Anyone who thinks cats are aloof has never met my Biggie. When I first saw him at the Animal Shelter 8 years ago, he immediately came up to me and wanted to cuddle. Our dog was just a puppy then (and not much bigger than this cat, hence his name), and I was worried that they might not get along. I didn't need to though - they were instant friends. Biggie is the center of attention anywhere he goes, even at the vet's office, where he is always a perfect gentleman. So you can imagine that he loves to travel, meet new people and see new places.
We try to take Biggie along on trips when we can, and though he's always on his best behavior I've learned that it's a good idea to be prepared for anything. Whether we are taking him on a trip across town to the vet's office or a long road trip to the beach, having a cat travel kit ready helps me to be sure that Biggie has all his essentials for any possibility. Want to create your own travel kit to help your cat be safe and ready for the road? Here's everything you need - including a free printable pet emergency card set.
Cat Travel Kit Essentials
Cats can be great travelers, as long as you do a few things to make them comfortable and have all the necessary supplies on hand to keep them safe. I keep this kit packed, and grab it anytime I am taking Biggie out of the house - you never know when an emergency could strike and you could be delayed or detoured. Having these items in a convenient travel kit will make sure you're ready for anything and your cat is safe.
What do I pack in our cat travel kit? Here's my list of cat travel essentials:
- Bottled Water
- Clean Food & Water Bowls
- Medication - Biggie takes a motion sickness pill before travel and I always pack a few extra. If your cat takes regular medication be sure to pack an extra pill or two in case you are delayed past their dose time.
- Baby Wipes - these are vital in case your cat gets sick or has an accident
- Food
- Treats
- Extra Kitty Litter - a small zipper bag of litter will do, you do not need a large container.
- Temporary Litter Box - you can purchase cardboard litter trays at the pet store, but they are not really necessary. Any shallow box or even a box top will do - this is just for a potty emergency.
You can pack your supplies in a gallon sized freezer bag to keep it dry and secure. I recommend keeping your litter in a separate bag, as your cat will probably not want his food and his litter stored in the same spot.
You'll also want to make sure to have a Basic First Aid Kit in the car - a human first aid kit works great for pet emergencies too.
Once you have all your supplies gathered and packed, you can download and print my pet emergency cards for identification and extra security.
Free Printable Pet Emergency Card
In the event of an emergency, you'll want to make your contact information and any necessary medical information about your cat easily accessible. This free printable pet emergency card set has everything you need!
This set includes a large "In Case of Emergency" card for your travel kit. Fill in your cat's name, and a contact in case you are somehow incapacitated (in an accident, for example). Add in your veterinarian's name and contact information as well.
There is also a space for special medical or behavioral needs. I once had a diabetic cat who was dependent on insulin, and it would have been imperative for anyone dealing with him in an emergency situation to be aware of this. Many cats are afraid of strangers, and this is good information to have as well.
The large card fits nicely in the front of a gallon sized freezer bag - face it outward so that it's visible and easy to see.
The printable also includes three pet identification cards for labeling your cat's carrier or any other luggage. The cards fit a standard sized luggage tag or can be laminated. Simply print, cut, fill out, and punch a hole in the top to hang it to your carrier. Or, you can adhere to the carrier with clear packing tape.
In addition to your cat's name, your name, and contact information, there is a note to look on the back of the tag for special instructions. This is where you'll want to put any medical/behavior notes about your cat.
Download your free printable pet emergency card set below - just click the button below!
FREE
SHEBA® WHAT CATS WANT™ FOR TRAVEL AND HOME
When packing our travel kit, or even just feeding Biggie at home, I want to make sure that I am giving him the perfect portion of food that he will love. SHEBA® PERFECT PORTIONS™ lets me do this easily with a taste that he craves! I can find SHEBA® PERFECT PORTIONS™ on my regular trip to Walmart, right in the pet care aisle.
As you can imagine with a cat Biggie's size, he has a tendency to overeat. SHEBA® helps me to control this with PERFECT PORTIONS™ and he loves it! The convenient double package and easy open top makes it a great choice for our travel kit, and the fact that he enjoys it so much makes it a great pick for mealtime at home too.
I'm also sure to grab some SHEBA® Meaty Tender Sticks for his travel kit too. Made with real meat and no artificial flavors, these treats have the taste my carnivore wants in a fun stick shape that keeps him entertained on our travels! Everyone deserves a yummy road trip snack and these SHEBA® Meaty Tender Sticks are perfect for my Biggie.
Want to see even more ways to spoil your cat with SHEBA® PERFECT PORTIONS™? Click here for awesome ideas and inspiration!
Do you have a great story about traveling with your cat? Let me know in the comments below!
Do you have a great story about traveling with your cat? Let me know in the comments below!