Car travel with cats

 For the past 12 years, we've traveled with our two cats on multi day car trips. I've added it up, they've logged almost 15,000 miles with us.

I thought I'd write up a few hints and tips about how to travel with furballs.

 We did a few short test drives with them as kittens to see how they did. 

You really need two people if you plan to let the cats out of their carriers. One to drive, one to manage the cats.

Our cats wear harnesses during the drive, that makes it easier to grab them when we need to.

Block access to things like under the drivers seat, or anywhere an exploring cat can get wedged in between luggage  bits. Also, use the driver side window locks so the cat can't step on the power window button.

We have a small litter box, and it does get used. We offer them water, but wait to feed them til we get to the hotel. 

We use different cat carriers than the dreaded 'going  to the vet' carriers. I'd like to think this lessens their stress.

Stay in pet friendly hotels, it's just too much stress to try and sneak a cat into a hotel. 

 Some rules: we keep them in their carriers when ever we stop the car (gas, food, etc) . We don't let a cat get near the drivers seat, or in the drivers lap. 

Our cats are totally used to travel. In fact, this last trip they recognized when we were packing up the car, and both got in their carriers to wait.