10 Travel-Friendly Cat Breeds

By Pet360.com

Image: Ysbrand Cosijn via Shutterstock
Image: Ysbrand Cosijn via Shutterstock

Hoping to hit the road with your favorite feline in tow this spring? While some cats head for the hills-or the nearest closet-the moment they spot their carrier, there are other breeds that truly enjoy exploring new places and traveling with their owners.

Get the top 10 breeds that travel well and get expert tips on how to make any cat more comfortable when traveling right here.

Persian

Sweet and docile, Persians make wonderful traveling companions. An affectionate breed that loves to play, Persians have a relaxed and adaptable nature and can be easily harness or leashed trained, said Joan Miller, chair of outreach and education for the Cat Fanciers' Association.

Persians can travel easily in cars, motor homes and airplanes, Miller said, and are happy to be confined in a carrier or small space. One Persian Miller placed with a couple happily toured the country with its owners in a motor home and happily wore a harness and leash on the road, she said.

Exposing a young kitten to travel at a young age can help them become more comfortable traveling throughout its life, Miller said. If you want to be able to travel with your cat, Miller suggests starting early and taking your first few trips together to a park or another quiet place they'll form a positive association to, rather than a trip to the vet.

Selkirk Rex

A medium-sized cat with a broad head and curly hair that covers its body, the Selkirk Rex is another breed that can be leash and harnessed trained, Miller said. Affectionate, easygoing and playful, the Selkirk Rex hates being left alone and will follow its owners anywhere.

As you prepare to travel with your cat, start by getting them acclimated to their carriers gradually. Katie Watts, senior feline behavior counselor at the ASPCA Adoption Center, recommends starting this process several weeks in advance of your trip. Begin with feeding your cat near their carrier to get them used to the presence of it, then get them used to eating inside the carrier and eventually eating in the carrier with the door closed. This will also help them form a positive association to their carriers.

As you pack for your trip, consider bringing along something that smells like home in the carrier to keep them comfortable throughout the ride. You'll also want to make sure your cat has proper identification (a collar with an ID tag and a microchip). In terms of carriers to use for travel, Watts recommends finding one that has proper ventilation.

British Shorthair

An intelligent and personable breed, British Shorthairs are generally quiet and bond closely with its people. Loyal to all members of its family, British Shorthairs are also patient and affectionate with children and can adapt easily to changes in their home. Good tempered and stable, British Shorthairs make good travel companions, according to Miller.

If your cat is uncomfortable in its carrier, set up a barrier or put them in a large cage to keep them safe in the car, Miller said. On most trips, you'll want to feed your cat several hours prior to traveling and keep food and water out of their carrier to help prevent any motion sickness or messes, Watts said. If you're going to be on the road for longer trips, give them a bit of water when you stop for bathroom or water breaks yourself.

Learn more about British Shorthairs.

Scottish Fold

Gentle, docile and well adjusted, Scottish Folds are known for their unusual ears, which fold forward and downward. With an affectionate and playful nature, Scottish Folds can respond well to training and do well when traveling. After learning about a Scottish Fold that traveled to Paris, one of Miller's friends began traveling from San Diego to Florida with their own Scottish Fold.

While opening your cat's carrier while traveling or letting your cat roam around a moving vehicle is not recommended, Watts recommends partially covering your cat's carrier if they appear to be uncomfortable or nervous during the trip.

"Cats like to hide when they're feeling nervous, so covering their carrier can help them feel like they're in a safe place and not as exposed," Watts said. "Just make sure it doesn't impede with the carrier's ventilation."

Sedating a cat for travel is not recommended, Watts said. Instead, opt for a slow, gradual acclimation to their carriers.

Abyssinian

Another breed that's both easy to leash and harness train and can adapt to both car and plane travel, Abyssinians enjoy socializing with people and other animals. Courageous and curious, Abyssinians are independent but enjoy participating in every aspect of their owner's lives.

If you do plan to cross state lines or fly with your cat, Watts recommends bringing copies of your cat's vaccinations and rabies certificates, as regulations can vary from place to place.

Singapura

An Eastern breed that is the result of a mix between the Abyssinian and the Burmese, Singapuras travel easily and will happily go for walks on a leash and harness, Miller said. Frisky and affectionate, Singapuras love to play but are easy to live with. A cat that loves being with its people, Miller has heard of Singapuras that were a part of their owners wedding then traveled to the Grand Canyon with them on their honeymoon.

When it comes to air travel with your cat, Watts recommends avoiding cargo and keeping your cat in the cabin of the airplane with you if at all possible. Doing your homework will also be important, she says, and recommends learning about specific airline policies before booking your travel and talking to the airline about keeping your cat in the cabin with you throughout the flight. If you are taking a trip that involves a flight and you have concerns about traveling with your cat, Watts also suggests keeping your cat at home if it's possible. For more air travel tips, visit the ASPCA's website.

Siamese

Known for their piercing blue eyes and large ears, the Siamese is an outgoing and social cat that loves human companionship. An ideal companion for many cat fanciers, Siamese cats to do tend to get lonely when left home alone often and prefer to be with their people. An infamous chatterbox, you'll be sure to know when your Siamese is uncomfortable and does not like something, Miller said.

Cornish Rex

An affectionate attention-seeker that loves to play a game of fetch, the Cornish Rex is known for its unusual appearance and minimal-shedding coat. A breed that's easy to take care of and bonds well with its human family, Miller says the Cornish Rex is both easy to leash train and does well with new environments and other animals.

Sphynx

Known for its lack of hair and abundance of wrinkles, the Sphynx is a friendly, high-energy breed with a sense of humor and desire for human attention. Though the Sphynx is normally a homebody, they're one of the most outgoing breeds when it comes to strangers and usual environments, Miller said, and can easily be trained to walk on a leash.

Ocicat

Bold, fearless and fun, the Ocicat looks like a wild cat but was originally developed by mating Abyssinians to Siamese with a few American Shorthairs added to the mix, Miller said. This outgoing breed is very friendly with people and enjoys a variety of activities and environments. Some Ocicat breeders even report their cats racing to their carriers the moment they come out to see which can hop in first, Miller said.

Each individual cat will adjust and adapt differently to travel, and depending on the cat, travel can do more harm than good, Watts said. If you know your cat isn't a born jetsetter, consider leaving them at home with a sitter or in a familiar environment if possible.

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