Your Maine Coon is not only your furry sidekick—he is part of your family, and as such, the last thing you want to do is leave him behind when you go away. You miss your MC so much that you spend your vacations asking your pet sitter to send you photos and videos—even Zoom for a face-to-face. Have no fear; you CAN travel with your feline bff if you follow these tips.
Prepare your cat for travel by familiarizing them with their carriers and being comfortable outside their living space. Plan carefully and ensure you pack food, cleaning materials, litter, and pee pads for accidents. Book far in advance to ensure your Maine Coon suffers the least stress en route and ensure they are microchipped and collared.
There is no reason to leave your kitty behind when you travel, whether by road, air, or staying in hotels. With careful planning and foresight, your feline family can safely accompany you on your adventures. Here’s some insider tips for traveling with your Maine Coon in style.
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5 Tips for Preparing Your Maine Coon for Travel
A safe and happy journey with your Maine Coon begins long before you hit the road—or the runway. Here are some top tips on how to get started.
1. Familiarize Your Maine Coon With Leaving the Home
If your MC is still a kitten, it is the best time to accustom her to the process of carrier travel and cars and visiting new places. The trick is to make carrier activities fun and stress-free by creating positive associations with the cat carrier,
- Feed your MC in the carrier often
- Spend some time playing with toys inside the enclosed space
- Try catnip for an extra enticement
- Give lots of praise and yummy treats when they are inside
- Practice taking them in and out of their carrier so they are used to the process
- If your MC dislikes the carrier, try using positive pheromone sprays or wipes such as Feliway® Classic
2. Find the Best Travel Carrier
Your carrier quality is essential when traveling with your cat. They will be spending long hours in the container, so it should be as comfortable as possible for your MC. Here are some things to look out for in a quality cat carrier:
Size and Weight Capacity
Maine Coons are typically larger than the average cat, so you need to be careful about ‘one size fits all’ containers that will cramp your gentle giant. Most experts suggest that the carrier be one and a half times the length and height of your kitty so that they can comfortably turn around, stand up, and lie down,
If you plan a longer trip, you can extend the length of the container to accommodate feeding bowls and a small litter box. But remember: bigger isn’t always better when choosing a container for your MC. Cats like smaller spaces when they are out of their comfort zone, and the last thing you want is your kitty sliding and rattling around in a container that is too large.
Also, check your carrier’s weight capacity, as MCs are much heavier than an average moggy. The manufacturer will usually have a weight limit in their specifications.
Secure and Ventilated
The carrier closures are a crucial aspect when choosing a travel carrier. The last thing you want is a complex opening system where you have to fumble around while restraining an unimpressed MC!
The most user-friendly carriers have two openings: one on the front and one on the top. Look for carriers that allow you to lift off the top section to access them properly without taking them out of their comfort zone.
If you plan to take your MC on the road, ensure that your carrier secures into the safety belt of your back seat to prevent accidents in a sudden stop scenario,
Other Things To Look For
- Good ventilation
- Safe and secure
- Easy to carry
- Easy to clean
Explore our recommended article on the best cat carriers for Maine Coons on the website.
3. Ensure Your MC Is Microchipped and Collared
Identification is vital should your MC escape their carrier or hotel room when you are away. The collar and the microchip are necessary for visual identification because they can distinguish a lost cat more easily over similarly colored cats or breeds.
4. Plan Ahead To Avoid Issues: Book in Advance
When you travel with a cat, it is essential to plan ahead because you will have specialized needs regarding how you travel and where you will stay. Securing pet-friendly accommodation at the last minute can be challenging, and booking direct flights is easier than leaving it to the last minute.
Ensure you know your accommodation’s fine print regarding “pets,” as some hotels may exclude cats from their pet-friendly listing.
5. Get Your Cat’s Medical Records Up-to-Date
Plan and visit a vet to ensure your MC has a clean bill of health. If you plan a trip outside the United States, it is crucial to get documentation that shows the following:
- Your MC’s vaccinations are up to date
- Bloodwork analysis should your intended destination country require
- Any other special documentation you may need
Some destination countries may require several months of quarantine before allowing your cat to enter their borders, so start researching long before if you intend to travel overseas.
On the Road: Tips for Travel With Your Maine Coon
You have been planning for months; it is almost time to hit the tarmac. Best of all, your MC is coming with you on your grand adventure. Here are some tips to ensure your road trip is a success.
1. Make a Checklist: Tips on What To Pack for Kitty Travel
To avoid road trip hiccups, pack everything your feline companion may need on your trip. Bring familiar items from their home space while you travel to make your Mc feel more secure. Your list should include the following:
- Pet-friendly wipes for oopsies
- Bring familiar toys, bedding, and your cat’s favorite food and treats
- It’s an excellent idea to take a 5-liter bottle of your cat’s home water as some cats don’t enjoy the taste of “strange” water when away
- A litter scoop and waste bags that seal
- Your transport carrier if you plan to place your cat in a larger crate for the road trip
- A comfortable and secure harness and leash
- Pack plenty of pee pads to line your travel containers
- Documentation including medical insurance and your cat’s vet contact details
- Your vet card containing proof of vaccinations and inoculations
- Any medication that your cat may require
- An ample supply of their favorite familiar foods and the familiar dishes they use at home
- Use your kitty’s familiar litter and use a disposable litter box
- A collar with up-to-date contact details and identification
- If you plan to stay at your destination for a more extended spell. Include a tag with your hotel or vacation dwelling particulars
- Ensure your MC has a microchip with up-to-date particulars
2. Keep Your Cat Safely Secured and Well Ventilated
Cats can become distressed during motion, so a proper level and secure container can alleviate some of that anxiety. Make sure you place the container where there is adequate airflow and where you put your cat for ventilation.
ICatcare suggests that the best spots for your carrier are secure behind one of the front seats or held securely in a seat attached to a seatbelt (like baby seats). Avoid the rear of hatchbacks, which can intensify the heat and restrict proper airflow.
Cover two-thirds of the carrier with a thin material with good airflow to eliminate external motion visuals that may lead to carsickness.
3. Top Tips for Road Trips With Your Kitty
- Prevent motion sickness by leaving 6-8 hours between their last meal and your departure time
- Make sure you keep replacing their water with fresh liquid in a splash-free bowl they are already familiar with drinking from
- Put pee pads under your cat’s blankets in case of any accidents en route
- Keep some heavy-duty Ziplock bags, rubber gloves, and paper towels for any “accidents”
- Stop regularly and ensure all the windows and doors are locked. Let your kitty out of the carrier to stretch her legs and for some play and attention
- Never leave your cat unattended in the car, especially in hot weather where internal temperatures can spike
- Line your carrier blankets that carry your MC’s familiar scent
Here are some tips from a seasoned human-cat road travel duo!
In the Air: Flying With Your Maine Coon
If you plan to take your MC on an overseas adventure, you must do extra planning and homework. Book a direct flight to minimize stress on your feline friend, and carefully plan what carrier is best and the essential items you will need on your flight. You should confirm that you can place the cat under the seat in front of you and what other pet policies your particular airline may require.
Flying With Your MC: Important Considerations
1. Your Carrier Type, Size, and Weight
Consult your airline website for the weight and dimension requirements for your kitty’s container under the seat. For example, American Airlines under-seat dimensions are 19 x 13 x 9 inches / 48 x 33 x 22cm.
Most experts recommend a firm carrier with soft sides to fit the airline seats’ dimensions easily. The soft sides are more forgiving, allowing your kitty to stretch out to find a comfortable sleeping position.
2. Get the All Clear From Your Vet
Your vet will need to furnish you with an up-to-date health check to ensure your cat has had all the necessary vaccinations and is free from signs of infectious disease. Check the requirements of your international destination, as some countries require different vaccines for parasites and other potential health risks.
Some places require rabies titers, which are tests that determine your kitty’s antibody response to the rabies virus. These tests may take up to four weeks to process.
3. Getting Through Customs
You may have to pass a metal detector test on international travel. When customs officials x-ray your luggage, you must remove your cat from the carrier. So, be sure to have their harness secured and ready to hold your MC while they process your possessions.
4. In Flight Litter Box Use
People who frequently fly with their cats use Ziplocked litter and a collapsible litter box. When the timing is right, and the airline toilet is ready, you can use the baby changing table to set up your litter station. Once your kitty has done their business (often not likely), use rubber gloves and a scoop to pick up the litter and waste and pack them into a heavy-duty Ziplock bag.
The ick factor comes in when you have to keep the poop on your person until you land before you safely dispose of the waste. So ensure you have a heavy-duty sealable bag to store your kitty’s waste!
4. What To Pack for Your Feline Companion
Ensure your carrier has as many creature comforts as possible and familiar-smelling items, such as your kitty’s unwashed blankets or an item or two of your clothes. Other air travel essentials include:
- Familiar water and food bowls
- Toys for your kitty to play
- Peed pads to line your carrier bottom
- Ziplock bags, rubber gloves, wet wipes, and paper towels for accidents
- Catnip and treats to ease stress
- Litter in a ziplock bag and a collapsible litter tray
- Your cat’s favorite food
- Air freshener for stinky smells
- You may sedate your kitty for the flight if they are anxious travelers—more about this is in the last section of the article
Just look at this calm beauty taking it all in her Maine Coon stride!
For those keen to gather additional insights, our website furnishes a detailed guide on flying with Maine Coons, ensuring a seamless travel experience.
When You Arrive: Tips for Cats in Travel Accommodation
Introducing Your Maine Coon to the New Space
Find a quiet corner of your hotel room or lodgings where your cat can have time to make sense of their surroundings. The key is to recreate as many familiar home items as possible to make your kitty feel more secure. Allow your MC the time to explore independently, and ensure you place all their necessary items nearby, such as fresh water, food, and litter box.
Tips to Ensure Your Cat is Safe in Your Hotel Room
Hotels can be dangerous for your cat as many hotels allow cleaning services to enter your room when you are out. The last thing you want is your kitty AWOL in a hotel in a strange city—the ultimate nightmare! Here are some tips to ensure your kitty stays safely inside her hotel room.
- Always check the room carefully before you allow your cat out of their container
- Ensure all the windows are securely closed
- Do a walk through the room to identify any dangers to your MC, such as poisonous plants and cleaning products
- Consider leaving your cat harness on for easier retrieval
- Make sure there is no expensive furniture your cat may shred. Consider an old blanket or two for covering couch arms
- Bring along a portable scratch post your kitty is familiar with to deflect their claws from other more valuable furniture
- Leave a do not disturb sign on your door at all times and make a laminated sign to warn others not to open the door due to your cat
Should You Consider Sedating Your Cat for Travel?
If your gentle giant is a stress fiend, you may consult your local vet about sedation options. You should only pursue this option if absolutely necessary, as medication should always be a last resort.
When they recommend a sedative, your vet will consider factors such as your MC’s medical history, age, and body condition. Consider giving your cat the medication before travel to ensure they take the dosage well and have no side effects.
You have several options when it comes to sedation, such as the following:
Pheromone Treatment.
Synthetic cat pheromones such as Feliway® CLASSIC mimic the feel-good smells shared between cats and can calm your kitty more naturally than medication.
Natural Remedies
- Solliquin: An all-natural supplement made with green tea extract to increase calm and lessen anxiety, but it takes 30-40 days to be effective.
- Composure: A natural, tasty chew packed with Colostrum, L-Theatine, and Thiamine to eliminate stress in cats
- Purina Pro-Plan Calming Care harnesses the power of prebiotics in lessening anxiety and stress.
Prescription Medication for Anxiety
- Gabapentin: This medication is also a painkiller for humans and pets with sedative effects.
- Alprazolam: This medication is a benzodiazepine that relieves stress, anxiety, and fears in humans and pets
- Buprenorphine: Cat carers typically administer this drug by squirting it into their cat’s mouth. This drug is a short-term pain killer with sedative effects.
Closing Thoughts
There is no reason why your Maine Coon shouldn’t be your travel companion and share your vacation and travel memories with you and your family. Proper planning is key to ensuring your kitty is comfortable and stress-free so they can enjoy the adventure!
