When you take kitty anywhere, it will most likely be in a car, so you have to also get him used to travelling in the car. Make sure you let him sit in the car often. Let him be in it when stationary at first, then start the motor when he is in it. A short drive such as from the sidewalk into the garage will be sufficient for the first time. Once he is used to the car, put him in the carrier and put that in the car. Take him for a short drive and make sure he has something to eat during it. He will then associate going in the car with food and that will make him happy.

It’s a good idea to let kitty get used to being in the car without being in the carrier. To do this and keep him safe at the same time, make sure the car is shut in the garage. One good way is to leave the car doors open and the kitty in the garage with the car. His natural curiosity will soon have him investigating. You could sit in the car yourself and hold the kitty on your lap, then let him walk around in it as much as he likes.

Once kitty is used to being in the car, have him in it with the motor running. This will be a little different for him because there will be the slight movement caused by the engine running. There will also be the fumes of the exhaust that could upset him. Don’t have the car locked in the garage with the engine running. It could be dangerous. Reverse out of the garage.

To keep kitty safe, you’ll need to keep the windows almost closed and the doors shut. Let him roam around in the car while it is idling. It’s not a good idea to drive anywhere with a cat or kitten loose in the car. Cats should be confined in a carrier for safety – their own and yours.

It’s possible that an unconfined cat could jump on you while you are driving and cause an accident. Or, if a window is accidentally left down, kitty might jump out into the middle of traffic. He could easily escape when you park and open the door. Cats get frightened easily and you may not be able to get him back if he panics and bolts.

If your cat is to be an outside cat, he will need special training to get him used to the car. Otherwise, not being used to windows, he will try to jump through the glass and panic when he can’t. While it’s good to let kitty get used to being in a car without being in a carrier, it’s not a good way to travel. Be sure your kitty is safe at all times by using a carrier while in the car.