Cats that live with us humans more than once throughout their lives will have to go by car, either because they need veterinary care, because the family travels and / or because they move. The furry ones will have no choice but to get used to being inside a car that goes very fast and causes them stress.
How to travel with cats by car? That is a very good question, which does not have a single answer. For cats to be calm, it is very important that they get used to it from a young age.
The safest way to take our beloved cats anywhere - as long as you can go by land, of course - is by car, since we are the ones who control the situation. What's more, it is with their human that the animals feel most at ease. Still, cars do not like anything, and less to be locked in their cages or carriers.
Thus, The first thing we have to achieve is that they associate these objects in something positive or, at least, everyday. Therefore, it is best to have them at home with the door open, as if they were just another bed or house. In this way, sooner rather than later we would begin to see that they get inside without problems, and that they even take a nap. To speed up the process a little, we can spray with Feliway inside. Surely that way they don't take long to leave their own pheromones.
Once they have become accustomed to being in their cages or carriers, it will be time to put them inside the car, in the back seats to go for a short ride, of about five minutes.. Along the way they are likely to meow and / or get very nervous; if so, stop and cover them with a towel as it will make them feel more relaxed when it is dark. Go home and wear them again the next day.
Little by little and gradually you have to lengthen the journey. This is how they will get used to it. If you have to make a very long trip, of more than two hours, put them in large cages so that they can stretch their legs, drink and eat.
You will see how in this way they can be inside the car without having to have a bad time.