I'm moving 9 hours away and need to take my cat...?

Question

What is the best way to transport her so that she is comfortable, can have plenty of water/food if needed, etc...I am in desperate need of help!! She hates the car and meows the entire way...if I let her out of the cat carrier she will pee in the car....

Answer 1

Get a cat carrier that has n area for food and water. when shes in the carrier, put a thick dark blanket over the cage, it helps her mind think its time to sleep, and will make it were she does not see things moving at a fast pace through the window. Put a used shirt or a pair of used underwear in the cage with her. I know it sounds weird but the stronger your scent, the more comfort that's provided. Pull over at a rest stop from time to time and take her out for a little reassuring TLC. Do you have a song or music that she seems to respond to? It might help. Keep the window up as much as possible, so that there not allot of different smells that come in at once. This should make about as comfortable a car ride as one pampered feline can get. God bless, Good luck and enjoy your move. http://www.nativeremedies.com/petalive/petcalm-cat-dog-separation-anxiety-herbal.html YOU CAN ALSO CHECK THIS OUT, IS HA BEEN PROVEN TO WORK.

Answer 2

I've driven across the country with 3 cats in carriers in the back seat... (3 day drive). Here's what you need to do. Just put her in the carrier. Have her wear a harness and leash while she's in the carrier (This is in case you ever have to take her out of the carrier for any reason, while enroute.) Keep her in the carrier while she's in the car. The whole time. Yes, she'll yowl and meow for the first hour or so, but eventually she will get bored and go to sleep. They can easily go 9 hours between meals and won't get dehydrated in that time, either - don't need food or water in the car. (Just remember, of course, if you get out of the car during the day to go eat lunch, leave all the windows cracked open an inch or so, so that she'll have ventilation. They can overheat and die in a hot car with windows closed. Cars can get dangerously hot in minutes with the windows closed, even if the outside temperature is really moderate like in the 70s or something. )

You may want to split the 9 hours up over a 2-day period, if you want her to be comfortable. They can go for a daylong drive and not have to use the litter box, *if* it does not get excessively long. Nine hours is OK for some kitties but it's too long for others. It's icky if someone has an accident in the car through panic or trying to drive too long. You want a big roll of paper towels, rubber gloves, and a spray can of like Lysol or something, in case that happens.

To keep the kitty comfortable, the kindest thing would be to leave in the afternoon, drive partway, and stop for the night at a motel that allows pets (Motel 6 allows pets.) Set out a litter box, food and water at the motel. Then in the AM, put her back in the carrier (with harness and leash on) and drive the rest of the way.

Answer 3

Hi there...to help desensitize your cat for crate and road excursions it helps to do the following: begin a treat reward inside the travel crates before it is moved and you place it into the car so begin feeding your cats now until the next step.

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...

Feed her with the door half way closed for each time for several days and then closed the next few days. Next you'll want to try to pick the crate up just a few inches from the floor while she's eating and next time a little higher. Eventually, you will be able to move the kitty in the crate around the home to each room and slowly towards the front door before trying the outdoors. The idea is to do this in small gradual steps to help her become desensitized to each tiny change. New changes are always overwhelmingly enormous in a cat's mind therefore it must be done in very small/minute fragments. This is key to getting any animal to adjust to very uncomfortable situations successfully.

Next take her in the car (with crate and food dish) and sit quietly with her and the crate door opened and offer her delicious treats inside the crate, which rewards her 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 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 cats 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 don't need to tranquilize your kitty, which should be reserved as a last resort if your 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 all will have a safe and happy long journey each time you have to travel together.

Most cats by the way, will howl for the first 30 minutes of the car ride then eventually resign themselves to sleep the remainder of the trip. Everytime you stop the car the process most likely will repeat itself again. Since the road trip is only 9 hours make sure she's had a chance to go to the bathroom before departure. The reason is that a very frightened cat may bolt out of the car when the door is open when you least expect. Or if you bring a litterbox secure her into the crate before any doors are opened to ensure you don't lose your kitty.

Answer 4

Never let the cat loose in the car, if something happens whether an accident or you stop for gas the cat can get out and you could loose her. Keep her in a carrier, put a towel over it to keep it darker, no food or water is needed if she is an adult cat. Talk to her and that will help keep her calm, don't blare the music. I drove from Maryland to Florida with my cat and she was 10 years old and was fine. Good Luck KG

Answer 5

I had this same experience. I kept my cat in a med. size cat crate the entire way so she was free to stand up and stretch. i would give her food and water when i stopped the car to get gas or take a break. Cats can hold there pee and wont go if they are too nervous anyway. My cat meowd for the first hour like i was trying to kill her, but she got used to it after a while and was just fine. make sure she can see you through some holes in the crate so she knows everything is good and comfortable, and put familiar things in the crate like her bedding or your pillow case. just some ideas good luck!!

Answer 6

I have moved with cats before and this is my best advice. When you say that you have problems with her in the car, previously, how long was she in the car? I find that on short trips, like to the vet, the cat just never settles down. They must sniff, lick, explore. On a long trip, after they become accustomed, they do settle down. I know this sounds strange, but a small litter box can help. If there is no litter box, they are confused. Mine like to climb on whatever is back there, so make sure it is nothing valuable or that you cannot clean or replace. I think they are best just free to move about in the car. Do be careful when stopping. My only other suggestion, if you are really apprehensive, is ask your vet about something to sedate your cat. I know some will disagree, but if the cat is really stressing, this would be kinder for them and you. Good luck with your move.

Answer 7

Just keep it in the carrier, and ignore the meow's. the cat can go 9 hours without food or water that will be fine. Unless you wanna take it to a vet before you leave, and get the doc to sedate the cat. I'm sure they would be glad to do it for you.

Answer 8

I'm afraid that the car is the best and easiest way. If you have a small cage for her then set it on your lap (if you aren't driving, of course) and let her see your face. Reassure her the whole way. If you are driving, try putting her in the passenger seat, facing you. Talk to her calmly, maybe give her a treat or two as you go, if she does not get car sick. Before you go on such a long trip, maybe you should go on short rides with her in the car, or just put her in her carrier out in the car to get used to it. If it is too terrible, make pit stops when you can, maybe even break it up into two days. Good luck, and I hope this helps you find something more comfortable for your cat.

Answer 9

talk to your vet about sedation for the kitty. You are moving and that will stress the cat out along with the travel and then the adjusting to the new place. Too much stress may make your kitty stand offish and unaffectionate at the new place. You may also want to look into an herbal stress reducer like "Bach Rescue Remedy" it is a liquid you add to the cats water for about a week before the move that will make them less stressed out for the car trip and may make the drive more enjoyable for you and the cat.

Answer 10

First, keep her in the carrier, it's the safest not only for her, but for you and those of us who are driving on the same road as you. :)

Call your vet. You might be able to get a mild sedative that will help for the car ride. If not, take a break every couple hours and put her on a leash for a little exercise.