Cross-Country With my Two Cats?

Question

I'll be relocating from California to Pennsylvania in 2, maybe 3 weeks. I have two cats, age 3 and 7, that I'll be taking with me when I drive cross-country to our new home.

What can I do to make the trip easier on them? Should I setup their litter box & food/water bowl in the trunk and let that be their little area of the car? (I drive a Prius, which is a hatchback, so the trunk is part of the interior of the car, not a sperated/sealed compartment). If I should put them in carriers, what would be better, seperate carriers or one big one for both of them?

Also, the older one, on trips to the vet, usually a short 15 min ride, sometimes starts panting, like a dog. Is this something I should be worried about or is it something that she will stop doing after a little while?

Thanks for any advice in advance!

Both cats are female

Answer 1

Travel with cats does not have to be a disaster. Cats travel by car well if conditioned to it in advance of long trips. These tips will make travel easier on you and your cat, and will guarantee future invitations for you and your cat to visit again.
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.

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. Tattooing and microchipping are a plus. With his harness and a leash, you can take your cat out to stretch his legs on rest stops.
More: Pet Identification
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 2

The panting, unfortunately is a normal reaction to stress. I traveled with my cat from D.C. to Seattle. Not pleasant, but she was fine and I did not give her any drugs. A vet can prescribed some anti-anxiety medicine, you could ask if your cats should have them. I put my cat's favorite blanket and a cardboard box in the backseat. At most pet stores and grocery stores they make these small, travel size litter boxes that work great and are disposable. I put velcro on the cardboard box to attach the food and water bowls. Your cats probably won't eat or drink too much during the trip. I found that even when I had chicken or other things my cat would usually beg for she wasn't interested. At certain times too my cat would just start howling; all normal, but very annoying. Your vet may suggest that the cats stay in separate carriers (that can be calming for them and also safer for your drive). My cat did not want to be in her carrier and preferred to sit in the upper back ledge crammed into the back windshield (cats feel safer when they are in high spot). Good luck!

Answer 3

Being a military spouse, we had two cats that came from Germany to California to New York to Texas and now Tennessee. What we did is put them is separate carriers, put the litter box behind the front seat on one side and food and water on the other, once in the car let them out so they could roam. One would hide under the seat, and the other would sit in the back window meowing, they seemed to be fine. In the carrier though put towels, not sure which one, but one of them liked to pee not two minutes into the trip, in the carrier before we let them out. When you go to stop for gas, know where they are before getting out, and if you feel better and can get them, put them back into carrier. At hotels, be cautious, ours decided to get under the bed and claw a hole in the underside of the box spring and hide.

Answer 4

For safety you should definitely put them in a carrier. I guess a big one for both would be nicer so they keep each other company. But they'll probably sleep during the trip anyway. That's what our cat did when we moved from GA to VA (8hr drive)
Our new little male cat does the panting thing aswell when we take him on a trip to the vet in the car. But he did it only when the car was still hot. As soon as the AC was on and the temperature in the car was ok, he stopped.
I think you'll have to make many breaks to check on the cats and provide enough water and love!
:o)

Answer 5

well, you want to get a last check up before you leave with your cats and make sure you ask for copies of their records to bring to your new vet. you can talk to your vet and see if tranqulizing is a good option or not. I think it would be safer for you and your cats to keep them in their crate and if you don't tranqulize them then stop every few hrs or so and let them stretch and offer them the litter box. it would have been great if you had leash trained them. you might be able to do it in 2-3 weeks but I wouldn't push it if I were you .

Answer 6

Put your cats in a cat carrier,put some food and water in there that way they will not get hungry OR thirsty...Good Luck....