Whether you make regular visits to grandma’s house, are planning a vacation or will be moving to a new home, it has never been easier to travel with a cat.

These days, there is a plethora of feline-specific travel accessories and pet-friendly establishments.

Unquestionably, a carrier is the single most important item for a cat on the go. For plane trips, the carrier will have to meet individual airline requirements. Some airlines require pets to travel in the climate-controlled cargo hold, so it’s essential to purchase a hard-shell carrier. Purchase one that locks securely and cannot be accidentally opened.

For road trips, there are lots of options. Because cats like privacy, a carrier that has roll-down blinds will give your feline seclusion when needed. Another nice feature is a heating pad that plugs into the car’s cigarette lighter to make the journey more comfortable. Also look for carriers with pockets where you can put relevant documentation such as medical information and vaccination certificates, along with some of your own personal papers and items.

Because cats are such territorial creatures, familiarization is the key to happy excursions. Consequently, it’s a good idea to purchase a carrier long in advance and leave it lying around the house in an open position so that kitty can discover it for herself. With a bit of luck, her curiosity will lead her to get inside, curl up and go to sleep. Dome-shaped carriers that unzip to remove the top half of the carrier make excellent beds at your destination.

For long trips, line the carrier with a puppy pee pad to take care of any accidents en route. These can easily be disposed of and replaced with a fresh one.

If you travel regularly with your cat, it’s possible to train her to happily get out of her carrier to use a disposable litter tray. However, if you’re not sure about letting your cat loose in the vehicle, let her travel wearing a collar or soft harness with a light leash attached throughout the journey. This way, when you let her out of the carrier, you can control her movements in the car. Just be sure never to open doors or windows during a litter box operation!

If your road trip is only a couple of hours, save a meal for the destination. It’s a great way of settling your cat down in a new environment, even if it’s the temporary comfort of a pet-friendly hotel. You can always feed treats en route.

If you have to feed your cat during the trip and she enjoys a wet-food diet, disposable bowls are a no-mess, no-fuss option and can be used at your destination too.

However, make sure she always has water for the journey. It’s a good idea to freeze a bowl of water the night before so it defrosts en route.