What happens when you pack a car with four cats, their crates, a portable litter box, and enough luggage to fill a storage unit? You get an epic, 10-hour road trip across Colombia, that’s what! My wife and I, along with Lion (11), Puma (8), Lavanda (5), and Aureliano (3), embarked on this journey from Bogotá to Cali. It was an adventure filled with preparation, surprises, and a lot of meowing—but it was also rewarding. Here’s our story, complete with tips to help you survive (and maybe even enjoy) traveling with your cats.
Step 1: The Purr-paration
When you’re planning a long trip with cats, preparation is key. Cats aren’t exactly known for their love of change, so we did everything we could to keep them comfortable. Here’s how we got ready:
- Researching the Road Ahead: We scoured online forums like this Reddit thread and took tips from cat expert Jackson Galaxy’s YouTube video. These resources shaped much of our prep, from crate training to calming sprays.
- Crate Expectations: Each cat had their own travel crate, padded with disposable pee mats because, let’s face it, scared cats sometimes have accidents. The mats also doubled as extra cushioning for comfort.
- Soothing the Savages: We armed ourselves with Feliway Calming Pheromone Spray, applying it to the car the night before and an hour before departure. Our vet also prescribed Tranquilan, a mild sedative that kept the cats calm for about five hours without knocking them out entirely.
- Litter-ally Prepared: Enter the portable cat litter box, pre-scented the night before to make it familiar. Though they never used it, it was good peace of mind.
- Wet Food and Treats to the Rescue: Stressed cats don’t always eat or drink, so we packed plenty of their favorite wet food (Royal Canin and Churru ) to keep them hydrated and happy. But they didn’t want to eat anything.
- Chill Tunes: We discovered the magic of this Spotify playlist for calming cats (listen here). It worked wonders for the cats—and also put me to sleep (I wasn’t driving at the time, don’t worry.).
Step 2: Hitting the Road
With everything packed and the cats sedated, we started our journey. The first three hours were surprisingly calm… until Aureliano decided he was done with the crate.
The Great Escape
Just when we thought we had everything under control, Aureliano pulled a Houdini and escaped his crate. Sedated or not, he was done with confinement and made his way to my wife’s lap. After a brief attempt to return him to confinement (which failed), we let him stay free-range. He alternated between napping on the passenger seat floor and staring out the window like a miniature dazed road trip enthusiast getting scared every so often.
The Meow Scale
Not all cats handle stress the same way. Here’s how our crew rated on the meow-o-meter:
- Lavanda (7/10): Vocal and dramatic, as expected.
- Aureliano (5/10): Complained early on but chilled once free (William Wallace vibes).
- Puma (4/10): Low-key and surprisingly calm, got angry when we covered her view outside.
- Lion (1/10): The Zen master—silent and serene for most of the trip (we got scared of how quiet he was).
Every loud truck, sharp brake, or rumble of thunder brought a chorus of meows. We quickly learned that external noises were their biggest triggers. We tried everything to soothe them—Taylor Swift, The Whitest Boy Alive, even an actual Spotify playlist for calming cats. Pro tip: the playlist worked, but it also put me to sleep (a big no-no when your wife is driving and relaying in me for company).
Step 3: Weathering the Journey
The road itself was an adventure: thunderstorms, dense fog, heat, and even freezing rain made sure we were always on our toes. Despite the weather, we kept the car at a cozy temperature for the cats, using air conditioning and blankets as needed.
We limited stops to avoid leaving the cats alone or disrupting their calm. A quick breakfast and a gas station snack were all we needed to refuel ourselves and the car before pressing on.
Step 4: The Final Stretch
As we neared Cali, the cats began to stir. While they didn’t eat or drink during the trip (as expected), they showed signs of restlessness as we slowed down.
Settling In:
Once we arrived, we let the cats explore their new home one by one, guiding them to essentials like the litter box, food, and water. As expected, they spent the first day hiding, but by day four, they were snoozing on windowsills and acting like they owned the place.
Lessons from the Litter Box
What Worked:
- Feliway Spray: Essential for keeping stress levels low.
- Pee Mats: A must-have for crate comfort and just-in-case accidents.
- Calm Music: Who knew cats could be audiophiles?
- Tranquilan: The mild sedative was a game-changer for reducing anxiety during the first leg of the trip.
What We’d Do Differently:
- Pack more snacks (for us humans!).
- Give my cats more credit. They will get stressed, but they’ll be fine in the end.
Final Thoughts
Traveling with cats is challenging but not impossible. With the right prep and a lot of patience, you can make it work. If you’re planning a trip like ours, here’s my advice:
- Overprepare: Bring the litter box, pee mats, and snacks, even if you don’t think you’ll need them.
- Stay Flexible: Things won’t go exactly as planned (thanks, Aureliano), but rolling with the punches is key.
- Be Patient: Cats are resilient, but they need time to adjust.
In the end, it’s all worth it. Seeing our cats safe, sound, and happy in their new home made every meow, escape attempt, and stormy mile worth it.
