Petsmart Pet Escort Price:  $12.99 at Petsmart This is an example of a generic pet carrier that is available at all pet stores, as well as common shopping stores such as Walmart and Target.  It is made of durable plastic with a metal door that locks shut to keep your pet safely contained inside.  There is plenty of ventilation and little screws on the side allow you to take the top off for easy cleaning.

Samsonite Petite Carrier Price:  $39.99 at Petsmart This is an example of a more stylish carrier for your cat.  This particular carrier is constructed of luggage quality nylon with vinyl mesh.  There is a full zip-around entrance on one side and a partial zip-down flap on the other.  There is a mesh side that has a convertible flap so you can either leave it open for visibility and ventilation, or roll it down for privacy.  There is a removable padded floor for comfort, and a leash ring inside keeps your cat secure even when the carrier is open.  It can be carried over your shoulder with strap, and it contains an extra strap to buckle the carrier in the car.  Non-skid feet on the bottom keep the carrier stable.  This carrier is approved for in-cabin use on most airlines.

While traveling in the car, you can either have your cat in a pet carrier or let them loose with a harness and leash on.  My cats do not stand to stay in a pet carrier, so we let them loose with their harnesses on.  They have their favorite places to lay in my Chevy Blazer, and after exploring for a few minutes they usually end up sleeping for the whole trip.  It is recommended that if your cat serves as a distraction when it is loose, you should attached its leash to a seatbelt in the backseat to keep it in one area.  If you do keep your cat in the pet carrier, make sure to put it in a secure area where it will not slide or buckle it down with a seat belt. 

If your cat gets motion sick, speak with your vet about possible medication you could give him before the trip.

For a short trip, you really don't need to have anything set out for your cat (by short, I mean 4-6 hours).  For longer trips, you should bring along a bowl of water (and an extra gallon of water from your house - water that a cat is not used to can sometimes upset his stomach) and a minimal amount of food.  A small litter box is also a good idea in case of emergencies.  Most times this will go unused since cats generally like to be comfortable with their surroundings when going to the bathroom; otherwise, they just hold it until they get to their destination.  Extra towels, paper towels, and a disinfectant cleaner would also be beneficial in case of accidents.

If you are going to be keeping your cat in a pet carrier or crate, check out our Pet Taxi Mini-Pillows in our store.