How to travel with a cat for 9 hours in the car?

Question

I'm moving and I want to bring my cat with me but she hates car rides. Tranquilizer? What should I do?

Answer 1

Yep, get a carrier crate, get the medication from your vet and cover the box with a blanket/towel.

Answer 2

On a long trip Kitty will do fine in a smallish-cat carrier, even if Kitty hates the car. Remember to put a piece of worn clothing like a t-shirt or sock in the carrier, for comfort.

Plan on stopping every 2 to 3 hours. Enclose a small cat litter box in a large (39 gal) trashbag. Put the litter box not too far away from the carrier. When you stop open the cat cage door, pull back the trashbag so Kitty can get it the clean box. Get out of the car (leave it running if it's hot outside) and leave Kitty alone to business.

Scoop the box before closing the trashbag again. Repeat each time you stop. Also don't try to chit chat with Kitty during stopovers - it will only cause distrust.

Try not to tranquilize - I did that to mine the first trip I took and he wasn't happy for several days. I've traveled many times since and he learnt his place and his duty. It's still not fun, but he trusts the process - you must respect the process.

Best wishes,

pup

Answer 3

Hi there...Most cats will only meow frantically for approximately 30-40 minutes after the start of the drive and then settle in quietly and sleep the rest of the trip. This is very common and the end result always sleeping most of the trip.

Here are my training techniques we use to transport both domestic and exotic cats:

If you have a week to a few weeks before your trip the best solution is to begin a treat reward inside the travel crate before you place it into the car so begin feeding your cat now until you leave for your trip inside the crate fulltime. If kitty will not go into the crate begin by feeding her in front/around of the crate then gradually move the food dish it into the crate...eventually when she is okay with eating in the crate gently close the door, but open it immediately while the kitty is eating to help her acclimate to this. After she appears to be okay with eating inside the crate (sometimes it will happen within a couple days) you can begin with the next step...

First take her in the car (with crates and food dish) and sit quietly with her and the crate door opened and offer her delicious treats inside the crates, which rewards them for accepting the new environment. Do this several times throughout the day and when she is showing signs of being more comfortable then you can move onto the next step. Just start the car (no driving) and offer rewarding treats again in the crate/bed still with door opened and also closed. After a few times then start the car and move it back and forth in that little area again offer treats in the crate with door opened and closed (by the way, chicken baby food is usually is an excellent treat just make sure this is Gerbers "2nd" NOT 3rd as the ingredients Onion and Garlic are toxic to kitty). Again, when your kitty shows sign of comfort then try a drive around the block once then several times gradually with the crate door closed this time. Make sure she can see you when you travel as kitties find comfort with their owner's familiar face and can easily hear your voice as well. If you don't have anyone traveling with you then place crate on the front passenger seat and floor so you can occasionally put your fingers through the holes to comfort her with your touch too.

Keep in mind this method is the healthiest so that you wouldn't need to tranquilize your kitty, which should be reserved as a last resort if the kitty still is very anxious in the final stages of the training. The method I described above is how zoo trainers teach their animals to be managed without sedation.

I hope you both will have a safe and happy long journey.

EDIT: When a vet prescribes Benadryl it is a not an adult Benadryl as this would be fatal for cats, but the Childrens Benadryl. The Children's Benadryl doesn't create any drowsiness as it is only used to relieve symptoms of itchiness. Any vet can confirm this fact. Anyhow, dosage requirements for Benadryl or a tranquilizer such as acepromazine are based on age and weight of cats which is best prescribed by a vet rather than taking anyone's suggestion here in Yahoo Answers.

Answer 4

I would ask your vet for some advice. My cats tend to be scared and often get sick when riding in the car. That makes the long ride rough on both of you. Make lots of rest stops along the way to allow your cat time to relax. You may want to get it used to a collar and leash, so you can allow it to walk around at rest stops. Be sure your new place is set up before the cat arrives. You want the cat to feel at home and not to be stuck in the middle of moving confusion.

Answer 5

Try a short 5 min car ride first.
9 Hours is very long for a cat.
BUT, i asked my vet the same question.
He took his 2 cats to Europe, drove around with them! He said they loved it! But he says he started short rides at home first. This way the cat thinks its fun! Give her treat upon returning.
There are natural herbal relaxers for pet travel, like these:
http://search.onlynaturalpet.com/search.aspx?searchterms=travel&__VIEWSTATE=dDwxNDA3NzgzMzgxOzs%2BbKGg7aoeMoTXgfX0BsAPrO%2Bydk8%3D&ssSortingSelector%3AddlSortOptions=0%7E12%7EByRank%7E%7E0%7E0&numProdsDisplay%3AddlPageDisplay=0%7E12%7E0%7E%7E0%7E0

Most importantly, don't abandon your cat, she'd rather sit ride for 9 hours rather than being orphaned.

Talk to her about how fun the trip will be.

F.Y.I.
Cats have the intelligence of a 4 year old.
A 4 yr old can learn up to 7 languages.

Talk sweetly to her.

Answer 6

my vet said that cat tranquilizers aren't safe and to use plain old Benedryl. Get children's liquid and give 12.5 to 25 mg. she also said to keep the cat inside the carrier for the whole trip, for his safety if i had a crash, but i didn't do that.
my cat already had a little kittie cube from wal-mart , kind of a soft cube they can go in and sleep, and i put that in the back seat. after i filled up with gas and knew i wouldnt have to open the door for a long long time, i let him out of the carrier, he always explores for about 30 minutes and then goes inside the cube and sleeps for almost all the time of the drive. (that's with no benedryl) at first i used to have the litter box and some water on the back floorboard, but in all the hours and hours and days and days we've driven, he has never touched either one. i mean, we'd go for 12 hours straight and he would never drink or pee.
we logged about 4000 miles together over 2 months and he did fine.

best of luck to you!
ps Motel 6 accepts pets, call 1-800-4motel6

Answer 7

Tranquilizer

Answer 8

First of all what kind of qestion is that? But, I have a simple answer. To travel a cat 9 hours u need to put the cat waaaay back in the farthest seat back.
Then give it water and air conditioning.Put your cat in a cage of course and then put some toys,food,water,and maybe some chew toys to keep it happy and quiet.

Answer 9

Generally when I travel with my cats, I placed them in a carrier. If you place food and water please remember what goes in must come out so beware you might consider a small litter box. If like my feline friends they were quite vocal on the trip, but after a few hours they calmed down and settled in from the ride. You also might consider having your cats rabies current and have the information on hand incase someone might request to see them. Have a good trip and let us know how it turns out.

Answer 10

Call your vet and ask if he/she can prescribe a mild tranquilizer. I work in a vet's office and we usually give acepromazine to clients with this problem. It comes in tablet form and you give it about 3 hours before travel. It's very mild and just takes the edge off, they're still conscious and can move around. Make sure you keep her in a pet carrier.

Answer 11

i could propose utilising the provider, and strap it in with a seat belt. Even pets ought to be secured in case of an coincidence. attempt to apply a provider this is sufficiently great for a small clutter field (in simple terms in case). Water is likewise a ought to. once you're in contact that she may be too under pressure, your vet are able to prescribe tranquilizers/sedatives. hopefully you have few days to spare so which you will attempt any drugs by using taking your cat on a mini street holiday after giving them. good success!