Traveling with a Cat: Sophie’s Packing List
Sophie is an Adventure Cat and loves to go on… well, adventures! She’s been boating, camping, sledding, canoeing, she’s been to parks, to outdoor concerts…the list goes on. Though, none of these adventures compare to the biggest one yet – going to the BlogPaws Conference! We will be hitting the road in just two days!
Now… what do you pack for a traveling cat? Below is Sophie’s list of travel essentials, broken down into categories.
Transportation
Not only does Sophie travel practically, she travels in style! Here are her transportation essentials:
- Sleepypod – for ultimate safety and comfort while riding in the car
- Wacky Paws Pet Sling – for easy, comfortable, and hands-free mobility while on the go
- Harness & Leash – for when Sophie wants to get down and do some exploring of her own
Toiletries
You can’t travel with a kitty without making sure you have all of the necessary toiletries (aka litter box + accessories).
- Disposable litter boxes – I always bring two.
- Litter – boxes of litter are heavy. Thankfully though, the Arm & Hammer litter we usually use comes in a 50% lighter version – perfect for travel!
- Litter scoop – scooping that litter box is a must, no matter where you are or where you’re going!
4. Plastic grocery bags – we usually use a litter genie to dispose of scooped kitty waste, but those aren’t very travel friendly. Instead, plastic grocery bags make great poopy bags while on the go. Plus, they are free!
5. Big trash bags – I bring along 2-3. You need something to put the disposable litter box in when you’re done with it!
6. Hand broom + dust pan – tracking litter out of the litter box is normal. However, Sophie is a notorious litter flinger/kicker/thrower. She will no doubt make a huge mess at some point over the course of our trip, and I certainly don’t want to leave that mess for the housekeeping crew at the hotel.
Sustenance
An obvious essential!
- Favorite canned food – a kitty’s gotta eat!
- Can topper – Sophie certainly isn’t going to eat a whole can of food at one meal, so we have to be sure to bring along a plastic can topper to keep the can covered in the fridge for later.
3. Plastic utensils – got to have a way to get the food from the can into the food bowl
4. Popware travel feeder – having food and water dishes that won’t break easily is important while traveling. I bought a Popware travel feeder specifically for our BlogPaws trip. It has two dishes, both of which are collapsible (and removable for easy cleaning), and it also has foldable legs. When the food dishes are collapsed and the legs are folded in, the feeder lays completely flat for easy travel storage.
5. LOTS OF TREATS! (not pictured)
Beauty Supplies
Being a wobbly cat, Sophie has been known to make a mess of herself while riding in the car (she’s a nervous pooper). Though a rare occurrence these days, she sometimes gets a bit messy in the litter box as well. After having to stop at a gas station mid road trip to give her a bath on more than one occasion, I’ve learned my lesson and will ALWAYS travel with the following “beauty supplies” for my Sophie girl.
- Cat shampoo
2. Towels
3. Brushes
Toys
You can’t go on any adventure without proper entertainment! Here are a few of Sophie’s favorite toys:
- Stick
2. Sisal rope muskrat kicker
3. Shiny stuff
4. Catnip feather mousie
I swear, Sophie’s suitcase is going to be bigger than mine! 😉
What are your must-have items for traveling with a cat?
*Disclosure: I was not compensated in any way for this post. I just wanted to share about our favorite travel products!
Pipo & Minko (WBS) says
Hmmm, we never have traveled out o ftown…dog guy always had a ton of junk that took up lots of the trnk space, MOL!
Enjoy your trip, stay safe and we enjoyed a virtual tour of your gear!
pussycats3 says
My cats (Patches, Rusty, and Romeo) don’t travel. The only traveling they do is back and forth to the vet.
I loved reading about lucky Sophie’s travels and “equipment.” Wonderful post.
The Swiss Cats says
That’s a great list ! We’ll have to add it our today’s post ! Purrs
Summer says
Sophie, your list is pretty similar to mine! Except we also pack several large pee pads because sometimes I don’t squat all the way and I’ve been known to overshoot the litter box! Since plastic bags have been mostly outlawed where we live, we bring doggie poop bags to get rid of waste – wow, those dogs are good for something, aren’t they!
Austin Towers says
wow! It’s good see you are purrpared! I hope you have a great time!
Brian Frum says
I’d say your almost ready! I sure wish I was going so I could meet you Sophie.
Ellen Pilch says
Sophie, you don’t travel light 🙂 Have a great time, I wish I was going so I could meet you.
Fur Everywhere says
That’s a great list of kitty supplies to bring on trips. I’m hoping and praying that BlogPaws will be in Denver next year, and if it is, I will definitely come back and refer to this list for my babies.
Caren Gittleman says
I don’t travel with Cody but if I did, you sure made a superb list that I would definitely use to be sure I have everything covered!
Dezi and Lexi says
Dat’s a pawsum list. Did yous rent a fwidge fur yous room? They never called us to give us a purrice, but based on da chawges fur udder fings, mommy sed weez kuldn’t afford it and so she be takin’ small cans at will be gone each meal time wiff no leftovers. And we put our full pawdee box in da floorboard in case weez need to use it on da twip. You know yous hoomans can’t hold it dat long so why shuld we be spected too?. MOL Anyways, can’t wait to meet y’all.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Lexi
madi says
You are surely ready. You are a seasoned traveler.
The only place I go is to the vet and back. All I back is my singing voice!! I am not a fan of cars
Hugs madi your bfff
Lynn says
The only time I have traveled with a cat was when we evacuated for a hurricane and we took him in his cage and brought his food. I used a temporary litter box when we got where we were going. Your packing for Sophie reminds me of traveling with an infant. Hope you all have a good time at BlogPaws.
Kitties Blue says
Looks as if you are all prepared and ready to go. It appears as if Sophie requires more paraphernalia than a human baby. Hope you dob’t have to stop along the way to give her a bath. Astrid sends Sampy bajillions of kisses and all her love. Happy Memorial Day. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
Tamago says
Looks like you covered everything you need, Sophie! Maybe you’ve got more stuff than your mom 🙂 I think the beauty supply is very important not just for cleaning when you get messy but also to look your gorgeous self when meeting your friends at the conference! I hope you and your mom will have a safe and fun trip!
The Island Cats says
Sophie, your suit case is gonna be bigger than our mom’s! She can’t wait to meet you. Safe travels!
LP says
You look like such a little doll Sophie! And your Mama thinks of everything! You are in such great hands 🙂 See you very soon sweetie!
the critters in the cottage xo
Christine & Riley says
What a great packing list! We can’t wait to meet her!
BeadedTail says
That’s a lot of stuffs to take but it’s all important! Our mommy will be hoping to meet you at BlogPaws!
Jean Dion says
I’m sure that Sinead would love to bring everything she owns with us to BlogPaws, especially all of her toys! But since we’re flying, we must conserve and bring only a few choice bits. Here’s hoping the swag is extra awesome!
Jean from Welcome to the Menagerie
Cascadian Nomads Bethany says
Adventure cat Amelia also likes to have her mesh tunnel so she can safely enjoy the outdoors without her leash and harness. We also NEVER go anywhere without the pet first aid kit!
Susan and the gang from Life with Dogs and Cats says
I hope Sophie has her drivers’ license! Can’t wait to see you both at BlogPaws! So excited to meet Sophie!
–Purrs (and wags) from Life with Dogs and Cats
Pipo & Minko (WBS) says
Hmmm, we never have traveled out o ftown…dog guy always had a ton of junk that took up lots of the trnk space, MOL!
Enjoy your trip, stay safe and we enjoyed a virtual tour of your gear!
Christine & Riley says
What a great packing list! We can’t wait to meet her!
Pipo & Minko (WBS) says
Hmmm, we never have traveled out o ftown…dog guy always had a ton of junk that took up lots of the trnk space, MOL!
Enjoy your trip, stay safe and we enjoyed a virtual tour of your gear!
Christine & Riley says
What a great packing list! We can’t wait to meet her!
Denise Gruzensky says
What a great post! We travel with a dog so the toiletries are a bit less but for BlogPaws in AZ it seems he’ll need boots to walk outside, even on the dirt, so it adds to our toiletry department.