Making the trip

If you want to take your kitten away with you, or you need to take her out of the home for any reason, you’ll need to transport her in a secure cat carrier.

Its a good idea to start getting your kitten used to a carrier. Leave the carrier in an accessible place from the word go, with the door open. It will help if you make it a fun, comfortable place for your kitten – especially if you put some of her favourite toys in there. Your kitten will soon come to regard the carrier as her own little nest, and shouldn’t feel frightened or insecure about going out in it.

What type of carrier?

Plastic carriers are best because they are sturdy and easy to keep clean. Cardboard carriers aren't really suitable for anything other than a short journey. A carrier that opens from the top is better for getting your kitten in or out of the basket. Your carrier will need to be well ventilated and escape-proof, and the base should be lined with some absorbent paper and a soft blanket or towel. A small litter tray should be provided for a long journey. And make sure that there’s plenty of room for air to circulate around it.

Away you go!

When travelling by car, position the carrier so that your kitten can see what’s going on outside. Make sure you provide some shade for the carrier as kittens can suffer from heatstroke. Car sunshades are ideal. It may sound obvious, but you must never leave a kitten unattended in an unventilated car.

Feeding your kitten before a journey could make her sick, so you might prefer to wait until your arrival. But she will need water on a longer journey, and you can get water bottles or clip-on bowls specially designed for travelling. Your kitten might suffer from motion sickness anyway, and medication might help, but take your vet’s advice on this - and prepare for the fact that it might be better not to take the kitten with you at all.