travel Archives - Azure Holland

Dr. Azure Holland’s Perspective: Is Your Cat an Adventure Cat?

When most people think about traveling with cats, they picture an airline carrier and a trip through the airport.

But cat travel can look very different from that.

Some cats enjoy road trips. Some accompany their families to vacation homes. Some explore hiking trails in backpacks or harnesses. Some spend weekends on boats. Others are perfectly content joining their people for a quiet getaway and watching the world from a sunny window.

As both a veterinarian and a cat mom to two well-traveled cats, I’ve had the opportunity to see firsthand how different cats respond to adventure.

One of the biggest misconceptions I encounter is that cats either travel well or they don’t.

The reality is much more nuanced.

Just like people, cats have different personalities, preferences, and comfort levels. Some are naturally curious and adaptable. Others thrive on routine and familiarity. Neither approach is right or wrong.

The goal isn’t to turn every cat into a hiking cat, a boating cat, or a frequent flyer.

The goal is to understand the individual cat in front of you.

When families ask me whether their cat would enjoy travel, I encourage them to look beyond the destination and focus on the experience. Is the cat relaxed in new environments? Do they recover quickly from changes in routine? Are they curious and confident, or do they become overwhelmed when their surroundings change?

The answers to those questions are often more important than the mode of transportation itself.

June 20 & 21 2006, I’ll be speaking at Carolina Kitty Con about traveling with cats and sharing practical guidance for families considering adventures with their feline companions. We’ll discuss everything from car rides and air travel to hiking, boating, and helping cats experience the world safely and comfortably.

Not every cat wants an adventure.

But for those that do, the journey can be incredibly rewarding.

Wishing you and your feline family a wonderful summer,

As I prepare for Carolina Kitty Con and my presentation on traveling with cats, two very enthusiastic feline assistants have been closely monitoring the preparations. I’ll let them explain.

Dr. Holland’s Perspective What It Really Takes to Travel with Pets in-Cabin

After our latest adventure with Pecan Pie and Lady Blueberry Biscuit, I’m always reminded how many people assume traveling with pets in-cabin is either impossible, chaotic, or reserved for “easy” animals.

In truth, successful travel with pets is rarely luck—it is preparation, temperament, consistency, and knowing your individual pet.

As a veterinarian, I also see the other side of travel: families who mean well but underestimate the physical and emotional stress a trip can place on a pet who is not prepared for it.

My cats did not wake up one day as polished travelers. Like most worthwhile things, it was built gradually and thoughtfully over time.

Not Every Pet Needs to Travel

The first and most important truth: travel is not for every pet.

Some animals are naturally adaptable, curious, and resilient in new environments. Others feel safest at home with routine and predictability. There is no failure in that. A wonderful pet does not need to become a traveler.

The kindest decisions begin with honesty about your pet’s personality.

Start Long Before the Airport

Comfort with travel begins at home.

A carrier should not appear only on departure day. It should be familiar, neutral, even comforting. We want pets to associate it with safety rather than stress. Short car rides, calm outings, and positive repetition can make an enormous difference over time.

When families tell me their pet “hates the carrier,” it is often because the carrier has only meant one thing: leaving for something unpleasant.

Calm Owners Create Calmer Pets

Animals are deeply perceptive. They notice our tension long before we say a word.

Rushed packing, anxious energy, frantic departures—pets feel all of it. One of the best things you can do for a traveling pet is regulate yourself first. Quiet confidence goes farther than people realize.

Logistics Matter

Successful in-cabin travel also means planning practical details carefully:

Choosing an airline-approved carrier
Booking direct flights when possible
Confirming hotel pet policies in advance
Packing thoughtfully but lightly
Allowing extra time at the airport
Having realistic expectations for the day

Travel days are rarely the time to improvise.

A Quick Medical Note

Before flying, it is wise to discuss travel plans with your veterinarian—especially for senior pets, brachycephalic breeds, anxious pets, or pets with heart, respiratory, or chronic medical concerns.

Sometimes the kindest plan is treatment, preparation, or deciding that staying home is the better option.

As a Veterinarian, My Advice is Simple

Do not ask, Can my pet travel?

Ask instead: Would travel feel fair, manageable, and humane for this specific pet?

That question changes everything.

Some pets thrive with their people beside them. Some tolerate it beautifully. Some would be happier resting at home with trusted care. Wisdom is knowing the difference.

Of course, much of my own perspective on feline travel has been shaped by two very opinionated frequent flyers: Pecan Pie and Lady Blueberry Biscuit.

Many of these ideas are conversations I look forward to exploring further during our upcoming June appearance at Carolina Kitty Con.

And now, naturally, the cats would like to provide their own version of events.