6 Purrfect Tips For Traveling With Your Cats In a Motorhome

When you’re a pet owner, it’s often a dilemma when it comes to traveling. You want to experience the world, but dread having to drop your fur-baby with a friend or family member. Then you spend a significant amount of time thinking about how they’re doing while you’re on the road. 

While dogs and cats equally love the outdoors, dogs have it easier as they can easily be brought along. While it’s certainly tricker with cats, it’s not impossible. In fact, if you’re traveling with cats in a campervan or motorhome rental, you’re already halfway there. Just keep these 6 tips in mind.

1) Know Your Cat

By knowing your cat, you can then start to introduce them to possible travel scenarios. For example, if your cat easily gets anxious in a crate, introduce them to the leash to allow them to roam around your RV. If you have an indoor, nervous, or adventurous cat, they may need more leash training than clingy, dependent ones. Consider introducing the cat to the interior of your motorhome for a few weeks so they are already familiar with the area once you are ready to travel.

2) Visit Your Vet

Before traveling, make sure to visit your vet and get a few things sorted out. 

• Microchip your cat, if you haven’t yet. This is just to prepare for the worst, and will be discussed further below.
• Get all the vaccinations and updated boosters. Depending on where you’re traveling, proof of vaccinations may be required before your pets are allowed entry. 

3) Comfort is a Priority

The key to traveling with your feline friend in a motorhome is making them as comfortable as possible. Comfortable cats are calm cats. Having your RV exude that home-y vibe is paramount to making your cat feel safe. A few things to consider are:

• Toys
• Places to hide
• Places to climb
• Places to chill
• A place to eat 
• A spot to “do their business”

Comfort, of course, shouldn’t be exclusive to cats. So you may want to think about bringing along cat litter that keeps the air in the vehicle smelling good while not simultaneously bringing tears to your eyes while driving. 

4) Visit Your Vet… Again

Make sure to drop by the vet before going on the road. Most cats are car-phobic and get easily stressed out. They’ll yowl while in a carrier and stress-pant when allowing them to roam around. A few things to consider are:

• Plenty of food and water. Especially water. Cats are often very particular about water, and will not drink if it’s just a tiny bit dirty. Dust accumulates much faster in moving vehicles than when at home, so ater should be regularly replaced.
• Calming medications or treatments. While your cat may find the interior of your campervan quite comfy, they may not understand why it’s moving and get stressed out. A few suggestions from your local vet may put your cat at ease during the ride. 

5) Don’t Drive for Too Long

If us humans can get tired from driving long distances, considering we’re just sitting down for the most part. Imagine what your cat, whose heart rate shoots up the moment your motorhome starts moving, feels? If we need rest stops, our little friends do too. In fact, it is better to stop more frequently and make sure our pet is doing okay. A more frequent stop-rest-and-go can also get them to recognize that their experience so far is a normal part of the journey. 

6) Prepare for the Worst

Cats are unpredictable and curious creatures, and may find their way somewhere you never expected them to be in. So, think of all the worst-case scenarios you can, and prepare for them. 

• Got small kids traveling with you? Consider keeping the cat on a leash or harness within the vehicle to prevent cases where one of the kids suddenly opens the vehicle doors and the cat isn’t secure inside.
• Microchipping your cat. This was mentioned briefly above, but to elaborate, this is for when your cat, god forbid, might get lost. The microchip isn’t a tracker and won’t help you find your cat, but it will help you reunite with your furry friend. 

Traveling with your cat in a motorhome can be a great experience for both of you. Just make sure to prepare and ease your cat into the process. You’ll both be adventuring together in no time.

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