I am about to move. The drive is going to be around 24 hours long.My cat hates it as soon as I take him out the door, he goes crazy.(past experience taking him to the vet). I understand I need a carrier, but where does the cat go to the bathroom while on the road???I have searched a lot of places about moving, but nothing has anything about the cat going to the bathroom at all!! I hope someone has an answer,I would really apreciate it!!Thanks.
2007-04-11 11:53:13 · 10 answers · asked by Rain 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
A cat should be able to go 8 hours without having to use the bathroom. Stop often, and let the cat out of the carrier (while locked in the car) to have access to a litter box. I'd just carry a disposable one in the car and put a little litter in it when you stop to let it use the box.
You might also limit the cat's food and water during the trip. Obviously don't starve it, but you want to avoid carsickness and frequent bathroom breaks. Your vet can also tell you about sedatives that may be helpful. Good luck!
2007-04-11 11:58:36 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
The best thing to do is to get your cat used to a carrier - so you will need to buy one. Leave it open in your house, put a favorite toy or food inside so your cat isn't afraid. Are you traveling by plane or car? Either way, buy a carrier big enough to hold a small pan/tray to put some litter in so the cat can go to the bathroom. When I was traveling, by car, I just took a Rubbermaid filled with litter and every 2-3 hours I took a break and let my cats out in the car - you just have to watch to make sure they don't go hiding and get our of your reach. By plane you have less control over what goes on. Provide a litter pan, and freeze water in the water dish so they can drink. Plan extra time to travel and make sure you have good music because I know cats can be quite vocal when they're not happy - you'll get through it. Good Luck!
2007-04-11 12:04:30 · answer #2 · answered by JEN 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are going to have fun with this one. How big is the cat? My small ones, I can put a small litter pan in my largest carrier and still have room for them and a blanket. My larger ones, I carry a litter pan with me and I use a harness on my cat. I attach a leash to the harness when I remove her from the carrier and I let her use the box outside of the car. Test your harness at home and make sure she cannot get out of it. Leave the harness on her until you get to where you are going. If it is a 24 hour drive, will you be staying in a motel? Take her litter pan inside the bathroom and lock her in there. Do not let her run in the hotel, she will go crazy. Make sure that you stop often and see if she has to go. Maybe about every 3 hours. You will probably have to stop this often for you anyway.
2007-04-11 12:11:02 · answer #3 · answered by bonnie g 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok, I know I am going to get thumbs down, but when when we got my kitty from my husband's aunts house she was 6 weeks. We had to drive about 7 hours back. (I know it is shorter) We put a liter box in the back of the car and I held the kitty. (SHE was just a little baby) We didn't have a carrier. She was scared at first and slept in my lap. Soon she got curious and crawled around the car. You have to have somone with you if you let her/him do that, to make sure the cat does not crawl under the brake pedals. (she didn't).....Never tried. She loves to look out the window and see the cars passing by. She never did use the liter box....but she did play in it. I take her on car rides all the time....she hops around, looks out every window in the car and plays on the seats. She is 7 months now and likes the car. We go to the Pet Store all the time together and I put her in a basket!
2007-04-11 12:07:47 · answer #4 · answered by ? 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I've done this before. I moved from MN (3 days, 11 hours a day) in the car. I put a small litter box with a little litter in the floor in the back seat and limited her food/water intake (she wasn't very hungry because of the stress anyways). My vet also recommended I feed her a childrens cold chewable tablet using a pill dropper (you can get them from your vet) to sedate her a bit. I never ended up doing this though so I'm not sure how effective it is. Good luck!
2007-04-11 12:21:58 · answer #5 · answered by sunshinegirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Moving to a new home can be just as stressful on your pet as it is on you. Following are some tips to help you help your pet through this change of address.
Talk to your veterinarian at least three weeks before the move to determine if your pet will need medication for nervousness or car sickness.
Gather the supplies your pet will need during the move - food, water, medications, medical records, bedding and toys. It also helps to bring along some of your dirty laundry because the familiar scent of these belongings is comforting to your pet.
Keep your pet away from the moving-day activity by confining him to a room where he feels safe, otherwise, your pet could become frightened and bolt out the door unnoticed. It's difficult to pack, move furniture, and keep an eye on your pet at the same time. Maybe you have a friendly place where your pet can stay during the packing and moving, like a neighbor, friend or boarding kennel. As much as possible, try not to disrupt his daily routine.
Be sure your dog or cat has a tag with your new phone number or the number of a friend so there will be someone to contact if your pet gets lost during the move.
Move small animals, like birds and hamsters, in their cages, covered with a lightweight fabric. Remove water and any other objects that might loosen and injure them. You must keep the temperature constant for these small friends to survive.
Unpack and settle in a bit before turning your pet loose in the house. Keep the doors to your extra rooms closed and slowly give your pet access to them as they become accustomed to their new home.
Orient your dog or cat to the new surroundings. If possible, try to place their favorite resting place (dog bed, chair or cushion) in the same position or area, as it was in your old home. Put their food and water bowls and toys in familiar places as well.
If you have a dog, walk him around the house, yard and block. If you have a cat, sit quietly and pet her, preferably while sitting in a familiar chair. Provide a place for your cat to hide (she'll do this anyway). Make sure she's eating, drinking and using her litter box.
Be patient, loving and reassuring with your pet, and they'll adjust quickly to their new home.
2007-04-11 11:59:25 · answer #6 · answered by kibbi21 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
When you stop, take the cat out on a leash and walk him. Also, you can get a kitty tranquilizer from the vet. Then he will sleep while in the car. Good luck!!!
2007-04-11 12:02:51 · answer #7 · answered by Candace C 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I moved from Maine to west Virginia and brought my Maine coon cats back. put them in a crate or carrier you can even get a med from the vet to calm them down if you want to go that way. by the way mine cried all the way 18 hrs. if was had but i did it.
2007-04-11 12:01:49 · answer #8 · answered by Warm_Hearted 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can get medication to put the cat to sleep from the vet so you can drive for up to 15 hours w/o it waking up. just put a small litter box in the crate or carrier.
2007-04-11 11:58:49 · answer #9 · answered by pure honesty 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
well if you have cage for it fill up the bottom with cat litter and as soon as you move into your new house make sure you wash your cat cause its gonna stink and if you dont good luck my cat goes crazy but i still wash him
2007-04-11 12:20:30 · answer #10 · answered by almeda_94 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋