Harness Training and Cat Backpack Adventures: Everything You Need to Know for Stress-Free Travel with Your Cat from Expert Cat Parents

Travel Cat’s Virtual Summit is coming up on September 29th and we couldn’t be more excited. Ahead of the event itself, we asked each of our speakers to share some advice for taking your cat on outdoor adventures like camping, beach days, and road trips. Here’s what they had to say.

Start training your cat for outdoor adventures early

If you’ve never taken your cat on an outdoor adventure before, you may not know where to begin. Christina Turner, pawrent of Lupin the Cat, says:

“To help your cat enjoy new adventures safely, start training early and repeat the process to ease them into new experiences. Always bring along some treats to make each new situation feel comfy and fun—think of it as a little reward for their bravery!”

Similarly, Samantha Mae Resurreccion, proud owner of Phoebe the Scottish Fold, shares:

“Start training your cat early to build trust and confidence, which makes exploring new environments safer and more enjoyable. Gradually introduce your cat to new experiences, like road trips or outdoor walks, using a secure harness and leash. Always ensure your cat feels comfortable and never push them beyond their limits.”

Is your kitty an adventure cat?

Not all kitties will vibe with outdoor adventures, and that’s OK. Of course, your number one priority should be your kitty’s safety and comfort. But don’t give up just because you think your cat wouldn’t enjoy a hike or a beach day. According to Cony Villanueva and Tomás Muñoz:

“Shy cats can be adventure cats! Suki is our shy girl, and while she may run from people, shake at the vet, and just can’t stand a lot of noise, this girl loves NATURE! Don’t think your cat can’t enjoy a quiet trail in a forest just because they’re a bit shy. We have seen Suki’s confidence boost through her adventures and we are here to say: shy cats can be adventure cats!”

Chupie the Chupacabra’s owner says:

“Go at your cat’s pace and don’t force anything, and keep trying all while incorporating your cat’s favorite thing. If your cat absolutely hates being outside the house, at least you tried and learned some new things with your cat and everyone is safe - it’s not for everyone and that is okay too.”

But you can encourage your kitty to enjoy the outdoors by making the experience fun and low-stress. Chupie’s owner also shared:

“Chupie’s love of food has helped desensitize him to all sorts of different environments. When things get loud or scary, I make sure he feels safe and I provide him with his favorite snacks. This has helped him associate all sorts of environments with something he likes so he doesn’t have to give a meow. There will always be situations that come up that can be surprising so I never leave the house without his backpack and an escape-proof harness. Explore a quiet outdoor area for short amounts of time until your kitty is totally comfortable. Stay calm, be aware of your surroundings, and be prepared at all times.”

Tips for car travel with your cat

Whether you need to drive your kitty to the vet or take them on a cross-country road trip, car travel can be tough. Larraine Peele, cat podcaster and crazy cat mom of kitty Kevin J. Peele, has some tips:

“Use a secure, well-ventilated carrier for car rides, and place it in a safe spot in the vehicle. Start with short trips to help your cat acclimate to being on the road, gradually increasing the length of the journeys as they become more comfortable.”

As a therapy cat, Rurik the Red King travels a lot, and his cat pawrent Susan Mule is committed to keeping him safe. She says:

“If your cat is in the back seat, use safety measures such as a back seat alarm or mnemonic device.”

Kodiak the Travel Cat is a world traveler, living out of a van with his pawrent Caleb Harris since 2021. Caleb shares some tips for traveling with your kitty, including leash training and how to tell if your little fur baby is an adventure kitty, on TikTok.

Harness and leash training for kitties

A harness and leash is the safest way to take your kitty outdoors, but getting your fur baby to love their harness can be a trick. Thereysa Tabert, whose kitties Gingi and Luna have traveled all over the continent, says:

“I ensured that my cats were trained INDOORS first, before ever taking them outdoors. Once my cats were fully comfortable with a harness and didn't try to take it off, that's the sign that my kitties were ready to explore outdoors!”

For your kitty’s safety, it’s important to use a harness that fits. Vet and author Dr. Mansum, whose 14-year-old cat Boo has been paddle boarding and hiking with his pawrent for years, says:

“To ensure a proper fit and reduce the risk of your cat slipping out and getting lost, take them to a pet store for a harness fitting.”

How to get your cat to love their harness

Rewarding your fur baby for their hard work goes a long way, as Carly Peters’ cats Pickles and Olive—both eager adventure kitties—know. Carly shares:

“When beginning training your cats on a harness and taking them outside, make sure to consistently use positive reinforcement and their favorite treats to help the process along!”

Samantha Bell agrees. Having worked professionally with kitties since 2013 and created countless videos on cat training, she knows a thing or two. Here’s her advice:

“A great way to prepare for taking your cats on an adventure is by bonding with them through positive reinforcement training at home. This involves rewarding your cat when they exhibit behavior you want to see more of. Want your cat to feel comfortable around a harness? Set a harness on the floor and reward your cat when they go near it, when they touch it, when it touches them, etc. Prepare your cat for harness wearing in a way that actually increases the bond between you two.

It’s important to figure out what’s truly rewarding to your cat, not just what you think is rewarding to them. Do a taste test with a smorgasbord of treats and reserve the highest value treat for training time only. And don’t assume that food is their highest value reward. I have a cat who would do anything for brushing so I use that to reinforce behavior I want to see more of.”

Harness training tips for city cats

Taking your cat on quiet forest trails is one thing, but what about city travel? Metropolitan kitty Bruce Wayne enjoys going for walks to and around Central Park in NYC. His owner MJ Bulla offers some tips for harness training:

“Start Early — if you can… We introduced the harness when Bruce was a tiny kitten. Familiarity breeds comfort, so he associated it with playtime and of course his favorite — treats.

Observe Behavior — Cats communicate through subtle cues. We watched Bruce closely—his body language, tail flicks, and meows. This helped us gauge his comfort level.

Positive Reinforcement — Praise and snuggles were our secret weapons. Whenever Bruce wore the harness without fuss, he got extra cuddles, praise and a treat. Positive associations are key!

Outdoor Reassurance — When we ventured outside, Bruce needed reassurance. We spoke soothingly, letting him explore at his pace. Safety first—always on a leash!

Vigilance — Whether in our living room or out in the park, we kept an eagle eye on Bruce. Sphynx cats are curious, and we didn’t want him slipping out of the harness. I suggest to never leave your cat alone with the harness or leash on unattended.

Everyday Practice — Consistency paid off. Each day, we practiced a little more. Bruce grew confident and soon, our walks became mini-adventures.

Remember, patience and love go a long way. Bruce gets more confident everyday and our bond is stronger than ever.”

Listen to your kitty

Chances are, your cat will tell you if they’re not having fun. Paying attention to and translating their cues will help both you and your kitty avoid any travel disasters. Aishwarya Kannan, whose kitties Bello and Noodle are on a mission to realize their true feline spirits, shares this simple advice:

“Listen to your cat and trust they know what's best for them.”

And Sarah Elkins, owner of furry beachcomber and forest frolicker Will O’ Wisp, shares:

“Given the individuality of cats, it's essential to avoid projecting others' experiences onto your own cat. Rather, align your approach with your cat's unique pace and follow their lead in determining their comfort level with various activities.”

Reading your cat’s body language

According to Zafrina Zuhair, whose senior cats Kitty Mojito and Lynx have adventured on rafts, ferries, trains, and more:

“Our tip would be to know your cat, their personality, body language, etc. By knowing your cats' cues, you will be able to provide a safe and enjoyable experience when out on adventures.”

Katie Leatherberry’s Siberian cats Titan, Ember, and Matcha are expert communicators. Katie shares:

“Become a student of your cat's body language and use what you learn to practice respecting their boundaries and earning greater trust. With every new experience, make sure you go at a pace that is comfortable for your cat. Every cat is different, and this pace may be much slower than you expect or want it to be, but it's essential to remember that we're doing this for our cats and new activities are only truly enriching when our cats are free from fear and overwhelm!”

Your kitty can pick up on your cues, too. Rianna Lane, mom to 6 rescue cats, shares:

“Be confident! Your cat can sense if you’re worried or stressed and they will pick up on that energy too. The more confident you feel and act the braver your cat will be too!”

Helping your kitty communicate: talking buttons

Some cat owners like to use talking buttons to help their kitties communicate. Yann Chwen Ng, owner of rescue kitties Bat Bat and Socks—the first cats in Malaysia to use pet communication buttons—shares:

“Building a relationship based on listening and trust is key. By paying attention to our cats' cues, keeping it enjoyable and moving at their pace, going outside has been incredible for our rescue cats—whether it's up a tree, on a beach, or just outside the apartment door. Through talking buttons, Bat Bat also gets to decide and negotiate where and when they go outside. This kind of agency has been really transformative in making the experience cat-led, safe and fun.”

On a similar note, Janine Lazur, whose dog Twiggy and cat Odin have learned to communicate via talking buttons, says:

“Teach them word buttons. It helps explain the world to them, and hearing them use the word back correctly proves they understand. And even though they don’t use buttons outside, being able to hear us describe what’s happening brings them a feeling of safety, control, and trust in their human. You can also give them two options using words they know, assign a word to each of your hands, and have them choose. It’s a precursor to buttons or can be used on its own.”

Keeping your cat safe on outdoor adventures

Your number one goal when out and about is to keep your fur baby safe and comfortable. Kaitlin Fitzpatrick’s kitties Peak and Summit are bonafide adventurers, hiking the trails of Maine and Florida alongside their pawrents. And safety always comes first. Kaitlin shares:

“Always bring water or lickable treats on adventures to keep your kitty hydrated. You can also get your kitty wet to keep them cool and as they groom themselves they will get water from their fur.”

Nina Leipold, whose Bengal Cat Flounder joins all her ocean adventures, shares:

“Big safety tip (especially when swimming in the ocean) - don't ever multitask! Eyes on adventure kitty at all times! Always provide them with shade/fresh drinking water and keep them cool during warmer months.”

Do your research and come prepared

Lindsey Johnson, mom to Arizona-based rescue cat Aries, shares:

“Our favorite tip to share with anyone is to check locations before visiting with your cat! If you haven't been to that coffee shop during peak hours, swing by and check the noise factor and foot traffic. Thinking of trying out a trail for the first time? Hike it the week before and check for shade and number of people/dogs on the trail to be best prepared to try it with your cat. Visiting new spots in advance largely removes any surprise factors that could potentially jeopardize the safety of your cat and others around you.”

Marina Lalbeharry, whose adventure cat Picchu has traversed the Canadian Rockies, shares some tips for hiking in remote places:

“Always walk with coyote spray, emergency whistle, and a fully charged cell phone. GPS is also a must.”

A cat backpack, which we’re big fans of here at Travel Cat, can help keep your kitty safe. Rachel Gernander offers some advice from hiking with her kitty Ham:

“In case your kitty gets overwhelmed or fearful, a good backpack is essential for making them feel safe and secure. Walking your cat tends to go at a slower pace because they may stop to sniff spots along the trail, eat grass, or just roll around. I put Ham in the backpack when we need to hurry up and keep walking.”

Use common sense for fun catventures

In the end, a lot of taking your cat on adventures is just common sense, as Annie Carter shares. While her kitty Carlisle is a seasoned adventure cat, Ruby-Sue is just learning the ropes. Annie says:

“Be smart and attentive with your cats. If you feel like something isn't a good idea, it’s probably not. Take everything into account when outside to ensure a safe and fun experience for all involved!”

Ready for more tips and tricks from these adventure cats and their pawrents? Attend our free Virtual Summit on September 29th from 1-4 pm ET. We can’t wait to see you there!