Last Updated on 18 February, 2026 by Robyn Dockendorf

Hitting the road with your purring pal is like a dream come true for many cat parents. We imagine those lazy driving days with cats lying in a hammock in the window. But the reality of traveling with a cat is far different than what we see online.

The most important tips to vanlife with a cat include:

1. Be able to contain your cat in the van
2. Harness and leash train your kitty
3. Cat age doesn’t matter
4. Feed high-quality nutrition
5. Make the van a safe space
6. Prepare the van properly
7. Know your cat
8. Have reasonable expectations
9. Stay vigilant while exploring
10. Prepare your cat for long car rides
11. Use a tracking device
12. Keep your cat entertained
13. Don’t expect too much of your cat
14. Keep important documents with you
15. Identify your cat

I travel full-time in a big red campervan with my one-eyed kitty, G (short for Guinevere!). Over the last year, I’ve learned so much about traveling full-time with a cat. So, if you’re wondering how to van life with a cat or how to live in a van with a cat, I’ve got you covered! Let’s go!

This post includes affiliate links, but rest assured that we only recommend items we would use ourselves. If you choose to make a purchase, we receive a small commission at no extra charge to you. There are no sponsorships; this is just the truth about our favorite finds.

Tip #1: Contain Your Cat

I know, containing a cat is a lot to ask, but it’s a must if you want to enjoy van life. When I say ‘contain your cat,’ what I really mean is to find a way to keep your cat securely in the van even if the doors are open.

When you vanlife somewhere that’s even mildly warm, you’re going to want to open the doors unless you enjoy the feeling of being inside a toaster oven. Every cat parent knows that an open door is an invitation for our cats to escape, and when you’re traveling to new places, an escaped cat can be a dangerous and terrifying situation.

Most vanlifers aren’t going to be outside their van 100% of the time. There will be downtime where you’re working remotely or just hanging out inside the van. During these times, you’ll want to be able to open the doors without having to worry about watching your cat.

So, how do you secure your van even when the doors are open?

Use Bug Netting

Bug netting was a purchase we made as an afterthought once our van was completely renovated. We lived in the northeast most of our lives, with a small stint out in Colorado. In other words, we’d never really been around bugs! Even in the height of summer, we Pennsylvanians could sit on our porch without getting too bitten up.

Boy howdy did we get a rude awakening the first time we went south! Bug netting is a MUST if you want to enjoy the fresh air while vanlifing in the summer. As a bonus, it’s a fantastic way to keep your kitty secured in the van while still enjoying a fresh breeze.

We use Bug Netting from The Wanderful. Their netting is designed specifically for Promasters, Transits, and Sprinter vans. To make it even more cat-proof, we installed magnets on the bottom that seal it to our van’s floor, making it as cat-proof as it can be (we all know how wily those little creatures are!).

Use Screen Door Netting

If you don’t want to shell out the money for professional bug netting, you can use netting for screen doors as a makeshift cat-proofing. 

We tried this before ordering The Wanderful bug netting, and it worked for a short time. However, the summer heat eventually melted the glue and Velcro we used to secure it to our door, so we had to replace it after about four months.

By the way, bug netting is just one of the many vanlife hacks we’ve learned over the years of full-time travel. Head over to our article that includes 57 vanlife hacks to make vanlife easier.

Tip #2: Harness and Leash Train Your Cat

Most folks who vanlife with a cat are likely the type who enjoys hiking and exploring with their fuzzy pal. Taking the time to harness and leash train your cat before you start vanlife is paramount to having an enjoyable adventure together.

We have a few excellent articles to help you and your feline friend reach adventure cat status:

• 7 Simple Steps to Harness Train Your Cat
• Ultimate Guide to the Best Adventure Cat Harness
• 4 Best Cat Leashes for Hiking Adventures

These are fantastic for digging deeper into the details. For now, I’ll outline the basics of harness and leash training your cat!

How To Harness Train Your Cat: The Basics

Harness training a cat may feel like an impossible task. After all, cats are finicky and dramatic, and there’s no knowing how they’ll react to putting on a harness. However, with some perseverance, I promise your cat will get used to wearing a harness.

Here are the basic steps for training your cat to wear a harness:

1. Get the right size: Make sure to measure your cat before purchasing a harness to ensure a snug fit. Cats can manipulate their bodies to squeeze into or out of nearly anything, so a good fit is essential.
2. Practice in the house first: After you find the correct fit, it’s time to start practicing. Start small, putting the harness on inside the house for a maximum of 10 minutes. Slowly increase the time the harness is worn over several days until your cat seems comfortable wearing it.
3. Don’t get discouraged: When you first put on the harness, your cat may act paralyzed, wobble, or fall over. This is their dramatic side coming out, and it will pass once they get accustomed to wearing the harness.
4. Add the leash: Once your cat feels comfortable wearing the harness, it’s time to add the leash. Attach the leash and let them drag it around inside the house for a few days until they are comfortable with the added weight.
5. Choose a familiar outdoor space: When it’s time to take things outdoors, choose a familiar space first, such as the driveway or backyard. The first outing should be short, 10 minutes maximum.
6. Add more time and new places: As your cat becomes more comfortable with the harness and leash around familiar areas, it’s time to take it somewhere new! Try a park or a short hiking trail. Always bring a backpack to place your cat in if they get scared or if you encounter an off-leash dog.

Our cat, G, wears thePetSafe Come with Me Kitty Nylon Cat Harness & Bungee Leash. She hasn’t escaped from it yet, but no harness is truly escape-proof.

Tip #3: Cat Age Doesn’t Matter

If you’re worried that your cat is too old to vanlife, don’t be! My cat was 8 years old when I started harness training her, and she was 11 when I started vanlife. Just because you want to vanlife doesn’t mean you need to go out and buy a kitten to train for adventures.

Cornell University tells us that cats are classified as ‘seniors’ around age 12 to 14, thanks to advanced medicine and improved cat nutrition. This number used to be much lower (around 8 years old). The University also mentions that many older cats, even into their 20’s, show few signs of aging.

My cat was a typical sedentary feline for much of her middle years because we lived in a house. I took her on walks, but she mostly just moseyed around the yard. However, when we started vanlife, she seemed to reverse in age! She started running and playing way more than she did at home and has thrived since we started traveling!

Tip #4: High-Quality Nutrition

Yes, chonky cats are adorable, but they’re also vulnerable to weight-related illnesses like diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease. That’s why high-quality nutrition should be a top priority when you vanlife with a cat.

When deciding on what food to give your kitty while vanlifing, pay attention to the ingredient list and the recommended daily feeding guide. Look for these key factors in your cat’s food:

• Whole protein ingredients listed first: The first ingredient in your cat’s food should always be a protein source, and it should be a whole ingredient such as salmon, chicken liver, turkey, etc. Avoid meat by-products.
• Named fat: Fat is an extremely important ingredient in your feline friend’s food. Look for named fats, such as chicken fat, in the ingredients instead of mystery meat.
• Avoid carbohydrate fillers: Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they are required to eat meat and gain little to no benefits from eating grains. In fact, most grains are difficult for cats to digest. Avoid corn and other carbohydrate fillers. Opt for whole-food carbohydrate ingredients like potatoes or green peas.

The food with the highest quality nutrition tends to be wet food because of its high moisture content, which mimics your kitty’s primal feeding behaviors. It’s more expensive, but in the end, it’s a much healthier option for your cat.

Texas A&M University recommends a minimum protein content of 10% if the moisture content is at least 78% and a carbohydrate content of 10% or less.

Over the years, we’ve fed our vanlife cat, G, a variety of wet foods. She’s pretty picky and finicky with her food, so every few months we have to switch it up, or she’ll go on a hunger strike! Typical cat, right? We look for the highest quality wet food on Chewy. We’ve had her on Caru, Weruva, Tiki Cat, and Acana.

Tip #5: Make The Van A Safe Space

Have you ever had a cat that ran and hid when company came over? Or maybe they ran and hid when they heard a new or unusual sound? This is normal behavior for cats when they are afraid. 

The goal here is to make your van a safe space that your cat runs to and hides in when they feel scared. 

So, how do you make the van a safe space? Here are a few suggestions:

• Make it smell like home: Unless you pick your vanlife kitty up on the road, chances are you’re moving them from a home into the van. Make sure to bring blankets and bedding that smell like home. This helps your cat adjust to the van and see it as ‘home.’
• Give them hiding places: If you have control over the design of your van, try to keep your cat in mind. Build safe cubbies and hidey holes where they can go when they’re scared. This will help build their confidence in the van and make them view it as their safe place.
• Reward: When your cat jumps into the van on their own or inspects the inside of the van, give them a high-value treat like a lickable treat. This is called positive reinforcement and helps your cat associate the van with treats!

We had a scary moment in Oregon where we took G down a trail on a harness and leash. We ran into another person that G did NOT like, and she freaked out, rolling and pulling until she slipped her harness. Luckily, we were only a short distance down the trail.

G ran right back to the van and hid underneath it until we caught up and opened the door for her. She viewed the van as her safe space and ran right to it when frightened. That’s the goal!

Tip #6: Prepare The Van Properly: Litter box, Feeding Areas, Sleeping Quarters

Moving into a van is a huge life change for you and your cat. You’re going from a home or apartment where you can walk down a hallway to a tiny vehicle of about 80 square feet if you’re lucky!

It’s important to prepare your van properly before hitting the road with your purring pal. That means dedicating a space for their litter box, feeding area, and where they will sleep.

Litter Box

If you thought the litter box smelled in a house, wait until you move it into a tiny van! The good news is, there are ways to nearly eliminate the litter box smell and keep the van clean. 

Here’s how we did it:

• Choose litter wisely: We originally used clay litter for G’s litter box, but when we started vanlife, we switched to Naturally Fresh Unscented Clumping Walnut Cat Litter. It practically eliminated the litter box smell, was 100% less dusty, and still clumped the litter for easy scooping. It changed our lives! And G easily adjusted to the new material within a few weeks.
• Sweep daily: It’s a pain, but if you sweep around the litter box area daily, all the little pellets your kitty kicks up while they’re doing their business won’t accumulate on your van floor.
• Scoop daily: As always, scoop your cat’s litter box daily when possible. This keeps the litter box fresh. It also prevents your cat from accidentally peeing or pooping over the side of the box because there’s no room in the box.

We created an enclosed cabinet space to put G’s litter box. It gives her privacy and hides the evidence until we open the cabinet door to scoop, making us feel a little cleaner in the van. Wherever you decide to put your cat’s litter box, I recommend making sure it’s secure and can’t slide around while driving.

Feeding Areas

Any cat parent knows how finicky cats can be with their food. Just like how you have a dedicated feeding location at home, make sure you have a dedicated space in the van where you feed your cat. 

This has two main benefits. Firstly, it keeps your cat in a normal routine, which will help them transition to vanlife easier. Secondly, it adds to the sense of security your cat will feel in the van. If they have a specific location where you feed them in the van, they’ll associate the van with ‘home.’

Sleeping Spaces

When moving into a van, think about where your cat sleeps in the house. Do they like to snooze in a cat tree? Do they sleep in the bed with you? Or maybe they have a favorite cat bed for afternoon naps?

Wherever your cat loves to sleep at home, make sure to provide that in the van. While you can’t exactly bring a cat tree with you in the van, you can disassemble your cat’s favorite part of the tree and secure it in the van for them, giving them a safe, secure place to sleep.

Tip #7: Know Your Cat

No one knows your cat better than you. You know when your cat is acting normal and when they seem a little off. You know when your cat is relaxed and when they seem anxious or annoyed. You know if your cat will bolt at the sight of another person or if they’ll run up for pets.

This is an extremely valuable bit of information when traveling for a multitude of reasons.

• Know when your cat is over-stimulated: If you want to hike with your cat, recognize when they are overwhelmed or tired. Don’t try to push them too hard. 
• Know how your cat reacts to stressors: Plan for the times when your cat reacts to stressors like other people or dogs and adjust accordingly. Will they bolt to the nearest tree? Run to the van? Or will they climb on your shoulder for protection?
• Know when it’s time to see a vet: If you notice your cat acting differently than their normal behaviors, recognize that it may be time to find a local veterinarian on the road.
• Know what’s best for your cat: I catch a lot of flak online because I don’t put a harness and leash on my cat. G is trained to wear a harness and leash, but our adventuring style involves her just wandering around the van. She never goes on hikes with us because she is far too skittish. So, she just walks around with a collar instead. It’s what’s most comfortable for her and, in my opinion, what’s safest. You know your cat. Stick to what you know is best for them, regardless of what people tell you.

I know exactly how G will react to common stressors like other people, other cats, and other dogs. This helps me assess situations and resolve things before they become problems, which helps keep her safe!

Tip #8: Have Reasonable Expectations

Hiking with cats is a fun way to explore with your feline friend, but we all know how cats tend to go at their own speed. If you plan to hike with your cat while traveling, make sure to have reasonable goals and expectations.

It’s unlikely you’ll be able to summit mountains or hike long distances with a cat. Kitties tend to go at their own speed and walk their own path. Instead of wanting to travel a specific distance or make it to a destination, just enjoy the experience of hiking on a trail or walking in the wilderness with your cat, even if it takes you an hour to walk a tenth of a mile.

Tip #9: Stay Vigilant While Exploring

If your cat is adventurous and willing to go exploring on hiking trails or in a public park, always be vigilant about external dangers.

• Off-leash dogs: This is becoming a widespread problem and something we deal with almost daily. There are no bad dogs, just bad dog owners. Watch out for off-leash dogs and be ready to put your kitty in a backpack to keep them safe.
• Wildlife (small): We all know cats are natural-born hunters. Watch out for small critters like mice and birds that may entice your cat to chase. If your cat escapes the harness, they may chase their prey into the road or get lost while chasing.
• Wildlife (big): On the other hand, wildlife like coyotes, bobcats, bears, snakes, and mountain lions pose a significant risk to our feline friends. Keep your cat close and keep an eye and ear out for the sounds of bigger wildlife approaching.
• Weather: You’d be surprised at how disturbed cats can get with a strong gust of wind or a bit of rainfall. Check the weather before going out to explore to ensure the weather is acceptable for your kitty.

We have some valuable articles on encountering wildlife while hiking that may help you navigate a hairy situation with your adventure cat:

• 5 Easy Steps To Take For A Cat Bitten By A Snake
• What To Do If You See A Coyote On A Hike
• What To Do If You See A Wild Animal On A Hike

Check them out to be prepared for any situation with your hiking cat!

Tip #10: Prepare Your Cat For Long Car Rides

Chances are, by now you’ve taken your cat in the car to the vet, so you know how they react to car rides. Daunting, right? Most cats hate the feeling of being in a car, and when the end result is a vet visit, it becomes even more stressful for our kitties.

The good news is, with a little preparation, you can prep your cat for long car rides without a constant barrage of meows or puking.

Here’s how to do it:

Start Small In The Driveway

Park the van in the driveway and allow your cat to explore the van while the engine is off. If your cat is an avid anti-car kitty, you may need to put them in the van and shut the doors so they don’t try jumping out immediately.

Let them explore the van at their own pace. Just like harness training, start with short sessions in the van. I recommend putting them in the van for about 10 minutes on the first day, then slowly increasing the time up to an hour with the engine off.

Start Your Engines!

Once your purring pal has gotten comfortable inside the parked van, it’s time to expose them to the sound of the vehicle being on. Cats are startled easily by new noises, so we want to get them used to the sound of the van starting up so they don’t freak out each time you turn the van on.

Put your cat in the van, close the doors, and start the engine. Just like the previous step, start by keeping them in the van with the engine on for about 10 minutes and build from there.

Small Trips

The next step is to take small trips with your cat that don’t end at the vet. Most cats associate the car with the vet, which is why they tend to make a big fuss when placed in a vehicle.

Opt for a drive that’s no longer than 30 minutes, then allow your cat to de-stress the rest of the day. Continue taking short trips with your cat in the van until you notice them settling down when you drive. 

The goal here is to get your cat used to the motion of the van without making them car sick or extremely stressed. Once your cat can settle down on a chair or the van bed while you drive, it’s time to go to the next step!

Big Trips

Vanlife with a cat is all about making sure you and your cat are comfortable traveling. With that said, once your cat is comfortable with small trips in the van, it’s time to test out a mock vanlife adventure.

Pick a destination that’s over an hour away, such as a park or trailhead. Drive to the destination and then park, allowing your cat to de-stress inside the van instead of in your house.

If you can, hang out at the destination for a few hours, simulating what life would be like if you were actually traveling full-time in a van with your cat.

Overnight Trips

The final stage of getting your cat used to the van is taking an overnight trip. Book a stay at a campground or find some Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land to park for free overnight if you live in the West.

Whatever the destination, try to choose somewhere that you’re likely to stop at in your travels. For us, this means BLM land in a remote location in the wilderness. We shy away from campgrounds because we travel with a reactive dog and a skittish cat, so it makes it difficult to enjoy our time when we have to worry about who’s camped next to us.

So, choose your destination, drive there, and park for the night. If you plan to let your cat explore, take them out of the van and test out how they react to a new environment. This will give you and your cat an excellent experience for your future vanlife adventures!

Tip #11: Use A Tracking Device

Vanlife with a cat can be rewarding, but it also has its scary moments. We’ve had a few situations where we thought the van door was shut, but it was slightly ajar, and G snuck out without us knowing. Now, it was only a few seconds, but still. That jolt to the heart can’t be healthy!

Tracking devices allow you to keep track of your cat in case they escape the van or their harness while on an adventure. 

There are tons of options to choose from, but here are the most popular brands:

• Tractive: These reasonably-priced devices utilize Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile LTE across the world to track your cat using GPS technology. Tractive requires an annual plan to work, starting at $5/month. The device weighs 1 oz and can be worn on any cat above 7lbs. Tractive has no distance limitations.
• Tabcat: This tracking device utilizes radio frequency (RF) technology to locate your cat. A subscription is not required, and it’s a one-time purchase. The device weighs 0.21 ounces, so it can be worn by most cats and kittens. Tabcat has a range of 500 feet.
• Air tag: Air tags use Bluetooth technology to locate your feline companion. It’s designed to be used only with iPhones, as it cannot be paired with an Android device. In open spaces, the air tag has a range of about 100 feet. Air tags weigh 0.39 ounces.
• Tile: Similar to the AirTag, Tiles use Bluetooth to locate any escaping kitty cats and has a range between 250-350 feet, depending on the product. The Tile Mate weighs 0.21 ounces, and the Tile Sticker weighs 0.17 ounces.
• Girafus: Girafus uses RF technology and has a range of over 1,600 feet. It does not require a monthly subscription. Girafus weighs just 0.28 ounces and is suitable for most cats.
• Jiobit: This intuitive tracker seamlessly transitions between using GPS, BlueTooth, cellular, and WiFi to maximize battery life no matter where you are. The Jiobit weighs 0.8 ounces and has no range limitations. It requires a subscription.

For a more in-depth look at these devices, check out our guide on the best tracking devices for adventure cats! A tracking device will give you peace of mind while you vanlife with a cat. After all, cats are wily little creatures! 

Tip #12: Keep Your Cat Entertained

There’s a lot of misinformation out there about cats. Many cat parents think that cats are naturally lazy creatures that don’t need much attention from us, or that cats play with themselves or other cats to get exercise and entertainment. This couldn’t be farther from the truth!

A study from the Irish Veterinary Journal found that between 20% and 40% of pets (cats and dogs) are categorized as overweight or obese in developed countries. This is mainly because most cat parents don’t provide entertainment or enrichment for their cats. 

A bored cat is more likely to lie around and nap most of the day away. While this may be convenient if you’re traveling or busy, it’s not the best lifestyle for your cat.

Pack some toys in the van to help entertain your cat while traveling. Toys like Pet Fit For Life 3 Piece Retractable Feather Wand Cat Toy and Ethical Pet Kitty Yarn Puffs Small Balls Cat Toy with Catnip are excellent ways to keep your cat entertained while road-tripping.

Letting your cat outside to walk or run around and letting them look out the window are all great ways to keep your feline pal entertained on the road.

Tip #13: Don’t Expect Too Much Of Your Cat

As much as we love having cats in our homes (and vans!), when it comes down to it, cats are still animals! It’s difficult to predict how they will react to a big life change like moving into a van. It’s important not to get your expectations too high and be prepared for setbacks.

Prepare For Setbacks

When we first started traveling, we had two cats and a dog. Our one cat, Luna, hated traveling in the van. She would meow nonstop whether the van was moving or stationary. It was clear this lifestyle wasn’t for her. We ended up stopping vanlife for a short while so we could reassess. 

Go into vanlife hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. Every cat is unique, and there’s no way to tell how they will react to a new situation. Give them plenty of positive reinforcement and time to adjust to their new lifestyle.

Cats May Not Enjoy Adventuring As Much As You

In a similar vein, don’t expect your cat to naturally enjoy hiking or traveling as much as you do. I went into vanlife hoping to hike with my cat, G, but she just isn’t into it. Instead, she loves hanging out around the van, exploring her immediate surroundings. 

I love watching her hunker down in the sand, hide in rocky outcroppings, chase leaves, and just enjoy herself, even if it’s just a few feet away from the van. 

If she’s happy, I’m happy!

Tip #14: Keep Important Documents With You

Depending on where you vanlife with a cat, you may be crossing international borders into other countries. Or, if you vanlife like me, you may just cruise around the United States! Whatever your vibe is, be sure to keep your cat’s up-to-date documents with you.

This includes:

• Proof of rabies vaccination
• Proof of all other immunizations
• Any health-related conditions or nutrition requirements.

Certain countries require specific information to allow your cat across the border. This typically involves filling out a form and having proof of rabies vaccination. You may also need a veterinarian with specific certifications before the papers are accepted.

Always keep your cat’s documents in a safe place where they won’t get lost or damaged while traveling.

Tip #15: Identify Your Cat In Case They Get Lost

One of my worst fears while traveling with my cat, G, is that she will somehow get loose and run away or get lost. While this hasn’t even come close to happening and hopefully never will, I have a few ways of locating her if it does:

• Customized cat collar: G wears a cat collar with her name and my telephone number stitched into the collar. It was a custom collar from Chewy that you can find here Frisco Nylon Personalized Breakaway Cat Collar with Bell.
• Bye Tag: Byte tags have a QR code on them that can be scanned by anyone with a smartphone. When the QR code is scanned, it sends you a text and an email, notifying you that the Byte Tag was scanned, no matter where you are in the world. When someone scans it, it pulls up your pet’s information that you enter, as well as your contact information, so they can call or text you about your lost cat.
• Microchip: G has been microchipped since before I even adopted her. However, you must ensure that the information linked to the microchip is up to date with your address and phone number. There are several easy ways to do this, such as utilizing the AAHA Microchip Registry Lookup.

It’s important to identify your cat as having a home by putting a collar or harness on them. Otherwise, people who have good intentions may pick them up, thinking they’re a stray.

If the worst-case scenario happens and your kitty runs away, take advantage of social media groups in the area you are in. Lost and found pet groups are all over the place on Facebook.

Vanlife With A Cat: Wrap-Up Session

These 15 tips stem from my experience traveling full-time in a van with my furbag, G. She may only have one eye, but she doesn’t let that quell her adventurous spirit! She’s had her paws in over 35 states, countless National Parks, Forests, and Monuments. So far, so good!

If I had to pick my top tips for those wanting to vanlife with a cat, here are my top five:

1. Don’t expect too much from your cat.
2. Make the van a safe space.
3. Keep important documents with you.
4. Identify your cat.
5. Stay vigilant while exploring.

Remember, vanlife with a cat is hard work, but it can be one of the most rewarding adventures! So, until next time, give your furbag an extra pet from us, and keep exploring this beautiful world with your pets! For more tips on traveling with your pets, check out our Dirtbags with Furbags blog!