How do you move a outdoor cat?

Question

I am moving across the country. Its a 24 hour drive. And I have one small dog and a older outdoor cat that are absolutely are in love. I think they would die with out each other so I need to move them. The dog I am not worried about b/c she is staying with friends already in the state we are moving to, but the cat is a different story. Its really never been in a crate and its been outdoors for most of its adult life and its an awful long drive- how will she deal w/out going 2 the potty and she's not exactly litter box trained. We will be moving in our van were we will have 2 German shepherds in the back seat and a family member will be driving the u-haul. The family member said that he would drive with the cat in the cab but he REALLY doesn't want to hear cat crying. Will she ever shut-up?
And when we get there how do I keep it from running away.

Any suggestions or comments or hints will be great the best answer with the most detail and logic will get 10pts.

Answer 1

OK. we have outside cats, and we were moving.(it was a 45 min drive) So what we did was put are boxes and stuff in the back of the u-haul truck, and the to cats with litter boxxes(just in case they needed to go) and food and water, all the way to are new place. When we got there we put them under are moter home(thats were we were living at the time) and got them comfy. What you should do if you can, is put them in like a rabbit cage if you can or something it can move around in, put food and water, and a litter box even if he not trained, hel still use it. Then every time you stop pet him and make sure he still has water.(make sure not to let him out!) When you get to your place keep him in his cage, for like 2 days.(unless you want him in your garage) And after the sencond day, dip him paws in tuna fish. This way he'l lick his paws off, and get the smell of him old home. Make sure he has a coller when you first let him out! Good Luck! If you have any more questions, just email me!

Answer 2

Just put the cat in a carrier and keep him in there. Are you going to be with it? I usually travel together with my cats, and when they want to go potty I have their litterbox there and I take them out, after I secure the doors and windows of the car, and let them use the litterbox. In such a long journey I also feed them a little bit, but this can cause them to throw up, so maybe just a bit of dry food and a little bit of water if he keeps crying.
In your case, it's a bit more complicated, since the cat is not litterbox trained and there will be dogs in the car. I would say that the best thing to do is get a large cage (like a dog crate), not a simple carrier, and have some food and a small litterbox in there, so that you don't have to take him out at all. Also, it would be a good idea to ask your vet if you could give him a safe tranquiliser, so thaat he is less stressed. Don't give anything that the vet hasn't approved of, and make sure to ask if he can eat when he has taken that.
When you get there, make sure to keep the cat indoors for at least 2 weeks, or he will run away and it's a pity. He must get used to the new house, to the fact that you are there, that his dog friend is there, etc. Then gradually take him out under supervision. He will learn to use the litterbox, don't worry. And make sure to put a tag with your phone on him, in case he gets lost there. And neuter him, because if he is not neutered he may get away to find a girl. Good luck.

Answer 3

The BEST way would be to fly the cat out. Drug the kitty, stick him in a crate and fly him. It costs money, though. If you know anyone who is flying in that direction, they can take him for you, which cuts the cost a little.... look into that first and see if it's an option for you. It really is the best, least stress way to do it.

You other option is to go to the vet and get some tranquilizers... but 24 hours is too long to drug the kitty.

Another option is to get a large dog crate and make a little home for him. Litter box, blanket (something he can crawl under and hide in). I've got a big old tom, but I had ot leave him with my mother when I moved 6 hours away because he's a serious howler. In his defense, though, the only time he was ever in a car was when he got shots and when he was neutered... Poor guy.

Good luck. Ask your vet about kitty tranqs. They are pretty cheap.

Answer 4

TERRIFIC QUESTION and great to know that you love your outdoor kitty that much to consider how to "move her".

If you go to your local vets office, they will give you medication that you give to your kitty just about an hour before you leave in the car. That will make her sleepy and she will just sleep during the trip.

When you get to your hotel each nite...simply take her into the hotel room and DO NOT let her out of the crate...UNTIL YOU HAVE SHUT THE DOOR TO THE HOTEL ROOM FOR THE NIGHT & WILL NOT BE GOING BACK OUT. Otherwise she will run off as soon as she hears the door open. This part of your trip will actually be worse then when you arrive at your final destination. (I've moved 4 times with my cats...trust me Im pretty good at this one. :-) :-) :-)

Then when the door is locked....simply take a top of a cardboard box, and put a small amount of cat litter box sand in it and let her use the bathroom. She will use it all through the night and in the morning.

Then before you start re-packing your car/van again. Be sure that you give her the medication to make her sleepy and place her gently in her crate (with tons of soft bedding to keep her comfortable)....and she will be fine traveling.

Again, when you arrive at your final new "home". Let her in the house...but keep her in one of the rooms until she gets used to the new smells and sounds. Put a litter box in that room she will use while she is adjusting.

She will either love being indoors after she arrives and love the extra attention she is receiving....or she may want outside again. Just be sure that she has been inside for around a 4 week span.

It will go quickly and she is one lucky little kitty to have you as her mommy.

Answer 5

Buy a large crate to fit food and a litterbox. See your vet. They can prescribe meds that will ease the anxiety.

Once you get to your new place. Try to keep him inside as long as possible. Keep the windows open so he can get familiar with the scent of your house and area. When he drives you so crazy you can't stand it anymore, take him out on a leash for the next week. The following week, when you let him out, hang around outside. He most likely won't go too far and with you outside, he will know this is home.

I do however recommend trying to make him an indoor cat. Indoor cats out live outdoor cats by 5-8 years.

Answer 6

If you have a big dog carrier use it for her, alot of them are big enough to put a small cat box & food & water in. Ask your vet if he has anything to calm him.
Both of the times I moved I kept my cats indoors for about 2 weeks before letting them out, none of them ever ran away. They won't wander far from their food, and keeping them indoors for a while creates a habit.

To get him into a carrier (if your having trouble with it) tip it on it's end, pick him up by the scruff of the neck (gently, like his mama would) and lower him in. Most cats will cower in the back so it shouldn't be too hard to get the other stuff in with him.

Answer 7

We've always kept them inside the new home for a week or two. When we start letting them go outside we put a little oil on their pads to help put their smell around. It's always worked for us. Also don't rush them outside if they are not ready in a few weeks wait for them.

Answer 8

Ugggg, ummmm....try and find him/her outside, or wait for him/her to come inside, and get a cage ready, with a litterbox, food, water, and comforting blankets and stuff, and when you get her inside, have the cage open, and shove her in with all your might, and do it in a closed room, that way she can't escape if she gets away....good luck!

Answer 9

To late, stuff it in the damn box. The cat has lived free all this time, there is no way around it. Shove that ***** in a box, pack up and head out.