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How Not to Travel With Your Cat
Not airline approved (image courtesy of Bubamara)
Lots of websites will provide you with great tips and how-to lists for traveling with your cat, like my Cat Travel Accessories blog.
For a bit of fun, however, I thought I would give you my list of top five ways not to travel with your cat.
So, here we go.
For a bit of fun, however, I thought I would give you my list of top five ways not to travel with your cat.
So, here we go.
No. 1: Do Not Use Your Cat As A Dashboard Accessory
When traveling by car, cats should remain in their carriers while the vehicle is in motion. Do not allow your cat to wander freely or sit on the dashboard. Doing so could distract the driver and cause an accident, in which case you will find yourself with a face full of angry cat.
On a serious note, make sure you purchase a safe, comfortable, roomy carrier, and pimp it out with everything your cat needs for a road trip: comfy bedding, litter box, and travel bowls with food and water. See my list of top ten cat travel accessories here.
On a serious note, make sure you purchase a safe, comfortable, roomy carrier, and pimp it out with everything your cat needs for a road trip: comfy bedding, litter box, and travel bowls with food and water. See my list of top ten cat travel accessories here.
No. 2: Do Not Try to Fed Ex Your Cat
Image courtesy of RM21
Overnight courier services are notoriously unreliable methods of delivering live cats packed in boxes. This is not how to get your cat from point A to point B. Similarly, if you are relocating to a new home, do not pack your cat in a box like your other personal belongings and put her in the back of the moving van.
In all seriousness, though, make sure you use a proper carrier for your cat, as noted above. And do not let your cat out of your sight while you are traveling. For a detailed guide on how to relocate to a new home with your cat, check out my three-part article at the Cat Travel Accessories Blog. Part 1 - Preparing for Your Move is right here.
In all seriousness, though, make sure you use a proper carrier for your cat, as noted above. And do not let your cat out of your sight while you are traveling. For a detailed guide on how to relocate to a new home with your cat, check out my three-part article at the Cat Travel Accessories Blog. Part 1 - Preparing for Your Move is right here.
No. 3: Do Not Let Your Cat Travel By Horseback
I do not recommend traveling with a cat on horseback, as this can be quite dangerous. But if you must do so, under no circumstances should your cat be given his own horse.
Although cats are known for having excellent balance, they are extremely unpredictable and cannot be trusted to stay on the horse. Out on the open trail, your cat is likely to become distracted by a bird flying overhead, a field mouse running along the ground, or his own reflection in a nearby lake. If so, he will undoubtedly spook his horse, causing it to bolt and then you probably lose both the horse and the cat.
Although cats are known for having excellent balance, they are extremely unpredictable and cannot be trusted to stay on the horse. Out on the open trail, your cat is likely to become distracted by a bird flying overhead, a field mouse running along the ground, or his own reflection in a nearby lake. If so, he will undoubtedly spook his horse, causing it to bolt and then you probably lose both the horse and the cat.
No. 4: Do Not Use Your Cat as a Hood Ornament
Image courtesy of Turelio
Having a cat staring at you through the front windshield of your car as you drive is very disconcerting. Placing your cat on the roof of your car is equally impractical, as their little claws are extremely sharp and likely to damage your paint job. And you know how expensive that is to fix.
I know you sometimes hear about people inadvertently leaving their baby carriers on top of their cars, where they have placed them "just for a second" while retrieving their car keys. Next thing you know, they've completely forgotten about the baby and are flying along the highway at 70 miles an hour without a care in the world. Nevertheless, I do not recommend this method of travel, for either species. Both cats and babies should remain inside the moving vehicle at all times.
I know you sometimes hear about people inadvertently leaving their baby carriers on top of their cars, where they have placed them "just for a second" while retrieving their car keys. Next thing you know, they've completely forgotten about the baby and are flying along the highway at 70 miles an hour without a care in the world. Nevertheless, I do not recommend this method of travel, for either species. Both cats and babies should remain inside the moving vehicle at all times.
No. 5: Do Not Expect Your Cat to Save Your Parking Space
This will result in a dead cat.
(Disclaimer: Do not be alarmed. The cat in the photograph is not dead. He is just rolling around on the street. And it looks like a pedestrian walkway, so he is perfectly safe. I'm sure!)
(Disclaimer: Do not be alarmed. The cat in the photograph is not dead. He is just rolling around on the street. And it looks like a pedestrian walkway, so he is perfectly safe. I'm sure!)
