How Gogo Became Our Travel Companion 🐾

After a difficult experience of leaving Gogo at a stranger’s house, we made a decision that quietly changed the way we would travel forever.

Gogo was no longer going to be left behind.
He had to become a part of our journeys.

My husband and I have always loved road trips—the long drives, quiet highways, and that feeling of freedom that comes with the open road. But now, it wasn’t just about us anymore. If Gogo was going to travel with us, we had to make sure he felt safe, comfortable, and secure every step of the way.

Teaching Gogo About the World Outside

We didn’t jump into long journeys right away.
We started small.

Short car rides.
Different times of the day.
Slowly increasing the duration.

In the beginning, it was simply about helping him get comfortable—the car, the movement, the unfamiliar sounds all around him. But as days turned into weeks, we started noticing little patterns in his behaviour.

One thing became impossible to ignore — Gogo did not enjoy travelling during the day.

Afternoons, especially, were the hardest. The roads were louder, the traffic heavier, the constant honking more intense—and with every bit of that chaos, his discomfort grew. It showed in his restlessness, in his constant meowing, in the way he just couldn’t settle.

So, we listened.

We slowly adjusted our plans and realised that if we truly wanted him to feel at ease, we had to move with his rhythm. Our journeys had to begin early in the morning or late at night — when the world felt quieter, calmer, and a little more forgiving for him.

Learning How to Travel With a Cat

We spent hours reading blogs and watching videos of other cat parents who travelled with their pets. That’s when we understood something important —

For a cat to feel safe during travel, they need familiarity and access.

• Access to food
• Access to water
• Access to their litter box

At all times.

But practically, managing all of this inside a car — especially with my sinus issues—felt overwhelming.

Still, we made it work.

We gradually began modifying our car to make it feel safer and more familiar for Gogo.

We blocked the gaps under the seats so he couldn’t crawl in and accidentally chew on wires. His litter box found a fixed spot between the seats — easy for him to access whenever he needed it. Around him, we placed the things that felt like home — his bed, his toys, little pieces of comfort that carried his scent and familiarity.

Alongside these changes, we also consulted our vet, trying to understand how to make the journey easier for him. That’s when we were introduced to catnip — something that could help calm him down or even make him a little sleepy during moments of extreme stress. But we were very clear from the start: it wasn’t something to rely on regularly, only a backup for situations where he truly needed help settling down.

The Real Test: A 600 km Journey

When Gogo was about 15 months old, we had to take a 600 km road trip due to a family emergency.

There was no choice this time.
This journey would test everything we had learned so far.

Before leaving, we spoke to our vet and followed every instruction carefully:

• Keep his litter box accessible (it was going to be a 12 – 14 hour journey)
• Ensure he has food available at all times
• Carry ice packs and maintain a cool car environment
• Never leave him alone in the car, even during breaks
• Monitor his temperature regularly

We started early in the morning, and for the first few hours, everything felt calm. The roads were quiet, the drive was smooth, and Gogo seemed at ease.

But as the day progressed, things began to change.

By afternoon, the heat and noise started getting to him.
He began panting — something we had learned is a clear sign of stress in cats.

I checked his temperature.

103°F.

My heart dropped.

He was restless, constantly meowing, clearly uncomfortable — and we were in the middle of nowhere.

We immediately pulled over.
Placed an ice pack gently on him.
Turned the AC to full.

While I stayed with Gogo, trying to comfort him, my husband called the vet. He reassured us that this could happen and asked us to give it at least 15 minutes to settle.

Those 15 minutes felt endless.

But slowly, Gogo began to calm down.

That moment was scary — but it also reminded us how important it is to stay prepared and not panic. We are incredibly grateful to our vet for guiding us through it.

Reaching the Destination… and Another Challenge

Once Gogo was stable, we resumed the journey. He was quieter now — slightly lethargic, which we had already been told could happen after stress.

But the bigger challenge was waiting for us at the destination.

The house we were travelling to was not cat-proofed.

So once again, we adapted.

We set up a safe room just for Gogo:

• One person was always with him
• Doors and windows remained shut
• His litter box was placed in one corner
• His food was kept separately on a table
• A large closed window became his source of entertainment, where he could watch birds and pigeons for hours

It wasn’t perfect — but it was safe, and that’s what mattered most.

What This Journey Changed

That trip tested us in ways we hadn’t expected.
It pushed us to be more patient, more prepared, and more aware of Gogo’s needs.

But it also changed something in him.

After that journey, Gogo became more adaptable.
Stronger. Braver.

Today, he has travelled with us to multiple places — without panting, without distress.

Somewhere along the way, our tiny rescued kitten grew into a confident little traveller.

But for us, he will always be what he truly is —

A big boy, who just wanted us to understand his world a little better.