How Long You Can Travel With a Cat Before Needing a Break

If you’re getting ready to travel a long distance with your cat, it’s important to make sure they’re comfortable in their carrier. Even then, you’ll still want to stop for breaks and let your cat out briefly whenever possible.

As a general rule, healthy cats shouldn’t be in their carrier for longer than 6-8 hours. While some cats can be in a carrier for longer periods of time, it isn’t recommended. Give your cat more frequent breaks when possible; aim for a carrier break every 2-4 hours to let your cat stretch and use the litter box.

Keep reading to learn how and when to give your cat breaks on long trips.

How Far Can You Travel With a Cat

As long as you’re giving your cat adequate breaks from their carrier to stretch, eat, drink water, and use the litter box, there’s really no limit to how far you can travel with a cat.

As a general rule, try to limit your long distance trips with a cat to 6 hours or less. If you have to travel for longer than 6 hours, break the trip up into multiple days if possible. As long as you’re checking in with your cat regularly and taking breaks as needed, there’s no limit to how far you can travel with your cat.

If you’re flying or traveling by train, you may not have as much flexibility with giving your cat a break from their carrier. If your trip is 6-8 hours, your cat should be fine in their carrier as long as they’re healthy and they’ve been properly prepared for the trip.

Cats are capable of traveling any amount of distance with you whether you’re taking a car, train, RV, plane, or a long walk/hike. It’s just important to consider the small amount of space they’ll have in their carrier. Your cat will appreciate breaks as frequently as possible.

How Long Can a Cat Travel in a Car?

If you plan on taking your cat anywhere, you’ll likely be in your car for at least some time. If you’re moving across the country with your cat, you’ll be in your car for a while. So how long is too long for a cat to be in a car?

While it depends on the individual cat, 6-8 consecutive hours is generally too long for a cat to be in a car without a break. Your cat can travel for longer than 6-8 hours, but they’ll likely need several breaks to stretch their legs and use the litter box.

When you’re traveling with a cat by car, it’s important to get a cat carrier that’s large enough for your cat to be comfortable in and that keeps your cat safe on the drive. You can check out our top picks for the best cat carriers with a litter box here.

Regardless of how big your cat carrier is, you should still take breaks as needed if your car ride is any longer than 2-4 hours long. Your cat will likely want to stretch their legs, have access to the litter box, and take a break from moving whenever possible.

For more tips on how to travel with your cat in the car, be sure to read my full guide here.

Over the past few years, I’ve moved over 1,200 miles with my cats three times, and I drove each time. To make the 22-hour-total drive more manageable for both my cats and myself, I broke it into two days each time. Each day consisted of a 9-12 hour drive.

12-Hour Car Ride With a Cat

All three of my cats did fine during the 12-hour car rides, but I did stop to give them breaks every 2-4 hours depending on when I needed gas and when they seemed to be getting anxious.

If you have a 12-hour car ride with your cat coming up, be sure to give yourself adequate time to stop for carrier breaks. Assuming your cat is healthy and travels well, you’ll want to take 2-5 breaks during a 12-hour car ride.

Before a 12-hour car ride with your cat, be sure to withhold food for at least 6 hours before getting in the car unless told otherwise by your veterinarian. While your cat likely won’t need access to the litter box or their food during a 12-hour car ride, you’ll want to make sure they have access to water during their breaks. You can check out my top picks for travel water bowls here.

20-Hour Car Ride With a Cat

A cross-country move or an extended RV adventure may lead to a 20-hour or more car ride with your cat. Once you start getting into journeys this long, consider breaking up the trip into two or more days.

Try to avoid traveling for longer than 8-12 hours in a single day with your cat. While there may be circumstances that will require you to travel for longer periods of time, just remember to give your cat breaks from their carrier regularly.

For more tips on how to prepare for a 20-hour car ride with your cat, check out our guide on moving across the country with cats. Also, be sure to check out my full guide on how to travel with your cat in the car.

How Long Can a Cat Be On a Plane?

While flying with a cat is a totally different experience than driving with a cat, your feline friend won’t much notice the difference. They’ll still be in their carrier surrounded by unfamiliar smells and noises.

Your cat can be on a plane for several hours; in some cases, they may have to accompany you on a 10+ hour flight. Cats are allowed on many international flights, and these are often quite long.

While you won’t be able to take your cat out of their carrier for the duration of the flight, you’ll likely have to take them out briefly as you go through TSA.

If you have a long flight with your cat, try to plan for them to have a break from their carrier as soon as possible after you land.

Is your cat carrier airline approved? Find out here.

How Long Can a Cat Travel Without Peeing?

One of the biggest questions surrounding when your cat will need a break on a long trip revolves around your cat’s bladder. How long can cats go without using the litter box?

On average, healthy cats can go 2-4 hours before needing a litter box break. Your cat may not use the litter box on every break; in fact, they may not feel comfortable using the litter box until you’ve reached your destination for the day.

To get a better idea of how long cats can travel without peeing, I asked a veterinarian. She recommended a litter box break every 2-4 hours as long as your cat is healthy.

“Cats who have urinary issues or kidney disease or if they’re on medication that would increase their urine output, that can change the game,” says Natasha Diehl, DVM.

If you think your cat may need more frequent access to the litter box or that you may not be able to stop as frequently as possible, consider setting up a litter box in your car. You can check out our guide on how to travel with a cat litter box in the car here.

Before you plan a long-distance trip with your cat, be sure to set up an appointment with your veterinarian to make sure your cat is healthy enough to travel. They’ll be able to give you a better idea of how often your cat should have access to a litter box based on their individual health.

How To Travel Long Distance With a Cat

If you’re planning a long-distance trip with your cat, there are several things you can do ahead of time to prepare.

Cats typically don’t like change and travel can make them anxious. To help reduce the anxiety, here’s how to travel long distances with a cat:

1. Buy Your Carrier As Soon As Possible

Pick out a cat carrier that’s large enough for your cat and that works for your trip. You can check out my top picks for the best cat carriers with litter boxes for traveling with cats here. If you’re flying with your cat, make sure your carrier is airline-approved.

Once you have your carrier, set it out in your house so that your cat can start checking it out. You can place food or treats near/in the carrier to help your cat get comfortable with it.

Slowly get your cat used to spending time in the carrier and then start carrying them around the house. Give them treats or food frequently to let them know they’re safe. This can help to help reduce anxiety when it’s time to load up for the trip.

2. Acclimate Your Cat to the Car

Once your cat is used to being in their carrier, start carrying them to the car and letting them hang out there. You can even start the car and begin taking them on short drives weeks before the trip. Even if you’re flying or taking a train, this can help your cat get used to traveling if it’s new to them.

3. Pack Everything You’ll Need in Advance

In addition to a cat carrier, you’ll need to pack all of your cat’s essentials for a long trip:

A travel litter box
A scooper and disposable bags
Food and water bowls
A harness and leash
A breakaway collar with updated identification
Comfort items from home (like a favorite toy or blanket)

If your cat is particularly anxious, you may also want to pack a calming aid like Feliway. You can use the spray in your cat’s carrier and in your car to help reduce their anxiety.

4. Visit the Vet

Before your trip, make sure you plan a visit to your veterinarian. You’ll want to make sure your cat is healthy enough to travel and that they’re up-to-date on all shots and prevention medication. You’ll also want to make sure your cat’s microchip information is up-to-date.

If you’re worried about your cat’s anxiety during the trip, talk to your vet about calming aids. They may recommend a spray like Feliway, or they may even prescribe a mild sedative.

When I’ve traveled for multiple days with my cats in the past, our veterinarian has prescribed gabapentin. While it isn’t always necessary, it can help when you’re traveling a long distance with an anxious cat.

5. Check for Signs of Anxiety and Take Breaks As Needed

When the day of the trip arrives, keep a close eye on your cat from the time you wake up. Cats can sense change, and an anxious cat may be more likely to hide or dash out the door. If you have to pack up the car the morning of, consider keeping your cat contained in their carrier or in a closed room until it’s time to go.

As you’re traveling, check in with your cat regularly. Try to plan for a break every 2-4 hours if possible, but be flexible. If your cat is especially restless, crying/meowing, or panting, it’s time for a break from their carrier.

On the other hand, if you’ve planned a break every two hours just for your cat but find that they’re calm or asleep, it’s probably okay to keep going.

Final Thoughts: Is It Cruel To Travel With a Cat?

If you have a long-distance trip coming up, your cat would most likely rather stay at home. However, it’s sometimes necessary to have your cat travel with you over a long distance.

As long as you take the time to properly prepare for the trip, it isn’t cruel to travel with your cat. Healthy cats can comfortably travel in their carrier for 2-4 hours before needing a break.

In some cases, cats may even have to stay in their carriers for 6, 8, or 10 hours total. If that’s the case, just be sure to check in with your cat regularly and try to give them breaks whenever possible.

For more on how to safely travel with your cat in the car, check out my full guide here.