Guest Post: Top 7 Tips for Traveling by Car with Your Cat

Kim Salerno is the President & Founder of TripsWithPets.com. She founded the pet travel site in 2003 and is an expert in the field of pet travel. Her popular web site features pet friendly hotels & accommodations across the US and Canada, along with other helpful pet travel resources. Her mission is to ensure that pets are welcome, happy, and safe in their travels.

 Top 7 Tips for Traveling by Car with Your Cat

 Amongst pets, dogs are the most frequent travelers.  They account for over 85% of pet travelers.  Trips to the beach,  family vacations,  traveling to pet friendly accommodations...no matter what the adventure, most dogs love car rides and can't wait to hop in and hit the open road.  Cats on the other hand - not so much.  Most cat's car travel takes place when they are going back and forth to the vet (no wonder they don't like the car).  However, many cat parents are faced with a big dilemma when they have to move - particularly if the move is a long distance.  They are stressed at the thought of putting terrified Fluffy in the car - traveling for hours on end.  In addition, a growing number of cat parents would like to include their cat in their daily travels.

We've come up with some tips to help make your cat's car travel experience a better one...for both of you! 

1.  Pet Carrier Training:  Always use a pet travel carrier for your cat when traveling in a car.  The carrier should be large enough for your cat to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably. Be sure the carrier has proper ventilation.  Get him used to their carrier in your house.  Place his bedding, some toys, or maybe some catnip or kibble in the carrier and keep the carrier door open.  Let your cat go in and out of the carrier at their leisure. Do this until your cat feels comfortable.

2.  Familiarity is Comfort:  Cats are highly sensitive to the environment and their territory so you want to help to make the car part of their territory.  Place a towel or blanket with your cat's scent on the car seat.  Put your cat in the car with you and close the doors.  Let your cat explore your car, rub around and spread their scent.   Do this a few times a day for a couple minutes and gradually increase the time.

3.  Positive Reinforcement:  Once your cat is calm in the car, start feeding him in the car for at least a week. If play or catnip motivate him more than food, then let your cat indulge in that while in the car.   Again, associating the car with all things good will help make your cat a better traveler.

4.  Introduce Carrier in Car:  Gradually your cat will begin to accept the car as his territory.  When he's at this point, it's time to introduce the travel carrier into the car (so be sure you are simultaneously crate training him).  Put your cat in the carrier and place the carrier in the back seat or cargo area of your vehicle.  Be sure the carrier is secure and away from airbags.  Turn on the engine and that's it. Don't drive anywhere. Let your cat get used to the noise of the engine and the vibration.  Do this at least 3 times a day until your cat gets used to it.  Reward your cat as soon as he is let out of his carrier.

5.  Short Rides:  Once your cat is used to the car and engine, it's time to move.  Back up to the end of the driveway and drive up it again.  Do this a few times then take your cat out of the car and into the house.  Reward him with play time and treats once you let him out of his crate. When you feel your cat is ready, extend your trip and drive around the block.  Slowly, increase the length and duration of your car rides.  Again, the key is to do this very gradually and reward your cat after each step.  Your cat will let you know if he's not comfortable with the speed of his "car training."

6.  Calm Energy:  Throughout the entire process, it's important for you to be calm.  Pets sense your energy.  So, when you're hyped up and stressed, they will be too.

7.  Potty Breaks:  If you're traveling a long distance, you'll need to consider the issue of potty breaks for your cat.  Some cat parents have harness trained their cat.  This allows them to walk their cats at rest areas along the way.  Otherwise, it is recommended that you keep your drive time down to 8 hours at most.  At that point allow your cat to have a potty break at your night's destination.  You know your cat best, so this time could vary.

Whether it's including your cat while running errands around town or a move across country with your cat, making them happy in the car is essential.  Helping your cat become more comfortable traveling in a car definitely takes some time and a lot of patience.  Stick with it and take your time...remember,  it's a gradual process that should not be rushed.  Safe and happy travels with your cat!

For more information, visit www.tripswithpetscom. TripsWithPets.com is the premier online guide for pet travel-offering resources to ensure pets are welcome, happy and safe when traveling. Visit www.tripswithpets.com to find a directory of pet friendly hotels and accommodations across the U.S. and Canada, airline policies, pet travel tips, pet travel supplies, along with other pet travel resources.

Guest Post: Top 10 Pre-Moving Day Tips for Pets

Kim Salerno is the President & Founder of TripsWithPets.com. She founded the pet travel site in 2003 and is an expert in the field of pet travel. Her popular web site features pet friendly hotels & accommodations across the US and Canada, along with other helpful pet travel resources. Her mission is to ensure that pets are welcome, happy, and safe in their travels.

Top 10 Pre-Moving Day Tips for Pets 

 If you're planning a move with your pet, it's important to do some homework and be prepared. Moving has the potential to create a lot of anxiety for pets...particularly for older pets, most cats, and skittish pets. Pre-move preparation is the key to helping ensure your move goes as smoothly as possible for your pet and you.

Here are the top 10 pre-moving day tips for pets:

1. Pet Laws and Regulations: Become familiar with the state/province leash laws, pet ordinances, and pet licensing requirements. For state/province laws, contact the State Department of Agriculture or State Veterinarian's office. For local ordinances, contact the City Clerks' office, local humane organization, or animal control facility in the area in which you'll be relocating. If you are planning to rent a house or apartment, be sure to carefully review the lease to ensure that pets are allowed before you move in.

2. A Trip to Your Pet's Vet: It's important to be sure that your pet is up to date on all vaccinations and has a thorough check-up before you move. Get a copy of all your pet's medical records (as their new vet will need them), as well as a health certificate. If your pet is on any medication, make sure you get it refilled. If your pet is not a good traveler, discuss this with your vet. If after trying behavior modification training to no avail, your vet may recommend some medications or natural calming supplements to helps ease your pet's travel anxiety.

3. Secure a New Vet: Be sure to have a new veterinarian lined up before you move. Ask your current vet for a referral or research online for new veterinarian.

4. New Identification Tag: Get a new pet ID tag that includes your pet's name, your name, new address and telephone number.

5. Routine, Routine Routine: Pets are creatures of habit and love routine. Do your best to not throw off their routine by gradually packing over a period of time. The less commotion and more normalcy, the better!

6. Secure Your Pet in Car: Have a plan for how you're going to properly secure your pet in your vehicle. This is a crucial element of pet travel that is not taken seriously enough. The reality is that hundreds of pets are injured or even killed each year because they are allowed free reign in cars, trucks, RVs, and SUVs. Even more real is the toll in human life and property damage caused when an "enthusiastic" animal distracts a driver, leading to an accident. Vehicle pet barriers, pet seat belts, pet car seats, and pet travel crates are all excellent ways to keep your pet (and you) safe when traveling in your vehicle. It's important to familiarize your pet with the vehicle restraint of choice weeks or months before traveling so that they are comfortable.

7. Secure Pet Friendly Accommodations in Advance: If your move is such that you'll need to make overnight stops along the way, be sure to secure these accommodations before you hit the road. Pet policies do change some times without notice and accommodations may be limited so it's recommended that you book pet friendly hotels in advance.

8. Plan Ahead for Air Travel: Check with your veterinarian and the airline if your pet will be flying. The airline will require a health certificate issued by your vet. You'll also want to purchase an appropriate airline approved pet carrier. Be sure you take the time to familiarize your pet with it at least one month prior to travel.

9. Calm Energy: Even though moving is typically a crazy and hectic time for you, it's important to keep yourself as calm and relaxed as possible. We all know that our pets sense our energy and when we're amped up, they get stress. So, whatever works for you to keep your sense of calm, do it!

10. Tell Your Pet: This may seem out there to some, BUT, have a talk with your pet letting them know about the move. Let them know what to expect on moving day, about the new house, the yard, etc... If nothing else, it will make you feel better, which in turn will help your pet.

Moving to a new home with your pet doesn't have to be stressful if you are prepared and plan ahead!

Pet Friendly Hotels Where Pets Stay FREE!

Not all pet friendly hotels and accommodations are created equal. Pet policies vary widely among pet friendly accommodations. Some hotels are only dog friendly; some pet friendly hotels only allow pets under 25 lbs., some have a 2 pet maximum, and almost all of them charge a pet fee - ranging from $10/night to a non-refundable pet deposit upwards of $100 (a.k.a. pet fee).

There are, however, some standout pet friendly hotel chains that allow your pets to stay for free. Trips with Pets lists Pet Friendly Hotel Chains, where you can look up your intended hotel and check their pet policy.

They have also researched a list of hotels where pets stay FREE:

Motel 6
Red Roof Inns
La Quinta
Kimpton Hotels

Visit www.tripswithpets.com, to find a directory of  pet friendly hotels and accommodations across the U.S. and Canada, airline pet policies, car rental pet polices, pet travel tips, pet travel supplies, along with other pet travel resources.

New options for pet travelers

TripsWithPets is very happy to announce the launch of their new and improved website, http://www.tripswithpets.com. The new site was redesigned to better assist pet travelers (and their humans) by adding more features and revealing a fresh look and more intuitive navigation to easily find the information they need to plan a trip. The website’s primary goal has always been to help pet parents find pet friendly hotels & lodging in the United States when they’re away from home. Now, TripsWithPets has expanded their reach by including their neighbors to the north. That’s right, TripsWithPets now includes pet friendly accommodations in Canada! Another much requested feature is the Search by Route. This allows pet travelers to search for pet friendly lodging along their travel route. Simply enter the departure and destination cities and a list of all the pet friendly hotels (and other pet friendly properties) within a 3 or 5 mile radius of the route are returned, as well as printable directions.

Beauty in the eye of the beholder?

I've had the most fun this morning. Exploring, hunting, learning - THIS is what the internet was meant for, isn't it? I started at Albert's Window, where the portrait to the left caught my eye. AND - I had a little moment of Déjà vu. Something about that painting was so familiar. Now, why would such a bizarre piece of art be familiar to me? I thought I'd keep exploring. The letter which Antonietta Gonzalez the subject of the portrait is holding says,

"Don Pietro, a wild man discovered in the Canary Islands, was conveyed to his most serene highness Henry the king of France, and from there came to his Excellency the Duke of Parma. From whom [came] I, Antonietta, and now I can be found nearby at the court of the Lady Isabella Pallavicina, the honorable Marchesa of Soragna."

Now I detoured to Wikipedia, to read about hypertrichosis, also known as "werewolf syndrome." There, I learned that Antoinetta's father, Petrus Gonzales, has gone down in history as the first recorded case of hypertrichosis. There are more recent people who are afflicted with hypertrichosis, but they unfortunately are ostracized, or treated as freaks of nature and put on show in traveling carnivals. This was not the fate of Petrus Gonzales and his children. In Failure Magazine, Merry Wiesner-Hanks, author of “The Marvelous Hairy Girls”, states that,

"They lived at court and Petrus and his sons were given minor positions, Petrus being an assistant bearer of the king’s bread. The Gonzales family was at court because of their hairiness, in a situation similar to that of court dwarves. They were not exactly free to come and go as they pleased, but they were not slaves. Their noble patrons dressed them in luxurious clothing."

In reading an article which Merry Wiesner-Hanks wrote for National Sexuality Resource Center (NSRC), I was thrilled to see that the portrait of Antonietta Gonzales now hangs in the castle of Blois in France. Then, I had that "Aha moment." See, I've visited Blois! In 2006, we made a trip to France to visit some of the Chateaux of the Loire Valley. I had visited the Chateaux of Blois and had seen that painting before! It just took me about four and a half years to learn its history. I'm so glad that I did! (click for larger) Portrait of Antonietta Gonzales, by Lavinia Fontana

Paris Dog Cemetery

Back about fifteen years ago, on my first visit to Paris, I was surprised at how totally the Parisians included their dogs into every day life. We saw dogs in restaurants, sitting in their own chair at the table, dogs in stores, dogs in museums, and lots of dog crap all over the sidewalks, which didn't seem to bother anyone. So I wasn't surprised now, when I just recently learned that Paris's Cemetery of Dogs, Le Cimetière des chiens d'Asnières-sur-Seine, is thought to be the world's oldest public pet cemetery. In June, 1899, digging began on a narrow parcel of riverfront land in Asnières-sur-Seine. The new cemetery opened for business that summer, and over the years more than 40,000 animals have been buried in the Cimetière des Chiens--not just dogs, but also cats, a racehorse, a lion, a monkey, and domestic animals such as rabbits, hamsters, mice, birds, and fish. Paris for Visitors has visitor information and captioned photos of the Le Cimetière des chiens d'Asnières-sur-Seine. They recommend a visit for anyone who's fond of animals -- and especially for families with young children, who may find a pet cemetery more interesting (and less overwhelming) than the great human nécropoles of Paris. Here's a video accompanied by haunting Edith Piaf vocals. Source (via Smartdog's Weblog)

The life I want

One of the blogs I visit frequently is Riviera Dogs. It is filled with excellent photos of dogs, taken in the south of France and Monaco. Ahh, that's the life I would love - warm, sunshiny, relaxing ... with many tourists and local dogs, enjoying the scenery, the food, and the lifestyle. I, too, would take photos of all the cute dogs and their owners! Riviera Dogs is administered by Jilly Bennett, who also owns a dog sitting facility, Pension Milou. When residents of the Cote d'Azur go away on holiday or business, they know their dog will be looked after in an environment just like home. Jilly also maintains two outstanding photo blogs: Menton Daily Photo and Monte Carlo Daily Photo. From Menton: Roquebrune village held its annual Fête des Châtaignes (the Chestnut Fête) - with between 1500 and 2000 visitors arriving at the village to buy roasted chestnuts and sip hot wine or tequila. Can't you almost smell them roasting? And then, - October in Monte Carlo! Jilly - you have so much to do! Aren't you tired? Do you need an assistant? I'd do it for free! Can I come and live your life? Photo credit: all by Jilly Bennett

Hey baby, let's go for a ride

This is Chico from Phoenix, Arizona. Chico is a member of the Biker Dogs Motorcycle Club. He has put on about 35,000 miles and is on his second bike. Nothing beats a cold brew after a long ride! Lots more Dogs on Bikes

Here's a fun way to tour New York

Looking for something fun and different to do in New York City? Look no further. If you’re a dog owner, or even just a dog lover, you’re in for a treat. Tourists and locals alike will have a doggone good time with New York Dog Tours. They offer you and your furry friends the opportunity to get out there and experience New York City like you’ve never experienced it before. Visit some of the most dog-friendly places in Manhattan. Each of the three walking tours is specifically designed to entertain and educate. You’ll visit famous landmarks, find hidden-treasure pet shops, and discover historical facts that will surprise even the most seasoned New Yorker. Whether you want to spend quality time with your pet, meet other animal lovers, learn about the attractions New York has to offer, or just take a stroll around Manhattan, you’ll find what you’re looking for with New York Dog Tours. Sounds like fun!

Get Close to the World’s Deadliest Animals

They could crush or asphyxiate you, bite you in half or inject you with venom, but you want to see them anyway. Matador Trips presents 8 trips that bring you face-to-face with some of the world’s most dangerous animals in their natural environments. Photo: Tut99 (Roger)

Eyes over Africa

In 2006, to fulfill a long-held dream, widely acclaimed photographer Michael Poliza and friend Stefan Breuer undertook a helicopter journey across Africa. Skimming close to the ground, they flew over 19 countries. In 'Eyes over Africa' Poliza shares the astounding beauty, scale and diversity of this imposing continent. At the website, Eyes over AFRICA XXL, you can see some of these outstanding images.

Dogs and Travel

Since all dogs are descendants of wolves, isn't it amazing the variety to be found? I have a strange hobby of photographing dogs and food whenever I travel. Here are some of the dogs I've met on my trips: Chicago, IL: San Diego, CA: Boston, MA: Martha's Vineyard, MA: Lake Geneva, WI Nürnberg, Germany: Ansbach, Germany: Dinkelsbühl, Germany: Ulm, Germany: Schwangau, Germany: Budapest, Hungary: Szentendre, Hungary: Sion, Switzerland: Cheverney, France: Flagey-Echezeaux, France: Paris, France: I have MORE!

A fun business trip

From February 13 thru February 17, we were in San Diego, attending the Global Pet Expo. The pet industry's largest annual trade show is presented by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA) and Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA.) It is not open to the public, but is open to just about everybody who has anything to do with pets: manufacturers, distributors, sales reps, pet shop owners, groomers, breeders - you name it. We saw some very interesting individuals at the show. Some were there hawking their products. Some show attendees were colorfully dressed. Of course we had to visit i-pets.com's favorite supplier, Pet Factory. Pet Factory is the only manufacturer of USA rawhide pet treats. Doesn't their display look wonderful? At this display for a bird seed manufacturer, we got to pet an American Eagle and an owl. There were numerous dogs of all sizes at the show. This guy looked like he was ready to leave. This magnificent Newfoundland patiently greeted visitors at the display he was representing. The Global Pet Expo had an amazing amount of pet merchandise - just about everything you can imagine for pets of any sort. What I noticed was a trend in automated toys for pets to play with if their owners were just too lazy to play with them, doggy treadmills for dogs whose owners were too lazy to walk them, pet strollers for pets too lazy to walk. The clothing and accessories for little dogs is just overwhelming - think of any item for your children - they'll have it for your dog. The most ridiculously silly items? Canine coffee for your dog's morning drink, an artwork kit for your dog to create paintings, a self-flushing litter box to put on your toilet and this: Contech’s new ChatterBowl is a talking pet bowl, so your dog can hear your voice any time it wants. The food bowl records your voice, and plays it back when your pet approaches. Your voice will play whenever your pet comes to eat or drink. The show was fun, but even more fun was exploring San Diego and meeting some of the locals ... We met this pooch having lunch at the Prado restaurant in Balboa Park. (No, the hamburger was not for him.)

Travel with Pets - the Ultimate Guide

These days, pets are often given the same privileges as their human owners when it comes to grooming, play dates, pet spa treatments, gourmet meals and exercise routines. Since pets are usually considered a part of the family, why should things be different when you take the whole crew on a vacation? Traveling with a pet can be a bigger hassle than your typical trip to the groomer’s, but TravelHacker has compiled this ultimate guide for a pet-friendly vacation to make sure everyone has a good time.

Albert the Bull

Albert, the World's Largest Bull, has been guarding the peaceful streets of Audubon since 1964. He is 30 feet tall and 33 feet long, and has a 15-foot span between horns. He also has baby blue eyes and giant concrete gonads. He weighs 45 tons, and most of it is solid concrete. The steelwork that forms his mighty frame was salvaged from abandoned Iowa windmills. Source: Roadside America

The Bedbug Registry

The Bedbug Registry is a free, public database of bedbug infestations in the United States and Canada. Use it to check for bedbug reports before booking a hotel room or renting an apartment. (via)

In the footsteps of Genghis Khan

An Australian man has completed a three-year journey from Mongolia to Hungary, following in the footsteps of the Mongolian leader Genghis Khan. When Tim Cope began his 10,000 km (6,200 mile) journey in June 2004 he expected it to take 18 months. However, a stint at home when his father died and other delays meant it took more than double that. Throughout the trek he traveled on horseback and relied on the hospitality of local people, including nomads. He traveled with three horses at any time, one to carry him and two to carry feed and supplies and briefly, whilst in Kazakhstan, also used a camel. He needed 13 horses in total to complete the marathon journey, though two of them - Taskonir and Ogonyok - have been with him since October 2004 when he was in Kazakhstan. His other companion was Tigon, meaning "hawk" or "fast wind", a black and white hunting dog given to him as gift in Kazakhstan, whom he now hopes to take home to Australia. Arriving at his final destination, the Hungarian town of Opusztaszer, Mr Cope paid tribute to the animals saying that they, along with the numerous people who had welcomed him into their homes, were the "real heroes" of the journey. Both he and the animals faced much hardship as they endured life on the steppes of Asia and Central Europe, experiencing temperature ranging from minus 52C to plus 54C. (via) UPDATE: Tim Cope has a website : Tim Cope Journeys (via)