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Are you a cat lover? Are you a cat lover who loves to travel? Are you a cat lover who wants to make memories with your cat wherever you go? Then you are going to love our nine secrets to traveling with cats (that works for you and your cats).

Cats are natural explorers. They love to see new things and visit new places. Unfortunately their habitats have changed tremendously over the last 70 years. We've all heard the story, curiosity kills the cat, keep your cats inside. But is that really it? Is that really what the lives of our furballs have come to? We're here to tell you that it is not. Cat depression rates are higher than ever before. Yet, cats are still curious; they still love discovering new places. Just like you sometimes need a getaway, your cat does too. In this article we are going to take a deeper look into the minds of cats.

Before traveling with your cats, it is important to find the right destination. I always recommend going on Airbnb and using the filter section to select pet friendly accommodation. We've partnered with Airbnb to give you a special $55 off on your first trip with your cat. Simply use this link when signing up.

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1. Get a comfortable cat carrying backpack suitable for a large cat

Having a comfy backpack will not only make the trip really practical for you but also put your cat at ease. Unfortunately, not all cat bags are of the same caliber. Some important features to look out for in great cat bags are the following:

1. At least 12 ventilation holes.
2. Enough space for your cat to be able to sit and lay in.
3. An airline approved certification, especially for longer trips.
4. A strong yet flexible material like faux leather, you can strap a seatbelt around these bags without putting tension on your cat.
5. An internal safety-leash for when you open up the bag in warmer weather.

We struggled to find a cat backpack big enough for our cats and that is how the Whisker Bag was born. The Whisker Bag features 15 ventilation holes with two giant mesh air holes. It's made from quality cruelty-free faux leather, airline approved and has a strong internal safety strap. The bag is big enough for 5 kittens or one giant 20 lb maine coon. Best of all, with over 300 5-star reviews it has been tried and tested and cats love them! You can see a review video here. Let your adventure begin with a Whisker Bag. Get yours here.

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2. Feed your cat solid foods 72 hours before zipping her into the cat carrier

This is a helpful tip, especially if you are traveling by car. Just like humans cats may get car sick sometimes on longer trips. As a paw parent, it is essential to make the trip as stress-free as possible. Feeding your cat solid food during the last 72 hours before your trip, will help adjust your cat's metabolism to keep their tummy from running during travels. According to Hill's, your cat's metabolism is determined by a number of factors including age and weight. You always want to make sure your cat gets the right nutritional food especially before a trip. That's why they have developed a special formula especially for cats with sensitive stomachs.

I can personally recommend this food as it has worked really well with my cat on recent travels. My one cat has a really sensitive tummy and he loves it. I have never had a problem with his tummy since.

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Remember, it is always a good idea to transition to any new cat food. It helps with adjustment to your cat's metabolism. Take a look at this diagram below for a proper transition.

3. Rescue Remedy works great for kitties that stress a lot (and for you)

Some cats have never traveled before. Just like with anything in life, first-time experience can be scary. If you have a particularly stressed cat, I recommend you make your feline friend used to the idea of taking pills. Rescue remedy is made up of all natural ingredients and studies have found that it may have a calming effect on animals. We always recommend getting advice from your vet and do not endorse the use of any medicine before the approval of your vet. Before any giving your cat any prescription medicine we always recommend that you try this first.

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In some rare cases a vet might recommend one quater of a Xanax or Benadryl. This is a last case scenario and only a good option if it is really a nothing else worked or if your vet recommends to do so.

4. Ginger keeps the vom-bomb at bay

Here's a great tip, add a bit of ginger in your cat's food. Ginger is one of those superfoods with a lot of mesmerising medicinal qualities. One of these fantastic qualities being its ability to prevent nausea. Cat owners have reported that ginger has worked really well for their cats when traveling by car or air.

If your cat has a really sensitive tummy your vet might recommend Pepcid AC or even chlorpromazine.

5. Spray the inside of your Whisker Bag with Feliway 15 min before going on your adventure

Another phenomenal product that can make your kitty travels more comfy is Feliway spray. It has a similar effect as catnip. It can totally change the mood of any little furball. Open your Whisker Bag and give 3 to 4 sprays about 15 minutes before you leave. Feliway is on of those products that can turn cats from hell into little angels. We found it here on Amazon:

6. When traveling by car always put on a seatbelt.

Never let your cat under your seat when driving. Always use a cat bag. A lot of flimsy cat bags don't do so well with a seatbelt. They put sustained pressure on the material which leads to squishing your cat. You wouldn't drive with your child without a seatbelt, so why would you with your feline child? The Whisker Bag is made to help protect your cat in the case of an accident. Check out this young man in his Whisker Bag.

7. Get a medical certificate from your vet

Before traveling to another state or another country, you should always have your cat's vaccine certificate as well as her health certificates at hand. Ask your vet to do a quick checkup and help you get a health certificate. This is usually an easy process and most vets will do the checkup in less than 15 min. You may be required to present your cat's certificates at immigration so it is always a great idea to keep them handy.

8. Select an airline that is cabin pet friendly

There are two ways to fly with your cat. The first is to put your cat in the cargo section of the plane. We do not recommend this option, it is much better to take your cat with you in the cabin. The Whisker Bag is approved by most airlines for cabin travels. Some airlines have rules and regulations regarding the maximum amount of animals allowed in the cabin, so it is always a good idea to contact your airline a couple of weeks in advance to confirm availability.

These are our favorite US airlines when traveling with pets:

American Airlines:   Best for West Coast Travel

United Airlines:   Best for East Coast Travel

Delta Airlines   Best for Large Pets

Southwest Airlines:   Best for Cheap Pet Fees

JetBlue:   Best for Pet Amenities

Allegiant Air:   Best for Pet Check-in Process

Frontier Airlines:   Best for Unique Pets in Cabin

Alaska Airlines:   Best for Unique Pets in Checked Baggage

Hawaiian Airlines:   Best for Inter-Island Flights in Hawaii

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9. Always make sure you have an up to date collar tag and microchip

This goes without saying, you never want your cat to get lost in a new environment. If your contact information is outdated, make sure that you at least place a sticker on the collar tag. If your cat has a microchip, it is a good idea to update your information online on the microchip provider's website.

Those were our 9 top tips to traveling with a cat. Let us know what you thought. If you have any questions, you are more than welcome to contact us here.