It’s almost that time again: when airports and roads are packed with travelers on their way to visit family and friends for the holidays. Whether you’re heading home for Christmas or to a far off vacation for your Thanksgiving break, bringing your kitty along can be a challenge. 

But don’t worry—we’ve put together some trusty tips for traveling with your cat during the holidays.

Thanksgiving, Christmas, and More: General Tips for Safe Holiday Travels

First things first. If you’re booking train or airline tickets or hotel rooms, be sure to plan in advance and ask about their rules for pets. 

Second, no matter how or where you’re traveling, be sure to pack the essentials:

• License
• Carrier
• Food and water
• Litter (a portable litter box like “The Porta-Pawty” can go a long way)
• Blanket (to cover the carrier in case your cat gets nervous, or to let her snuggle with)
• Toys (to keep your cat entertained)
• Treats (to lure your cat into his carrier)
• Scratcher (opt for one that’s easy to pack and store, like “The Accordion” Cardboard Bed & Scratcher and “The 90s Cat” Portable Cat Scratcher)
• Bed

If you have room for a bed, bring one that’s easy to pack, like “The Meowbile Home” Convertible Cat Bed & Cave. Designed to be super comfy for kitties, it features a black interior so your cat can hide away when she gets overwhelmed by all the new faces.

Whichever carrier you decide to bring, make sure your kitty is familiar and comfortable with it before you pack her up and take off. Try leaving it open in your house for a few days, and throw a few treats and/or toys inside to entice your cat in. 

Finally, make a plan for when your cat gets stressed. Unfamiliar environments, jolty travel, and lots of people can quickly overwhelm your little tiger, so bring along things to help him stay calm: like a blankie, a toy, and treats. Make sure your cat’s carrier gives him lots of privacy in case he needs to escape from it all.

If you need to stock up on cat travel supplies, try "The Easy Journey" Bundle or "The Whole Kitten Kaboodle."

Tips for Car Travel

Taking your fur baby on a road trip for Thanksgiving or Christmas? Here are some ways to make the drive more pleasant for everyone.

Find a good carrier

Your cat needs a carrier that’s comfortable yet secure. We recommend "The Transpurrter" as you can strap it into a seatbelt, or “The Boop Coop,” which you can collapse for easy storage when not in use.

Belt them in

For everyone’s safety, your cat should be properly restrained during travel. Make sure their carrier is secured in your car, and don’t forget to bring along a harness and leash.

Bring food and water

Bring along your cat's favorite food, and make sure to give him water whenever you stop and get out. A foldable dish like “The Travel Buddy” makes this easier. 

Get more tips for car travel from our Travel Cat Summit!

Tips for Train Travel

Traveling by train can be a little trickier, as you’ll have to pack light and follow the train’s rules for traveling with pets. Here are our top tips.

Check the train’s pet rules

Many trains allow cats, but only if they’re kept in a carrier the whole time. On Amtrak, the combined weight of the cat and carrier must be 20 pounds or less. You may also need to show that your kitty is up to date on all her vaccinations.

Choose a good carrier

A cat backpack can be a good option for train travel, as it’s compact and versatile. For larger kitties, we recommend “The Fat Cat” Cat Backpack: a safe, durable, and comfy way for your fur baby to travel. Another great option is The Jackson Galaxy Convertible Cat Backpack, which can be used as a backpack or traditional carrier—making it perfect for travel. 

Make sure your cat has everything she needs

Traveling by train may be stressful for your cat, as it’s an unfamiliar environment around people she doesn’t know. You may want to bring a blanket, her favorite treats, and a toy or two to help calm her.

Tips for Air Travel

If you’re a truly ambitious soul taking your cat up in the air, here’s what you need to know.

Check with your airline

Most airlines allow you to bring your cat along as a carry-on, but it’s a good idea to check first just to be sure.

Bring an airline-approved carrier

Unless your airline tells you differently, your cat will need to fit comfortably under the seat in front of you in an airline-approved carrier. We recommend either "The Odyssey" Soft Cat Carrier or  “The Transpurrter” Convertible Cat Carrier. Both are airline-approved, give your cat privacy, and can be carried a number of ways: including with a handle, via a shoulder strap, or on top of a suitcase. They even include pockets to stick your ID and other personal belongings in.

 

Take your kitty in the cabin

It goes without saying that you should never pack your cat in the cargo hold. While it may be safe enough, your cat will be stressed out of her mind, and might injure herself trying to get out.

Need more tips? Read our ultimate guide to flying with your cat.

 

Tips for Hotel & AirBnB Travel

If you and your fur baby are staying in a hotel, there are a few things you'll want to do to make your stay smoother and more enjoyable for everyone---your cat included.

Check that your hotel is pet-friendly - and know what that means

Before you even book a hotel, make sure they allow cats. Some hotels are "pet-friendly" but only allow dogs, and others may have outdated information on their website, so you may want to call to be sure. If they do allow cats, that usually means that your cat is only allowed in your room, and the hotel may charge an extra fee for bringing your cat. Check out some cat-friendly hotels here (but be sure to call ahead and double-check).

Bring a litter box, carrier, and dishes

Even if the hotel is cat-friendly, they'll expect you to bring your own litter box, cat carrier, and anything else you may need. Bring a litter box that's portable and easy to set up, and a carrier that will keep your cat contained but give him some room to stretch out, like "The Odyssey" Soft Cat Carrier. You may want to take some other steps to catify your hotel room as well.

Be careful about leaving your cat alone

It's probably not a great idea to leave your cat alone in your hotel room for long periods of time, but if you have to, make sure she's safely contained in a carrier or pen, and put up a Do Not Disturb sign so staff won't come in and stress your fur baby out or accidentally let her escape. 

Bon voyage!

Taking your cat on the road (or up in the air) can be an adventure, but if you plan ahead and check in with your fur baby to make sure she’s always nice and comfy, you shouldn’t need to worry too much. 

Besides, once you’ve reached your destination and are happily snuggling with your fur baby over the holidays, it will all be worth it.