Settle an argument for me. We are preparing to move from Texas to Kansas. We have three kids (ages 5, 7, and 10) and two sweet kitties. It's about an 8 hour drive, and my husband and I will be driving separately. I will be in the family minivan (shut up, it's practical) with the kids and the cats. The cats will, of course, be in their carriers, and I want to sedate them because I don't want to listen to them "mmeeeaaoorrr" all the way to Kansas. My husband is violently opposed because several years ago his family's dog died after being sedated for a teeth-cleaning. Our cats are young (2 and 4) and very healthy, and their dog was healthy but not young (she was 8 or 9). He won't even let me call the vet about it, he's that dead-set against it. Anyone have experience with this? Any other suggestions?
2006-07-19 05:06:25 · 11 answers · asked by browneyedgirl 4 in Pets ➔ Cats
tequila girl: Oh no no no ~ they can't be in the same crate! Our "baby" likes to pick fights. She's just playing, but the big'un doesn't appreciate it!
2006-07-19 06:56:19 · update #1
No. this makes things worse or even make the cats vomit. I travel yearly on a 61/2 to 7 hour trip one way. Make sure you don't feed them that morning, and make sure they use the litterbox, put fresh litter in it to entice them to use it. Put a collar on them with your name and number. Yes, they will howl for a bit then shut up. make sure the carriers are belted in. also, get a light sheet and put it over the carriers so they cannot see the movement so it will lessen the fright. keep the radio off, air conditioner on and windows up and keep the noise down. have a litter box in the van on the floor, when something is really wrong that they have to go, they will really let you know, it will be intense. So you pull into a rest stop and let them go, keeping the doors on the van shut! Then good luck getting them back into the carrier. Bring some tender vittles with you and in about 5 hours give them about 3 or 4 of them and offer some water. That is it, no more until you get there. Once you arrive, get them in the house so fast! in a room with litter box, door closed! Don't let your cats outside, they will try to find their way back and get lost. keep them in. Good Luck to you. P.S. one of my cats has asthma, so I give him his medication from the vets, it does help, it is chlor. -for short. One has just turned 16 and the other just turned 6. You will be fine. P.S. They know when you are leaving so keep them calm that morning so they will use the litterbox.
2006-07-19 07:24:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You didn't say how your husband is moving, but I take it the cats can't go with him?
For 8 hours, I wouldn't sedate them. If you are traveling by day which is the cat's normal sleep time, they should sleep most of the way if they are comfortable. The kids could help to keep them entertained if they start meowing frequently, but make sure the reason they aren't crying is because they need the litter box.
You can make a traveling litter box so that shouldn't be a problem. Use a plastic bag inside any box with the bag brought over the edges. When they are done you can lift the bag out and tie it shut.
It might not be as bad as you anticipate. Remember they are babies and it's their nature to cry. You must be a nice person to have taken two of them, so cheer up and be glad it's not a longer trip!
Good luck and I hope everything goes smoothly for all of you.
I just read that someone said they cry because they are afraid of what they see out the window. I have two cats and as long as they CAN see out the window they are fine. It's only when I tried to put them in covered carriers that they put up a fuss. Cat's are curious!
2006-07-19 12:17:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I traveled 5 hours in slow traffic during a hurricane season, I had a 4 yr old cat with me in the car that cried all the way there non stop, but it wasn't that bad. I sedated my other cat during a long trip years ago and he died he was 1 yr old. Its not that bad listening to a cat meowing. Id rather that then having three kids and an angry husband crying and 'told-you-so's because of two dead cats. Just cover the carriers and make sure they have food and water. My cat now actually stays on a leash and looks out the window. We leave the carrier door open so she can get in and out at her will.
2006-07-19 12:13:33 · answer #3 · answered by ♣ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My husband and I drove from Texas to Virginia with my 9 year old cat. She cried constantly, peed in the car, and tried climbing into our laps. We got some very small doses of sedatives from a friend and the first leg of the trip they worked great. The second leg they didn't work and the third time they only half worked. I hated to give her any type of drugs but it was a verrrry long drive and it was better for her this way.
Talk to your vet first. It all depends on the weight, breed, and if the cat has any outstanding health issues.
2006-07-19 13:20:03 · answer #4 · answered by smileyfaceinspace 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My husband moved cross country 4 years ago - Oregon to Georgia, and yes we tranquilized the cats. It's for their own good, as they get too stressed out on such a long drive. Their stress will in turn cause you and the children stress - you see where this is going. My aunt made a move a few years back, and didn't tranquilize her cat, and just after a 7 hr drive, the cat literally died from fear, and no one knew until they arrived at their destination.
2006-07-19 12:13:23 · answer #5 · answered by buggsnme2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make your husband take them with him! I don't like to sedate my cats because they are elderly and get very scared when they are knocked out and have no idea where they are.
If you can't get hubby to take them, make sure they are in the same crate - they will keep each other company.
2006-07-19 12:46:34 · answer #6 · answered by tequila_girl98 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No I wouldn't I find that if there in the carriers with a blanket over the carrier they won't cry. The only reason they cry is because they can see out the window and it scares them so if they can't see they won't cry!
2006-07-19 12:11:28 · answer #7 · answered by Pompin Jo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We sedate our cats every time we time and have had no problems. The other thing is you could try 25 mil of dramamine...we give that to the dogs...
2006-07-19 12:33:02 · answer #8 · answered by lady_j_72us 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have your husband ride with the cats.
Problem solved.
No sedation, no meowing for you and no vet calls, no dead cats. simple enough.
2006-07-19 12:10:29 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
put a blanket over the cage and after a while they will calm down texas to kansas is a pretty far way
2006-07-19 13:27:50 · answer #10 · answered by orlando4ever4me 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋