Any tips on car travel with a cat? I know it is best not to, but I have no choice in this. He's an indoor c

Question

I just returned from a long trip and left him home with someone checking on him, feeding, watering, litter box, daily. He did not do well. Relatives all allergic to him and can't take him in. I simply will not leave him in a kennel. Should he have tranquilizers? He is a very gentle, loving cat who scares easily (hides during storms), neutered male. Will a leash work on a cat? I will be in the Rockies. Help me, please, it is a case of my man or my cat! Have to take this trip.

Answer 1

you should put a really good harness on cat ...before taking cat out of cage, attach leash to harness...put a blanket over cage so kitty will feel more secure...Make sure you use harness and leash...So you don't lose kitty!!

Answer 2

It's a pity you couldnt have someone live at your house, rather than checking in on him. It seems like your cat may prefer the company of someone rather than being left to his own devices.

I have to say that cats don't travel very well and I would seek the advice of a vet. I would not attempt to take a cat on a leash, it would be very cruel to do so as the cat will probably try to escape, leading to all sorts of problems. Why are you so against putting him into a cattery for a week or so? You say that you went away for a long trip and I assume this was a couple of weeks. That is a long time to a cat and I wouldn't leave him on his own for that length of time, even with someone checking in on him. My cats live outside, so they don't really care if I am there or not, as long as they get fed!
The last time I tried to take a cat in my car for an hour down the motorway in a cat container, the cat was very stressed and panting, even though the weather was not hot. I would not recommend it, but seek the advice of a veterinary surgeon. Perhaps they have a solution.
Good luck and I hope you find an answer to your question. Even better, I hope you can ask someone trustworthy to stay at your house .

Answer 3

Tranquilizers can be used, but I've found they make the cat a little too loopy and confused. Get a soft-sided carrier that is a little larger than the cat. The cat will like the "cave-like" feel of the carrier and will feel secure. Don't worry about letting him out -- cats sleep for HOURS and don't need to get up and stretch, etc. They also can go for quite a long while without a litter box, food, etc. I traveled with 2 cats on a plane from Germany to New Mexico, and they were just fine without food, etc.

Answer 4

Let me tell you my own personal experience. I drove from Texas to Florida. It is a 16 hr. drive that I split into two days. The first day I drove 11 hrs., I stopped at a motel and the next day, I drove 5. And I had two cats! What I did was buy a large pet carrier and put blankets inside it (that smelt like them so it would remind them of home and make them feel more comfortable) and put them in the backseat. I would stop every couple of hours to let them drink. Make sure it is not hot inside the car. They didn't use the bathroom inside the carrier. As soon as I found a motel to stop for the night, I brought out a litterbox and they used it then. I don't think it is necessary to tranquilize your cat at all. And a leash will probably not work either if you have never used it on him. You must start young and be persistent if you want to do that. But I would suggest, although I didn't do it, if you have time before the trip, put your cat in the carrier and take short car rides w/ him just to get him adjusted. He may whine at first, but trust me, he is fine.

Answer 5

I've never had to take a cat on a long trip like that, but my kittens are fine just being in a carrier with a towel. The cat I had previously was the same way. We had a halter and leash for him that worked fine. Some cats don't like them though, so you may want to start experimenting now to figure out what will work. Oh, and maybe try taking him on a short drive in a carrier to see how he does, in case he does need some meds to calm down for a longer trip.

Answer 6

Ok, I traveled with 2 cats in my car across the US last year.

sedative. that depends on your cats personality. one of my cats needed it, the other did not. and the one who did need it was only on it for the first 2 days of the trip, then he became used to the car.

Leash. LOL< we tried to walk them one time. it did not work. instead what we did was while in the car we had them in the carrying cage, and we would stop early each night at a hotel and give them free reign in the room until it was time to leave the next morning.

Litter box: If you can still find them, the disposable litter trays work great, buy a stack, use one each night. throw it away in the morning. well worth it.

make extra stops through out the day and give the cat extra water. also, use ear plugs the first day or so of the trip, until they adjust they are very vocal about not wanting to be there.

hope that helps. If you feel your cat needs a sedative, talk to your vet, they will give them to you and let you know how to use it, and how much.

Answer 7

I drove from Oregon to Georgia with 2 cats. They had tranquilizers and there were times I thought I should use them. This is the funny thing, the calm, indoor cat handled the trip great, the very outgoing in and out cat, who we thought could handle anything, freaked every day. I also tried leash on them, and they just about strangled themselves. If you go that route, get a harness, not a collar as they will be less likely to pull out of it and get away, and start using it on now. But, as for the tranquilizers, yes, get them. It makes the trip easier on them and yourself at the same time. I do't understand what your man has to do with it, unless he is the reason for the trip. As long as he doesn't mind you bringing kitty along, then by all means take him with you.

Answer 8

Take a cat carrier, harness and leash. Pick up a good sized cat carrier (I got mine at a yard sale for $5). Put a blanket in it that your cat uses at home and leave it out at home in the room that your cat likes the best for a few weeks before the trip if possible. Chances are that your cat will start to check it out on his own. Don't force him. If your cat likes treats, put a few in the carrier every day.

When you go on your trip, put the carrier as close to the floor as possible and put a sheet over the top so he feels secure. If at all possible put it in a place he can see you from the carrier door. Talk to your cat on the trip in a soothing tone to let him know it's all right. If your cat senses that you are stressed, he will be too.

You must make sure the cat does not get away from you. Scared cats will instinctively hide. Also, a dog might scare him out of your arms. Once he gets away, you may never get him back. Cats are very fast and sneaky when they are scared. Do not open the car door unless the cat is LOCKED in the carrier or the harness and leash are on him and you have a good hold on the leash. Make sure you have a good strong harness and leash that do not "BREAKAWAY". Make sure the car doors are closed when you open the cat carrier to put on the harness and leash.

Cats in some respects do better in cars than dogs because the heat does not bother them as much. Cat are originally from the desert and are much more efficient at cooling themselves than dogs. Of course try to keep him as cool as possible though.

You might try taking your cat on short trips with you at home. Mine goes with us to my daughter's soccer games, swimming at the beach (yes he swims) and out visiting relatives (certain ones only.) We take him to camp which is 2 to 3 hours away. When he was a kitten, we dressed him up like a baby and carried him around in a basket for halloween. Some houses gave him cat treats!

Hope this helps.

Answer 9

That's a bit tricky. Why is it a choice between your cat or man? As far as travel with the little dear, just do what I did....use a cat carrier, and have him in someones lap for the whole trip, who will talk to him, and comfort him. Some one who will help to keep him calm. That's about all you can do. As a cat lover, I hope you choose the cat over the boyfriend. The cat will always love you, nomatter what...can't say the same for the guy!

Answer 10

How long is the trip?

Talk to your vet about giving your kitty Benadryl - I have to do that with my cats. Make sure they are in carrier the whole time in your car, and yes you can get a leash (and I would suggest a harness over a collar for a cat) - but if he spooks easily, he may not eat or go to the bathroom the whole time you travel.

You can also discuss this with your vet's office. I am sure they will have some good suggestions.

Answer 11

I don't recommend traveling with your cat to the mountains, in case he gets lost. Get a self feeder and waterer, and leave him two litter boxes. Do have someone check on him every two days, but he will be alright. Set your answering machine volume as high as it will go, and call the house at the same time every day, so he can hear your voice. (After a day or so, he'll come to expect it.) We do this with five cats, and everything is fine when we get home. Our biggest cat is scared of everything, but he survives us being gone for a week at a time.