What can I do to help my cat through our 14 hr drive and in adjusting to high altitude?

Question

Next week I'm moving from low ground to the mtns. I tried to place my 12 yr old cat with a new family since where I am moving to already is occupied by an aggressive cat. However since no families adopted her, I am going to take her with me. I am worried about how to get her to drink enough during the drive up, especially since she will be in the carrier the majority of the time. The car will be packed full so I can't let her roam. I know drinking water helps me adjust to the altitude. She is a nervous one, but I'd like to make her as comfortable as possible. Suggestions?

Answer 1

It's a good idea NOT to let her roam in the car anyway. We used to our cats roam in the car until my mom's cat stepped on the button that rolled down the window, while mom was doing 70 on a freeway. He was right level with the part of the window that was open, and just inches from it!! If I hadnt' acted fast, there could've been a heart-breaking disaster!!

For a car trip, WATCH THE HEAT!! In this weather it can take less than 4 minutes for a car parked with windows rolled up to get hot enough to kill a cat. Even if you're just popping into the gas s tation for ONE MINUTE!! DO NOT leave the windows up. ALWAYS roll them down as much as you feel safe (for your unattended vehicle). Use shades on front AND back window to also help the car stay cooler when you leave kitty in the car. DON'T take chances!! Many many many people lose their pet in a heartbreaking way over a "5 minute rest stop."

Eat your breakfasts on the road early, while it is still cool. (still roll windows down)

For lunch, get fast food, and take it to a rest area where you can take the cat (in the carrier of course) to the picnic table with you while you relax and eat

Eat supper after it's allready getting dark, when it's cooler (still roll windows down).

If you're staying overnight at a hotel, plan ahead and chose 2 or 3 cities where you are likely to stay, depending on how good of time you make. Find out in advance what hotels are pet-friendly in thosse cities, so you don't have alot of hassle finding a hotel for the night!

Get some old clothes of yours that you don't mind throwing away. Putting one piece at a time in the carrier will comfort your cat (your smell). You'll see why you need more than one piece in a second.

Many cats have nervous peeing/pooping in vehicles, or get car sick and puke. Therefore you should take

Trash bags
baby wipes
paper towells

That way, if kitty pees/poops/pukes, you can stop at a gas station, clean it up (Being careful that kitty cannot escape the car when she's out of the carrier) then you can toss it, and be on your merry way w/o having to smell it for hours.

Other than clean up, or the safety of a securely shut hotel room, do NOT let kitty out of the carrier. It's much safer.

In this heat, kitty should have access to water. However, she WILL most likely be too nervous to use a litterbox or eat, accept possibly in the security of a hotel room all night with you. That is the only time she may relax enough to do those things. Take a small litterbox with a little litter, and cat food and water, into the hotel room, to make sure she has access to it.

As for altitude ajustment, I'm sure she'll be alright. All animals have mechanisms in their inner ear that allow them to ajust. Yes, make sure she has plenty of water. I'm sure she'll be fine!!

Put the carrier, if possible, where kitty can see you through the gate. That will comfort her. Also close enough to you that you can reach over and stick your fingers through the front gate of the carrier. If kitty cries, that will comfort it.

Have a safe trip!! Remember, take no chances with the heat. ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS!!

Answer 2

Cats need fresh air.

Put her on a roller skate and drag her along.