Planning a trip with your cat or small animal? Dogs aren't the only furry travelers. While they comprise most four-legged traveling companions, the Travel Industry Association reports cats go along in 15 percent of cases, and ferrets, rabbits, and fish 2 percent of the time. Read on for tips on traveling with your pet.

Cats travel best in crates and carriers, according to the 2007-2008 National Pet Owners Survey. The American Pet Products Manufacturing Association reports that 67 percent of traveling pet owners use a crate when traveling with cats. Despite the growing popularity of stylish soft-sided pet carriers, the association says 59 percent are of the plastic variety.

Many cat owners have experienced the travails of coaxing cats into carriers.  Most cats do not acclimate immediately to being crated.

Try these tips:

• Introduce your cat to the carrier slowly and in stages. Tempt your cat with a favorite toy.
• Leave the carrier on the floor so your cat can discover it without your prompting.
• Use the carrier at a young age so the cat will grow accustomed to it.
• Take your cat on short trips. Make the destination a happy place.

Eileen Barish, award-winning author of "Vacationing with Your Pet'' offers this helpful suggestion: When traveling, take your cat on your walks. She suggests finding a well-made, light-weight harness and leash. Make sure the adjustment is not too tight, which will make cats avoid the leisurely stroll, or too loose, allowing an escape. Allow cats to sniff and become familiar with any new equipment.

Let your cat wear the harness and leash without your holding on to it. Practice walking around the house and reinforce the walk with favorite treats and praise. Once you venture out, look out for anything cats might find threatening. Pick up your pet immediately if you sense a threat.

Your cat is likely to enjoy the new surroundings, and you are bound to meet people with similar interests, Barish said in her book. Of course, consult your vet before taking kitty on a trip.

Pocket pets

Rabbit ownership has skyrocketed in the past five years, with Americans owning about 6.2 million rabbits as pets. In addition, Americans own 1.1 million ferrets, 1 million guinea pigs, 1.2 million hamsters, and hundreds of thousands of gerbils and other rodents, according to the U.S. Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook, compiled by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

A growing number of vets specialize in treating smaller animals; consult one before attempting long-distance travel with a pocket-sized pet.

Earlier this year the AVMA approved a new specialty, Exotic Companion Mammal (ECM), for vets who treat rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, rodents, and other small exotic mammals. A list of vets with ECM specialization can be found at the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians Web site.

Because travel can be extremely stressful for many small animals, consider the following precautions:

• Find a good carrier your pet finds comfortable. Some small animal carriers are made specifically for rabbits. Carriers with front and top openings can make it easier to get the pet inside.
• Use a seatbelt to secure the carrier inside your vehicle.
• Do a number of practice runs before hitting the road for a long trip.
• Find lodging that will accept your small pet.
• Pack extra food and treats.
• Bring cleaning supplies and paper towels.
• Keep your pet out of the sun and avoid excessive heat.  Never leave any pet in a carrier in a closed vehicle in warm weather.
• Don't let your pet escape by neglecting to secure the carrier.

A trip with cats or small animals requires careful monitoring to make sure your pet doesn't get sick or become stressed. With proper planning and caring, however, you can have a fun trip with your small animal companion.

Reveiwed by Amy I. Attas, V.M.D.

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