My girlfriend let her cat loose in the car and the cat jumped out the window.....she stopped the car but sadly could not find the cat.....I think you should keep her in a carrier while on the road. Good Luck and travel safely.

I would keep it in a cage not lose in the car to ride around on your shoulder. Its dangerous.. Put it in the trailer if you like so you don't have to hear it cry. I see no difference with pulling a horse in a trailer or a cat. You could give the cat a bendryl. its onlly 25m.. the vet approved it for our cat.

When I travel with my cat, the carrier is just big enough for him to stand up in and turn around. He doesn't need a lot of space. A nice soft padding at the bottom of the carrier to keep him comfortable.

He did not travel well. He cried and meowed and threw up alot. He got food and water the night before and then took it away. He wouldn't get any food until we stopped for the night. We'd offer water but most of the time he wouldn't drink. WE did get prescription pills from the vet to give him that would knock him out if we could get him to take them.

Don't let him outside even with a harness. Mine did not like the harness and could always wiggle out of it unless I tightened it so tight he couldn't hardly breath-so never used it. On long drives, we'd have a small litter box made up and open the carrier in a closed car while at a rest stop and see if he'd need to go. Most of the time he didn't. And since it was small amount of litter we'd just throw it away at the rest stop if he did.

At the hotel, we'd set up the bathroom with a bunch of towels on the floor, his litter box, food and water bowls and let him out in the enclosed area.

Mine didn't do well out of the carrier if the car was moving. He'd always try to get under our feet by the pedals.

I'd practice with the cat first, see what type of a traveler he is. Take a few short trips, maybe with someone else in the car too in case it goes bonkers. In the carrier, out of the carrier, maybe a different size carrier if you have one available. Just to see what you are in for.

My vet also told me that it's better to have a health certificate if I was traveing interstate that said the cat had all it's vaccinations up to date. I never needed to use it, but since I'd get the knock out pills from her I got the letter too.

Good luck, you are a very nice mother to attempt this.

Be sure to put the litter box in the cage. Do not leave the cat loose in your vehicle because the first time you open the door the cat is out that door. The vet might give it a shot to keep it calm. They meow a lot to begin with, so being in the trailer will keep you from going crazy. Voice of experience here.

When I moved with cats, they stayed in a pet carrier while in the car. At night they were allowed into the room. Of course, I brought a litter box for them to use while they were out of their carrier. I tried walking them on a leash, which was totally futile. This is what worked for me.

I would keep the cat in a carrier. My daughters friend moved and she let her cat climb around the car. It got under her seat and then when she stopped for gas it got out real fast she spent the next hour trying to catch the cat. she did thank god!

As long as you're not the person driving. You are a BRAVE person to do this, I can barely make it to the vets, that is after putting on the bandaids from wrestling her into the carrier. Second thought, your cat will love driving and be great the whole distance (do they have kitty prozac?)

We travel back & forth to Florida yearly. It is a 2 day trip each way. No leash (my cat won't tolerate it), but I don't let the cat out of the car. I start out with her on my lap and when she is comfortable I let her roam the car. I have a litter box on the floor of the backseat and small covered containers of food & water. When we stop for gas/rest I take the covers off. She may/may not eat or relieve herself, but it's available. She does fine in the motel room, just bring in the food/water & litter box. Give her time to relieve herself in the a.m. We stack some boxes and I have a cat quilt (or use a towel) and invert a box top to make a bed of sort for her to rest on behind my seat. She likes to be up high. Do you have anything of your DS's that smells like him? The cat may be more comfortable laying on that. It may take a while but the cat will settle down.

I have to say-Crate, crate, crate! Remember, anything loose in your vehicle, including animals become missiles in accidents. Not only do they have a much greater chance of getting hurt, killed or lost in an accident, but the animal flying through the air can cause damage to you. They are much safer in a sturdy, plastic crate. More than one dog has survived a serious car accident because their crate protected them-think carseat for children. A crate cover is a great idea, if the cat doesn't like to travel. Make sure it covers any "open" area. I would put a puppy pad, or depends type pad in the bottom to absorb any wet accidents, with an old towel over the top for comfort. Also, be aware there is a good chance the cat may pick up fleas in the hotel room. If the cat is not UTD on flea treatment, I'd suggest treating prior to the trip. Lastly, I would NEVER take a cat, my own or any other for a potty walk. I have seen cats practically turn themselves inside out to get out of harnesses. Personally, just not worth the risk for me. My dogs can go for eight hours w/out a potty break, most likely the cat can wait until you get to the hotel.

I've traveled many summers with a big, fuzzy tuxedo cat...I used a good size carrier with his soft blankee and a small litter box in the back of the carrier. When we stopped at rest stops, I took him out of the carrier with a leash and fed him outside. Also I put the carrier in the back of the SUV and put the back AC vents on. When we stopped at a motel for the night, we would leave the carrier door opened for him, but he usually slept on the bottom of the bed...Did he like traveling? - not particularly, but it worked ok for us. Hope this helps...

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!

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

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!!!

My Molly used to get car sick until I figured out that I had to face her carrier forward, not sideways. The scenery going past was disorienting her; much better when she could look out the windshield.

Do not use the leash....they can get out of it......no matter how tight you make it.

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

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.

Rudy, my avatar, is quite the escape artist. Took him about 3 seconds of my inattention to get out of his harness!

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.

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

Wish I had read this first...Very Wise advice given by a true cat person. LOVE THE Advatar.

There is a hormone spray called Feliway. Not sure if I spelled it right. We have used it with our cats and it seems to calm them down. Try Petsmart or the vets office may sell it as well.

Be sure you get a "Figure 8" type harness or the cat will escape from a regular collar. Also get tages with the new address on them just "in case".

I suggest you have your doctor prescribe Valium -- for YOU.

LoriAnn

Our cat made two round trips to Florida from Ohio. We just left her loose with a harness and leash to keep her in the back seat. She 'sang' for the first few miles but then settled down and was great.

My gd just traveled 5200 miles with her cat. She had him in her lap most of the him and he got up and stretched from time to time. She had the litter box in the back and he went and used it. Al night and when they stopped he was in the cage and at night she out him in the bathroom with the litter box. He was happy as a clam.

Have not read all the posts but when we moved from NC to FL and back 7 months later, we put our two cats in separate cages and the vet gave us "pee pads" for the bottom of the cages. It was a 8 - 10 hour trip and the cats never went. Once we were on the road for maybe 60 minutes, they settled in and mostly slept or rested. We had a litter box all ready for them when we got to the house. Oh and we offered water and a bit of food a couple of times when we stopped but they were not interested. Somehow they survived both trips. Not sure I did though. I also would not let a cat roam around the vehicle while driving. They could get under the foot of the driver and cause a big problem.

Very carefully!!!

I have a cat that I travel with and I agree with all of this. Another thing I have done is get an ID microchip implanted in my cat. It is smaller than a grain of rice and is injected with a syringe. If the cat gets lost while at a stop (has never happened yet and hope it never does) I can notify the local Humane society of the cat's identification code and my phone#. They will notify all the Vets also. It only cost $35.
Good luck with your journey!

check with Tractor Supply or Farm N Fleet stores for a small animal harness. I bought one for my cat that was meant for a rabbit. It velcroes at the neck and at the stomach. If he fights alot (usually mine doesn't), he can still get this harness off.
I have traveled with cats and the cage was large enough that we put a small pan with litter in it and a water dish also. But make sure the cat can still lay out with them both in there.
Carefull, some states do not allow cats in motels or cabins, etc.
When we travel to Wisconsin, I pay more for the dog, but I cannot bring the cat. State law about that.

It depends on how long you are traveling. If you are only gone for a few days kitties do very well at home if you give them lots of food, water and a litter box. If you are gone for a week or more that is a different story. The cat needs to get used to traveling if it has not traveled before, so take the cat on short rides at home before you take it on a trip.

our cat does well in his large cage, and we put a pan in there with litter, we do hear him meow for about 25 miles, then silence the rest of the 3 day trip. I would advise you to at least take some advice from above, and go to a vet for some "cat candy" so the cat will be calm if you are not sure he likes to ride.

Brought my daughter's cat from Texas to Florida inside a moving truck. He just had a soft bed to sleep on, but he preferred a lap or the dashboard. No problem at all in the hotel room, just put out his litter box when we got there. La Quinta is great for allowing pets.

Several have mentioned meds- we were warned not to use them as the animal can vomit and affixiate themselves without you knowing it. Definately do some test runs with the cat.
I would personally use a harness so that while you are at a stop you can easily hook the cat up and it is less likely to get away should it get frightened and slip a collar

Be careful with a harness. They can fold themselves up like a noodle and slip out of them in a flash. Also, a cat loose in a car can slip out the door before you get your feet out and turn around to get them. Perhaps get the cat microchipped before you leave in case it gets away on you.

we moved 8 cats with us from ca. to kansas. they did real well. each one had its own cage that allowed it to stand up.(a small dog cage) then we had a medium size dog cage we had the litter box in.in back in the truck bed every couple of hours we would offer a chance to go potty. we also lined the cage they traveled in with a dog potty pad for any accidents.and then offered food and water. also cover the cage your cat will be in with a towel or light weight cover.like a cave effect, this helps them be calm. your cat may meow for a bit but will be okay. also when they get to their new place get the litter box where it goes and put some food and water out by the cage. cats don't eat where they potty so not by the litter box., then put her cage down prop the door open and let the cat come out as she wants. that way they will know where the litter box is right away so they aren't having problems later. also take extra potty pads with you so you can change it if needed also paper towels to dry the cat. also forgot to mention we would butt thier cage up in front of the litter box cage so they could not escape.good luck

Love the cat photo. I have traveled with cats in a carrier, never will do that again, and also when they were transquilized, never will do that again. My favorite way to travel with cats is to let them out of their carriers after you have been traveling and let them just go where they want in the car. Mine usually lay in the back window area, and I have one that has been on the dashboard, on the passenger side. If they sleep the ride is peaceful. Good luck on your travels. I am sure it will be fine. You may want to use a harness on your cat.

I drove with my cat in the car from Denver to Seattle and it worked out very well, of course she is a very calm cat. I put a covered cat box on the floor in the back. I had a cat carrier with comfy towels in it for her to lie down on and I got a large rodent water bottle and hung it on the door for her so she didn't get dehydrated. I spent some time before the trip teaching her how to use the water bottle. I drove a sedan and she found her comfy spot on the back window sill.

Before any door EVER got opened I made sure that the leash was attached and that I had a great hold on it if I was taking her out or that the leash was tied to something if she was not getting out (when I filled the gas tank, etc). I would also recommend getting her microchipped prior to the trip just in case.

After being forced to travel with my Bruno once, he now flies. The little beastie yowled the whole trip. Check with Delta or Continental. They used to be the only ones who transported animals.

My suggestion would be tranquilizer for both kitty and you! Lord, have mercy! Just taking my Vanya to the vet or to stay with my daughter (20 miles away) is an ordeal. He yowls and poops. MOST unpleasant!! Need I say he makes the trip in a paper lined crate now?