Tips for Car Journeys with Babies & Cats in Tow

Going on holiday is a fun adventure for the whole family, but what about the smaller members of your family?

Many new parents and pet owners could never imagine a vacation without their bundles of joy (furry or not!), and with more and more hotels and holiday parks becoming more accessible to all members of the family, it’s getting much easier to have a complete family holiday.

However, car journeys, especially long ones, aren’t always the easiest. We’ve compiled a list of a few that we think are particularly useful and effective for when travelling with small children and pets…

• Ensure that your baby is dressed or swathed appropriately for the journey. If it’s boiling hot then dress them in clothes that will keep them cool, or if it’s a cold day make sure they have blankets to keep them warm.
• If it’s a sunny day, put detachable window blinds in the car windows so that the sunlight doesn’t shine in your baby’s eyes.

• Get your baby and cat used to car journeys by taking them on a few short trips on the days leading up to the holiday. This is a good way to get them used to travelling and you can find out how they deal with it.
• Help your cat get used to the cat carrier, as this can be one of the hardest aspects of the journey for them. You could spray it with calming remedies like Feliway. You can get this and other veterinary supplies at vet-medic.com.
• Make sure your cat has a supply of water whilst they’re in the cage, but avoid giving them too much as this might make them sick. The same goes for food; one little treat would be much better than a big bowl of food as car sickness in cats is very common.
• Try and take the occasional stop/break if possible to give your cat a chance to stretch its legs and for them both to get some fresh air. This might help especially if they’re prone to sickness.
• Some cat owners think that putting a cat harness on your cat is a good idea before they get in the carrier so they don’t run off as soon as you let them out in the new destination which can be good if you’ve never been there before and they’re not familiar with the area.
• It’s also important to think about a few aspects before you actually go, including taking the cat for a check up at the vets and your baby to the doctors. This way you can determine whether they’re fully fit to travel or not. They may also be able to give you something to help them on the journey, too, such as sickness pills.
• Pick the best time of day in terms of temperature and weather to begin your journey. For example, setting off in the middle of the day when the sun is at its highest may distress your cat and baby as it will get significantly hotter. You should also bear in mind your baby’s nap and feeding times so you can plan that into the journey.