Travelling with your cat can be a stressful experience for both of you, but with the right equipment and supplies, the journey can be smoother and more comfortable. After many international flights with my cat, Spiru, I’ve learned (the hard way) which cat travel accessories are absolutely essential and work best for us.
Whether you’re flying domestically or internationally, having the right gear is key to ensuring your cat’s safety, comfort, and well-being during the trip. Here’s a list of essential cat travel accessories every cat owner should have when flying with their pet.
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1. Cat Travel Carrier
This is the most important accessory for any trip. Your cat’s travel carrier needs to meet airline regulations for both size and ventilation. Make sure the carrier is sturdy, well-ventilated, and large enough for your cat to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably.
I’ve found that soft carriers are so much better than hard. I have a cat travel bag, like the one above, that slings right over my shoulder. Spiru loves it because he’s close to me as we walk through busy places and I can cuddle him through the bag when he can’t be taken out.
2. Travel Cat Litter Box and Litter
If you’re traveling for an extended period, especially on international flights, you’ll need a small, portable litter box and some travel-friendly litter. Some cats are sensitive about using unfamiliar spaces, so having a compact, travel-sized litter box with a familiar type of litter can make your pet feel more at ease.
I used to travel with a hard cat litter tray, but this was a bit awkward to stuff in my carry-on backpack. Now, we have a foldable material litter tray that I can just pop out. I put some litter in and Spiru does his business.
This is great to whip out on a layover as well. Our routine is to find a quiet family or disabled bathroom and let him stretch his legs a bit, go to the loo and have a cuddle before the next leg of the journey.
3. Travel Cat Harness
If you’re planning to take your cat out of the carrier at any point during your trip (such as for bathroom breaks or before boarding), a travel harness is a must. It gives you control over your cat and ensures they stay safe and secure while exploring new environments.
Make sure the harness is adjustable, comfortable, and easy to put on, so it doesn’t stress out your cat. Obviously, you should train your cat to use the harness before travelling. I can offer no advice on this, but @bestadventurecat have an adventure cat “training school” program that includes harness training.
Spiru is not a fan of a harness, but he is a curious cat that likes to explore outside, so he has to deal with it sometimes. He also doesn’t like being picked up, especially by people he doesn’t know, so having the harness is a great backup if airport security asks me to take him out and carry him through the scanner.
Tip: Make sure it’s a harness for cats! I was once sold a harness for small dogs and told it would be the best option for my cat. When I took Spiru to the park in the harness, he walked for a while, then simply stepped out of the harness and hid in a hole for 30 minutes until I managed to coax him out with treats. Lesson learned.
4. Calming Collar
Travel can be stressful for cats, and calming collars can help reduce anxiety. These collars are infused with natural pheromones or calming scents that help relax your cat. You should start using the collar a few days before your trip to give it time to work and get your cat used to the scent.
It’s a small, simple accessory that can make a big difference in your cat’s mood during the flight. I’ve travelled with Spiru wearing a calming collar and not wearing a calming collar and I’ve noticed the difference. I’ve also used a spray, but the spray didn’t seem as effective at all.
5. Piece of Your Clothing or Something with a Familiar Smell
Cats are comforted by familiar smells, so packing a piece of your clothing, such as a shirt or scarf, can provide some much-needed reassurance. Placing it in the carrier will help your cat feel safe and less stressed.
The scent of home can be incredibly soothing when they’re surrounded by unfamiliar environments and noises.
Not sure if you can quite see in this photo, but we put one of my shirts and my partner’s old pyjama shorts in this hard carrier before Spiru had to go in the hold. I hope our scents helped soothe him on the journey.
6. Treats
Keep your cat’s favourite treats on hand for the journey. Not only can treats be used as a reward for good behaviour, but they can also be a helpful way to calm a nervous cat. Offering treats throughout the trip can help distract your cat and keep them occupied during long waits or layovers.
Also, if it’s a long journey, I know I have at least some treats to feed him until we get somewhere to give him wet food (Spiru has few teeth so he struggles more with dry food). Dreamies (known as Temptations in the U.S.) are a favourite because they’re small, Spiru loves them, and they’re not liquid, so I can pack them easily.
7. Pet Wipes
Whether it’s wiping down their paws after a bathroom break or cleaning their face after a stressful moment, pet wipes can help keep your cat clean and fresh while you’re on the go.
There has only ever been one incident when Spiru soiled himself in the carrier. It was during a short motorway journey (he doesn’t mind planes but hates the car). Unfortunately, it was on the way to Veterinary Services for his pre-flight paperwork and check up, so he really needed to be presentable on arrival.
He did an impressive number 2, then rolled around in it in the carrier. It was disgusting and even with multiple baths afterward, he stank. I wished I’d had wipes on hand to try and contain the mess, as well as clean up the carrier and the cat. Nightmare.
8. Plastic Bags
As above, plastic bags might seem like an afterthought, but they’re essential for keeping the trip as clean as possible. You can use them for disposing of waste (like dirty litter or wipes) or any other messes your cat might make during the flight.
They’re small, easy to pack, and won’t take up much space, but they’ll be crucial in keeping things hygienic and organised.
9. Travel Paperwork
When traveling internationally, you’ll need to have the proper documentation for your cat, such as vaccination records, health certificates, and sometimes an import permit or pet passport.
Make sure you have all the required paperwork well in advance of your trip, as different countries have different regulations for bringing in pets. Keep these documents in a safe, easily accessible place during the journey.
I have everything in a sleeve, so I can pull out any document or test, as well as previous vaccination records and health certificates if they’re asked for (though they rarely are).
10. Collar with Tag
As you may have spotted in the first photo, we also have an AirTag on Spiru’s collar.
This has been a huge source of relief for me, knowing we can track him if he loses his way on an outdoor adventure in a new place (he always comes back). Also, if he were ever to escape in an airport or on part of a journey, we have a Plan B.
Two collars is a lot though, so I don’t like him to have both for long.
More Cat Travel Accessories
This is by no means a definitive list. Every cat is different.
As digital and kittical nomads, we don’t have a base, so I travel with more cat accessories, such as cat toys, nail clippers, eye drops, extra packs of wet food, a brush, a fur removing brush for furniture, a scratch mat (which so far, he refuses to use), a spare parasite treatment, foldable silicone food and water dishes and his favourite cosy blanket.
By investing in the right cat travel accessories, you can ensure your feline companion is as comfortable, safe, and stress-free as possible throughout the journey. Prepare in advance, pack carefully, and you’ll both be ready for an adventure!
Read Next: 11 Tips for Travelling with a Cat: Learn from My Mistakes
Travel Essentials
Here are the websites and services I personally use and recommend.
FLIGHTS: The best deals can be found on Skyscanner, Google Flights and Kiwi (learn more about Kiwi travel hacking here).
TRAVEL INSURANCE: I recommend World Nomads for travel insurance because you can purchase once you’re already overseas and you can easily extend your policy. For digital nomads, I recommend and personally use Genki (learn more about Genki digital nomad health insurance here).
E-SIM: For travel in Europe, I use an e-sim with GoMobile, which is a provider based in Malta, but you need to be there to set it up.
ACCOMMODATION: I use Booking.com for hotels and Airbnb for apartments. For Colivings, I usually book privately, but Coliving.com is a good place to start.
THINGS TO DO: I use Viator or Get Your Guide for booking day trips, city tours and other activities, though I often check reviews on TripAdvisor too.
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