The pet travel gear I swear by after 13 countries with my cat

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Over the past five years, my cat has traveled with me to 13 countries on three continents, so I’ve had the opportunity to test out a variety of pet travel gear to find out what’s really worth buying.

When traveling full-time, it’s important to pack light while keeping the essentials easily within reach. Here’s my favorite pet travel gear to help keep your furry companion more comfortable on planes, trains, buses, or even a walk through the city. While I travel with a cat, you’ll find dog-friendly options below, too.

Without a doubt, the most important thing you’ll buy when traveling with a pet is a carrier. I like to keep my hands free, so I find that a backpack is the easiest option. The Pecute Cat Backpack is the only carrier I’ll ever need. It’s lightweight, offers two storage pockets on either side, and is expandable — perfect for when you’re relaxing in an airport lounge.

I find that it’s roomy enough for my 9-pound cat to move around, and it always fits under the seat in front of me when flying. It’s also incredibly sturdy and has never ripped, no matter how hard Isabelle has tried to claw at the mesh.

Get the Pecute Cat Backpack at Amazon

Points Path contributor Benji Stawski previously shared everything he learned after flying with a dog for the first time. One important lesson: An easy carrier makes all the difference. He recommends the Sherpa Original Deluxe Travel Pet Carrier, which fits under most airplane seats. It features mesh side panels for ventilation, and there’s a removable liner that adds extra coziness.

Get the Deluxe Travel Pet Carrier at Amazon

My most underrated pet travel hack is flying with a reusable lint roller in my personal item. When we go through airport security, I have to take Isabelle out of her carrier so we can go through the metal detector and the carrier can go through the X-ray machine. She sheds a lot, and I’m immediately covered in fur. The OXO Good Grips Furlifter Pet Garment Brush handles this easily, and I find it’s super helpful for cleaning furniture, too. I try to limit my waste (and refills I need to buy), so having a reusable lint roller instead of a disposable one is a lifesaver.

Get the OXO Good Grips Furlifter Pet Garment Brush at Amazon

I like to add a lightweight blanket to Isabelle’s carrier so she’s more comfortable when we’re traveling. I like to think the familiar smell also makes her calmer. Before I started nomading, a travel blogger I followed recommended the Blackhawk Shemaugh as a must-have because it’s versatile — great for protecting yourself from the sun, drying off after a dip in the lake, or using as a picnic blanket.

I found that it works perfectly as a blanket for inside a carrier because it’s lightweight and cozy. The instructions say hand-washing only, but I’ve thrown it in the washer countless times, and it still looks brand new.

Get the Blackhawk Shemaugh Blanket at Amazon

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Every pet needs toys, but when you live on the road, you have to keep the toys small. My cat is obsessed with the Hartz Cattraction toys. And since they come in a pack of 10, if you happen to forget one in an Airbnb or hotel room every once in a while, you have some to spare.

Get the Hartz Cattraction toys at Amazon

Dog toys aren’t always as portable, but especially if your pup is an anxious traveler, they can be worth the space. The Snuggle Puppy Original Heartbeat Puppy Toy has rave reviews on Amazon. It has a removable battery-powered heartbeat component and heating pack that can help calm anxiety, and it’s available in more than 10 colors.

Get the Snuggle Puppy Original Heartbeat Puppy Toy at Amazon

I keep two different kinds of treats with me. The first are the Greenies Cat Treats, which she absolutely loves, and they help keep her teeth clean. (Editor’s note: Greenies are also available for dogs, and they’re my dog’s favorite part of the day whether we’re at home or on the road.)

Get the Greenies Cat Treats at Amazon

The second are the VetriScience Calm & Confident Chews, which she also loves, and they help calm her down when she’s extra hyper or when she wants to get out of her carrier while we’re flying. These work wonders to make her fall asleep while we’re in transit.

Get the VetriScience Calm & Confident Chews at Amazon

Before I started nomading, I had an automatic feeder, but once I hit the road, I fed my cat throughout the day. However, Isabelle needed to lose some weight, and she’s very food-motivated. I ended up buying an automatic feeder in Mexico to help curb some of the begging, and it made a huge difference. A peaceful night’s sleep is worth the extra weight in my suitcase.

I recommend getting one that can connect to an app, as this makes programming much easier. The Petlibro automatic cat feeder is highly rated, but I haven’t tested it personally, so make sure to do your research before purchasing.

Get the Petlibro automatic cat feeder at Amazon