How to travel with your cat

The last time I visited with you at The Buddy Beat, I addressed feline air travel in general regarding preparations and the tedious, specific details the airlines require. I don't believe in the space allowed I did justice to the necessary preparations.

For sure, positive carrier association is a topic of its own. Besides getting your feline to adjust to the carrier, it must also adapt to the car ride.

Testing your feline's ability to adjust to the carrier is key to not only air travel, but also trips away for a weekend, pet store, veterinarian or "just for fun." I know you are amused now! "Just for fun" happens only with seasoned feline travelers.

You will make mistakes along this trail and find out how well your feline travels. The good news is you will learn from your mistakes before the travel date.

Once your feline likes its carrier, or is not terrified of it, updating veterinarian records is important. Hopefully the vet is not just around the corner, so you can experience a true car ride reaction - for example, motion sickness.

Constant flicking of the tongue, drooling and meowing are indications of either motion sickness or anxiety. You can ask your veterinarian for medication you can give prior to any travel. The key is preparation before travel of any duration.

Another way to avoid motion sickness is to travel with a pet that has an empty stomach. Do not feed before a car ride or any travel. That also means no food or water bowls inside the carrier. Avoid being tempted to use the free bowls given with the carrier purchase because they are cute.

If you already have certain medications from the vet and you want to calm your feline further, nothing is more calming than the familiar smells of home. Place one of your worn T-shirts in the carrier or some of your feline's used bedding.

You can also spray the used bedding with Feliway, a synthetic feline pheromone, to give an additional calming effect on your nervous feline.

Above all, do not give in to meowing and door clanging going on in the carrier, but do engage your feline. I will attempt to give you examples of both.

I very stupidly gave in to bad behavior when my feline was stressed during car travel. I let my feline out of the carrier (harnessed, tagged and microchipped). She was quiet and sat on top of the carrier.

She later became motion sick from the movement of the car and the additional movement from the heightened position of being on top of the carrier. Not to mention, what if I had been in and accident?

Engage your feline in the carrier with soothing words and sounds, or just reach into the carrier for gentle, soothing touches.

Do prepare for travel delays. Pack food and water in the car and in your carry-on if appropriate. When packing your medication, pack your feline's.

Many carriers even have compartments to pack food or water. Plan for an emergency and pack all your feline's belongings. You might not have everything you need with you, but your feline will. Besides we have better coping skills than our felines, or do we?

Featured felines:

• Paris is a large, gray female, who arrived at the shelter with her siblings as kittens. Paris and her siblings spent their first year in our kitten room and then graduated to one of the older cat rooms. Paris can be a little shy, but if you spend a while visiting, she can become quite friendly. She has been know to curl up next to people on the couch and occasionally on a lap. But you will need a little patience while she gets to know you.

• Duchess is a female cream point Siamese. She was found in a warehouse and was pretty unfriendly when she arrived. She spent some time getting adjusted to people, but has become much more friendly. She still remains shy when you go into the her room, but if you sit a minute and offer some treats, she will come to you for a visit and a little petting. She also loves to play and jump up at string toys. Duchess is a very pretty cat that would love to find her forever home.

Coming up:

• Mutt Strut: Help raise money and awareness by participating in Mutt Strutt at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 11, at Melas Park, 1500 W. Central Road, in Mount Prospect.

Come walk with or without your dog. Prizes for the top three pledges. All ages are welcome. Dogs must be leashed at all times and be current on their vaccinations. Proof of rabies vaccination is required (tag on collar).

Owners are responsible for their own dog's activities and cleanup.

For information or to register, visit www.thebuddyfoundation.org.

• The Buddy Foundation, 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, is a nonprofit (501c3), all volunteer, no-kill animal shelter. For information, call (847) 290-5806 or visit www.thebuddyfoundation.org.