Is it possible to get a 15 yr old cat used to riding in the car?

Question

We're going to be moving cross-state soon, and I'm worried about my cat making the 6-hour trip in the car. He's 15, and has made longer trips of 11 hours twice, but that was almost five years ago. Someone suggested taking him for 5 minute rides, then up the time slowly to get him used to the car, but would this just be making things harder on him?
He's my best buddy and I don't want this to hurt him in any way....

Answer 1

Hi there...it would be best to start with short rides with your cat to help desensitize him to the movement. A good majority of cats tend to cry for a brief while and then fall asleep for a good portion of the trip.

Here are my training tips on how to desensitize cats for transport:

...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 him in front/around of the crate then gradually move the food dish it into the crate...eventually when he is okay with eating in the crate gently close the door, but open it immediately while the kitty is eating to help him acclimate to this. After he 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 him 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 he'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 him 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 him in the car (with crate and food dish) and sit quietly with him and the crate door opened and offer him delicious treats inside the crate, which rewards him for accepting the new environment. Do this several times throughout the day and when he 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 he 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 him 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.

Answer 2

I wouldn't bother with any practice runs. Put the cat in a large enough carrier and that is where the cat should stay for the entire trip. Try to make sure the cat has gone to the litter box before you leave. Six hours isn't really that long for a cat to stay in one place, they will hide in places for much longer periods of time if they feel threatened.

Of course don't take the cat out during the trip unless it's an emergency and have the cat microchipped if it isn't already, in addition to having a current ID tag with your contact info. Chips are useful because cats tend to lose collars (as they should so they don't choke).

Answer 3

Just put him in his travelling portable house, after you've made sure he has gone to the loo, and put him in the car. Mine doesn't like it much, but he gets used to it after a while and he's dizzy from the travel and sleeps. Make sure you have his litterbox with you. If he starts crying, close the car doors and windows, so that he doesn't escape, and get him out of his home and into the litterbox, in case he wants to use it. Other than that he should be fine. If he gets too dizzy he may throw up, or he may poo anyway, so put kitchen paper in his home, so that it doesn't get dirty. Don't let him out of the car for any reason(peeing etc), outside his home, or he can panic and run away. If he likes to be cuddly, the person who is not driving could hold him, mine is calmer this way. Good luck. Oh, and give him some food and water half way, but generally not too much liquid so that his stomach is not upset.
IMPORTANT: Better not use tranquillisers etc, because the cat is old and you don't know how they'll affect him.

Answer 4

Promace, is a prescription sedative for cats, your veterinarian can provide you with the necessary amounts, you just administer the medicine a half hour before traveling, and snow ball sleeps through the whole trip. Plus the pills are not very expensive. I've used it on my ten year old cat and had no adverse side effects.

Answer 5

It doesn't matter because cats just don't like car rides. Mine (18 years old) thinks she is going to the vet therefore she hates the carrier and the car. It was about 40 miles into the ride before she finally stopped meowing. My vet told me to use Benadryl but I don't really like to do that.

Answer 6

I would be nervous about doin that too but hes been in cars before on long trips just make sure he feels safe and comfortable.

Answer 7

you really dont have a choice if you are moving just try to make him as comfortable as you can give him a blanket inside of a cat carrier dont give any food or water until you get him to the destination

Answer 8

put him in a cat box and keep an eye on him. he will most likely sleep all the way.

Answer 9

maybe you should not tramatize him at all and get some kitty valium from the vet

Answer 10

yes, my vet suggests dramamine.