Tent Camping with Cats: 10+ Hacks for Your Next Trip
Have you ever considered bringing your cat along on your next outdoor adventure? While it may seem a little crazy if you’re new to the idea, the ‘adventure cat’ phenomenon is growing, and we couldn’t be more excited!
Don’t let the fact that you’re tent camp stop you from taking this step.
Today, I’m going to share my list of tips, tricks, and hacks for tent camping with cats including a few must-have items that make our own adventures 100x more enjoyable.
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Over the years, I have received many funny stares, odd looks, and curious questions when people find out that we have a cat that loves camping.
My favourite being: “Did you know that your cat is IN your tent???”
I mean, what were they honestly expecting me to answer to that one? No, What? How did she get there? She must have snuck in when we were packing the tent away to come here…
The idea of a cat as a camping companion is a foreign concept to so many, and even more so if there is no travel trailer or RV for your cat to hang out.
Luckily for me, I grew up in a camping family and it wasn’t uncommon to spot our cats hanging out in the trailer. They would curl up by the windows, basking in the sunshine and watching the birds flying from tree to tree.
When I started camping on my own, I couldn’t imagine travelling without my pets by my side.
This included, of course, the dogs, but also my sweet little cat Pippen.
Pippen was adopted from the local Humane Society 12 years ago, when I was still living on my own (and before I had met my husband).
Her journey from adorable rescue and cute house cat to an avid outdoor adventurer didn’t happen overnight. It’s a process led by your cat and their comfort level, slowly introducing new experiences over time.
Today, I’m going to take my knowledge and experience from raising adventure cats of my own and tenting across the province with a feline friend by my side and share it with you.
If you’ve ever considered tent camping with cats but weren’t sure how to get started, the following hacks will help you to get started.
Before you know it, you’ll be travelling the world, experiencing new things and bonding with your cat in new and exciting ways.
Not Every Cat is Comfortable Camping
Before we dig into how to help your cat adjust to the great outdoors, I believe we need to address the fact that not every cat is going to be comfortable camping.
Just like us humans, some cats would much rather relax indoors with all their creature comforts, and that’s okay!
We have 2 cats in our house, Jinx and Pippen. You’ll notice that in the introduction I never mentioned Jinx in relation to our adventures.
Why? She simply isn’t interested in outdoor travel.
She is leash trained and will occasionally come outdoors to hang with us in the backyard, but it’s generally not long until she’s pawing at the door asking to go back indoors again to her comfortable bed.
I’m not sure if she would be more interested if we were camping in a trailer or RV that gave her the feel of being ‘at home’, but the tent is just not something that she enjoys.
If you are working through the process of adjusting your cat to being outdoors and you realize that they aren’t interested, don’t force it.
Slowly introduce them to the concepts, allow them to dictate the pace and be prepared for the fact that it may not be something that your cat enjoys or is even comfortable with.
To better understand your cat and whether they will be a good fit for outdoor travel, check out the nine feline personalities and which personalities are better suited for the adventure cat lifestyle.
10+ Important Tips for Tent Camping with Cats
Start Small and Work Your Way Up
You don’t want to just throw your cat into the environment of being outdoors in a tent without working up to the that point. Doing so could scare them off enjoying camping at all.
Instead, you want to start small and introduce them to being comfortable outdoors.
For Pippen, I started by allowing her to adjust to her harness and leash indoors. This was already her comfort zone, so it allowed me to introduce one ‘unknown’ at a time.
I put the harness on her and allowed her to walk around wearing it, learning that it was nothing to be afraid of.
In time, I then introduced the leash, allowing her to drag it behind her around the house so that she could see that it wasn’t something to be concerned about.
Finally, when she was comfortable with me walking behind her holding the leash, we knew that she was ready to venture outdoors.
RC Pet Products Adventure Kitty Harness
With three sizes to choose from, each featuring a fully adjustable neck and waist, this harness can be adjusted to fit nearly any cat. It is available in an assortment of bright colours and fun patterns to show off your cat’s personality, each with a matching leash. Reflective highlights along the harness ensure your cat can be seen clearly even in low-light situations.
Helping her adjust to the outdoors was also a step-by-step experience. Slowly building both her comfort level and her confidence.
First, we took her outdoors in our backyard for a short time. We slowly lengthened the time outdoors before moving on to a walk in the park, a short hike and then her first overnight excursion.
The most important thing to remember throughout this whole experience is that the most important thing is your cat’s comfortable level.
Allow you cat to dictate how quickly you move, when you move to the next step, etc.
You may occasionally have to take a step back for a variety of reasons, and that’s okay too! It’s not a race.
Remember, you are working towards the end goal of having a cat that enjoys spending time camping with you outdoors. That’s what really matters!
Do A Test Run at Home
If you have the space at home, do a test run to help your cat get used to the idea of sleeping in a tent.
Depending on the size of your tent, this can be done in the yard or even on a deck or patio.
Don’t have outdoor space? Even setting the tent up in your living room and camping indoors for the night will help your cat to become more comfortable.
Always Research Your Destination
Even if your cat is ready to head out and enjoy the great outdoors with you, your destination may not be ready (or suitable) for your cat.
Take the time to do your research and/or call ahead to verify whether your destination is pet friendly.
This includes learning where leashes are required, what swimming areas they are or aren’t permitted in, any additional costs associated with bringing a pet and more.
You don’t want to get al the way there to find out that you have turn around and head home.
Pay Attention to the Weather Forecasts
The weather during your trip could make or break your cat’s experiences. Keeping an eye on the weather forecasts is key.
If you are bringing a short-haired or hairless cat, they may not be comfortable in cooler temperatures.
Alternatively, many cats would be uncomfortable in the peak summer heat.
This could also influence what gear you need to bring along – coats/sweaters, pet sunscreen, appropriate rain-proof shelter, etc.
Safety is ALWAYS Priority #1
First and foremost, before anything else, you want to make sure that you and your cat are going to be safe throughout your trip.
This includes safety during your trip to/from the campsite as well as at the campsite itself.
Make sure that your cat is fully vaccinated before planning any trips to avoid unnecessary health risks that they may encounter along the way.
If you are not already using a flea/tick/heartworm preventative, this is something that you should talk to your vet about. Spending time in the outdoors puts your cat at a higher risk of encountering these pests.
You also want to be sure that your cat is up to the experience medically.
If your cat is older, living with a health condition or overcoming an injury, you should consult with your veterinarian to ensure that it would be safe for your cat.
A small but often overlooked factor is identification. If your cat does get loose, this could make the difference between getting your best friend back safely or not.
If your cat is microchipped, make sure that the information on file is all up to date.
Every adventure cat should fit with a collar and ID tag with current contact information. Some people will even create tags listing their campsite number for extra reassurance or attach a GPS tracker to their cat’s collar.
Pack a pet-specific first aid kit so that you can address any emergencies that may occur throughout your trip accordingly.
During your travels, make sure that your cat is properly secured in your vehicle.
This means keeping your cat in a carrier and securing that carrier with a seat belt to prevent it from flying around during an accident.
Bring Plenty of Fresh Water
If your cat isn’t provided fresh, clean water when camping you are likely going to run into a problem.
Your cat may turn to puddles, streams, or ponds for water. This carries a big risk of exposing your cat to harmful parasites or bacteria.
Alternatively, if they can’t find a source of water, you may find yourself dealing with complications related to dehydration and heat stroke.
We’ve often been told that canned cat food will provide our cats with necessary hydration, but it isn’t going to be enough.
Always pack plenty of safe, potable water so that you aren’t caught without available drinking water.
Cat-Proof Your Tent
Speaking of the tent, there are steps that you can take to cat-proof your tent and prevent damage to your camping gear.
One of the first questions that I am asked in terms of sharing a tent with a cat is in relation to our air mattress and how it survives contact with sharp kitty nails.
Yes, we do sleep on an air mattress, even with Pippen in the tent!
Before you head out on your trip, take the time to trim your cat’s nails removing the sharp daggers that can develop over time.
When we set up our air mattress, we put a thick blanket or sleeping bag down on top of it before covering that with a fitted sheet. This holds the blanket in place creating a layer of protection.
If you’re still concerned, another option to consider would be the use of nail caps, however, those would interfere with your cat’s ability to protect themselves if they were to get loose for any reason.
When your cat is in the tent, you also want to take steps to ensure that they can’t escape.
This includes zipping the door up to the top of the door, securing any windows that are within their reach to remove the temptation of climbing/clawing at screens and double checking that there aren’t any openings in the tent.
We keep our zippers zipped to the top of the door and then put a small carabiner through the two zippers so that they can’t easily be pulled apart (you just never know with cats lol).
For example, some tents include a special opening to accommodate an electrical cord. This is often big enough that a cat could slip through if they wanted to badly enough.
Never Allow Your Cat Out of Your Sight
I can’t stress this point enough. When you are camping, never allow your cat out of your site.
There are too many potential risks such as wildlife, the risk of escape, etc. It’s simply not worth taking a chance.
During the day, there are a couple of options for your cat to keep them safe and secure.
Some cats are completely comfortable on a leash or tether, exploring the area in a properly fit and secure cat harness.
The other alternative (and the one that we tend to prefer) is to bring along a portable pet playpen or cat condo that your cat can call ‘home’ for the day.
Be prepared to move your cat as needed throughout the day to keep them out of the hot sun.
At night, you aren’t going to be awake to watch your cat closely. Therefore, it is recommended that your cat sleeps inside their carrier, pet playpen or cat condo within your tent for extra security.
If your cat refuses to sleep in a confined space like that, you may choose to keep them on a leash throughout the night.
Secure the leash to a heavy piece of gear within the tent so that they can’t get away if they were to somehow find a way out of the tent.
Be Responsible in Terms of ‘Waste’
There are two different schools of thought when it comes to your cat ‘doing their business’ while outdoors.
On one hand, some cats will embrace their inner while spirit and do their business in the woods without hesitation. Others, however, are only comfortable if you bring a litter box along.
If your cat does go to the bathroom outdoors, make sure to follow the Leave No Trace principles and pack out any feces.
Not only should you do this out of respect for others that may be coming to camp in this area after you leave, but it is also important in terms of the health and well-being of the local ecosystem.
Cat feces may contain a parasite known as Toxoplasma gondii, which may then infect local wildlife.
For the cats that prefer the comfort of using a litter box as they would at home, there are many lightweight and collapsible options available.
You can also use a collapsible cat tent, cat carrier or other similar structure to provide a little privacy if your cat requires it, or if you simply don’t want to look at the litter box in your tent.
Upgrade The Portable Travel Litter Box for Small, Medium Sized Cats and Rabbits
This travel litterbox both keeps your cat’s waste contained while also offering a little privacy when they are “doing their business.” It features a removable waterproof liner that is machine washable, for easy cleanup. When not it in use, it packs down flat for easy storage.
Try to Maintain Your Normal Schedule
In terms of feeding your cat, giving medication (if they are taking any), etc., try to stick as closely as possible to your cat’s normal schedule at home.
Your cat will already be adjusting to several changes, such as a new environment.
Maintaining your normal schedule will give them something comforting to hold onto, something that they can depend on to know that everything is ‘okay’.
Stick to Your Cat’s Regular Food and Treats
It may be tempting to ‘treat your cat’ with something special when you head out camping. After all, you’re both on vacation! Right?
Unfortunately, introducing new food and treats out of the blue may upset your cat’s stomach causing stomach aches and diarrhea. That fun treat is suddenly ruining your cat’s experience.
Instead, pack plenty of your cat’s regular food. Bring along more than you need for your full trip just in case your return home must be delayed for any reason.
Don’t forget to bring along his/her favourite treats! As I said, you’re both on vacation!
Most Importantly, Have Fun!
You brought your cat along on your adventure for a reason – so that you could share this fun bonding experience with one another.
Things may not go entirely according to plan, you may have some hiccups, the weather may not cooperate.
Whatever comes up while you’re there, don’t forget to have fun and make great memories.
Have you ever been tent camping with cats? If so, I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments!
Do you have any hacks that you believe should be added to the list? Let me know…
Feature Image Credit: Kana Funatsu | Canva
I’ve never known anyone to take their cat camping, but it looks like it can work very well. I love how you emphasize being responsible, both for the sake of the cat’s comfort, but also for other visitors and the local ecosystem. If everybody was so responsible, we wouldn’t have the litter and pollution issues that my local parks struggle with.
It’s sad to see the very people who claim to love the environment and outdoors also abusing it, isn’t it? I will never understand it.
We were talking about taking cats on holiday the other day – not sure how our cat would take to being on a leash, but great tips to try and teach him.
It’s a process. The first time that I put the harness on Pippen, she refused to move at all. We gave her time wearing it and experimented with different harnesses until we found the one that she was most comfortable with.
This was such an interesting read. I’ve never seen a camping cat before but I think it’s adorable when I see them walking on leads. I would never have guessed cats were down to camp at all so it was interesting to find out your two take very differently to the situation x
For Pippen, it’s not all that different from hanging out at home – She just wants to be close to us wherever that may lead us. I love her sense of adventure!
I can relate with Jinx, happy to be indoors, in bed, haha!
Great list of hacks – can see that they come from a place of deep love & caring for your cats.
We LOVE spending time outdoors with our cats, so I was more than happy when I saw that Pippen enjoyed spending time outside with us.
OMG tent camping with cats is something I’ve never considered. My sister has two cats and she often takes one out on a harness for car rides or just general outside time. But the other is pretty uncomfortable with being outdoors. I think she would have a lot of fun taking her kitty camping. I’ll suggest it to her and share this post!!
It’s a lot of fun! Pippen loves relaxing with me in the hammock and watching the birds when we’re out in the middle of nowhere.
My husband and I were talking recently about if we decide to move (I want to go out of state) and how we would do it with our orange turd, since he HATES his carrier. We were thinking a small-ish RV where one of us could hang out with our cat and it would kind of be like at home, just home is rolling down the freeway. I can’t say that I had ever considered traditional tent camping with a cat though. I think the size of the tent can have a lot to do with success too. Like the bigger, the better, so there is room to move around, and the cat could have a bed for themselves too. I’m not doing it with mine because he’s a grumpy old man and would kill me in my sleep. But it is certainly an idea to introduce a future cat to.
We’ve been talking about doing an extended RV/Camper Van vacation in the near future and how we would help our cats adjust. Pippen is SO easygoing, she’d be happy wherever we go. Jinx, on the other hand, sounds more like your grumpy old man. She’s set in her ways, knows what she likes and has no desire to give up the luxuries of home. So, we’d have to make sure to put a little extra thought and consideration into how to make her living space on the road as comfortable and ‘home-like’ as possible lol
awesome tips! my sister considers camping with her cat, I will make sure to show her my most trusted blogger’s tips
Thanks! I LOVE camping with Pippen. She’s the perfect little camping companion 🙂
I’m so glad you mentioned the importance of picking up after your cats. Lots of people don’t realize that it can be super harmful to certain species. And to go your cats speed…so important!!
Yes, allowing your cat to lead the speed is key. If you try to force a cat into going outdoors before it’s ready, you will scare and possibly traumatize the poor kitty. That can lead to a permanent negative association with the leash, the harness, going outside, etc.
Fantastic post, It makes sense that cats should be taken on camping trips, they are family and if you train them and help them get over their fears etc it should work really well. Pippen is very lucky
Exactly! If they enjoy the outdoors, why not bring them along? Although we have tried with Jinx multiple times and there is just zero interest in the whole thing lol Some cats are truly happier staying at home in the AC, on their couch, sunbathing lol
Adventure cats really are gaining popularity! I would worry about my cat’s safety, especially since so many campers take their dogs along. I’d want a good way to secure them.
Love & biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Yes, it’s important to make sure that you have your cat secure at all times, whether it’s in a playpen-type set-up or on a leash. That’s also why it’s so important to never allow them out of your sight.
I am surprised that there are cats that enjoy camping–not something that I would thing. Dogs, on the other hand, love being outside in any shape and form.
It’s a great way to tap into their natural instincts and behaviours just as we do for our dogs!
I love that Pippen enjoys camping with you. You are so right to point out that it should only be an adventure undertaken by kitties who enjoy such an experience. Great safety suggestions. I enjoyed reading about your experience but my cat and I are happy at home lol
Yes, some cats will never be interested – and that’s okay! We love our other cat, Jinx, to death but when it comes to hiking and camping, she’d rather sunbathe at home and let us do our own thing lol
I went to an adventure cat presentation and the lady said always take a backpack for your kitty so that you can put them away quickly if a dog comes by, which I had never thought of!! This fits 1,000,000% with your safety first message. You can take your cat with you but it is, as you say, a step by step and thorough process to keep them safe and happy.
Pippen is super confident isn’t she and I bet she is the boss when you travel!
That’s a great tip! I have had to hold Pippen at times just due to loose dogs that we encounter along the way. Another example of why it’s so important for people to follow the posted leash laws… We don’t take her to off-leash areas but we SHOULD be able to take her on an on-leash trail without worrying about a dog running up on her out of the blue. Sadly, that’s not the case.
Pippen doesn’t try running away? I mean I don’t like camping, but I would be afraid to do that with the bun, she likes to run and I have a bad knee I will hurt myself trying to run after her tbh (which makes me happy she doesn’t like the outdoors tbh). It kind of reminds me of my old neighbors who moved 🙁 two of their dogs loved RVs and camping, but one didn’t and we would go take care of him when they camped.
She’s fully leash trained and generally just wants to hang out near me when we’re outdoors. For example, one of her FAVOURITE outdoor pastimes is to sit with me in the hammock and watch the birds lol
This sounds so interesting, I love the photo of Pippen! I think this is a great idea if your cat enjoys some outdoor time and it seems great for you both
Laila
http://www.lailanblog.blogspot.co.uk
She ADORES spending time outside. I love that we are able to incorporate her into our travel plans in a way that she enjoys. That being said, I wouldn’t push a cat that isn’t interested – our other cat Jinx is more than happy staying at home lol
I have never considered bringing my cat camping or travelling with me – to be honest, I think she would hate it! She’s a nervous cat and she likes to stay close to home, and she hates car journeys. But it’s great that your cat has adapted so well to camping! I guess it saves you from having to arrange care for her while you are away too, although I know you still have Jinx at home! x
I think Jinx would be fine if she had the comforts of a trailer, but she’s just a little spoiled and prefers to have all the comforts of home lol
I actually had no idea that you could go camping with your cat!
You learn something new everyday!
Rosie
You can do almost anything with a cat that you do with a dog. My cat plays fetch, knows some basic obedience training, camps, hikes, and more!
My cat is so old and set in his ways. I think it would be a very interesting experience to try to take him camping. I do believe he would love the outdoors. He certainly could use more outdoor exercise activity. I love your posts. They always give me cool ideas for things I can do with my pet or even to suggest to others. Perhaps this weekend I can bring my cat along on a hike and camp event we are planning.
Shyla – sinceremommy.com
I love getting out and exploring with Pippen. There’s something about watching her explore that never fails to bring a smile to my face.
I have never known anyone who went camping with their cats, but that’s amazing Pippin goes camping with you! This post is so helpful for anyone who is considering taking their cat camping.
She’s a very adventurous little ball of fur! I love that she has so much fun getting out and exploring with me.
Hello all!
Thank you for the beautiful article. My guy has been camping with me about 4 years now. The only issue I have is what to do out his food at night in the tent.?We have never had issues. I considered spraying the tent with pine solfor a deterrent.
We started with harness and leash while I carefully chosewords he responded to for commands and always use the same words. We have great communication this way. Then we went on hikes on trails, then I introduced him to the word camping. Now he knows what it means and gets very excited to go and when we get on the bumpy road going slow he knows we are arriving and jumps to the driver window to hang his head out and take it all in. It’s super gratifying for both of us, a truly exceptional bonding experience! I always keep his litterbox with grass seed litter and if there are thunderstorms we just fold down the seats into a full size bed and sleep in safety.
Like you said it is a gradual transition. Ours happened pretty quick as he already loved the outdoors so it was just a matter of communication at that point.
Cheers and happy camping with the beloved furry ones!
We treat our cat’s food the same way that we treat our own – they are secured in the car when car-camping, or if we’re backcountry camping it’s put in a bear box or hung. They get their food all day just not overnight when all the wildlife is out and about. The fact that there is a litterbox is bad enough lol
I am so glad to hear that he loves the outdoors so much and that you have found ways to make your trips as comfortable as possible! It really is one of the best bonding experiences, if you ask me!
You are giving me the confidence to try tent camping with my little guy, Craig. He has trained me to take him on neighborhood walks, longer hikes at the local parks and even out on the river on a pontoon or boat with friends. Craig loves car rides and even visiting other homes.
So I think he has the right personality to give this a try. My biggest concerns are his safety and will he enjoy it.
Sounds like he definitely has the personality for it! My husband and I share all our tips, tricks, and advice for outdoor travel with pets on TheKasPack.com. You might be able to get some of your questions answered there!