How To Keep Your Cat Healthy on the Road

When I was an indoor-only cat, I went to the vet a grand total of one time. That was when the volunteers who found me took me in to get me chipped and snipped. But, since we’ve been on the road, the missus has had to ensure she keeps up with my vaccines and medications.

While I am still technically inside the RV, truck, or tent, I’m more exposed to nature than I was in a house. Your kitty will be too, so consider using these tips to ensure Mister Whiskers still lives a long and healthy life.

Invest in a Good Carrier

My first carrier was a medium-sized dog crate because Missus wanted me to have a whole mansion to myself when traveling. At the risk of sounding ungrateful, I didn’t like it. I much prefer my little expandable backpack carrier.

You might need to try different ones with your pet before finding the right one. But, don’t wait until you have an emergency to realize you have no safe way to bring your cat to the vet—or to escape with your kitty to safety.

Let Kitty Wear a Seatbelt

Most people agree that human adults and kids should wear seatbelts. Yet, when it comes to the pets they claim to love, we are free to go flying through the windshield and into the dash. There are hundreds of heartbreaking stories online of people losing their pets during an accident. Don't wait until one happens to wish you had secured your kitty.

My Vocal posts are behind my newsletter, so check out my most recent newsletter post on why you should secure your kitty and how to accomplish it. While you're there, consider subscribing so you never miss a post. You can also ask me any questions you might have about securing your kitty.

Talk To Your Vet

Before adventuring, it’s important to bring your cat in for a checkup. Prevention is better than cure, so this is your moment to catch something early or get the peace of mind that you have nothing to worry about.

Explain to your vet where you plan to go and what activities you have in mind for your cat. Your vet can then determine which vaccines are worth getting. Always ensure you store vet records safely. Ideally, keep it wherever you store your passport.

Talk To Travel Authorities

If you plan to fly with your cat or drive across country borders, those vaccines become especially important. You might need to show proof of rabies shots and some countries require you to quarantine your pet whether you have proof or not.

Have a chat with the relevant agencies in the areas you plan to travel to. And, give the airlines you tend to fly with a call.

Consider the Environment

If you had an indoor-only cat before hitting the road, you likely didn’t administer worm meds or flea meds very often. Maybe you didn’t administer them at all. When you’re out camping in nature and taking your cat into public spaces, however, your cat might be exposed.

Missus lets the vet give me worm medicine, but she does administer flea and tick meds when it’s warm or when our campgrounds have a lot of dogs. Even though I’m inside, fleas and ticks are always looking for new victims and we certainly don’t want that to be me!

Ultimately, the best person to talk to about your cat’s health is your vet. Next time, I’ll share another reason to drop by the vet. I’ll talk about the kitty passport: what it is, why you need it, when you need it, and how to get it. See you soon!

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