Roadtripping with pets adds a fresh new dimension to the journey. Our fur friends are excellent companions at home, so why wouldn’t they join us on our travels?
For many adventurers, a trek wouldn’t be complete without four-legged friendship. In fact, the American Pet Association found that 78% of U.S. pet owners travel with their pets each year — a huge number!
And that begs the question: Who’s the better road trip companion, cat or dog?
We were curious, too, so we asked you, our Roadtrippers community, this question. Read on to see what we found out.
The quick and easy guide to roadtripping with pets
Roadtripping With Cats or Dogs: Pros and Cons
It’s important to have the facts in any debate before settling it. Before we answer The Great Pet Debate, let’s look at some of these two travel companions’ generally accepted advantages/disadvantages.
Dogs: The Loyal Adventure Partner
Pros
Adventure-Ready Nature – Dogs are curious critters, and a road trip offers them a chance to satisfy their curiosity. Whether hiking in the mountains or running on the beach, dogs dig the thrill of the outdoors and can easily match your energy level.
Easier to Train – It’s relatively easy to train most dogs to come when called, sit, and generally go where you go. This is a tremendous benefit when you’re in the less predictable environments that road trips bring.
Social Companionship – Dogs are known for their loyalty and companionship. They’ll happily ride shotgun, stick their head out the window with you, and curl up beside you for a nap.
Security – Dogs provide a sense of security, especially on solo road trips. Even the friendliest dogs will alert you to potential dangers, whether a stranger approaching your campsite or unusual noises at night.
Leashable – Dogs take to leashes like a fish to water. Not so for their feline counterparts. Leashability is super helpful because you’ll always know you can keep your dog in a certain range whenever and wherever you need to.
Cons
Frequent Potty Breaks – Most dogs need to relieve themselves quite a bit along the way. Even if your dog can hold it for a while, you’ll still need to make planned stops with places for them to poo that you can easily clean up.
Size Limitations – If you own a large dog, he or she can take up a lot of space in your vehicle. Even if your vehicle is large too, the combination of people, doggo, and all the supplies will add up quickly.
Need for Exercise – Most dogs need to burn off energy during the day, so you should plan for stops that allow exercise. This could become a logistical issue if you’re hoping to make minimal stops.
Potential Anxiety – While some dogs are great travelers, others can suffer from anxiety during car rides. Motion sickness, restlessness, or barking at unfamiliar sights can make the trip stressful for you and your pet.
The best way to get to the bottom of this is to try out a short road trip first so Fido (or Freya) can test the waters before you both jump in.
Ideas for dog friendly road trips
Cats: The Independent Road Warriors
Pros
Low Maintenance – Cats are generally more independent than dogs. Provided your cat can get settled into a comfortable space in the car, they can nap for hours. That way, you can cover long distances without needing furry pit-stops.
Minimal Stops – Unlike dogs, cats don’t require frequent potty breaks. With a small, portable litter box in the car, they can take care of their business whenever needed, saving you from making more stops than you want to.
RVing with cats is even better because you can usually tuck the litter box into a covert spot where its sights and smells stay out of mind.
Compact Size – Cats don’t take up much space. Their smaller size makes them ideal for road trips in compact vehicles, and you can easily set up a cozy spot for them to relax in without sacrificing much space.
That said, we all know that some cats really don’t take to car rides at first. This is where micro-trips make for a great trial run before blazing a trail with kitty.
Calm Demeanor – Many cats are happy to stay in one spot for long periods, especially once they’re used to the car’s motion. With a familiar blanket or bed, your cat will likely find a quiet corner to settle down and chill for major chunks of the trip.
Cons
Adjustment Period – Many cats aren’t natural travelers. The unfamiliarity of the car, new environments, and movement can cause them stress, especially during the first few hours of the trip.
Getting a cat used to road trips often requires patience and practice, and, let’s face it, some cats flat refuse to do it.
Limited Exploration – Unlike dogs, cats aren’t usually eager to explore new places. If you plan a trip with many outdoor activities, your cat will likely prefer to stay in your car or RV.
If you’d like some time to yourself, this can be a good thing, but you must consider temperature management while you’re away from your cat. Never leave cats (or any pets) unattended in a hot or cold car.
Traveling with your cat in an RV usually makes it easier to control temperatures while away. However you travel, be sure to pack a WiFi temperature sensor to keep an eye on vehicle temps while away from your cat.
Rig Roundup: 6 Pet-Friendly RVs
Escape Risks – Cats are notorious escape artists. Open doors, windows, and RV compartments can pique the feline curiosity, causing an unplanned exit. It’s bad enough if a cat escapes at home, but it’s even worse along the unfamiliar territory of the road.
That’s why it’s important to be extra vigilant about closing doors and compartments while traveling with cats. Cat tracking collars can also work wonders to help find a lost feline.
Isolationists by Nature – While cats can be great companions, they’re generally less interactive than dogs. Most cats have it in their nature to snuggle for a bit and then retreat to their own space.
If you’re looking for regular engagement or companionship during your trip, your cat may not provide the same level of connection as a dog.
Tough to Leash – While we’ve heard of some leash-trained cats, they are the exception rather than the rule. Cats don’t usually take kindly to leashing, meaning you’ll have a hard time bringing them on all the adventures you may want to.
What About Traveling with Both a Cat and a Dog?
This can be done and really boils down to knowing the unique personalities of each of your pets. That’s because their interactions bring a unique mix of benefits and challenges. Many dogs are naturally curious and sociable, which can sometimes encourage a shy or anxious cat to feel more comfortable in unfamiliar environments.
Assuming your cat and dog get along, their companionship can provide a sense of security for both animals, reducing stress on long trips. Additionally, dogs that are well-trained and calm can help create a more relaxed atmosphere, which may positively influence how the cat adjusts to the travel routine.
However, there are also potential downsides to traveling with both a cat and a dog. Dogs, particularly high-energy breeds, may overwhelm cats with their excitement or constant need for movement, leading to increased stress for the feline. Also, consider space availability if you plan to travel with both pets. Cats and dogs require their own unique sets of supplies, doubling the room needed to accommodate them.
Who Won Our Great Pet Debate?
We put this question out to our community and while our feline friends got some votes, dogs were the winners by a pretty wide margin!
We still think cats are cool travel buddies, but the vote results definitely told us that doggo is your favorite pal for the road.
That said, here are our favorite quotes from booths sides of the aisle:
“My 12 year old Maine Coon is the most chill car rider. So team cat here!” -Jane from Virginia
“We used to hesitate bringing our anxious dog along, but now, we can’t imagine a road trip without her. There’s no better campfire companion than a loyal dog.” -Matt from Oregon
7 Must-Have Items for Traveling with Pets
While it might be debatable which pet is the best one to travel with, these items are undebatably helpful when road tripping with either fur-friend:
Pet seat belt or travel harness
Ensure your dog or cat is secure with a pet seat belt or harness that clips into the car’s seat belt system for safety.
Collapsible food and water bowls
These space-saving, portable pet bowls are perfect for feeding and hydrating your pet on the go.
Portable litter box (for cats)
A compact, easy-to-clean litter box keeps your cat (and even some properly trained dogs) comfortable during long trips.
Leash and harness
A durable, adjustable harness and leash set will keep your pet safe and controlled during rest stops and outdoor breaks.
Pet First-Aid Kit
A pet-specific first-aid kit with bandages, antiseptic wipes, and tweezers is a must for handling minor injuries.
Pet Waste Bags
Biodegradable waste bags for easy clean-up during bathroom breaks.
ID Collar
People need to be able to find you if they find your lost pet. That’s why ID collars with your phone number are a must — especially on the road. Add a tracking tag for an extra layer of security.
FAQ for Road Trips with Cats and Dogs
Here are answers to the most common questions we hear about road tripping with cats versus dogs:
How do I prepare my cat or dog for a road trip?
Before the trip, get your pet used to car travel by taking them on short drives to help reduce anxiety. Make sure they are comfortable in their carrier (for cats) or with their seatbelt/harness (for dogs). Bring familiar items like toys or blankets to create a sense of home in the car.
How often should I stop for pet potty breaks?
For dogs, plan to stop every 2-3 hours for bathroom breaks and exercise. Cats typically don’t need as many stops but should be offered water and the chance to use a portable litter box every 4-6 hours.
Can I let my cat out of its carrier during the drive?
It’s not recommended to let your cat roam freely in the car while driving, as this can be dangerous. Keep them in a secure, well-ventilated carrier to prevent distractions or sudden escapes.
What’s the best way to feed pets during a road trip?
Feed your pets lightly a few hours before the trip to prevent car sickness. During long drives, offer small portions of food during stops and make sure they have access to fresh water.
How do I keep cats and dogs calm during a road trip?
Bring comfort items like their favorite toys, beds, or blankets. You can also use calming aids such as pheromone sprays for cats or calming treats for dogs.
Dogs may have come out on top in our Great Pet Debate, but the above shows how both can be great travel buddies in the right situations. Either way, we enjoyed having a fun discussion on the topic and wish you the best no matter which sort of fur-friend you travel with.
P.S. Our Autopilot™ trip planning tool takes the heavy lifting out of pet-friendly trip planning by digging into data from 38 million real life road trips to help you pick pet friendly stops for your road trip.
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