Traveling with cats?

Question

I have 4 small Kittens (just over a month old) and 2 adult cats. We will be taking a trip back home (from North Carolina to Illinois) in a few days and we need to take all of the cats with us. I wanted to know if any tips on traveling such a distance with so many animals especially the kittens. Do you have any pointers? We have 2 pet carriers One large and one just big enough for one cat.

Answer 1

Wow, there is a lot of good advice on here. I just want to add. If you put fresh catnip, under a blanket in the carrier, it will help to calm the cats and kittens. It is amazing how well it works. I only use it for vet trips (13 miles), and have never tried it on long trips. I really don't know how long the effect actually lasts.

Answer 2

Have last feeding/take away food if free feed an hour before departure. Shortly before departure clean the litterbox to encourage usage (like making sure the kids use bathroom before leaving). For the adult cats I have found old socks with catnip in them tied with a knot is very helpful, especially if they are car shy, the kittens will still be immune to the power of catnip. Expect non-stop meowing for the first 30-60 minutes. The hum of the car and music should help this. So does talking to them in a soothing voice. Use old towels/blankets in case there is an accident, that way you can just throw away at the next stop rather than try to worry about cleaning while traveling. Treats for stops or at the end of the day/journey are good. Just be sure not to overfeed or kitty will be very uncomforable. Cats have been known to not have bowel movements for days while traveling, no worries unless they are acting sick or lethargic. Our cats have their own suitcase with a portable litterbox (I use an old brownie pan), litter, food and water bowls, food, toys, catnip socks, catnip, treats and anything else you think they would find comforting/familiar. Don't even start the car without doing a complete kitty check (everyone accounted for and doing ok) at EVERY stop. If they haven't traveled before don't be surprised if the adults freak out and pant some. This probably won't even bother the kittens unless the mother totally freaks. You might be surprised, I have known many cats to be good travelers. If a passenger can supervise don't be afraid to let the adults wander and stretch a little bit (Just make sure doesn't get in the driver area). Our one cat will find a nice hidey spot and stay there the entire day, the other loves his cage so is happy as a lark to travel. Good luck, safe and happy travels!

Answer 3

I've done that cross country with one cat. I went to a vet and got some seditives IF she went crazy. Thankfully, she didn't. Definately keep the cats in cages with old towels. If they mess the towels, you can throw them out. Have food on the floor or on the back seat and a kitty litter box on the floor too. Try to seperate the bowl and box. Is one of the big cats Mom? I would perhaps recommend keeping Mom cat and babies in the large carriers (if they'll all fit) and the other cat in the smaller carrier. I guess there'll be more than one adult person? Perhaps that person can soothe the cats if it's necessary. Don't let children handle the kittens or cats - the felines will be stressed enough as it is, and kids mauling them doesn't help.
Good luck!

Answer 4

You can perhaps put the momma cat in the large carrier with her kittens. Line the carrier with thick towel or rug. Never let the cats out of their carriers while on the road - you won't beleive how fast a cat can escape and run. If you are planning to stay overnight in a motel, there are some that are "pet freindly" (like Hotel 6). Pack a litter box and wet cat food. Feed the cats and let them go potty only when your are inside the motel room with the doors and windows securely shut so thefre is no chance for the cas to escape. Be careful going in and out of the motel room, watching out for the cats all the time. You may need a calming pill from your vet for the other cat (not the momma cat). I don't think it is wise to ive one to the momma cat. Cover the cat carriers with a blanket so they do not see the moving landscape while inside the car - this freaks them out more. They will meow-meow off and on but after an hour or so, they'll o to sleep.

Answer 5

best advise: buy another carrier. i went from Phoenix az to columbus, oh in a car with my mom and four cats. it will be loud at first but the best thing we did was stop every 5 or 6 hours and make sure they didnt need any food or anything. we put a towel in each carrier, each had their own, and made it so they could see. i had a bad experience with a litter of kittens getting sick in a car because we had them in a box and they got car sick. if you have to stay the night somewhere, you can AAA.com and they have a list of pet friendly hotels that are actually pretty nice. we stayed in 3 of them. but most have limits on how many, usually 1 or 2, so you may need to hide the rest.

Answer 6

Do some occasional trial runs prior to any long trip you need to take so that you know what to expect when you have to be your cat’s driver on a cross-country escapade. If your cat really seems uncomfortable and cries like a banshee for any longer than twenty minutes, you may need to contact your veterinarian about using a tranquilizer prior to a long trip. It can be difficult to discern whether your cat is displaying Hyperactivity or is in the throws of Motion sickness. Describe what your cat is doing in the crate (quiet and drooling or going bonkers and screaming) and your veterinarian will be able to prescribe appropriate medication to allow the kitty to be comfortable.

Answer 7

plenty of food and water. I traveled with a cat and a bird and I made sure that my cat had enought water and also food. If you travel with the cats and the kittens make sure that you have a litter box because when I traveled from up north to back to southern ca my cat got sick from being blocked but I made sure she took something for it when I got where I was moving to. Good Luck

Answer 8

Just don't forget a litterbox, me and my family went on vacation and we had to bring the cats. We just used a litterbox we had when one of our cats was a kitten and put it in the pet taxi with the 2 cats and just let them out when we got in the car. They were not big fans of car rides.