“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.”Mark Twain
How it started!
We love our pets and when we became Expats we didn’t think we would ever have a pet again. We couldn’t imagine being travelers and leaving a poor animal at home while we had our adventures. However, plans changed when our best friend asked us to come get this 4 month old Tuxedo kitten and take care of him, so he could become the Pub cat. How hard could that be? We would just take care of a kitten, transport him around the corner at night to “The Kiwi”, drop him off to hunt the Amsterdam Mice, and then pick him up in the morning. After a couple months he would be big/old enough to stay permanently and be The Kiwi Pub cat. So at 4 months old “Puko” started his Nomadic training. Harnesses, Backpacks, Bicycles, being in Public and a lot of practice.
Turns out Puko was more keen to the adventures than sitting in the Pub as a Mouse Catcher. Once COVID shut down Amsterdam, he retired from his duties at the Kiwi, and he began his life as a Dutch Ninja Cat and our faithful travel companion.
How we did it, or are trying to do it…
If you want your best bud to adventure with you on a holiday trip or if you just want them to travel comfortably to the vet you can check out our YouTube travel videos:Cat Travel Tips! and some top advice below. We are not professionals, but we have been animal people our whole lives. From ranch animals to your typical house pets we grew up with them and handling a cat has similarities to all of them. 😉
Our First Attempt at a Travel Tip Video!
Additional Training Process Videos coming and some of our fails!
Tips!
- Why?
- Ask yourself why you are taking your pet out “adventuring”.
- Do they enjoy it?
- Do you have time to make it a quality experience?
- Training Tricks:
- We use different treats on our outings or during training to make it a “special reward”
- Scheduled feeding and not “free feeding”.
- This allows planning for travels
- Helps with attention for training
- Learn Basic “Sit” and “Wait” Command/signals
- Put harness on at feeding time
- Let cat wear harness while you play with it in your home
- Have sounds for positive and negative reinforcement-(Some people use clickers)
- Positive: We jangle our keys for outdoors and we also make a clicking sound with mouth.
- Negative: We snap our fingers with a “No” verbal addition.
- Gear:
- Always test out the harnesses, carriers, travel accessories, etc.. at home first!
- We use different carriers and harnesses for different types of outings.
- Make sure the fit is correct for harness as average cat harnesses are not created for actual travel.
- Check dimensions are Public transport friendly
- Use the travel litter box at home before trying on the road.
- Will you carry litter or purchase as you travel?
- Don’t forget the scoop!
- Food and Water
- We take some with us and also look for pet shops where we are traveling.
- We take hard food (crunchies) and wet food.
- During your travel your pet might not drink as much water, so the wet food is important to help with hydration.
- Tip: We add water to the wet or dry food and Puko drinks it up to help him stay hydrated.
- Water: We get bottled water and i usually tap a bit on my finger and put on his nose a couple times while flying or driving to ensure he keeps hydrated.
- Meowing:
- Cats meow! It doesn’t always mean they are unhappy. Some meowing is expected and a communication tool.
- Some Researchers say cats only meow to communicate with humans! So makes it really important to know your feline friends meows.
- The worst meowing will be when you start, so just walk around locally with your cat for 20-30 mins a couple times a week. As you reward your cat on the outings the meowing should reduce.
- Just like a human, Puko has certain meows that we know are serious and we better find a rest stop or get his litter ready! Again, important to learn that communication!
- Cats meow! It doesn’t always mean they are unhappy. Some meowing is expected and a communication tool.
- Practice
- Put cat in bag and carry around house
- Practice wearing harness in house and with leash
- Find comfortable establishments close to home you can practice with your 4-Pawed Pal, so you can bail back home if it isn’t going well.
- Safety
- Always know your surroundings and more importantly how to manage any situation.
- A backpack is a safety net for Puko and is always the escape route.
- DO not try walking your cat down busy car filled streets unless you are highly skilled.
- When cars are around Puko goes in the backpack. No need to risk and he loves being carried around with his whiskers blowing in the wind.
- The quickest way cats get out of a harness is by “backing-out” of it. Even the best harnesses, still have escape artists. So never let your cat look at you and started pulling backward. The harness will usually slip off.
- Knowing your animals signs and tendencies/familiarity will create the inescapability of any harness. This gives you confidence to continue taking your pet with you.
- Puko has escaped his harness and the most important thing is to stay calm and watch where they go. Puko will quickly run to his backpack or allow me to grab him by approaching calmly and slowly. The more you chase the further they might go. This is the importance of practicing recall with your cat.
- Documentation and Travel to Other Countries
- Puko has a Dutch and an EU Pet Passport, but there are still rules when traveling in and out of EU countries and other European countries that are Not in the EU.
- All Countries are different, but basics are that you must:
- Have your pet microchipped and then Vaccinated
- It must be in that order. If you vaccinate (Rabies) prior to microchip you will have to vaccinate again after microchip implant.
- There is usually a 21 day to 3 month delay in traveling to another country post the vaccination.
- Have your pet microchipped and then Vaccinated
- Check the specific country’s Government Website for any Health Certificates that might be required to enter their country.
- Flying
- The UK does NOT allow PETs to fly in cabin (Even if the airline books it and takes your money and lets you fly half way!)
- Always get a confirmation code and that your pet is booked the same as YOUR itinerary!
- There are carrier size limits and weight limits that vary per airline.
- Typically 8Kg (with the carrier) is the carry-on limit for most airlines we have traveled with Puko.
- ALERT: When going through security you must take your cat out of harness and carrier and carry through scanner in your arms.
- If you do not feel comfortable with this request to be taken to a room, so your cat cannot escape.
- Managing delays and layovers.
- Giving animal opportunity to use the toilet!
- Find a quiet place to let the animal stretch out from the travels (if animal comfortable in the setting)
- For Accidents-Think Ahead
- Baby Wipes or other disposable Towels
- A disposable bag
- Fresh bedding/ or wash the bedding
- Practical things to think about…
- If staying in Hotel, even when pet friendly, check the potential “daily” costs of your pet and/or deposits.
- Remember to have a do not disturb on doorknob at hotel for the privacy of your cat.
- If driving, how will you manage “pit-stops” for yourself as well as the animal.
Questions?-Leave a comment below or send us an email!
👀Keep watch for updates!
Where in the World is Puko?
Check out Photos/Videos from our travel adventures! Not all have Puko! Learn about some unknown places off the beaten path!
Netherlands
Serbia
Greece
People Travel Info Too!
Unfortunately Puko can’t go everywhere with us, but we still like to share the beautiful places that we have traveled. I can promise you that we have found some spots that normal Tourists don’t know about! We also have been surprised by the reality of some of the actual tourist spots, so follow along for our adventures throughout the World even without Puko!