If you have a fur baby, the chances are that you love the idea of bringing it with you wherever you go. However, if that fur baby is a cat, then traveling should not be taken lightly. Most cats are notoriously poor travelers and do not like being forced out of their comfort zone. It is inevitable that reasons for travel will occur, and who can leave their best friend behind? Know that there are things you can do ahead of time to help your cat be a better traveler, whether internationally or across town.

There are a few things that you should start thinking about well in advance of your trip if you want to take your feline friend with you. Here’s a look at some of the essential things you need to consider.

Consider whether you really need to travel with a cat

The first thing to consider is that cats aren’t like dogs. An important thing that people often overlook when trying to help their cat be a better traveler is that cats are extremely territorial animals, which means that they don’t enjoy going to new places.

Cats feel most comfortable when they are in familiar surroundings, seeing familiar sights and smelling familiar smells. Travel is highly likely to cause your cat panic and distress, so it’s important that you only travel with them if really necessary. If you are going away for a short period of time, a better option would be to arrange for a friend or family member to check on them while you are away or even pay a pet sitter to come and stay in your house with them. This task is a lot easier when looking after a cat than a dog, due to how independent your pet likely is. It will still need to be checked up on every day, with its litter boxed emptied regularly and its food and water topped up.

Consider your cat’s personality and breed

Take a minute to evaluate your cat’s personality. Is your cat friendly and outgoing or very suspicious of strangers? Is it independent or does it follow you around the house much of the time? Has your cat been handled frequently, especially when young? If an indoor cat, does your cat long to go outside?

Generally, cats that are exposed to different environments during their lifetime can turn out to be good travelers. Also, cats that welcome visitors and new experiences may surprise you with their willingness to travel.

Certain breeds of cats such as Ragdolls and Burmese have a calmer nature and may adapt better to the stress of traveling. Breeds like the British Shorthair are known for their calm demeanor and low energy levels, making them ideal for long journeys. Abyssinian and the Burmese are known for their sociable nature and are less aggressive around other cats and humans.  A sociable cat is more likely to adapt to new environments and strangers. Get to know the personality of your cat to see what behavioral traits need to be addressed prior to travel.

If you have a cat that is very independent, prefers its own company rather than the company of others and shows signs of territorial dominance, you will need to spend more time to help your cat be a better traveler.

Is your cat trainable?

The ability to learn is an important factor when selecting a cat who is better suitable for travel. Some breeds, such as the Siamese or the Maine Coon, are highly trainable and can be taught by experience to tolerate and maybe enjoy travel. Training your cat to behave in a carrier, to walk on a leash, or to adapt to new environments can make traveling easier. Investing time in training can transform your cat into a better travel companion.

Does your cat get along with other cats?

A compatible and socialized kitty is bound to be a better traveler than one who is better off left alone. It is oftentimes unavoidable that other pets are in the vicinity when traveling and aggressive behavior will not help ease stress in any circumstances.

Is your cat afraid of loud noises?

There is no way to avoid loud and strange noises when traveling unless you are taking a road trip in an air-conditioned car. From an aircraft engine to a busy airport or train station, your cat must be fairly comfortable with unusual noises. A big consideration is how much they trust you. Some breeds, such as the Persian and the British Shorthair, have a higher tolerance for sounds than other breeds.

How well does your cat adapt to new environments?

Those pet owners who travel frequently should consider breeds like the American Shorthair and the Russian Blue. These cats are less likely to be stressed by changes in their surroundings. An adaptable cat will take new experiences in stride, from hotel stays to road trips. Choosing a breed with a high level of adaptability ensures that your feline friend will be comfortable and content, no matter where your travels take you.

How healthy is your cat?

Another thing to consider when planning travel is whether or not your cat is in good physical shape. If they aren’t, then traveling could put them at risk.

If your cat has a chronic health condition, they are overweight, or they are advanced in years, then traveling is likely to be difficult for them.

How do you know whether your pet is overweight enough to constitute a health risk? Some breeds are naturally heavier than others. Diamond Pet has provided detailed information about if an overweight cat is an unhealthy cat which will give you a better idea on this.

Closely related to the health of your cat, you also need to visit your veterinarian to ensure that your cat is fit to travel, up to date on any vaccinations, treatments and health certificates that it needs for travel, primarily if you’re traveling internationally, as many countries won’t let live animals enter unless their pet import requirements are met. It’s a good idea to get your cat vaccinated for rabies, feline calicivirus, feline panleukopenia (enteritis), feline rhinotracheitis before an international trip for it’s own safety. There can be harmful diseases in other countries that it might not be protected from.

Related: Pet import requirements for over 200 countries worldwide

Is your cat of a breed that is highly allergenic?

When traveling, cat owners should be aware that many breeds of cats can cause allergic reactions in others nearby and take precautions to isolate their cats. The following breeds are not as likely to cause allergic reactions: Devon Rex, Russian Blue, Sphynx, Oriental Shorthair, Bengal, Balinese, Siberian and Javanese.

Keeping your cat comfortable while traveling

If you are going to be traveling with your cat, then it’s important to do all that you can to keep them comfortable. As cats gain a lot of their knowledge about what’s going on around them by smell, a good way to do this is by surrounding them with familiar smells while they are traveling.

So, if they have a favorite blanket or toy, be sure to put these in with them, and if you’re going to be using a travel pet crate or carrier, then have it in the house for a few weeks or more before you travel. Encourage your cat to sleep in it if you can. This will help the cat build up an association to the carrier and feel safer and more comfortable when inside it. It might also be worth using a different carrier when taking the cat to the vet, so that it doesn’t build up any negative connotations with the carrier you intend to travel with. If you’re traveling over a long distance, be sure to let your cat out of its carrier every now and again to stretch its legs to help with circulation but to also release some energy that it may have built up. Be sure to use a cat lead, so that you don’t lose it.

Related: Acclimating your cat to its carrier or crate

Weight and size matter

Cats that are not overweight are better travelers. Light-weight cats also open up the opportunity for flying in the cabin with their owners instead of flying in the cargo hold.

Consider grooming needs

Some breeds of cats shed a lot and require more attention. Short haired cats are generally easier to take care of and can cause fewer problems during travel. Persians and Maine Coon breeds need lots of grooming.

Flying with a cat

If you’re going to be flying with your cat, it’s important that you check your airline’s pet policies on pet travel as soon as possible so that you have time to plan everything you need to. Each different airline will have its own rules about whether they allow pet travel, and if they do, whether your pet will be allowed to be carried on as hand luggage or whether they will have to be put in the hold. If your cat has to be put on hold, consider how it might react to that. The hold of a plane can be loud a little chilly, creating a distressing environment, so if you haven’t booked a ticket yet, do try to find an airline that will allow your cat to travel in the cabin, as this will be more comfortable for them. There are also likely to be rules about the size of pet carrier that is permitted, but usually, most cat cases are fine due to their petite size.

They will generally require that pets be fully vaccinated and that you acquire a health certificate from your vet to confirm that they are in good health.

Every cat owner wants to help their cat be a better traveler when the time to relocate arrives. Time and patience are a must, especially if your cat is overly independent and territorial. Dothe best you can to prepare your cat ahead of time. Every minute you spend will pay off come travel day.