How do I move two very travel-averse cats long distance?

Question

I've looked at the previous answers on this topic, and I'm not sure there's anything that can help. The last time I moved one of my cats, I had the vet give him an oral sedative, put him in the carrier, and he still cried and howled nonstop for the entire 20-hour trip. I've now adopted a second cat who hates travel just as much and also defecates the second he is put into a kitty carrier; needless to say, this makes any trip exceedingly unpleasant, especially in the summer. I would also be driving a rental car, and sometimes they don't allow animals in their vehicles. I have considered air travel as an alternative, but 1) news stories about airline negligence causing pet deaths in baggage holds have me worried and 2) I read in a previous answer that the fee per cat would be $250, and I simply don't have an extra $500 to spare; I'll be lucky if I can pay for this trip (from Minneapolis to Boston) at all. Are there any other options that might be more effective? I'm at a loss.

Answer 1

I know where you are in life.... ever been in bumper to bumper traffic on a hot summer day with the air on MAX, windows down, hanging your head out for fresh air... Ya nothing like experience.

That was our first trip, and it was only an hour. The next one was 900 miles in the dead of winter with a chill factor below zero.

Don't tell the rental company you are taking any pets. Cover the back seat with a sheet, before loading the family. Once you arrive, take the car to a good professional car wash where they clean the inside too. As for your little pains in the rear, drugs! This is your first line of defense. Speak with your vet about using a different one than last time.

Ashley (my little pain) will normally defecate with in minutes, however the drug was so good that she truly looked stoned, and didn't care about a thing. By the time the drug wore off it was after dark, and she remained somewhat calm.

I also removed her food dish the night before we left, leaving water only. Less in the system, less to come out (either end). I did the drive straight through only stopping for gas, which also double up for my personal pitt stop. Food for me, drive up windows only.

You might also think about renting a van, rather than a car. Put the kids as far back as you can, and turn on the radio. This will also give you more room to deal with those little chores.

Packing list:
1 large dog carrier, the two can share the space and will comfort each other.

Lots of shredded paper. This will give the traction, also easy to change if needed.

Mini size littler box. Many cats will use the box in the car.

Disposable gloves

Trash bags

Paper towels

Bottle of spray cleaner

A new can of Febreze Air Effects (by the same company that makes the stuff for furniture) This stuff kills the odor with out that sickening perfume smell. I personally think the mint does best. ;-)

And most of all a nice bottle of wine!

When you arrive, unpack the kids, lock them in a room, and pull out the wine. You have earned it!

Answer 2

Explain your predicament to your vet. he/she should be able to increase the sedative just enough to make the cat very sleepy. For the cat who defecates in the carrier, you need to begin a training program with rewards. Each day, put the cat in the carrier for 5 minutes and reward the cat when they don't defecate. do this 4-5 times daily. As time goes on, increase the amount of time the cat is in the carrier. When the cat is used to it, take it for a short ride...like around the block and no more. Do this frequently and make the rides longer and longer. Also, try putting the cat in a soft pillow case first. Oddly, if they can't see they are generally calmer and handle it better. Good Luck.

Answer 3

1. Don't put the cat in airplane luggage area. Some companies allow small animals in the cabin with you, otherwise it is very dangerous for them (transportation, temperature, etc = life threatening or shock)

2. Make sure the cat goes to the bathroom right before leaving for the trip, so he won't poo during it. We take the litter box with us, next to the carrier, on the back seat, and when he needs to pee or poo he gets out and does it on the litter.

3. When he cries too much he likes seating on my lap (I am not the driver, of course). He relaxes and sleeps there, although he doesn't normally do this at home, just when travelling.

4. Take them for a couple of short drives to get used to the car and practice.

5. At the end of the day, just endure their crying. Make things as comfortable as possible for them, and then if they freak, they will be better when you arrive. They are not really in danger or anything. (Again don't put them in airplane luggage area)

Answer 4

I have cats that hate to travel too. I recently purchased something called a cat show tent or "show shelter". It what breeders use to house their cats at a cat show when they are not in the judging ring. They're really great and worth every penny. They make one that will fit across the back seat of most cars and can be seatbelted in. I used one to take my 2 cats to Cape Cod from Connecticut. It was about a 4 hour drive. What was great about it is that the cats had the entire back seat to themselves and so it was less confining to them. Plus you can get a portable litterbox for in there and even a special hammock that your cat can sleep on top of. They are really wonderful. You may want to sedate your cats a bit but this tent is great for keeping them safe and at the same time making them feel much less confined. Check it out at http://www.pureproductsinc.com/products/carriers/catcarrierspens.asp or http://www.sturdiproducts.com/home.php or http://www.cfainc.org/catalog/sturdi-products.html . If your drive is longer than 4 hours I suggest you take a few breaks. There are plenty of hotels that allow small pets. You can arrange it all ahead of time. Good luck!

Answer 5

Check with the airlines personally to see what the fees may be. I've traveled by air from Europe with five animals, (cost: $240.00 ea, $1,200.00 total) with no problem. The secret is to put a padlock on the carrier door, and to snug down the screws on the carrier itself. I also write down all pertinent information on the outside of the carrier in indelible marker, along with an emergency contact name and number. (Print this same info on paper, along with a photo of your cat, and to the top in a ziploc bag.) Across the top, in more than one language, write "Caution: May be bite under duress. Please keep fingers outside of carrier." If you get the medium carrier, you can put some shredded newspaper in the back of it, for any "accidents" your cat may have. (One of mine did that as well.) I don't recommend sedation for air travel, just in case. Sedation for car travel is okay, but don't knock them out completely.

Hope this helps.

Answer 6

Trick the poopy cat by putting her in a carrier until she poos, then exchange carriers while you clean the first.

Tell your vet what happened the last time you tried sedatives. He can give you a tranquilizer that will work. Then you can drive them.

Answer 7

talk to your vet about the sedative not working maybe he can give you something stronger, and the cat that deficates in his arrier, try putting him in the carrier a little while before you actually have to leave, this way you can clean it up before leaving and not have to smell it the whole way, as for rental cars you can have your cats in them they just don't want to get the car back full of cat hair or smelling like cat urine.

Answer 8

They need ketamine, a powerful animal tranquilizer.