Jonatan has been on several car trips with the breeder along with his siblings and has always been calm and well-behaved during the journey. We want to maintain this sense of security, so every day, we take him on a drive—either a short or a longer trip.
He sits in his carrier, either alone or with Odin. It’s practical to bring Odin along since the two of them know each other well now. Odin loves car rides and is completely relaxed, which has a positive influence on Jonatan.
Before we drive, we play with Jonatan to help him burn off some energy. Often, he quickly falls asleep once the car starts moving. Now that he has gotten used to us and car travel, he has less need to release energy before the trip. He is so relaxed and comfortable in both the carrier and the car that he mostly sleeps through the rides.
We plan to continue this routine for a while longer to ensure that he remains comfortable with traveling and doesn’t develop insecurity or, in the worst case, motion sickness.
Jonatan has his own carrier with a blanket that smells familiar and safe to him. When we’re not on car trips, the carrier stays indoors with the door open. We often place a treat or two inside, encouraging him to check it out regularly. Sometimes, the cats sleep in it, and other times, the carrier becomes part of their play.
It’s always a good idea to let a cat gain travel experience from a young age—something many cat owners unfortunately overlook. Too many don’t give their cats the chance to become comfortable with car rides and carriers, which can turn a simple trip to the vet into a traumatic experience. Some owners struggle to get their cat into the carrier, while others find that their cat soils itself out of fear or gets motion sickness.
A simple, daily car routine for a few weeks can make a huge difference and ensure that every trip for the rest of their life is much easier. Most importantly, it makes traveling pleasant for both the cat and us!
