Traveling with Kitties

[lak99]

Barbie,

I made a similar trip in my van from Washington state to Michigan with my two kitties.
They actually travel really well. But here is what I did. I bought an enclosure that kind
of looks like a quanset hut but made out of ripstop nylon and screen. It is large enough to
fit on the two seats behind the drivers seat. This hut is large enough to hold their two
carriers (which I left open so they could go in and out), a small travel litter box and a
small box of food and water. They could come out in their hut or go back inside their
carriers to sleep. It took me 5 days to make the trip, stopping at hotels at night, and
they made the trip just fine. Not even a meow!

Here is a link to the enclosure I have. It is the red one in the top row( mine is purple).
I swear by this thing. When my male Himalayan had serious surgery a year ago I was
able to confine him in this thing until he was well enough to let out. Take a look.
They make great products. Really well made.

http://sturdiproducts.com/

I hope this helps you.

Leslie

[BarbaraRose]

Thanks Leslie. Here is a link to the type of cage I am taking with me for Lola.

http://www.petco.com/product/113068/WAR ... age-113068

She won't get into a cat carrier without bloodshed (mine, that is), so I have this small pet cage. It fits a bed and a small litter box and I have a food and water dish for it too. I will probably cover it somewhat with a blanket if that makes her feel more comfortable. But it is a little more roomy for her (she has issues with small spaces). I have used it once with her when I moved last year an hour and a half away, and she seemed fairly calm for that time, so am hoping it works well for this trip. It is light enough that I can carry it with her in it. I will have a harness and ID tag on her, as well.

[lak99]

I hope you and Lola have a good trip. She is such a pretty kitty. Maybe I can meet
her someday.

Leslie

[BarbaraRose]

Thanks! She is a really good cat. She may turn out to be a good traveler! She will certainly get a good taste of it on this trip!

[lak99]

Let me know how your trip goes.
Nice talking with you and pets to Lola kitty.

Leslie

[Acadianmom]

Leslie, I need to order a carrier like yours. I use a big dog kennel that has to be taken apart to get it through the door. Every few years we have to evacuate from a hurricane and a lighter carrier would be easier to handle.

Martha

[lak99]

Martha,

I swear by this carrier. Mine is a double one but you can order a single one.
It has been a life saver for me.

Leslie

[oregonrambler1]

At one time we traveled with 4 kitties (and 2 doggies), we're now down to 2 of each. We started traveling with each cat in a separate carrier ..what a mistake! they howled, hissed and carried on till 2 of them got sick. Finally, we just let them out. Each found a place to snuggle down and the rest of the trip was peaceful. It's not the safetest way to travel. If something were to happen on the road they could get stuck in the RV but it's better than them being so stressed that they get sick. I think if we got a kitten it would be trained to travel in a cage.

[BarbaraRose]

I just got back from PetCo with Lola. They had their shot clinic tonight so got her up to date on those. I put her in a little carrier I have that she barely fits in, but figured it was just a quick ride over and back. She cried about half the way there and then got quiet, and was quiet on the way back. She did pee in the carrier right after we left home. She is fine now, just laying here purring, so not too stressed out from the ordeal! The shots probably are making her tired tho, too.

I got that collar today but haven't tried it on her yet. I bought the snack ones for calming but she won't eat them. Hopefully, the collar will work well.

I plan to take her for a few short car rides this next week to get her used to the larger cage in the car.

[lak99]

Barbie,

My kitties came from a Himalayan show kitty breeder so they were used to
traveling from a very young age. Getting Lola used to going on short trips
is a good idea. Here is a tip, get some doggie pee pads and put them in her
carrier. Then you won't have such a mess to clean up. I always keep them
around because they are good for all kind of things.

Just tell Lola, "Road Trip" and try to sound excited. Eventually she should get
used to it.

Let me know how the calming collar works.

Leslie

[BarbaraRose]

The puppy pads are a good idea. I used to use those all the time when I had the ferrets.

[Acadianmom]

I'll have to remember the puppy pads. My old cat always pees in the carrier when I bring her to the vet.

Martha

[Pooker]

Welcome, Leslie -

I have RVd all over the country with 2 cats (now only have one, but she's 19 years old), but have only done it in a trailer or motorhome. Never did own a truck camper. Initially, with the trailer, we brought the cat into the tow vehicle with all of us and she yowled all the way across America! When we arrived at the Painted Desert with its slow speed limits, we decided to experiment by leaving her loose in the trailer. We set up a recorder to hear her reaction - no yowling! Then we had our son ride a few miles in the trailer and he reported that the cat got up on the bunk and went to sleep! Guess you know she rode that way the rest of the trip.

When my DH was alive, it was easier to acclimate the various cats we've owned to riding in the rig without getting under feet, etc. First few outings, I would be on guard and a sharp "NO" and a nudge to the back would make the point whenever one tried to enter the cab area. Only took a few trips for all of our various felines over the years to get the point. Each animal seems to choose their own special "hidey hole" for traveling. Spike huddles under the side chair where she thinks the skirt hides her. When we arrive, she comes out and loves checking out the view from each window. She's a happy camper until time to go again and she finds her spot under the chair. Her last sibling, Pia, would ride on the back of the sofa, or the passenger seat and get all bent out of shape if I made a tight turn and she flew off! Otherwise, she curled up on the sofa and had a nap. Previous cat, KC, burrowed behind the throw pillows on the bed.

If you travel alone, I think I would leave the cat in the camper and block access to the cab. If you have a travel companion, try leaving the crawl through boot open and your passenger can handle problems. Alone I'd be afraid of suddenly having 10 or so claws clutching my neck!

Try a variety of things and choose what works best for you. Good luck!

Pooker

[Getupngo]

I don't travel with a cat and never have, so I'm useless on this topic.

HOWEVER, I remember a story a few years back about a couple with six cats who had their big diesel-pusher motor home customized for their feline flock. There was a kitty door on the bottom of their dinette, which led to a ramp into the big front bay. The bay was heated and air conditioned and had carpet, kitty boxes, food, water, beds and scratching posts. You could lock the kitty door to keep them down there and when the bay door was opened, there was a stainless steel grate to keep them in and allow them to somewhat "enjoy" the outdoors with the family.

I trust you couldn't hear them yowl from down there.

[lak99]

Janice,

You know, I saw that RV on a special HGTV RV special. It is just like you described.
It was awesome. A kitties ( and owner's) dream.

Leslie