Traveling with pets can be a bit of a challenge, especially if you’re using a ride-booking service. However, there’s no denying the convenience of booking a ride from an app on your smartphone when you’re short on time and there’s no other viable option. Naturally, this leads many feline owners to ask, can you bring cats in an Uber?
Generally, you can bring cats in an Uber; however, the animals must either be leased or enclosed within a pet carrier for the duration of the trip. Uber recommends pet parents avail their ‘Pet-friendly’ ride option for traveling with animals. These rides are specifically meant to cater to pet owners.
But, how does one go about ordering a pet-friendly ride on Uber? Plus, are there any other specifics involved? Before you get too anxious, relax. This article will cover all aspects of traveling with a pet on Uber to help cat parents prepare for all eventualities.
Does Uber Accept Cats
Cat enthusiasts will be happy to learn that Uber allows pet owners to travel with their fur babies via their pet-friendly rides. A pet-friendly Uber trip is specifically meant to cater to pet parents, with correlating fees.
However, you should be aware that pet-friendly rides cost more than other vehicle options. That means if you’re planning on going out with your kitty cat using Uber’s services, you may have to pay more than you usually do for an Uber ride.
What Are Pet-friendly Rides On Uber
As the name suggests, pet-friendly rides on Uber are meant explicitly for folks traveling with animals. Uber’s Pet-friendly ride policy states these rides allow the transport of cats, dogs, and other animals.
While Uber’s policy doesn’t clarify what species are included in the ‘other animals’ tag, it states that all animals except canines and felines need to be appropriately enclosed in a carrier for the duration of the trip. Dogs and cats can either be confined in a pet carrier or be leashed to ensure their safety, and there’s no restriction relating to breed or size.
Individuals traveling with service pets are permitted to travel with their riders on Uber, regardless of whether the ride is pet-friendly or not. And, transport involving service animals doesn’t result in extra fees, no matter the type of ride you book.
However, you should note that Uber gives their drivers the discretion to refuse trips with animals they deem unsafe or uncontrollable. This discretion doesn’t extend to service animals.
How To Order A Pet-friendly Ride On Uber
One of the best things about requesting a pet-friendly ride on Uber is that it’s straightforward to do. Start by logging into the Uber app on your smartphone and selecting UberX. Then press the ‘Tap To Customize’ button under UberX and add the Pet-friendly Ride option.
If you’re not aware of what UberX is, it’s the standard Uber service that allows up to four passengers. The only ride option more economical than UberX is the UberPOOL. You can look forward to 2006 or newer car models with the UberX service, with basic safety features like brakes, tires, etc.
UberX will typically feature sedans like the Toyota Prius, Ford Escape, Honda Accord, so there won’t be any SUVs or luxury cars involved.
What If My Cat Leaves A Mess On The Uber Ride
Cat owners looking forward to booking a trip with Uber in the future for travel with their fur baby should note that Uber will charge an extra cleaning fee if your pet leaves a mess on the ride. That includes waste (pee or poop), damage to the vehicle through chewing or scratching, or even excessive hair.
That’s why pet parents are advised to take specific measures to ensure there’s no damage to the vehicle in order to avoid any such additional charges. If you’re interested in learning what these measures are, scroll down below to the next heading.
Safety Measures For Traveling With Pets On Uber Trips
As well-trained as felines are in using the litter and self-hygiene, accidents can occur when they’re out on the road with you. The only problem is, if your pet has any such accidents on an Uber trip, you’ll have to end up paying cleaning charges.
Thankfully, you can avoid any extra fees on Uber trips by implementing the following tips and tricks.
- Be Prepared For Everything
Believe it or not, motion sickness is a pretty common phenomenon among the feline population. That means when you travel with your furry companion in a car, you’ll need to be prepared not just to deal with pee or poop accidents but also puke-related incidents.
The good news is, you can easily stay on top of your traveling-with-a-pet game by stocking up a travel bag with all the right items. Small-sized biodegradable poop bags and wet wipes are always a must. These two items will come in super handy to clear up any mess your pet makes and minimize odor.
It’s also best to line your pet carrier with a training pad to soak up any mess your cat makes and avoid spillage and stains.
- Pet Carriers Are Multi-purpose
Airline-approved soft-sided pet carriers can be a real blessing when traveling with a feline. These carriers are sturdy thanks to a metal wireframe, but at the same time, they’re also well-ventilated and spacious enough to allow your pet room to move in.
Not to mention, enclosing your cat in a carrier during travel will help keep it calm in unfamiliar surroundings and, hopefully, keep its motion sickness under control.
If your feline isn’t a fan of carriers, utilize a harness and carry an appropriately-sized fleece blanket to spread on the seat. Be sure to add a liner before seating your cat on the blanket to ensure any accidents don’t end up soiling the blanket or the car seat underneath.
- Ask The Driver If They Have A Preference For Where Your Pet Should Sit
Asking the Uber driver if they have a preference for where you should seat your pet will help put them at ease and help keep your feline safe. How? That’s simple. Uber drivers on pet-friendly rides are used to transporting pet owners and will likely have some sound suggestions about where your cat might be the most comfortable during the car ride.
Conclusion
The fact that ride-booking services like Uber offer the convenience of pet-friendly rides is a relief for all cat parents. True, pet-friendly rides are slightly costlier than the usual Uber fare. Still, these charges likely are to compensate for any resulting wear and tear involved in the process of traveling with animals.
What’s more, pet-friendly rides give cat owners the option of looking after their fur babies personally instead of focusing on driving. Imagine enjoying the breeze on your face while your fur baby is curled up on your lap – indeed, that experience is worth the bit of extra money?
My name is James, and welcome to FAQCats!
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