It's not all that hard to find cat-friendly lodging world-wide these days, but all cat-owning travelers do still need to check, in preparation for any trip, if cats will be welcome to avoid bad surprises at the hotel check-in.
The AAA has a pet-friendly travel guide for the United States. If you are a member, this may help you, as will some of the many online pet travel sites. Nevertheless, when planning for cat travel in areas where hotels are dense, if the website does not help you out with a "pets allowed" icon, the best way to find out is to choose a few hotels you like and simply ask, via telephone or internet inquiry.
Never assume that a particular hotel, at home or abroad, will not accept cats. You will be surprised how many hotels can host your cat and by how many nations consider traveling with cats to be a rather common way to travel. On the other hand, without the permission of the hotel, do not assume that a surprise cat will be warmly greeted. You do not want to end up very far from home and without a hotel as night closes in.
Hotel Chains
Hotel chains do not consistently have blanket policies on cats. Also, chains have various levels of service and accommodations that respond to different price points and to different local trends and needs. When booking, check your chosen chain hotel website to see if the "pets allowed" icon is visible. If so, great. But if you do not see it, call and ask. Pets may not be encouraged, but often individual hotels, especially during the recession, will make concessions to fill rooms.
Motels
Cat-friendly motels are fairly common in areas where families vacation. A motel offers easy access in and out to accommodate any needed midnight walks, although be careful about off-leash walks in places where the highway is near the door. And be careful about leaving a cat in a room where a careless service person could accidentally let your cat out.
Resident Hotels
Resident hotels that can accommodate long-term stay for consultant workers or families on the move often take pets. Many have designated pet walking areas. Even in major urban centers like Las Vegas, places like the Marriott Residence Inn offer a slot machine-free haven with grass lawns for people traveling with pets. Resident hotels often include sitting room areas and kitchenettes that make feeding and relaxing with pets easier.
Hotels
Hotels that accept cats take various approaches to accommodating your and their needs. Some charge an extra fee to allow your cat. You may try to negotiate this if your cat will not be alone in the room ever or if your cat is small or crated. Some require you to hang a "pet in room tag" on the door. Some offer pet bowls and beds. Some offer a pet menu for in-room dining. Some offer sitting, walking and pet massage services. Some have rules for designated pet walking and playing areas. Some welcome your pet at the pool and on the dining patio. Never be afraid to ask as customs vary.
When booking a hotel room, or at check in, always try to negotiate with the desk clerk to get a room that is not too high up in the building - your elevator ride with a pet that needs a walk should not be uncomfortable or very long. Try to be placed near an exit door.
Some hotels attempt to put pet-owning travelers in rooms that are smoking permitted or need renovations most. If this does not please you because you do not smoke or because you know your pet will not damage the accommodations, you should speak up. Why pay for a bad and undesirable room just because you are on vacation with a good and well-trained pet?
If your hotel will not accept your pet, do not leave your cat in the car overnight. Highly traumatizing for cats and highly lacking in security and accountability, this practice is an unreasonable solution for all concerned.
About the Author: Helen Fazio and her dog Raja blog on pet travel and related topics at www.traveldogbooks.com. In their first book, "The Journey of the Shih Tzu," Raja tells the wolf to woof story of the development of this amazing breed. They are working on forthcoming titles.
Related Advice from Other Cat Owners
Getting a Cat Into a Carrier
We put our cat's food bowl inside the carrier. Also, include a towel you have used on your wet hair. They like the scent of their humans.
~Christina W., owner of Siamese mix
How to Trick Your Cat Into Her Carrier
Catch your cat in a big towel and wrap her up in it so that she is bundled. It will save you on scratches, and stops her from grabbing the outside of the carrier door like an octopus!
~Amanda C., owner of Tonkinese
How to Travel with Your Cat
Check with the airlines to find one that will allow you to take a pet in the cabin with you. I just did that with US Airways from Las Vegas to Sacramento with my cat, Minxy. They charged me $100 for Minxy and she had be in a small carrier that would fit under the seat.
I upgraded to 1st class for $50 at the airport so there was a bit more room. One thing to be aware of is that when you go through the security checks you have to take your pet out of the carrier and walk through the metal detector with them. If your cat is at all skittish get her in a cat leash harness so you can hang onto her if she wriggles.
I also brought my cats with me from the UK to the US. They had to go cargo on a transatlantic flight. If you have to do this get a direct flight so they don't have to wait around in the heat.
~Lisa D., owner of Domestic Shorthair
How to Calm Your Cat on a Plane
We now give our cat children's Benadryl for car rides because he gets car sick. I'd ask your vet to recommend an appropriate dosage of Benadryl and try that first (do ask your vet, mine said that certain types of Benadryl are not safe for cats). If you do decide to go with any kind of meds, you need to test them out ahead of time, when you're home with access to a vet just to make sure that she doesn't respond abnormally.
~Kelly H., owner of American Shorthair
Where to Get Tranqulizers for Air Travel
I would definitely get tranquilizers from the vet as opposed to one from the pet store because pet store stuff usually isn't strong enough and sometimes the all-natural stuff can be harmful if the dosage is wrong. Will your cat be flying in the luggage area? If so, I think a tranquilizer is necessary because the luggage area is loud and noisy and sometimes very cold and dangerous. The atmosphere is not as well regulated as the cabin. If at all possible, I'd see if you can have Kitty be your "carry-on" luggage because there have been several pet deaths for pets kept in the luggage area (poor air in area, bad handling from workers, shock or fear tumbling around in the area during turbulence, simply getting lost just like luggage does). If she's riding in the cabin a calming agent or mild sedative would be good but I think that's all.
~Calindy M., owner of Domestic Shorthair
Tips for Air Travel with Your Cat
You will have to take your cat out of the carrier to pass through the x-ray machine. I would definitely get her a harness and leash so you can do that safely. You don't want her getting freaked out and escaping in a crowded airport.
Continental has a great pet transport policy that I know many breeders use but I don't know if they fly to wherever you are going. I would check with the airlines on what type of carrier would be approved to bring on the plane with you and what health certificates that they and the country that you are traveling to would require for her to enter.
~Sandy N., owner of Persian
Before Taking a Road Trip with Kitty
It's hard to believe, but most cats are homebodies. They don't need getaways like we do. I would worry that your kitty may inadvertently escape, and being far from home, not know how to get back to you and safety. Having said that, if you really want to bring her along, it's certainly better than leaving her at home alone with a few bowls of food and water. I would absolutely have her microchipped before you go. It's not that expensive and your cat can be identified and returned to you if she does get out. While you do that, make sure she's up-to-date on all her vaccinations including and especially rabies. And, of course, if she's not spayed, she should be before you go.
~Joy W., owner of Maine Coon mix
Easing a Cat's Travel Anxiety
I would suggest talking to your vet about giving your cat something to ease his anxiety while traveling. If he is more relaxed, your trip will be less stressful for you both. Try using the meds at home a few days prior to your trip to ensure your cat has no ill effects from it. Make sure you have enough for a trial run, for the trip and back if needed.
I would also suggest using a wire dog crate instead of your typical cat carrier. Your cat will be able to see what’s going on and a comfy bed could easily be placed inside. I would avoid food, this may cause car sickness. Offering water along the way would be fine, but I wouldn't be surprised if he declines. A small litter box could also be placed inside but if he is stressed, he may not even use it. A harness and leash would be great for quiet rest stops. Get him used to the harness before your trip. Having his harness on during the trip will allow you to easily attach the leash. Make sure all doors and windows are shut before opening the crate and attempting to put the leash on.
Prepare him for the trip beforehand. Place him in the crate, take him out and sit in the car without it running for a few minutes, do this a few times. Then try sitting there with the car running. Then drive around the block and gradually make your trips a little longer. To get him used to the crate at home, put some yummy treats inside; get him to associate the crate with good stuff.
~Kathy L., owner of Siamese
Getting Kitty Used to the Carrier for Car Travel
Leave the carrier out in your house with the door open. If she sees that the carrier can be a "safe" place your cat will do better. You can try using some Rescue Remedy for her (you put some drops in their water dish). Also spraying some in the carrier (with the cat out of it) and also in the car may help as well. Tranquilizers often have the opposite effect on cats. You can also try getting her more comfortable with going into her carrier by placing a favorite treat, or wet food inside it and let her eat it at her leisure. Don't lock her up inside it when you feed the food/treats though.
As far as carriers, I used a small dog/large cat kennel for mine. Some cats like more room and some like a smaller space. They should have room to turn around. It is also best to not feed/water your cat right before leaving. Also, see if she responds better to being on one side of the car or the other. It sounds crazy, but my cat does not cry as much when he cannot see me vs. when he can.
~Ellie C., owner of Domestic Shorthair
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