Tips for Moving Animals State to State?

Question

Im moving from Michigan to Florida. Im wondering if any of you have tips on how to help me make the move with 1 cat, I have a dog and i am aware i will be making plenty of stops. Its the cat i am worried about.

Answer 1

Get her a big carrier, and attached a big bunny water bottle so she has water, let her roam the car when you have stopped (close them windows) and give her alot of attention, before you go place the carrier she will be in where she can see it and explore it try and get your scent on it, open it so she wont be so frightened about it so she can investigate the inside

Answer 2

When I moved 1,200 miles with two dogs, a cockatiel and two lizards, I decided it would be cheaper to drive than to take them on a plane. I got crates for the dogs, and of course the others had cages. Then I rented a moving truck that had a door between the cab and the back, so I could be aware of what was going on back there. I kept the dogs in crates when I was driving. My daughter and I also slept in the back at night, usually at a campground, but once in a church parking lot and once at a rest stop (not usually recommended, but this one had a lot of people doing the same, so I thought it was safe).
I'd suggest a crate for the cat; then, when you are at a stop, you could close all the doors and windows and let the cat wander the truck for a while, use the litter box and have a drink, then put it back in the crate. The trouble with cats on trips is, of course, they might get lost; so it is very important not to open the doors or windows unless the cat is in the crate. (I've tried putting my cats on a leash and harness, but they just curl up and won't move.)
Make sure all your pets have IDs with a number where somebody can actually be reached (not your old house phone), just in case. And I think they will need documentation of rabies shots; you can check with your vet on this.

Answer 3

What is it your worried about? If you feel the stress will be too much for the cat, visit your vet. He can give you a sedative to help relax the cat so that it will sleep for most of the journey. Are you concerned about the cat needing the bathroom (as evidenced by the fact that you mention the frequent stops)? Here, there are two possibilities. One, get a leash for the cat and hope to God it is leash trained :). Or two, simply don't feed the cat before the trip. Because of nausea, it probably is best not to feed it anyway until you know how it will handle the car. Good luck on your trip- i hope you all arrive safely!

Answer 4

The cat will be fine. Do the cat and dog get along? If so after you have driven for a while (have cat in carrier) and the cat gets to were it is not scared, you might let it out of crate when you drive and put a cat box on the cak floor and take a blanket and everytime you stop before opening the door make sure you put it back in crate. i ahd a friend who took his 2 cats to different states and they drove 36 hours. Motels even take animals. When he stopped the lounged in the motel and they also were able to run in his van after they were comfy and even used the cat box. Make sure you keep poopy scoop stuff around so you don't have to smell the whole trip. You might try to train them to harnsess or a leash before you leave it fyou have enough time. I commend you for taking your animals. A lot of people would say "screw it" and leave them behind. It will be fine even if you do have to keep in a crate the whole trip with a little tiny cat box w/food and water.. Good luck and have a safe trip

Answer 5

Just make sure you have a crate large enough to fit a litter box as well as your cat. Put something of yours in there as well. If your cat is the nervous type, see if your vet can give you something to give your cat for your trip. From time to time talk to him/her so he/she knows you're still there. When you get to your stops you may want to put the cat in the bathroom, only because cats like to hide and that would not be fun for you looking for your cat when you need to hit the road. By being in a closed room he/she will be able to stretch his/her legs.

If your dog and cat don't have a micro-chip you may want to have your vet do that too when you get your health certificates for travel.

Good luck with your move;^)

Answer 6

The best thing to do is tell your vet ( if you have one) that you're moving quite a distance and request seditive for cat. The dog too if he doesn't travel well !! Keep plenty of water for them and a small litter box for the cat. My vet says benadryl can be used in a pinch...but call a vet to get the correct dose, don't ever give to your pet without consulting a vet. Most vets prefer to give a safe seditive for animals.

Answer 7

No matter how many stops you make that cat will stress. A roomy cat cage, fav toy, and a shirt you have slept in for a couple of nights without washing (the smell of you will help Hopefuly calm cat.) maybe a ticking clock under the shirt to sound like your heart.

At worse you could see your vet for a MILD sedative.
Safe driving!! :)

Answer 8

Have a cat box handy ..when you get there peanut butter the cats paws and keep it secluded for a few days and it shouldn't wander off unless of course the cat is indoors already..I myself have had good luck with the peanut butter..

I put my 2 cats in a large carrier and stuck and put a small litter box in it when we moved worked just dandy!

Answer 9

i made a move from california to tennessee in a car with my cat and it really stressed him out, he wouldnt eat or drink anything. i would suggest going to a vet and seeing if they can prescribe it anything. if not there is something at petsmart they have that will calm the cat in car rides, ask an employee there.

Answer 10

try going to your local pet store and asking about a divider for your car then give it the whole back of the car to roam and get comfy and with the divider you don't have to worry about it getting in your face and making you crash.