Are you relocating? Or planning a trip with your fur baby?
Whether you’re hopping on a plane or road-tripping across the country, bringing your feline friend along doesn’t have to be stressful.
The secret?
The right gear.
When I moved from Thailand to the UK with my three cats, I learned firsthand which cat travel products were total lifesavers!
From foldable litter trays to calming treats to take the edge off, these 10 cat travel essentials will make your journey smoother, safer, and far less stressful.
And don’t skip the last two cat travel products. They might seem minor, but you could end up in a seriously messy situation without them.
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1. Expandable Cat Carrier (Airline Approved)
Are you traveling with your cat by car or bringing them in-cabin on a flight?
If so, the choice of carrier is one of the most important decisions you will make.
While we all know cats can squeeze themselves into tiny spaces, no feline likes to be crammed up for hours.
Unfortunately, airlines have strict regulations for carrier sizes when bringing your pet on board. As a result, many airline-approved cat carriers are pretty tiny, especially if your feline is on the larger side.
The solution?
While prepping for a long-haul flight with my cats, I came across a brilliant option: a soft-sided, airline-approved carrier that expands on one or both sides.
When zipped up, it fits perfectly under the seat, meeting airline rules for pet travel. But once you’re through security or waiting at the gate, you can unzip the sides to give your cat extra room to relax. That added space can make a huge difference in your cat’s comfort and stress levels.
2. IATA Approved Cat Crate
Flying your cat in cargo? Then, an IATA-approved crate is a must.
Airlines won’t accept just any pet carrier—your crate has to meet strict International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations to ensure your cat’s safety during the flight.
This means it must have:
- Secure metal bolts
- A secure metal door
- Ventilation on all sides
- Food and water bowls attached to the door
This isn’t something you want to overlook—if your crate doesn’t tick all these boxes, your cat could be denied boarding at the last minute (and no one wants that kind of stress at the airport).
When I flew my cat in cargo for a long-haul international move, I was terrified the crate wouldn’t hold up.
After much research, I settled on the Petmate Sky Kennel, and I’m so glad I did.
It’s built like a tank, with strong metal nuts and bolts to keep everything in place. Plus, despite its durability, its made from 90% pre-consumer recycled material, making it an eco-friendly option. There are also various sizes available.
3. Foldable Cat Litter Tray
If you’ve never traveled with your kitty, you’re probably wondering, “What happens if they need to go to the toilet?”
While some cats can and will “hold it,” some simply cannot. Take my cat Georgie, for example, who, mid-flight, began shouting loudly for the toilet.
Luckily, I had this foldable cat litter tray and a small zip-lock bag of cat litter in my hand luggage.
Without these, Georgie would have had to endure the stress of peeing in his carrier—or worse, hold it in and risk getting a UTI! That’s why a travel litter tray is now one of my non-negotiable cat travel products.
4. Harness & Leash
Even with an expandable cat carrier, your cat might get claustrophobic and stressed from staying in a confined space for so long. That’s why, if you’re traveling long distances, I highly recommend harness-training your cat before your trip. It might sound a bit ambitious, but trust me, it’s worth it.
With a harness and leash, you can safely let your cat stretch their legs during airport layovers or roadside breaks on a road trip. This gives your kitty a chance to reset, move their body, and reduce stress (for both of you).
When I traveled internationally with my cats, we hit a long delay between connecting flights. Thankfully, because they were already harness-trained, I could take them to a quiet area and let them walk around and explore a little.
My go-to is the Piden cat harness and leash set—it’s comfy, lightweight, and designed so well that most cats don’t even notice they’re wearing it. Plus, it’s sleek and stylish, which never hurts.
5. Portable Pet Water Bottle
Cats can easily become dehydrated when traveling, especially when they’re stressed. And let’s be honest: Most cats aren’t big water drinkers even at home, so keeping them hydrated on the go takes a little planning.
That’s where a portable pet water bottle with a built-in bowl is an absolute game-changer.
You can offer your cat fresh water anytime, without any mess. And if they turn up their nose (as cats often do), you can simply press the button to let the water flow right back into the bottle—no waste, no spills.
A quick tip: make sure the bottle is empty before going through airport security. I learned that one the hard way!
6. Collapsible Pet Food Bowl
Like the litter tray, a foldable silicone food bowl takes up minimal space and is super lightweight.
Keep one in your carry-on to avoid awkwardly feeding your cat from a takeaway lid. It’s one of the cheapest yet handiest cat travel products.
7. Pet Crate Bowls
If your kitty is flying in the hold rather than the cabin, you’ll need to securely attach two food and water dishes to the crate door.
Providing your crate is not too small, you should be able to fit both dishes on the crate door, though you might need to stagger them like I did in the photo below.
Fill one bowl with dry food, and the other bowl collects water from the following cat travel product…
8. Non-Drip Pet Crate Water Dispenser
For cats flying in the hold, you must also attach a water dispenser bottle above the water dish. Ensure the water dispenses easily but doesn’t leak enough to soak the crate.
I chose the Choco Nose pet crate water dispenser because:
- It’s non-drip and leak-proof
- It fits 300ml of water – plenty for even the longest flights
- You can easily remove and refill the bottle without opening the crate door
9. Calming Treats
IfIf your cat gets anxious during travel, calming cat treats made with natural ingredients like L-theanine or chamomile can take the edge off.
There are many options available, and I’ve tried them all! My favorites are:
The effectiveness of any calming treat differs between cats. So I recommend testing the treats on your kitty before your trip to see if they make any noticeable difference. Follow the guidelines on the pack to ensure you are giving the correct portion size.
10. Pee Pads & Pet Wipes
When scared or anxious, cats can lose control over their bladder or bowels. Therefore, the likelihood of your cat having a little accident in their carrier is high.
And trust me, if there is one thing that makes an 8-hour flight worse, it’s having a smelly cat carrier at your feet!
Keep your kitty fresh and clean by packing leak-proof pee pads and pet-friendly cleaning wipes in your hand luggage.
Before beginning the journey, line your cat’s carrier with a pee pad. These will prevent pee or poop from seeping into the carrier’s fabric and leaving you with a persistent pee smell.
If your kitty has an accident, you can quickly swap it out with a clean one—no stress, no lingering smells. The wipes come in handy for cleaning fur, paws, or the inside of the carrier if needed.
Final Thoughts On Cat Travel Products
Traveling with a cat doesn’t have to be a logistical nightmare. With the right tools, comfort, hygiene, and safety become much easier to manage.
These 10 cat travel products can help you and your fur baby feel more at ease wherever the journey takes you. Because knowing your cat is calm and safe will make the trip so much more relaxing for you, too!
Enjoyed this article? Check out this one for more tips and tricks for traveling with cats.
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