Everyone loves a holiday. Or do they? Many cats really don't like travelling, but if they get used to it from an early age it’s not normally a problem. Many holiday destinations are pet-friendly, so make enquiries before you make any plans.
She might be happier at home
Before you take your kitten away with you, you’ll need to assess her ability to travel. If she's not completely well, travelling could be very stressful so it would be better to leave her at home and arrange for someone to look after her during your absence. Even if your kitten is healthy and you don’t plan to take her away with you, engaging a pet sitter to live in your home is ideal, since this causes the least disruption to your kitten’s life. Having someone pop in to feed her twice a day is not sufficient. Kittens shouldn’t be without human company for more than a few hours, so you’ll need to arrange full-time care for her. If this isn’t possible, book her in at a reputable, friendly and well-staffed boarding kennel or cattery.
Making the trip
If you want to take your kitten away with you, or you need to take her out of the home for any reason, you’ll need to transport her in a secure cat carrier.
Most cats don't really like carriers and often run away as soon as they see it coming out of the cupboard! To prevent this fear from developing in your kitten, it's a good idea to leave the carrier in an accessible place from the word go, with the door open. It will help if you make it a fun, comfortable place for your kitten – especially if you put some of her favourite toys in there. Your kitten will soon come to regard the carrier as her own little nest, and shouldn’t feel frightened or insecure about going out in it.
What type of carrier?
Plastic carriers are best because they are sturdy and easy to keep clean. Cardboard carriers aren't really suitable for anything other than a short journey. A carrier that opens from the top is better for getting your cat in or out of the basket. Your carrier will need to be well ventilated and escape-proof, and the base should be lined with some absorbent paper and a soft blanket or towel. A small litter tray should be provided for a long journey. And make sure that there’s plenty of room for air to circulate around it.
Away you go!
When travelling by car, position the carrier so that your kitten can see what’s going on outside. Make sure you provide some shade for the carrier as kittens can suffer from heatstroke. Car sunshades are available from nursery outlets. It may sound obvious, but you must never leave a kitten unattended in an unventilated car.
Feeding your kitten before a journey could make her sick, so you might prefer to wait until your arrival. But she will need water on a longer journey, and you can get water bottles or clip-on bowls specially designed for travelling. Your kitten might suffer from motion sickness anyway, and medication might help, but take your vet’s advice on this - and prepare for the fact that it might be better not to take the kitten with you at all.
Health Check
Whether your kitten is staying at home, going to a cattery or accompanying you, make sure that her vaccinations are up to date and that you’ve allowed sufficient time for them to take effect before your departure. Your kitten might be a little quiet for a day or two after a vaccination, so travelling at this time would be unwise. Flea treatment should be up to date, as should insurance cover – and make sure that your policy covers travel.
The Pet Travel Scheme (UK specific travel legislation section)
With the introduction of the Pet Travel Scheme, you can now take your pet to certain EU countries without her having to be quarantined after your return. Check out the DEFRA website (www.defra.gov.uk) for the latest information, but as a rule, you’ll need to follow this checklist:
- Your kitten must be fitted with a microchip so she can be identified. Talk to your vet about this easy procedure – you’ll need to wait until she’s about five to six months old.
- Your kitten’s vaccinations must be up to date.
- After the rabies vaccination, your kitten will need a blood test to make sure she has an adequate level of protection
- You will need an EU pet passport. Look on the DEFRA website for how to get one.
- You must arrange approved transport for your pet, on an authorised route. You can talk to your travel operator about the options.