RVing and Traveling with a Cat

[monik7]

I've learned a lot since getting my RV in May. I would love to start taking some longer trips that could extend to a month or more. My 2 dogs have adjusted well to the RV. I would love to bring my 11-year-old cat along with us because I just can't afford to board her and have no one who could take care of her. When she was young, I tried taking her in my car when I went to babysit my grandkids. She got sick every time on the way - either vomiting, diarrehia or both. I'm hoping that could be solved either by her just getting more accustomed to travel or perhaps some kind of medication.

My RV is rather small, 25' and considered a B+, so there's not a lot of room inside. I know she would need to be confined in some kind of carrier while driving that would somehow have to be secured. I wonder if any of you would have suggestions on good carriers and how to secure them. I do not have the cabover bed so that's not an option as a space to secure her. Also, where do people put the litter box? I've heard of putting it in the shower, but then do you have to somehow keep the door open so she could get in? Another question is are there any spaces where a cat could get out of the RV by crawling through openings that might be at floor level or elsewhere? I wouldn't think there should be anything like that, but I don't really know how these things are built. I talked to a lady once who said some of her lingerie fell out of a drawer onto the ground under her RV. That made me wonder if a cat could get out through a space like that.

This is the last problem I need to solve in order to get out there on the road and see this beautiful country of ours without having to worry about getting home in a few days. Any help with experiences you've had, words of wisdom, suggestions, etc would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Sandi

[mtngal]

Hi from Texas Sandi! Glad to hear you are planning longer trips and hope you get some good ideas from the gals here. Good luck!

[Rufflesgurl]

Hi Sandi - Could you possibly put kitty in her kennel carrier, put that on the passenger seat and use the seat belt to keep the kennel in place? That way she could see you while traveling. I don't have a cat but travel with 2 dogs also. They are always up front by me - not under foot but close. You'll figure it out!!

Linda

[Paulette]

I have traveled with both of my cats in my rv. Learned many years ago when transporting the older cat to the vets that he does not do well in a carrier of any sort! So, whenever I transport him in a vehicle I put a harness and leash on him. He doesn't like the engine running in the rv...hides under to sofa until we are parked and the engine goes off. Then he is fine. Did have one Instance of him getting from the closet in the back of the rig to under the stove in the kitchen. Not sure how he traveled that route, but he back tracked and got himself out. Thank heavens cause I wasn't sure what I was going to have to take apart to get him out! Since then we have blocked his entry point back there and he does fine. The younger cat doesn't like when the rv is moving either. He just curls up in the back on the floor and sleeps till we get parked. I put their litter box in the closet and prop the door (sliding type) open while we travel, but they don't try to use the box while we are moving anyway.

I hope that helps you some. I'd say it will be a matter of trial and error. And I would suggest checking with your vet if there is anything you can give him prior to traveling that might keep him from being sick. I know I used to give my dogs dramimine, but not sure if that would work for a cat.

[sharon]

OK, I posted but Paulette beat me to it and mine disapeared...serves me right for not checking first. She pretty much stated what I did, tho.

[Acadianmom]

I have only make a few trips with a cat and they are usually a trial. Some will howl for hours. If you have access to your RV I would try spending some time in it to let the cat explore while it's not moving. I keep my cats in a carrier if I'm on the road. One of my friends puts her cat in one of the wire cages that you can collapse flat. There are so many places they can get into. Mine get under the sofa where the electrical stuff is so I try to keep them out of there. I haven't had one get to the outside but wouldn't be surprised that one could. My RV is only 23' so there isn't a good place for a litter box. My longest trip I used a big dog kennel and had the litter box in there. That wouldn't be very practical if you are on a long trip. If you put the litter box in the shower I would put something over the drain. Not sure cat litter would be good in a holding tank. If I planned to travel with a cat all the time I would leash train it. They are so fast that I would be afraid that it would run out the door before I could stop it.

Martha

[BarbaraRose]

I haven't traveled with an RV, but when I drove back from California to Minnesota this summer with my cat, I put her in a carrier in the front seat and used a large bunge cord around the seat and hooked to the sides of the carrier (the seatbelt didn't quite fit all around the carrier since it is a larger size carrier, but they do fit around the smaller carriers and buckle it in fine).

Also, I bought a "calming collar" for her to wear on the trip. It is made with natural kitty pheromones and kept her much calmer than she would have been otherwise, (she hates carriers and cars). It doesn't make them sleepy or disoriented like some of the meds do. I got it at PetCo but most pet stores sell them.

You can check PetCo on line to read the reviews, which are very high.

I would also let her check the RV out for a few times before actually driving it with her in it.

Like others on here had told me too, they will not eat or use the litter box while the vehicle is moving. So stopping occasionally to let them do that if they need to, is a good idea.

[BirdbyBird]

Can't remember if you have a slide but that is probably one of the features of RVing that needs special attention if you are traveling with a kitty. They so like to craw up in small spaces. It is very important to know where they are at those important times and when doors are about to be opened or closed.... About using a crate for a cat....it is sort of like how many kennels I am willing to drive down the road with in a 22 ft Class C? Answer: how ever many crates necessary to keep the animals I travel with safe, either while traveling, while eating or while I am away from the rig..... We do what we need to do.

[monik7]

Thanks so much for your replies. If anyone else has suggestions, I'd love to hear them. I'm getting a little apprehensive since I do have 2 slides. I'm afraid of her getting under there and not being able to get her out. The leash idea sounds good because I sure wouldn't want her bolting out the door. Wish there was an easy way to do this, but probably not.
Sandi

[OregonLuvr]

Sandi, I used to travel with 2 cats quite a few years ago. My cats were just loose in the RV and usually headed for somewhere dark during the drive. After I was parked and set up and things settled down they would both come out realizing all was well. Now, I wouldnt let them be loose. I would have them in a carrier. My dog isnt loose either in the RV just because I think she is safer "contained" should I have an accident or something, but that is just my feelings. I think your dinette will have seat belts hidden underneath and that would work to secure a carrier. Or it might just be able to be snugged down under the dinette with bungee straps or something similar.

I would definitely take her with you tho, she will adapt ha ha As for the litter box I have no suggestions.

Glad to hear you want to hit the road. Dont forget where Oregon is.....hah

karen

[ellenw]

Sandi - could you maybe put the litter box on the floor on a rubber mat in front of the passenger seat? It'd be away from your living space and she'd have some privacy.