How To Get Your Cat To Love The Car

January 2, 2018

Vacationing with your cat might sound like an appealing idea, until you try to get your cat in the car. It’s then that you realize how much your cat hates the car. So what do you do? Leave them at home or with a friend? Or board them with your veterinarian or pet sitter? 

No one likes the thought of leaving their pets at home when they travel. They’re part of the family and you want them to be part of your travels too. So don’t despair just yet. There are a few tricks you can try to help your cat feel at ease in the car.

The thing you have to remember is most cats’ only memory of the car is a trip to the vet. So if you want your cat to like the car, you need to make the car a fun and happy place to be. That means hanging out in the car with your cat, mostly in your own driveway, at least for the first little while and especially before you go on a road trip.

With a little bit of prep work and planning, and some desensitization tactics, you and your cat will be cruising down the road in no time.

Ways to get Your Cat to Love Riding in the Car

1. If you don’t already have a crate for your cat, you’re going to need one for traveling in the car. It’s the only safe way to travel with your cat. If your cat is free to roam in the car, they can get under your feet and distract you from driving, and maybe even cause an accident. The other thing you must know is that most air bags will crush a cat crate, so make sure it’s placed safely in the back on the car. Leave the door open and place some treats, toys, and blankets in there of your cat’s.
2. For now though, you want to focus on getting your cat into the car. You can place some of his or her toys on the back seat, and perhaps, one of their blankets to make them feel at ease. You can also use catnip or treats to entice your cat into the car. 
3. For the next few days, this is where you and your cat will spend five minutes or so, about three times a day until your cat is scratching at the door to be let in! During this time, you can play with your cat or stroke them or give them treats, whatever it takes to make them feel comfortable.
4. Once you’ve reached this stage, you’re ready to move to the next level. It’s time to start feeding them in the car. Try doing this for about a week leading up to your trip to get them used to the car. Basically, you want them to think of the car as a second home.
5. Next, you want to encourage your cat into the crate with treats or toys or meals, whatever it takes. When they’re comfortably inside, you can close the crate door and hang out with them in the car like you did before.
6. When your cat is comfortable hanging out in their crate or carrier, you’re ready to try starting the engine and sitting in the car, like you did before. After about five minutes, switch off the engine, release your cat from the crate and give them a treat. Try this a few times a day.
7. Next, with your cat securely in their carrier or crate, you’ll want to put the car in gear and travel to the end of the driveway and back. Then turn off the engine and check on your cat. If they’re cool as a cucumber, repeat the action a couple more times. You want to do this at least three times a day until your cat is comfortable.
8. When your cat is ready to move onto the next level, you’re ready to travel a little farther, down the street and back, rewarding your cat each time you return home. Each time you can increase the distance of your trial trips, so your cat gets used to the car and looks forward to traveling.

If you follow these steps, you’ll be able to desensitize your cat and get them used to riding in the car. Then you can take them anywhere with you, knowing that they actually love the experience. Just make sure not to leave pets unattended in a car. Happy travels!

by Natalie Secretan
PuppyDogCapers.com

Photo credit: Mikhail Kryshen - Cat