I am moving from Southern to Northern California next week, it's about a 7 hour drive. I am taking my two cats with me in my car. I am not worried about my younger one year old cat, but I am worried about the stress it may cause to my 16 year old cat. He is in good health, but has always been stressed out by car rides. I heard that I should take short car trips the week prior with him, so he see's that it will be okay. Do you have any tips on long car trips? Have you driven long distances with an older cat? Do you think I should visit a vet before I go? I am a student (moving to a new school) so I am trying to avoid costly vet bills. I'm also worried about the excessive heat we've been experiencing, any other ways besides the A/C to keep them cool in their cages? Does someone make a fan for their cages or something(Iw ould of course have the A/C on as well)? So any tips are appreciated.
2006-07-24 17:38:50 · 9 answers · asked by fenixfreak 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Go to PetSmart and by this spray called Feliway. It's supposed to help cats relieve stress from moving, etc. I just traveled 2000 miles cross country in February with my 3 cats in one larger carrier in a U-Haul truck and they did fine. You won't have the same problem since you are only traveling for 7 hours. I just made sure that I pulled their drinking water from them at night and left their litter box out till I put them back into the carrier each day. But you might want to give yours a little bit of cold water sometime during the trip since it has been so hot but with having the A/C on, they should be okay. If your cats are up to date on their shots, a vet would probably give you some tranquilizers for them since they are not use to traveling. This will help them sleep most of the way. Make the carrier comfortable with blankets they are used to, etc. Set it up and leave the door open before you go to see if they'll go into it but I would suggest too to maybe take them for a couple of rides in it before you go. My cats still use their carrier even though we aren't going anywhere. I leave it open in the bedroom and at least two of them still go in there to sleep. Also check out the humane society's website for traveling tips. www.hsus.org I howish safe travels and good luck in your new home. When you get a chance, don't forget to visit Lake Tahoe after your move to Northern California. It's beautiful here!
There is a new kind of fan for your car that's being advertised but you wouldn't get it before you leave. It's a solar-operated fan that you hook onto your car window and roll the window up. The solar power helps pull the hot, humid air out and leaves your car much cooler.
2006-07-24 17:50:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I recently brought my 10 year old cat from chicago to phoenix, and he is very afraid of the car. I don't really think short pre-trips would be good, at 16 he is not likely to change his feelings on car rides. What I did was give my cat a Xanax, take him out of his carrier once we were on the highway, and stopped frequently (about every 3 hours) to give him water and litterbox access. I would not leave him in the carrier b/c of the heat unless you think he might freak out and jump on the driver...my cat cried loudly for about an hour then he quieted down and actually slept alot of the way, it was a 3 day trip and by the 3rd day he came quietly in my arms out of the hotel room into the car, and I did not drug him that 3rd day. I hope this helps and good luck!
2006-07-24 18:37:26 · answer #2 · answered by Prickly P 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you may have waited a little to long for your older cat to be acclimated to riding in the cat for long trips. I would get some Dramamine for your Kitty's I have given my 12 year old Dramamine and it seems to help. I do have a 7 year old that rides out of the crate and is use to it so she helps me control the older ones nerves. If you do not have air for the car plan on stops for ice and possibly get a harness for your older cat to let it out when you get to you apartment up in Northern Ca. It is hot her also so make sure that she has her usual litter box and put her in the bathroom with the door closed with her Buddie while you unpack and talk to her through the door and pet her and leave her a blanket or something she can relate to in the bathroom for smells from your old place.
2006-07-24 18:06:17 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can't afford the vet, try the humane society, they usually have the same treatments as vets do as well as the SPCA. I agree with the tranquilizers. My cat who is on 7 years old came with me from middle GA to middle fl which is a 6 hour drive. He did really well considering, but I just kept the air going and tried to avoid the whole "Jeff Gordon changing lanes". I would suggest not stopping too much unless you had to as well. They get agitated when they can't get out of their cage and you get out of the car.
2006-07-24 18:05:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask the vet to give you tranquilizers and so forth for the move and make sure they are in a cage while riding in the car. Try putting the cage in the Front seat with you and do not leave them in the car in the hot sun when you need to stretch your legs.
2006-07-24 17:47:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to the vet and they will give you sleeping meds pretty cheap.
2006-07-24 18:09:58 · answer #6 · answered by Sapiosexual 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you have a week to go ask your parent for the money and if your parents say no then earn the money and take him to the vet!
2006-07-24 17:45:58 · answer #7 · answered by pinknpearl 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anti-Nausea and plenty of cat litter.
2006-07-24 17:40:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Avoid speed bumps.
2015-02-01 07:36:52 · answer #9 · answered by Andi Whitty 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋