How We Got Our Cats To Enjoy Car Rides | 6 Steps

Many people have asked us how we've gotten our cats so comfortable with road travel and being in a vehicle in general. Watch this video for our top 6 tips for preparing your cat for a road trip. These steps are not only helpful before a move or vacation, but also before a trip to the vet.
Check out some of my other helpful cat related videos----
Safety tips for cats' first long distance road trip:
• Vehicle Set-up For Cat...
Litter box and road travel set-up:
• Vehicle Setup For A Ro...
How I trim my cat's nails:
• DIY Nail Trim For Cats...
Tips for hotel stays with cats:
• 6 Tips For Stress-Free...
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Check out my store for a great gift idea for every cat parent:
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CAT & TRAVEL SUPPLIES WE USE
Cat harness:
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Our airline approved cat carriers:
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...
Our cat backpack is currently unavailable but this one is similar. It's by the same brand and has the same dimensions and weight capacity:
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Large cave bed for pets (the khaki one we have is currently out of stock but there are other colors to choose from):
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Anti-scratch & waterproof throw blanket to protect furniture:
www.paw.com/products/catnap-a...
Cat litter we've been using for years:
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Cat nail clippers we use:
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The kennels we've used for road trips with our cats (Dimensions - 36 X 23 X 25):
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These are the litter liners we swear by:
bit.ly/44pEnxr
Large cave bed for pets (the khaki one we have is currently out of stock but there are other colors to choose from):
prf.hn/l/20xWl50
This is the plug-in cooler we use when traveling with our cats. In addition to our own food, we keep unused wet food in it after the cans have been opened:
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Music: www.bensound.com
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[@cameron818]

Me telling my Cat to get in the carrier and him looking at me like YOU get in it

[@GeographicallyFree]

Funny you should say that. We actually just purchased one for a stray that we rescued that would fit a full grown human! 🤣

[@FindingFinancialFreedom]

some great tips! Cats can be so noisey and scared in the car!

[@GeographicallyFree]

@Finding Financial Freedom So true! That was my experience with cats in the past. With these two, we often forget they are with us during long trips because they are so quiet and relaxed. Thank you so much for watching. I'm actually listening to your channel now. Girl, keep doing what you're doing! 🔥

[@LLCNipsturBrands]

Not all cats are like that in the car

[@sidneyrae_]

My cat started hating her carrier because she associated it with the vet. So after every vet appointment I would give her a treat she liked and i’d give her more attention. She’s not so scared of it now but I still have a long way to go before she’s ready for our road trip haha

[@GeographicallyFree]

It sounds like you figured out her love language. 😂

[@babycakes1402]

Our Lambeau started with random 'trips around the block', now trips to the vet, he sits on my lap & watches out the window & I'll take hubby places so I he can go with & I can stay in the car with him. He loves to watch people coming & going & just get a change of scenery. When we still had his brother, I tried to take him for a trip around the block, as soon as we backed out of the garage he freaked, but Lambeau is more outgoing, just a difference in personalities.

[@GeographicallyFree]

babycakes1402 that is fantastic! We have one that enjoys car rides way more than the others too (We've added a 3rd to the kitty crew since the making of that video).

[@WhatWeEatTonight]

Me and my bf are planning a road trip and we’re taking our cat with us. I came across different your video and it’s super helpful! I love the way you set up the car for all your cats, also great tips on the litter box. Great video!!

[@GeographicallyFree]

@What We Eat Tonight, Yay! I hope you all have a wonderful trip and that it goes well. I probably should have shown our original set-up from our first trip since we've evolved from it since then. Maybe in a future video. Right now I am editing one about some hotel tips. Basically, we bought a decent sized dog crate that was large enough to fit a smaller cardboard litter box and a cat bed side by side. We used that set-up until our little adventurer got antsy and wanted to come out, which she was totally relaxed about. Our other guy stayed in the crate where he felt safe until he told us he wanted to come out, which was after a few long trips (He has always been one who feels more secure in smaller spaces). Out of the blue one day he started clawing at the cage and let out one big meow. We let him out right away, and he sat up front between us like a pro for the rest of the trip. It was a big breakthrough for sure! They've been loose in the truck ever since because they have proven they have no interest in escaping. If you end up documenting your cat's experience, I would love to watch!

[@michellejoubert1370]

I started taking my cat for car rides and walking on a leash when she was 6 weeks old, and she loves going out for rides/walks

[@GeographicallyFree]

Yay! Sounds like you did good starting her young.

[@esaedromicroflora1247]

Great tips. I would stress even more *go slow*. Little steps. edit: Portable litter box is GENIUS

[@GeographicallyFree]

Yes!!!! Exactly! Baby steps and learning to read their body language is so important!

[@wellnessotr]

I really like the bit about not going anywhere, yet, just getting used to the car slowly. Great tip!🙌🏽

[@GeographicallyFree]

Thank you! It was a huge help!

[@videos8601]

Amazing!

[@Mshummydummy]

You guys were amazing at how you handled the cat 👏👏👏

[@gabrielvillanueva4476]

Thank you. We were moving a little quick trying to our Kitten to travel with us. This video gives me confidence and patience in growing our cats confidence in adventuring outside the house.

[@waterkingdavid]

Love that cat at 3:49 ! Like this is the life. I can check out the nice view from my window seat

[@lazpt4430]

Thank you for sharing your experience guys! It’s good to see that is actually working. 😁

[@GeographicallyFree]

Yes! The hard work is paying off for sure. Haha. Thanks so much for watching.

[@NicoleTrusinski]

I absolutely love all of your helpful tips and pointers on how to make your cats comfortable with the carrier and vehicle!

[@GeographicallyFree]

Thanks so much for the feedback, Nicole! I'm so glad you appreciate it. 🥰

[@Sburch]

Thank you for this video! I'm gonna need to start implementing these steps Asap! 😻

[@GeographicallyFree]

Have fun! Thanks so much for watching. :-)

[@donotgothroughlittledoor7734]

Thank you!! 🙏🙏

[@GeographicallyFree]

You're so welcome! Thank you for watching. 😻😻

[@kathleenmonteith9027]

Thank you for these tips. I really appreciate this.

[@GeographicallyFree]

You're welcome, Kathleen! I hope they help. 💗

[@kathrynkazoo]

Thanks for the video. It was great!!!

[@GeographicallyFree]

I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks so much for watching!

[@amandarujeko]

These are really helpful tips. Great video!

[@GeographicallyFree]

I'm so glad! Thank you for watching, Amanda!

[@ThePepsiGirl1999]

Wow this was so helpful- thank you thank you!

[@GeographicallyFree]

I'm so glad!! Hopefully your kitty learns to enjoy them too, or at least tolerate them. Thanks so much for watching. 😻

[@videos8601]

Thank you!

[@GeographicallyFree]

Thank you for watching! 💕

[@sonjatheierl1]

Thanks so helpful!

[@GeographicallyFree]

I'm so glad! Thanks for watching, Sonja! 🐈

[@oliviadinges3255]

My cat millie loves the carrier when we got her she started in the car and carrier so it's a comfort for her

[@GeographicallyFree]

You are so lucky! It makes life so much easier. 💕

[@MayimHastings]

Yes 🙌 You guys are fabulous! I’m getting ready to adopt two cats and want to give them the best life ever. Thank you so much for giving me the confidence to do this the right way! Once they are settled in and trust is established, I want to take them out on the town lol! Thanks again and happy early holidays 🍂🦃🍠

[@GeographicallyFree]

Wow! It sounds like these kitties are going to be extremely lucky and living their best lives with you! Happy Holidays to you as well, Boo. Thanks for watching!

[@kailiann9426]

That was actually very helpful! Thank!

[@GeographicallyFree]

I'm so glad! Thank you for watching.

[@paint1220]

my tuxie looks so similar they are so smart and learn fast thanks great video!

[@GeographicallyFree]

I've heard that tuxedo cats are extra smart! Thanks for watching. 😻

[@acs4872]

I never would have thought about the litter box!!! Awesome suggestion.

[@GeographicallyFree]

Thanks for watching! 😻

[@boggy7665]

0:15 Eads Bridge at St. Louis (the three-arch span, not the truss/cantilever behind it), southernmost permanent crossing of the Mississippi when it opened 1874 (first below the confluence with the Missouri), first large-scale use of true steel in a major bridge, oldest still-extant bridge across the Mississippi.

[@GeographicallyFree]

Wow! I had no idea. Thanks for the history.

[@sandragallagher9221]

You do a great job making videos. Your voice is comfortable to listen to and you don’t ramble on like other videos I’ve watched. Thank you for your advise!

[@GeographicallyFree]

Thank you so much, Sandra! Sometimes I think I don't include enough info and that maybe they are too short so I appreciate that feedback. I went to school for and had my first career in radio/tv broadcasting and was trained to get to the point in a short period of time. I don't even know if I could make a long video if I tried. 😂

[@user-to4bw9is9g]

Thanks ❤

[@GeographicallyFree]

Thanks so much for watching, Sheryl. 😻

[@sparky5860]

Thank you

[@GeographicallyFree]

🥰

[@janiecordero854]

Your video has extensive answers and steps to training a cat to travel in a vehicle. I love the improvised portable litter box, It is a great idea. Thanks for all your tips.

[@GeographicallyFree]

Janie, thanks so much for the feedback. I'm so glad you appreciate the video. 😻😻

[@lilianawojciechowski2828]

This video is exceptional! I'm now sitting in my SUV with my kitty getting him accustomed to the sounds of the vehicle. Thank you for the solid advice.

[@GeographicallyFree]

That is so sweet, LeAnne! I know a lot of people probably don't want to take the time to go through the process because it requires a ton of time and patience but it was so worth it for us. I hope it is for you too.

[@luigiaiden2501]

Cats are awesome!

[@GeographicallyFree]

💯👌🤩

[@jillharrell3256]

Hilarious! And very helpful, thanks 🙂

[@GeographicallyFree]

I'm glad you enjoyed it and appreciate your comment, Jill! 😺

[@lolajacomino6574]

Thank you for your video. I got to start implementing your advices bc I’ll be moving soon, it’s a 4 hr ride but my cats (2) never been in the car. He was fixed 2 years ago and it was crazy when he was inside the carrier

[@GeographicallyFree]

Best of luck with your move, Lola! Hopefully the kitties are a little calmer next time around. 🤞🤞

[@kristoffgavinconcha7043]

this is so nice to go there when he cat`s there because it is good to let him to ride a car

[@ShikokuFoodForest]

Hello, all very good tips! I imagine some of your steps must have taken a lot of patience and practice.

[@GeographicallyFree]

Mostly definitely! Patience is not optional. 😄💗

[@davidquilesis]

This videos awesome, this is a great content

[@GeographicallyFree]

I appreciate the feedback. Thanks so much for watching!

[@remaguire]

I'll be heading to Florida from Nevada in April of next year. I better get cracking! Even if they get used to traveling in the car, it's still going to be quite an adventure! Thanks for the tips.

[@GeographicallyFree]

It sure will be an adventure! I hope it all goes better than expected. 🙏

[@samaki_82]

Excellent video! I’m excited to try these tips to train my cat; he’s normally very miserable on car rides. Thank you for posting! 😃🐾

[@GeographicallyFree]

I hope it goes well for you both, Sara! Looking back, I really wish I had been more consistent with my cat before our current two. It makes life so much easier for all of us. :-)

[@samaki_82]

@@GeographicallyFree Thank you! Yea, I wish I had done this before I moved him to another state. 😬🐾

[@OhHiMegan]

I’m preparing to drive around the country with my two cats starting in June and this video was so helpful! I’ve got a lot of the areas covered that you went over, but some of your suggestions were brand new ideas that I’ll start working on immediately! Thank you so much!!

[@GeographicallyFree]

@Megan Faircloth Yay! I hope everything goes well and you all have a blast. Thanks so much for watching.

[@abbyolson60]

So Megan, how'd it go? Any extra tips?

[@Elysian_s]

Currently training my cat for car rides and this video was very helpful ❤

[@GeographicallyFree]

I'm so glad! 🥰🙏🐈

[@johnprevite6673]

Smart 🤙

[@luismiguel9995]

Omg I would love to do these with my cat but I know its gonna take some time!

[@GeographicallyFree]

It's so worth it!

[@Nora_meow99]

Hello, cuties 🐱 Nice sharing friend, thank you

[@GeographicallyFree]

🥰

[@petermurray1646]

This is great. Wish these tips had been available to my parents when I was a kid. Traveling from our winter home to our summer home was so much fun with our cats. One hid under the seat the entire time and the other would throw up on my Dad. I wrote about that in another television series I am writing about my childhood.

[@GeographicallyFree]

Oh my goodness! That is too funny.

[@altansshorts7100]

Very useful video..thanks for sharing your experience 👍 👌👌🙂

[@GeographicallyFree]

Thanks so much for your feedback and for watching. I appreciate it! 😻🐾🐾

[@altansshorts7100]

So humble of you..God bless you

[@niskamelchionne1942]

Cool video

[@GeographicallyFree]

Thank you. I'm so glad you enjoyed it! 🐾🐾

[@3rdandlong]

I agree. Good tips. A pet store person also told the same thing about training a cat to adjust to the carrier (which is a 30 x 50): short trips first, and build from there. But I'm a little nervous since I have never traveled with a cat before. So I'm getting some CBD treats for my critter. But not sure how I deal with road noise though. And I'm moving in a U-Haul truck and that may be a bit noisy. Not sure how I can prepare my critter for that. But I guess we'll have to hope the CBD treats take care of that.

[@GeographicallyFree]

When we moved from New England to Arizona, my husband was driving a Penske moving truck and I had the SUV. During the first leg of the trip, my husband had one of the cats with him to keep him company. The biggest issue we had with that was the suspension in that truck. It was suuuuuuuper bumpy, not a smooth ride at all, which made it hard for her to get any sleep. Hopefully your U Haul is a smoother ride. At one point during the trip we moved that cat into the SUV with me. That was really the biggest issue for us. I should mention as well that our other cat didn't each much the first day but he made up for it once we got to the hotel. We did our best to keep him hydrated but he was a little nervous to start. Noise in general is an issue for him but as time went on he got more relaxed. Hopefully your trip is less than the 2,700+ miles we drove. I wish you all the best with your move!!!! May it go better than expected.

[@jasminemythhaven]

I had to watch again,. I've missed seeing both of you usually in the driveway as either I am leaving or just pulling in. I am subscribed but haven't seen any new video's and hoping all is well.

[@GeographicallyFree]

We miss you too June!!! I'm fact, I wish you were here to experience the animals we've met across the country during our trip! Tonight while I was out wandering in the wilderness taking sunset photos, two horses I met the other day came running across the field just to say hi to me. It was such a Disney moment. Speaking of Disney, I hope you all had a blast. The internet has been terrible so I haven't been on FB much. It tends to buffer when I try to upload there. We are working on getting special services from multiple carriers but we are not always on good range of reception. I have managed to upload videos here regularly. If you are on your phone, go to the videos tab at the top of my main channel page and they should be there with the most recent at the top. So far I've gotten through Texas in my uploads. For you I especially recommend the Alabama one, and our visit to the rest area for cat people! Hugs!!! 💗

[@jasminemythhaven]

@@GeographicallyFree A friend of mine lives in Arizona and was getting frustrated due to all the buffering too. Is it a coincidence for does Arizona having problems with the internet. Yes, we had such a great time in Disney celebrating Rory turning 5. We stayed at Ft. Wilderness in one of the cabins which gave us a lot of privacy and quiet. I am ready to go back!

[@janicearmstrong9645]

Great tips and great video. We are planning 2-3 day trip with our cat. Unfortunately, our car will be packed to the roof so we won’t be able to allot as much room to her as you have to your’s.

[@GeographicallyFree]

Janice, our set-up has evolved through different vehicles and different reasons for travel. In fact we now tow a toy hauler so the kitties are riding in a pickup truck these days. I'm sure you'll find a comfortable solution for your trip. I hope everything goes better than expected! Thanks for watching. 🐾🐾

[@TotaldramaisGreat_924]

my younger cat is very calm when it is in the car and when its in the car it stays fine next to my brother but my other cats are crazy 😂

[@GeographicallyFree]

I totally hear ya! 😂

[@bettybrigance6784]

👍👍

[@justjeanny9013]

I am amazed! Most of my trips are not longer than 20 min, but she gets so stressed out in the carrier that she gets car sick. She has been that way since she was a young cat. She is 10 now. My hat is off to you.

[@GeographicallyFree]

Awww. That's so hard! 💔 My last cat didn't enjoy it that much either. His meows would turn into non-stop howls so I kept him home as much as possible.

[@justjeanny9013]

@@GeographicallyFree Yes. Usually I took the cat mostly to the vet every year, but with covid I haven't taken her at all. This weekend I brought her over to be a "presence" at my mother's house because she had a mouse in the house. Tonight I have to bring her home. I saw your video and was so inspired by your tips. Just praying she will be okay traveling 20 minutes.

[@GeographicallyFree]

@@justjeanny9013 that all makes sense! Maybe she can be eased into it slowly at home over time. I pray she does okay for the ride home too.

[@justjeanny9013]

@@GeographicallyFree thank you! Your prayers were heard. She was pretty good until we were about half way home. She started to get a little bit sick. But didn't soil herself at all. I had the air conditioning on so the car was cool and talked to her the whole time. I was amazed. Thanks again 😊

[@GeographicallyFree]

@@justjeanny9013 that is wonderful news! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@nuruddinshah684]

1:40 ok that cute

[@GeographicallyFree]

Thanks for watching! :-)

[@johnnyelle8052]

I saw a cat driving a car and I had to click it.

[@GeographicallyFree]

It's a much "softer" ride than the Tesla self driving option. 🐱

[@suckitupbabe]

enjoy this video! when ur giving command to your cat, such as going to the carrier. would u give them treat everytime they go in as a reward first? I also saw you having the carrier bag opened while walking, doesn't it jump out?

[@yeahdallas]

It is a cat backpack with an attached leash inside

[@GeographicallyFree]

Thank you! We don't give our cats treats to entice them but I know that some others do. We just use repetition, snapping our fingers and pointing. The play is important as well. They are likely to return if they think it will be a fun experience. The great thing about the cat backpacks is that they are designed so that if your cat is wearing a harness, you can clip them in so they can't escape. I'm not sure why I am just seeing this post five months later. I wasn't ignoring you, I promise!

[@yingjunxia3609]

👍

[@youngraines851]

Do you have separate carriers for vet visits & separate ones for vacation? Thank you for your answer.

[@GeographicallyFree]

Hi! We use the same cat carriers are for all occasions, which is typically the regular airline approved ones. We do have a cat backpack too and sometimes we use that for road trips too. There's no rhyme or reason with our choices though. It's whatever we reach for really. 😁

[@Itsmeandmyadhd]

I am planning on taking my 11 month old cat traveling with me our first stop would be Scotland which is a 5 hour drive my cat wee in her carrier she was that scary and that was just going to the vet we going on the road on 10th January 2022 so I will be watching this video all the way though and writing all the tip down

[@GeographicallyFree]

Awww. Yes, the sooner your can start with the tips and be consistent with them the better. Some cats adjust better and faster than others. I hope your baby does better than expected. 🐾🐾 Wishing you safe travels. 💕

[@jeffw1246]

My daughter cat actually started napping in carrier although she hates going to vet she's been through it enough she is not too bad, plus I use calming spray. My boy is a different story, an escape artist so I have to wrap a bungi cord across the door. He's a rescue caught in a live trap so carriers aren't his thing. I'd love to take them on car rides to keep them stimulated, I keep trying though.

[@GeographicallyFree]

I hope it eventually works out for you!

[@nectarine6246]

My cat gets extremely sick in car rides, and with a 2 hour road trip coming up in a few days I need him to get comfy I haven't watched the video yet, but I know it will be helpful! Thanks

[@GeographicallyFree]

Awwww. Do you think it's from nerves? I wish you all luck during your trip and I hope it goes better than expected.

[@nectarine6246]

@@GeographicallyFree I'm not sure, he's been that way his entire life and he gags up pills. The main thing is I live in west Virginia, yep... awful roads, the county roads are VERY BAD But he likes being loose in the car on the highway so.. eh

[@barbarajones9534]

I am going to be driving 1400 miles with my 12 year female cat. Thank you for the tips. I also want leash train her because unfortunately where we are going Santa Fe New Mexico has coyotes

[@GeographicallyFree]

Oh wow! Best of luck with your move. I hope your girl does well. Leash training has definitely come in handy for us although our cats weren't impressed right away. They used to fall over and play dead when we put harnesses on them. Thankfully they've come a long way since then. 🤣

[@LLCNipsturBrands]

Scary coyotes

[@GeographicallyFree]

@@LLCNipsturBrands thankfully we don't have those where we live right now but we we were extra cautious when we lived in Arizona. They can definitely be extra sneaky.

[@Blue908_]

Where did you find those carriers?

[@GeographicallyFree]

@blue_the_floof we got them on Amazon back in 2017 and believe it or not, they are still available. We got them because they are airline approved although we've never ended up taking our cats on a flight. Good to have just in case though. Here's a link to the one we have: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000633ZOY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=geo-free-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=6ba29164033959d0862605c72bf4a753&camp=1789&creative=9325

[@JulieKFranco]

Hi great tips, thank you. Our cat looks just like your grey cat, do you know the breed?

[@GeographicallyFree]

Hi Julie! It's nice to know Penelope has a twin out there! We got her at the local shelter. They told us she was rescued from a hoarding situation along with several other cats so we don't know much about her ancestors. My husband thinks she could have some Russian Blue in her but who knows.

[@JulieKFranco]

@@GeographicallyFree Thanks for the response, we also got him at a shelter, such beauties!

[@cass1737]

I did research online as I’m moving / driving 18 hours from NY to FL & it says not to let them free roam while driving. I feel like my cat would be way more relaxed if he wasn’t in the carrier though. It’s a long trip. Tips ?

[@GeographicallyFree]

@cass it's definitely safer for the cats to be secured in an enclosed area and that's exactly what we've done most of the time, just not in this particular video for a few reasons. A carrier is probably too confining for a long road trip but a crate large enough for a litter box and a bed worked for our cats when we first started traveling long distance with them. One of our cats liked looking out the window but the other one was nervous so we put a blanket over his crate with only a view of us in the front seat. That calmed him right away. Another thing to consider is that many cats can try to escape as soon as the door opens when stopping for gas, etc. They act like they are sleeping and suddenly bolt out the door. I've heard of that happening quite a few times. I would definitely start preparing your cat ASAP. It will not only help your cat but it will give you a chance to see how they behave ahead of time so you can figure out the right situation for them. Our cats have been traveling for years now so they are much calmer than they used to be and have no interest in escaping. I think they appreciated being in the crates because it was less overwhelming to them in the beginning. Have you seen this video yet of how we prepared out cats for travel? kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYW8oauDm6p_oLM

[@notyourophelia]

It depends on your cat personality as well. Mine is well behaved in personal car but as soon as I take a taxi she gets super anxious prolly bc of the smell idk.

[@hooley2869]

Breaking a Dramamine tablet in quarters and giving them a piece helps with travel

[@GeographicallyFree]

Thank you for your comment, Hooley! I can totally see that being helpful in extreme cases. People should definitely have a convo with their vet first. We had planned to travel frequently with our cats so we wanted them to get used to travel, learn not to stress, and be okay with it all. They've done so well over time with training that we were able to graduate to more frequent RV travel. We even found this to be a good trick in a pinch since one of our cats is sensitive to certain loud noises sometimes: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5CXeWmYequMhtk :-)

[@londontravellers22]

How long does this training usually take?

[@GeographicallyFree]

I think it really depends on the cat and your consistency with your cat but every little bit helps. Our two cats are very different. One is always ready for a ride and nothing phases her. She warmed up quickly. Our other one is still nervous years later but has come a long way and is more manageable. It's mainly certain loud noises and too much stimuli that gets him anxious. Once he is in a routine he is much better. We used to cover the kennel of our nervous guy and it helped a lot. I'm not sure if you saw it yet, but this is the set-up we used when we first traveled with them to help with nervousness: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4m5pn95i7tql8U

[@marjorieroses]

Thanks for the training! Curious if you drive with your cats free in the car. I would love to do this, but am concerned about safety. I would love to hear you thoughts.

[@GeographicallyFree]

That's a great question, Marjorie. With all of my other cats over the years, I pretty much always kept them contained because I didn't trust them. Otherwise they might try to hide under the gas pedal or escape when I open the door. The two cats we have now both started out traveling contained too. After several trips and lots of observation we realized our grey cat may do well loose since she loves to be perched by the window watching all the trucks. She's very unphased by the noise and commotion and doesn't try to escape. Of course we've worked with them and practiced in the garage too. We tested both cats with some short trips in town and finally let her loose on long trips but brought her travel kennel just in case. Our black tabby prefers small spaces so we kept him contained until one day on a long trip he asked to be let out. I think watching his sister helped him gain confidence and then out of the blue he became a new cat. If I'm traveling alone with my tabby locally in my other car (that he's not used to) I find him to be much calmer secured in his backpack with the top open. It's much easier with two humans around. LOL. Most cats seem to be emotional wrecks in the car and that could certainly be unsafe but our cats are usually relaxed when we are all together. We no longer have the SUV that was in that video so they won't have all that cushy space anymore but we are working on a new system. I've been looking into netting to separate the back from the front seats of our new truck since it's not as spacious. It seems like it could be a good option for keeping them contained but also free to roam at the same time. I hope my long rambling answer was helpful. 😁 If you have any other questions, feel free to ask. Here is our set-up for them when they first started traveling. kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4m5pn95i7tql8U

[@Fenja_Rose]

Im not having a kitten yet but I am preparing for one and want to visit my parents with her. Am I going to need a transportable litter box for a 3 hours ride?

[@GeographicallyFree]

Yes, that's is exactly what I would do! Whenever my cat is in a new situation I also show them where the litter box is by plopping them in there (unless it's enclosed in a crate with them).

[@carolinepearl3839]

would i need a portable litterbox for a 1 hour trip?

[@GeographicallyFree]

I personally do it just to be on the safe side.

[@mousedream1550]

Cat literally pants and meows like crazy. He is super stressed in the car.

[@GeographicallyFree]

Awwww. Poor bubs. It seems like most cats get nervous in the car to varying degrees. One of ours took more time than the other to warm up to the idea of car rides and we definitely didn't not push it. We probably wouldn't have bothered taking the many months we did to prepare them but we wanted them to be as relaxed as possible for our move across the country. Since they did so well, we were able to transition to full time travel in an RV five years later.

[@tildmatilmati6745]

So Nice 💘💘💘💘💘💘

[@Blue908_]

How do you avoid fleas while bringing him outside?

[@GeographicallyFree]

Our cats are technically indoor cats. We don't ever let them wander off or interact with any wildlife. When they are outside it is only for very short periods in the yard and they are always supervised by us, usually on a harness or in a backpack to keep them safe.

[@laurenfromatlanta]

I did all this with my cat. I played with her in the car, feed her daily meals in the car, allowed her to explore the car, turn the engine on and off in the car. But the second I move the car she starts crying. When she does this I turn it off, bring her back inside, and feed her. I don't think feeding her right after will encourage the behavior as the point of feeding her is to create a positive association between food and car rides. We'll see.

[@shutupyad]

Hi. I have no idea if you're going to see this, but where did you get the backpack?

[@GeographicallyFree]

@Yadriel V. we got that backpack from Amazon. It' hasn't been in stock lately but the exact name is "Petsfit Well Ventilated Sturdy Comfortable Pet Backpack Carrier For Hiking and Traveling Under 16 Pounds Pet". There are other ones from that same brand there. In fact, this one is by the same brand and it's the same size as the one we have and it's very similar. amzn.to/3gNKBSm

[@shutupyad]

@@GeographicallyFree Thank you so much!!! I'm taking my one year old kitten across the country and your videos have been a life saver!! Will def put the backpack in my cart :)

[@GeographicallyFree]

@@shutupyad Wow! I'm so excited for you! I hope you guys have a fun and amazing trip. Safe travels. 🖤

[@baylees9800]

What should I do if my cat is already nervous about the carrier? 😩

[@GeographicallyFree]

Hi Baylee, I would still practice the same steps but go slow. It just requires patience and not rushing the process so kitty has time to build trust. Leave the carrier out all the time with no pressure at all so they can get used to it being there as a non-threatening object---perhaps for several days or even weeks. Ignore the carrier but leave it in a place where you all usually hang out and relax. You could eventually try lying next to it sometimes and invite your cat over to be pet or play while still ignoring the carrier. Eventually kitty may get curious. But if not, perhaps allowing the carrier to be the place where catnip or treats are given out (or even just near it at first), and maybe eventually where play happens. No forcing. Just follow kitties lead. Some kitties may warm up faster than others. Years later our cats now find comfort and safety in them but it wasn't always that way. Best of luck to you!

[@macjack5978]

My cat has an emotional breakdown after 1 mile!

[@GeographicallyFree]

I'm sorry, Mac Jack, I must confess I laughed pretty hard after reading your comment! But only because I've been there. 😂 Did you happen to see what we did to finally avoid emotional breakdowns in our vehicle? Here's the link. Maybe it will help over time? 🤷‍♀️ kzbin.info/www/bejne/lYW8oauDm6p_oLM

[@fatemahalrashed2046]

My two-year-old cat is very afraid of riding in the car, she starts meowing and pooping and salivating. How can I calm her?

[@GeographicallyFree]

It sounds like your cat has severe anxiety with the car. I wouldn't force her in the car but if you have to for an emergency that requires you to take her somewhere I would talk to your vet about it. In the meantime, I can't stress the importance of making her carrier a regular fixture in your home so it can become a place of comfort for her. No force. Let her take her time but encourage her with play and perhaps let her enjoy some catnip in there if that's her jam. It's a good place to start.

[@INFERNO-ht9lo]

Just want a pokeball

[@GeographicallyFree]

I hope you get one! 🤞

[@CrazyFunnyCats]

Next video is how to teach your cat to drive 🏎💨💨💨 😹

[@GeographicallyFree]

Brilliant!!!! 💗😹✨

[@CrazyFunnyCats]

@@GeographicallyFree so nice to get a reply from you. Hugs! ✨🐯✨🇨🇦

[@GeographicallyFree]

@@CrazyFunnyCats 💗🐈🐾🐾🤗✨

[@chrifus31037]

Cats hate car rides because car ride = visit to the vet 🥺

[@GeographicallyFree]

Thankfully our cats enjoy the rides now that they are used to going on adventures.

[@videossatellite5899]

My cat meows excessively in car and drools a lot.. sometimes she poops in their too.. any tips?

[@GeographicallyFree]

It sounds like your kitty might be stressed? Maybe she is nervous thinking she is going to the vet? That seems to be a common reason for cats to fear the car if that's the only reason they ever go in one. That's why we have spent so much time just hanging out in the car with our cats without going anywhere and making it a fun experience with treats, petting, brushing, playing, etc. It's very time consuming and consistency is important but we knew we would be traveling a ton in the future and wanted our cats to be okay with it. One of our cats adjusted much faster than the other one so we have had to treat them differently to keep the peace and not create more stress. We never try to rush the progress. It can take months or even years depending on the cat. Maybe start slow with just leaving the carrier in the house out in the open? Play with her it? Basically move super slow as if you are starting the introduction process over but in a fun way and eventually graduate to short visits to the parked car once she seems more relaxed? If she starts to realize she has something to look forward to, maybe she will feel more calm over time? I would take it super slow with building her confidence but if you have to take her somewhere, you may appreciate the setup in this video. It's how we traveled with our cats during the first couple of years we went on long road trips with them. Also, 6 years later , we still leave the carrier out when not traveling so it feels like a safe place to them even though they have already come a long way. Good luck to you both! 💗 kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4m5pn95i7tql8U

[@videossatellite5899]

@@GeographicallyFree thankyou so much♥️

[@ophelia5240]

Just got my first car and I want to car train my cat

[@GeographicallyFree]

Congratulations! 🎉

[@ophelia5240]

@@GeographicallyFree thank you!

[@MENQN]

Impossible task we unfortunately had a cat traveling with us 60 miles and it died the next day

[@GeographicallyFree]

Oh my goodness. That's so sad. My condolences. 💔

[@noomansalim7704]

What if cat wants to do potty while traveling?

[@GeographicallyFree]

We have a portable litter box for them and it's all enclosed to keep it stealthy. This is a video of how we set up our SUV for trips with our cats and it shows what we did to make our travel litter box: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gHWrYX5qjrN0erM

[@dougwillis5069]

but but...We're on the road first thing in the morning...

[@GeographicallyFree]

Wishing you a safe and peaceful and QUIET trip! LOL.

[@dougwillis5069]

Haha Thanks for the video anyway

[@MJ-my9sg]

Single travelers have to leave pets alone in the car to grocery shop! We have no other option as most stores do not offer pickup.

[@GeographicallyFree]

If you're on a trip alone with your cat then of course you gotta do what you've gotta do. 💖

[@jessejameslatimer8686]

its not being in the car or the carrier my cat hats being in. she loves the car, she just hates when the car is moving.

[@GeographicallyFree]

Awwww. That's tough. I wonder if she would get used to it over time? Maybe with some extra treats or something to reward her during or afterward a quick trip around the block?

[@jessejameslatimer8686]

@@GeographicallyFree yeah maybe that would be a good idea, thank you so much 😊 enjoy your new place!

[@piaabelila4954]

Is it okay to just make them wear a diaper?

[@GeographicallyFree]

I don't have any personal experience with this and the only time I have ever seen cats wear diapers is if they physically can't use the litter box due to an injury or illness. I imagine it would be a pretty messy and stinky experience changing those diapers (and then potentially extra bathing because of it) and not something I would personally care to do unless my cats had a medical condition that required it. I also imagine those diapers would need to be changed frequently to prevent irritation on the cat's skin. And then there is training the cat to use the diapers and once that is done would they stop using the litter box? Is a portable litter box or pee pad inside a carrier not an option for you?

[@ghostrider2664]

This is alot of freaking work.

[@GeographicallyFree]

We work from home so it really doesn't feel like it. But I guess the same consistency would go into training any animal.

[@pawble]

you sound like an old jaidenanimations

[@GeographicallyFree]

Nobody has told me that before! I'll have to check her out.

[@inthetearoom]

clearly not owners of demons

[@GeographicallyFree]

Hahahahaha! Best comment ever.

[@whipy9203]

I tried to get my 5-month old kitten into his carrier for the first time yesterday, and it was a nightmare. He started meowing and clawing at the carrier and when I tried to get in the car, he went berserk and almost destroyed it from the inside. I took him back in the house and have been trying to lure him in with treats and toys, and even pheromone spray, but he won't stay inside for longer than 10 seconds. It's like he's already traumatized by it for life 🫤 So I'm stuck at step 1 and don't know what to do.

[@GeographicallyFree]

We took a whole year to train our cats before going on a road trip so try to be patient. Some cats respond differently than others and some cats will never enjoy it. That being said, what if you left the carrier open around the house in a place where your cat can have access to it and leave it at that for a while? No forcing or encouraging. Just a potential sleeping option if they so choose some day. Try that for a month and see what happens. That way it can learn to associate the carrier with a place of comfort, and maybe a little catnip every once in a while? It's not going to magically make them want to get in the car but it's a step in the right direction at building trust.

[@whipy9203]

@@GeographicallyFree Thank you. The video was very helpful. He needs to go to the vet for his third inoculation next week, so unfortunately I don't have the luxury of time 😬As you mentioned, I'm afraid that rushing things before I have built his trust could set us back a long way. Any tips you could give me to speed up the process so he can at least go to the vet (10 minute car ride) and back are appreciated! Thanks in advance!

[@GeographicallyFree]

@@whipy9203 I see your dilemma. It sounds like a super stressful experience for your kitty right now and it is so compassionate of you to care about that. Is there a mobile vet you could use that could come to you instead? Otherwise, maybe call the vet you have an appointment with and see if they have any advice? Whatever you decide, I wish you and kitty the best of luck. 🙏

[@elverdad6805]

Thank you!

[@GeographicallyFree]

You're welcome! ❤️

[@baylees9800]

What should I do if my cat is already nervous about the carrier? 😩

[@GeographicallyFree]

Hi Baylee, I would still practice the same steps but go slow. It just requires patience and not rushing the process so kitty has time to build trust. Leave the carrier out all the time with no pressure at all so they can get used to it being there as a non-threatening object---perhaps for several days or even weeks. Ignore the carrier but leave it in a place where you all usually hang out and relax. You could eventually try lying next to it sometimes and invite your cat over to be pet or play while still ignoring the carrier. Eventually kitty may get curious. But if not, perhaps allowing the carrier to be the place where catnip or treats are given out (or even just near it at first), and maybe eventually where play happens. No forcing. Just follow kitties lead. Some kitties may warm up faster than others. Years later our cats now find comfort and safety in them but it wasn't always that way. Best of luck to you!