It's that time of year when many people are headed out on vacation. For humans, it's a time for rest and relaxation. For pets, travel can be stressful.

Motion sickness can be a serious problem for cats. For a short trip, it's probably better to leave your cats "home alone." But make sure they have plenty of food, water and a clean litter area.

If your feline friend must come along, start a few weeks ahead and take a few short trips to get the cat used to traveling in a car. Once you're on the road, confine the cat to a carrier that is secured to the seat by a seatbelt. This protects the cat from injury and keeps it from interfering with your driving. With preparation, a cat can be a good traveling companion.