I will be moving from SC to NV in a couple weeks and I am taking my 5 year old cat with me. I have already bought her a kennel and food for the trip. I originally planned to drive to NV with her in the backseat; however, I now have to ride in the moving van. It is a 3 day drive, and we will not be stopping at night so that we can get there as quickly as possible. Because of this, I will be forced to keep her in the kennel for most of the drive. I plan to get some sedatives and Rescue Remedy for her, but I am still unsure about how to work out her litterbox. I know that cats won't just hop out the car and go potty like dogs will at rest stops. I am unsure about her food and water situation - should I feed and water her every couple of hours or only twice a day. The kennel I bought for her is a small kennel - it isn't all that big because it will have to sit on the seat between myself and the driver. Does anyone have any advice, preferably people who have actually travelled with a cat?
2007-02-17 22:26:48 · 7 answers · asked by AudCand 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
I have traveled across country with cats that my family had at different times when I was younger. The real problem you have is that you aren't traveling in a car but instead, you are in the front of a moving truck with a driver. So you are going to be basically out of space. When we traveled, it sounds gross I know, but we had to put the litter pan in the back end of the station wagon and hope that it wasn't too stinky and clean it out and toss it out the window ASAP. I don't think you are going to have room to take your cat with you. Pets get stressed out, angry, freaked out when traveling. Honestly, if it were me, I would check into shipping your cat on an airline. I believe that southwest, continental and I'm not sure who else ships pets for a fee. It sounds scary, but that is what I would do. I just don't think you're going to have the room. Trust me, I've moved cross country MANY times. good luck in your new home :)
2007-02-17 22:42:24 · answer #1 · answered by ali 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I travelled with my cat from South FL to Tallahassee... and she scratched the box so much that her nails started bleeding, i had to stop and calm her down 30mins into my trip... I bought her the biggest kennel possible so she would have enough space to move. I'm not sure if it's possible for you, but i would suggest leaving her with someone and then flying to SC to pick her up and flying back to NV with her... 3 days in a small kennel without much stopping is really bad for her, i think most vets would recommend to fly her in because it's the fastest way of getting her there. Sedatives won't work for 3 days straight, so i wouldn't try that. As for the cat litter, my cat didn't go, she wouldn't even want to leave the carrier after 3-4hrs into my trip, she was scared of the cars and was so scared to come out. She also didn't eat or drink any water throughout the 7 hrs i was out on the road even though i left it in the carrier for her. Check with your vet and see what they think... good luck!
2007-02-17 23:04:19 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If your cats do not get car sick, half of your problem is solved. Transport them in crates, make sure they have harnesses and leashed for when you stop for a break. Some cats like to ride in the car, others are terrified. Surely you have taken your cats to a vet at some point, how did they behave, that will give you a clue. Take along a litter pan and litter, if they are trained to use it. Be careful in exiting the car when you walk them as they can escape in a second if not secured with harness and leash. As for flying them to your destination, cargo is the worst place for a pet. It can be very hot or very cold. If you plan to go that route, check into the airline thoroughly about this procedure. It can be very traumatic to either a cat or dog to fly in the cargo hold with no human in attendance. Do not let your cats loose in the car unless they are well behaved, as they can easily distract the driver or hide under the seat and escape in a heartbeat if the door is opened for any reason> Careful about rolling windows down also.
2016-05-24 01:26:17 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I did a two day move with three cats. I put them all together in one big ferret cage. The night before we left I stopped their food at 8pm and water at midnight. They cried for the first four hours of the trip and slept the rest of the day. I had a litter box in a plastic garbage bag and when I tried to put one cat in the bag (because I thought he had to pee) about mid-day he totally freaked so I knew it wouldnt work. That night I stopped at a hotel that took cats. I put their litter box and some food and water there for them and took both food and water away at mid-night. They slept all the next day and we arrived at our new home that night. I don't know how good of an idea it would be to continue to cut their food and especially water any longer than that. I dont' think I would have. I think you ought to try to replan and leave earlier so you can plan to make some stops (at least one of those nights at a pet friendly hotel). It will be a whole heck of a lot easier on all of you. I know there are just some cats that won't use a box unless they feel settled and who can blame them. It is really hard to know how they are going to be until you get on them road with them. Good luck.
2007-02-18 02:30:55 · answer #4 · answered by ineeddonothing 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I ran an Animal Rescue for a time and honestly, there really is no hard and fast answer. Some cats just settle down for a long nap in the carrier and others drool, yawl and crap all over themselves. One thing I have found is that if I put the carrier in the front seat where they can see me and I can talk to them, open the cage and pet them - they seem to calm down more readily. In most cases they will end up sleeping the whole way once they are calm.
2007-02-17 23:10:59 · answer #5 · answered by Snake 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i would say get a cat leash she may not be like a dog but may be better help so she won't go in the kennel
2007-02-18 02:06:59 · answer #6 · answered by asherrz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i travelled with my uncles cat, after dropping it off after looking after it for two weeks and i just tried to keep him occupied as much as possible......my uncles cat usually goes to the toilet when told so at often rest stops he usually went and if we stopped at a rest stop where he didn't need to go we just pit him back in the car.......he would meow as if to say, "can i got to the toilet" so we stopped and he would do his business
2007-02-17 22:49:03 · answer #7 · answered by xkittykatx 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋