How do I travel with a cat???? HELP!!
10-19-2011, 08:52 AM
#51
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Farmington Minnesota
Posts: 645
I drove from Minnesota to Florida with my cat. He was in the carrier in the front passenger seat and within 5 miles I thought I was going to have to throw him out the window!!
I decided to open the door on the carrier. The litter box was on the floor in the front . He just got out, peed in the litterbox, then went in the back seat and laid down on top of my computer printer. He was fine the rest of the trip.
Your vet can give you anxiety type meds for a trip too. I got them, but never had to use them. Good luck!
I decided to open the door on the carrier. The litter box was on the floor in the front . He just got out, peed in the litterbox, then went in the back seat and laid down on top of my computer printer. He was fine the rest of the trip.
Your vet can give you anxiety type meds for a trip too. I got them, but never had to use them. Good luck!
10-19-2011, 09:16 AM
#52
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Riesel, TX ( HOT )
Posts: 517
Crate, harness shred newspaper to put in crate instead of litter pan, plastic bag to dump it in when dirty & extra to replace when you stop. Don't turn the cat loose in a room, as they are awesome at finding hiding places we would never expect them to find. Collar & harness if you are going to let it out. sedative from vet if needed.
Have a safe trip.
Debs & Hemi
Have a safe trip.
Debs & Hemi
10-19-2011, 09:21 AM
#53
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 701
OK - Here's my advice based on experience. Twice I've had to move cats!! My first move was only a 30 minute drive and it was disaster with the cat in the carrier. I've learned alot since then.
About 4 years ago I drove from New Jersey to Texas with 2 cats. All went well and here's why:
If you want tranquilizers for the cat you will need to bring the cat TO the Vet, not just a phone call. No responsible Vet would prescribe a tranquilizer over the phone. Not only could it harm the animal, but very stupid humans have been known to take them to get high. (remember all the stories in the newspapers a few years ago?) So... the trip to the Vet will be a good indicator for the 750 miles to come.
Put the cat in the carrier. Sounds easy right? Not necessarily so. They are squirmers and will fight you all the way and then take off. Now you've got to chase it down and have a freaked out cat on your hands. Not a good start. My method of putting the cat in the carrier is to first stuff a pillow or the cat's bed on the bottom of the carrier. Preferably something that has the cat's scent on it. Then stand the carrier on it's end and gently put the cat in vertically back feet first. They can't see where they're going if you do it quickly enough. Then close the door and gently bring the carrier to a normal horizontal position.
If the Vet prescribes tranquilizers, follow the dosage, but I doubt you've ever tried to give a cat a pill. Again, not an easy task. So here's what you do: Get a can of the really expensive cat food. Not a chunky food, a smooth one. Crush the tranquilizer between two spoons and put it in a VERY small amount of the food. Smear this on the cat's front legs. Cats instinctively lick off anything that is on their fur. Voila! Medicine IN the cat!!
Now the following is REALLY IMPORTANT!!!! DRAPE A BLANKET over the carrier so the cat can't see. Then carry the cat in the carrier out to the ALREADY RUNNING VEHICLE. This way he/she is not freaked out by the sudden start of the engine and beeps and such.
Do NOT risk putting the cat out with a collar or a harness. I've yet to find a harness that my cat can't squirm out of - even the ones that are guaranteed "squirm-proof" and you will loose the cat if that happens. Also, don't be surprised if the cat does not eat or drink. On my trip to Texas (I drove 27 hours straight) my cat did not eat, drink or use the litter box, but survived quite well.
Oh, and one last thing, don't let the cat eat for a few hours before going on the long trip. If she freaks out she will vomit if she ate shortly before.
So that's all my advice on traveling with one of God's sweetest but strange and stubborn creatures.
GOOD LUCK!!!
About 4 years ago I drove from New Jersey to Texas with 2 cats. All went well and here's why:
If you want tranquilizers for the cat you will need to bring the cat TO the Vet, not just a phone call. No responsible Vet would prescribe a tranquilizer over the phone. Not only could it harm the animal, but very stupid humans have been known to take them to get high. (remember all the stories in the newspapers a few years ago?) So... the trip to the Vet will be a good indicator for the 750 miles to come.
Put the cat in the carrier. Sounds easy right? Not necessarily so. They are squirmers and will fight you all the way and then take off. Now you've got to chase it down and have a freaked out cat on your hands. Not a good start. My method of putting the cat in the carrier is to first stuff a pillow or the cat's bed on the bottom of the carrier. Preferably something that has the cat's scent on it. Then stand the carrier on it's end and gently put the cat in vertically back feet first. They can't see where they're going if you do it quickly enough. Then close the door and gently bring the carrier to a normal horizontal position.
If the Vet prescribes tranquilizers, follow the dosage, but I doubt you've ever tried to give a cat a pill. Again, not an easy task. So here's what you do: Get a can of the really expensive cat food. Not a chunky food, a smooth one. Crush the tranquilizer between two spoons and put it in a VERY small amount of the food. Smear this on the cat's front legs. Cats instinctively lick off anything that is on their fur. Voila! Medicine IN the cat!!
Now the following is REALLY IMPORTANT!!!! DRAPE A BLANKET over the carrier so the cat can't see. Then carry the cat in the carrier out to the ALREADY RUNNING VEHICLE. This way he/she is not freaked out by the sudden start of the engine and beeps and such.
Do NOT risk putting the cat out with a collar or a harness. I've yet to find a harness that my cat can't squirm out of - even the ones that are guaranteed "squirm-proof" and you will loose the cat if that happens. Also, don't be surprised if the cat does not eat or drink. On my trip to Texas (I drove 27 hours straight) my cat did not eat, drink or use the litter box, but survived quite well.
Oh, and one last thing, don't let the cat eat for a few hours before going on the long trip. If she freaks out she will vomit if she ate shortly before.
So that's all my advice on traveling with one of God's sweetest but strange and stubborn creatures.
GOOD LUCK!!!
10-19-2011, 10:04 AM
#55
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 286
Originally Posted by nanna-up-north
I like the leash idea.... I'm afraid the cat will run away. I have a small leash for my dog when he was a puppy. I think calling the vet is a great idea... don't know why I didn't think of that. My son says she's a good rider so I'm hoping I won't have 12 hours of cat crying.... don't know if I can handle that.
10-19-2011, 10:13 AM
#56
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Lebanon Missouri
Posts: 2,668
Ask a trusted vet for advice on a mild sedative to use while traveling.My husband used a half dose of baby Benydrl but he only had to bring her 300 miles and she was perfectly fine as soon as she got out of the truck-althou she was quite PO'd at him for a few days and happy to see me
10-19-2011, 11:22 AM
#57
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Texas and Arkansas
Posts: 261
When we traveled with our cat, we kept him in the carrier. He didn't want to drink there, but we put drops of water on his paws and he would lick them off. Then when we stopped, we let him free in the motel room with food and water and the litter box in the bathroom. We only traveled once with a cat. Our dog goes all the time and she's no trouble at all.
10-19-2011, 11:23 AM
#58
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Nashua, NH
Posts: 1,463
Originally Posted by frog90
Do not use the leash....they can get out of it......no matter how tight you make it.
10-19-2011, 12:25 PM
#59
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Carlisle, PA
Posts: 1,964
Please DO NOT count on a leash - my cats all have a way of squirming out of them and running off no matter how snug they are!!! The last thing you need is a lost kitty en route. The best is to have a carrier as big as your back seat will allow. You can put a smaller sized litter box in the carrier. I agree with the Vet suggestion for possible meds to make a calmer kitty.
10-19-2011, 12:52 PM
#60
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Some where in Missouri
Posts: 291
I have traveled with cats...Good ones and Bad ones.
Do a trial run first...that way both of you get a feel for the road. DO not open the car door with out the cat being contained somehow....crate,carrier or holding it firmily (not by neck, either). I went to Florida and back with a cat that loved it, loose in car used litter box, etc... And then I have ridden with the cat from H _ _ L, not fun. The vet. can give you something to help calm it down. Also watch the motel room, they are escape artists. SO the Bathroom is a good option. Just chalk this up to...What Parents will do for thier children :-D
Do a trial run first...that way both of you get a feel for the road. DO not open the car door with out the cat being contained somehow....crate,carrier or holding it firmily (not by neck, either). I went to Florida and back with a cat that loved it, loose in car used litter box, etc... And then I have ridden with the cat from H _ _ L, not fun. The vet. can give you something to help calm it down. Also watch the motel room, they are escape artists. SO the Bathroom is a good option. Just chalk this up to...What Parents will do for thier children :-D
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