Travelling with a cat: the guide to a stress-free holiday

Summer is on its way, and with it the question: what do you do with your cat while you’re on holiday? Taking them with you can feel like the most reassuring option, but it isn’t always the best one for them, and travelling with a cat takes real preparation. Should you really take your cat along? How do you organise the trip, handle the journey and help them explore their holiday spot safely? Here is the complete guide to a stress-free holiday, for you and your companion alike.

Should you really take your cat on holiday?

Let’s start with the awkward question, in all honesty: will your cat be happier on holiday… or at home? Unlike dogs, cats are highly territorial animals, often more stressed by travel and new surroundings than by a short absence on your part. For many cats, staying at home with visits from a cat sitter, or a stay at a good cattery, is in fact less stressful than a trip. Weigh up your cat’s temperament and the length of your stay: for a few days, leaving them in their own surroundings is often the wisest choice. If you do decide to take them, here’s how to go about it properly.

Preparing for the trip

Preparation starts well before departure day. Make sure your cat is properly identified (a microchip is the most reliable method) and that the contact details linked to it are up to date — this is essential if they run off far from home. Check their vaccinations too, and if you’re going abroad, find out which documents your destination requires (a European pet passport, an up-to-date rabies vaccination and other formalities may be needed). Finally, get your cat used to their carrier ahead of time by leaving it open at home with a familiar blanket inside, so it becomes a reassuring place rather than a source of anxiety. Plan ahead for the rules of your chosen mode of transport too: if you intend to travel by train in France (SNCF rules), it’s best to know the conditions in advance.

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The car journey

During the journey, secure the carrier so it stays stable — your cat should never roam loose in the car. The absolute rule of summer: never leave your cat alone in a car, even in the shade and even for a few minutes — the inside turns into an oven and heatstroke can be fatal. Bring fresh water, stop regularly, and avoid feeding them just before you set off to limit travel sickness. For very anxious cats, your vet can advise on suitable calming options. For stress-free planning on long journeys, see our complete guide to travelling by car with your cat. If your destination is further afield, read up instead on flying with your cat in the cabin.

On arrival: keep them safe and reassured

A cat set down somewhere unfamiliar is disoriented and on high alert. Before letting them explore, set up a safe room with all their familiar things: their litter tray, bowls, bed and a few things that smell of them. Let them settle in and find their bearings at their own pace, and keep them indoors at first. Only once they feel secure can they gradually discover the rest of their holiday surroundings.

Exploring safely: the harness

This is where many holidays turn into a nightmare: a frightened cat let loose in an unfamiliar garden or campsite can bolt and be lost for good on ground they don’t know — one of the leading causes of cats going missing on holiday. The way to let them explore without the danger is a harness. You still need to choose it well and fit it properly: correctly adjusted, it lets your cat explore the surroundings by your side, safely, with no risk of escape. Stick to the cooler hours and always keep water on hand (see our tips for coping with summer heat). Ideally, get your cat used to the harness before you leave, with our step-by-step guide. The Pelux harness, adjustable and escape-proof, is the ideal companion for exploring on holiday. Whether you’re staying on a campsite or in a van, it lets your cat enjoy the outdoors without you ever losing sight of them.

To sum up

Travelling with a cat can go very well, as long as you first ask yourself the right question — is it really best for them? — and then prepare the trip properly: up-to-date identification, a familiar carrier, a secure journey without ever leaving them in a hot car, a safe room on arrival, and a harness to explore without the risk of running off. With these precautions, your holiday can be a calm one for the whole family — cat included.