Any advice on moving across country (2 day trip) with 2 cats?

Question

In the fall my husband and I will be moving from the Kansas city area of Missouri to Phoenix Arizona with our 2 cats.

Answer 1

After reading the other answers - don't waste your time with practice drives. This will train the cats to run away when you get the carriers out. No point in making them upset before you go. Cats will never get used to riding in cars.

I just moved from Austin, TX to Los Angeles with 2 cats in the car. First, get their travel bags out and leave them open in the living room for a couple of weeks so they can discover them, play and get comfortable in them. Wal-Mart sells a very nice basic bag with mesh on 4 sides for $15. Meets airline requirements, too. Don't get the large kennels (or they'll use half as a bathroom and half as a bedroom) and don't put them in the same bag. They feel more secure in their own cozy bags.

If you plan on staying in a pet-friendly hotel, treat your cats with flea drops about 3 days before leaving. (I learned this the hard way.) This way they won't bring fleas into your new house.

Feed the cats as little as possible during the 12 hours before you hit the road. This will discourage vomiting. Keep cat food, garbage bags and cat litter in the car. In the hotel, open the bag and put litter in it. (Make sure it's the same brand they use at home.) Throw the whole thing out when you leave. For food and water on the road, use the same dishes they've had at home, and of course the same food. Keep their blanket with them all the time, too. I put mine under their bags in the back seat. The smell keeps them calm and the cushion reduces vibrations from the car.

When we were driving through the 120 degree desert, I put the silver relfective dashboard shade over their bags to keep them out of direct sunlight. Don't try to give them food or water in the moving car. They will be too stressed and not interested. Position them so they can see your face, too. You can reassure them this way.

I have travelled long distances with both cats multiple times and never had to drug them. So don't worry about that. They will meow a lot at first, but then calm down and sleep or groom themselves.

Good luck, and have fun!

Answer 2

Actually done this before. Before you leave take your cats to the vet and get some tranquilizers for them (since its a 2 day trip get the pill kind so you can just put it in their food and make sure they eat it). Then put them in a travel cage and put them in your car and go. Since you do need to stop somewhere to sleep for the night, make sure you have food, maybe some toys, etc for them for the trip and the hotel. Make sure the hotel you are staying in allows you to bring your cats in with you because you do not want to have to leave them in the car. Also cats don't usually take leashes well but you might want to get them one for the trip if you have to let them out to use the restroom and stuff (unless they are the litter box types, then just make sure you have a litterbox for the traveling). And if your cats are outdoor cats, make sure they have collars with tags of the new address for them when you get there because getting lost is pretty easy in new surroundings. Good luck on the move!

Answer 3

Traveling with pets is never an easy thing. You have some time now to start getting them used to the car, lay down towels in case someone gets car sick. Better to find out now then on your way through god's country. Bring some familiar things like one of the blankets they sleep on or maybe a small couch pillow. Take them to the gas station or to the post office, just a short trip and depending on the weather it could get too hot in the car for them so be careful. You may want to buy the harness and leash sets available for small pets. This way if you stop for lunch or coffee or just a potty break you can take them out to stretch their legs too. You could use the disposable baking pans for litter box while on the road, just bring shopping bags and the scooper to clean it out. Don't forget cats love to be comfy so if you have a large dash or back window ledge try to keep it available for them to stretch out in the sun and watch the world go by. You might be surprised they might do better than you and your hubby!!!

Answer 4

Take things that are normally comforting to them, perhaps a certain blanket, something with your scent on it, a favorite toy, use the same brand of litter as usual and the same food they usually eat. Talk to your cat frequently and avoid anything loud, like yelling or loud music. If your cats have an accident just clean it up do not punish them because its your own fault, not theirs. Cats are not usually travel companions- if you are moving I understand they must travel with you. Also consider talking to your vet about a drug for cats similar to dramamine for humans. I hope your cats do ok and like their new home when they get there.

Answer 5

How do your cats travel? if they are ok in the car when you take them to the vet they might be ok on a longer trip. You want to make sure and stop and let the cats have water or food if they want, and make sure they get some out of cage time wherever you are spending the night. If your cat does not travel well you might want to talk to your vet and get some tranquilizers, or the vet might have some sugestions on what to do.

Answer 6

If you're cats don't mind vehicles you probably only have to have water, food and litter available. Don't let them loose! I live in central BC and someones cat from California ended up here when it hitched a ride up under a motorhome. Thank god the cat was okay. Anyway if your cats hate vehicles talk to your vet and they can give you some tips and maybe mild tranquilizers to minimize stress on the little guys. Good luck. All my best to your cats.

Answer 7

Put them in kennels and do not let them out until you have secured them with a leash. I just recently had a friend move from Cali to Ohio with his 2 dogs and cat. He stopped at a hotel and didn't have the cat secure and she took off. She was the most loveable cat, the type that you wouldn't image too far from their owner and she spazzed and ran off. He searched for a long time and never found her. The event will be stressful on them, but just get it over with before you decide to let them run free.

Answer 8

1)Plan Ahead
Make sure your cat will be welcome everywhere you plan to stop. Many hotels and motels allow pets, so do your homework first, and find out the rules, before planning your itinerary.

2) Update your Cat's Shots
You don't want to expose your cat to any more risks than necessary, so make sure his shots are current before travelling. It would be also be a good time to ask your veterinarian if she recommends a mild tranquilizer if your cat is particularly nervous about travelling. Be sure to bring a health certificate and proof of vaccination with you -- you may need both when travelling through some states.

3) Rehearse Travel at Home
A 500 mile or more trip is not the occasion to test your cat's travelability. Accustom her to her carrier by letting her sleep in it, then take her on increasingly longer local drives well in advance of your trip. Make travel a fun occasion, with plenty of rewards, and your cat will soon be a seasoned veteran at travel.

4) Equip Your Cat with Identification
Invest in a good harness with securely attached ID tags. Include your name, address, phone number, as well as contact info for your vet. Leave your itinerary with your veterinarian in case they should receive a call that your cat has been found. With his harness and a leash, you can take your cat out to stretch his legs on rest stops.

5) Use an Approved Pet Carrier
Cats should never be allowed to wander freely inside an automobile. Frightened cats invariably head straight for the foot pedals. Kitty will be much more comfortable in her own carrier, with a blanket and toy inside. Try a sturdy metal crate with a solid bottom, or if you plan later to fly with kitty, one of the soft-sided carriers made for in-cabin use. Both are available in most pet stores.

6) Bring the Necessities
For continuity in your cat's routine, bring a supply of his regular food and water. A large thermos full of ice cubes is a plus in warm weather. Pack separate dishes for food and water, a litter pan, litter and scooper, along with litter disposal bags. Don't forget toys and bedding. By planning well in advance and covering all the bases, you and your cat will ensure future invitations.

Answer 9

I just moved with 2 cats & a dog. We ended up in a motel for a week (long, long story).

Before we left I bough 2 cages for medium sized dogs. I like the cages because they are very well ventilated, and cats can see out on all sides. I put the favorite blanket for the one cat & the most beloved bath mat for the other. I left them in the living room with the doors open. Sure enough within a couple of days both cats were hanging out in their respective cages.

When moving day came one was already in her cage. Somehow the other one knew, I spent a few minutes hunting for him, but eventually snagged his sorry butt & put him in his now familiar cage. Both cages fit very nicely on the back seat of the car. 10 hours (any many rest areas later) we were at the motel. One cat drank water when offered, the other decided to hold out for the motel.

Litter box down first, cage doors open. One cat under the bed, the other in the window and on the desk and in the closet and in the bathroom. Now both in the litterbox at the same time. Hiss! Growl! O.K. you two, knock it off!

When we finally closed on the new house they were happy to hang out in their cages (doors open, their choice of hiding place) as we laid carpet, moved furniture & boxes, etc.

Good luck on your move, and just remember to smile & roll with whatever comes your way.

Answer 10

We had to evacuate last year during hurricane season, and I had to pack up four cats. We were stuck in the car for twelve hours. At first your cats are going to be upset, but they eventually get used to the motions of the car and settle down. But if you don't want to deal with that then I would call the vet and get some sedatives for your babies. I also would put them in their own carriers for the journey.