the car in the carrier would be more cumbersome. But, if you put it in the backseat or in the cargo area of ​​your car, it might be just what you need to keep your cat happy.

An added benefit is that a dog crate has plenty of room for water bowls. You might even be able to fit a disposable cat litter (Amazon) inside!

Two cats in harnesses lying on a pet friendly hiking trail
Photo copyright: Instagram user @thewanderlustkittys

Opting for no constraint is not safe

There are other options for your cat in the car, but the one thing you should NOT do is let your cat run free. Cats can get into dangerous places in the car, such as under your feet while driving, or in a position to distract you. They might also eat something they shouldn’t or get stuck in places you never imagined. Not to mention that an unsecured cat can easily jump out and disappear when the car doors open.

Even if your cat is tied up, it’s best to take precautions when opening car doors. Keep the door to your cat’s carrier closed unless it’s in a safe, enclosed area.

If your cat is wearing a seatbelt harness, make sure you have the leash attached to the harness and have a firm grip before untying your cat. And adding ID tags with names and cell phone numbers to your cat’s harness will help her find her way home if she should run away.

As an added precaution, consider microchipping your cat. And don’t forget to keep your contact information up to date.

LEARN MORE ⇒ Prevent your pet from getting lost during travel

Rosie the cat outdoors on a leash as she acclimates to RV travel

Calming products for cats that are unhappy in the car

Obviously, you want to do everything possible to make your cat comfortable in the car. And that can include products that help keep them calm while traveling.

If you’ve done all the training and your cat still feels anxious in the car, you might want to consider a calming product. You will find many over-the-counter options. Unfortunately, these products work for some cats and not for others. So you’ll have to experiment with them to see what works best for your cat.

Peach cat resting on a pet-friendly hotel bed in her Puppia cat harness

Some cat owners swear by calming pheromone products like Feliway (Amazon). There are also CBD and painkiller products containing hemp oil that have become increasingly popular. And, of course, catnip sends some cats into pure bliss. Others become more energetic and active… this is probably not the outcome you hope for at the start of a road trip.

Some pets find a body wrap, such as a Thundershirt (Amazon), relaxing as well.

Asking your vet what he recommends is another option. They will know which over-the-counter remedies seem to work for their patients. And if the anxiety is extreme, prescription situational medicine might be suggested.

Travel safely with your cat

Are you ready to take your kitten on the road? Hopefully, with this information on keeping your cat safe in the car, you both have a great time exploring.

Visit our Amazon store to learn more about the products we rely on to make traveling with pets easier, safer and more fun!

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