You can actually train your cat to travel well with a little effort. First, get your cat used to a halter and leash. Have her wear it a few minutes at a time. Eventually venture outside, praising your cat and offering treats. Next, sit in the car with her without the engine running. Then, place her in her carrier in the car and take a short trip, gradually lengthening it.

Start stopping occasionally and walk her in her halter, as you would for a rest stop. Bring a portable litter box on the trip for your cat to use in or out of the car. Remember: plenty of food, treats, and water. And do not forget to get your cat microchipped and tag her before hitting the road.

Kelly is a pet writer. She lives in the Boston area with her three pit bulls and one neurotic cat.

First, make sure your cat’s carrier is well-ventilated and large enough for her. Make sure your cat has her collar with i.d. on. Don’t let your cat be put through the x-ray machine at the airport. Sooth your cat with pets and touches (through the carrier) and treats on the flight. If you have a nervous cat, check with your vet about medication ahead of time. Your cat will thank you and so will the other passengers.

Kelly is a dog columnist and pet writer. She lives in the Boston-area with her three pit bulls and one neurotic cat.

But there were two things that my human dude did that made my trip easier (not EASY, I said easier). Here they are:

1. He left my cat carrier (a new one, because he had to get one that would fit under the airplane seat) open in the house for about two months before we actually left. That way I got used to it and it didn’t scare me that much.

2. He sprayed that carrier with Feliway before the day before and the day of our trip. I have no idea what Feliway is, or even really how to say it, but it works. It made me feel a little more relaxed during the trip.

Do you have any Feliway stories? Leave me a comment on this tip and let me know! OR, you can hang out with other Feliway fans in the Feliway Felines group on Catster!

Tailer is a cat from Sweden. kthxbai!

Buy a can of salmon. Open the can before visiting the cats and rub, yes just do it, some of the fluid in the can on the backs of your hands and on your ankles. Pack the salmon in a lidded container. Go visit the cats. Sit quietly while they swish around you sniffing your delightful perfume. Finally, feed the salmon to the cats. Go home and wash up before trying your powers of attraction on human subjects. Next visit, the cats will be well disposed towards you.

Helen Fazio and her dog Raja are world travelers. Click here to visit their blog, click here to follow them on Twitter.

Cats do not like to be greeted loudly and frontally and they hate it when you run at them. Establishing relations with cats you are vacation-sitting is an oblique activity. Slide into the room and find a comfortable activity. Perhaps, get yourself a snack and go sit quietly in a chair and watch TV or read a book. No need to say much at first. Allow the cat to watch you and if you are successful in looking trustworthy, stable and disinterested, kitty might come see you. Resist the temptation to grab him and give him a big wet kiss. Good things take time.

Helen Fazio and Raja are world travelers. Click here to visit their blog.

Cats do not like to be stared at. When you enter the house, do not cast your eyes about for cats and do not stare at the cats you do find.

DO get their food and fresh water expediently before you clean the litter. Cats who have been left while their owners are on holiday can be resentful; they don’t want you to come in and stare them down and pay more attention to the litter box than to their tummies.

(Yes, if it were dogs you were vacation-sitting, you would come in boisterously, look right at them, fluff their fur, take them out immediately for a nice walk and then get to the food. For cats, you have to think differently.)