Published Feb 27, 2025
People always ask how much space a cat needs to thrive. Can they live in a single-bedroom apartment? How about a bus?
It turns out, bus life has worked well for Navi the cat, who joins her mom Claudia for adventures all over New Zealand. The two keep each other company and do plenty of exploring with Navi in her harness.
An unexpected litter of kittens
Navi came into Claudia’s life around a month after she bought her bus, which she was preparing to build out and live in while traveling around the country. She was part of a six-week-old litter of kittens that Claudia found at work.
Claudia spent around two days trying to catch the evasive kitten before someone loaned her a cat trap, and she finally caught her. She tried to bring her to a rescue, but on the way there, Navi turned on the charm. She reached through the bars of the trap to tap Claudia’s leg and snuggled close to her.
In the end, Claudia couldn’t give her up. She decided to bring her on the bus with her!
Life on the road
Now, Claudia and Navi explore the north island of New Zealand together. Navi is harness trained, and gets excited when she sees it come out since she knows it means time outside.
Indoors, she’s affectionate, playful, and sometimes bounces off the walls. She likes to climb her mom’s legs, jump on her, and swing from the curtains.
When Claudia gets home from work each day, Navi demands a snuggle.
The two have been to the mountains, beaches, and lakes. Navi especially loves forests, where she can climb trees and run through long grass, all with her mom at her side.
Over time, Claudia has gotten to know Navi well. She enjoys walks, but is afraid of dogs. She enjoys cooler weather, but isn’t a fan of New Zealand’s hot summers.
Claudia’s favorite thing about adopting Navi is the company that she provides. Life on the road can feel lonely, but she isn’t travelling alone! The two also have an unconditional love for one another that’s irreplaceable.
Advice for adventure cats
If you’d like to explore the world with your cat, whether it means travelling the country on a bus or going on local hikes, Claudia’s advice is to start slowly. With cats, patience is key to any type of training.
She says that she harness trained Navi before she took her outside, and that it can be a long process. Treats and positive reinforcement are the best way to train a cat, and it’s vital to go at their pace, even if you can’t wait to start adventuring!
It’s also important to note that this kind of life isn’t for every cat. It’s important to consider your cat’s age, personality, and even their health (if you’re planning long outings that involve a lot of exercise).
If you’d prefer to just live vicariously through Claudia and Navi, you can see all of their adventures on Instagram.
