http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ Daily Kitten Chat Forum Topic: Moving with cats en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 06:21:00 +0000 http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/682/page/2#post-23093 Tue, 23 Oct 2007 10:12:03 +0000 GreatDane 23093@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Awww, Sylvester has had a tough month or so. FIrst his Mommy brings home a little sister, and then she moves! That's a lot of change in a short amount of time. He's going to be just fine, though, just needs time and your affection and reasurrances, Karin! Hugs to Sylvester - and Mia, too! </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/682/page/2#post-23086 Tue, 23 Oct 2007 10:05:19 +0000 SylvesterMiasMomma 23086@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>When I moved, I put Sylvester in his large carrier that he likes to sleep in from time to time. It has some sort of lambs wool bottom in it. For Mia I put her in a carrier that has a top opening as well as the front opening. I put them in the back seat of my car facing each other so they would be able to know that the other one is in the car. Mia meowed a couple of times but it was mostly Sylvester meowing. Once I got to the new place, I put them in the bathroom with the litter box and filled the bathroom sink with water until I could locate the water and food bowls. They didn't have food from 8am till around 4pm and seemed okay but were very hungry when I finally did give them some wet food and dry food. Mia immediately ate the food but Sylvester just sniffed. After two days in the new place, Sylvester seems to be calming a little but he is extra affectionate now. I am giving him more attention then normal and he is just eating it up. I made the mistake of allowing them to roam the whole apartment and now I think it is a moot point to put them back in my bedroom. Since Mia is only 15 weeks old, she thinks this is all some big game what with all the boxes and garbage bags full of stuff. Both kitties have jumped in the box that had clothes in it and seemed quite happy to sit there for a moment. I finally move some of the furniture around to get an idea of what should go where. I will unload the books onto the bookcase and unload the kitchen tonight. I am hoping to be all moved in by this coming Sat. I have the cable guy coming on Sat afternoon and need to hook up all the computer apperatus and cables (oh joy). Will be nice to have the weekend to sleep and enjoy my new place. May see if I have the energy to deal with shopping at IKEA over the weekend. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/682/page/2#post-23071 Tue, 23 Oct 2007 09:35:16 +0000 Sheba's Mom in Phoenix, AZ 10/8 23071@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>I will be moving to Charleston, SC from Phoenix, AZ as soon as my house is sold. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/682/page/2#post-23003 Tue, 23 Oct 2007 07:45:10 +0000 anncetera2 23003@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>I had one cat, Booger, who would cry and cry on car trips. But one day, getting ready to go to the vet, he was in his carrier in the car. And he wasn't crying! He was sniffing around, and curious, with a couple of anxious meows, but NOTHING like the nearly nonstop crying he usually experienced.</p> <p>So I sat in the car, with it turned off, for a few minutes. He never got so calm as to lie down or act sleepy, but he certainly acted a lot calmer than usual.</p> <p>Then I started the car. Immediately, the anxious meowing started up!</p> <p>So I turned the car off. He stopped.</p> <p>I started up again, and so did he. We made it to the vet, with him complaining all the way. Sigh.</p> <p>The only thing that I can think of is, the noise and vibration of the car must have made him anxious or unhappy. I wonder if it seems like he's in the immediate vicinity of a GIANT animal growling at him, and he can't get away. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/682/page/2#post-22987 Tue, 23 Oct 2007 07:16:58 +0000 AZDEBRA 5/27 & crew 22987@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Mine like tv more than music, would have to get little bitty portable tvs so they could watch animal planet. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/682/page/2#post-22984 Tue, 23 Oct 2007 07:15:55 +0000 AZDEBRA 5/27 & crew 22984@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>AM, you are a good person to help with the ferals there, its a shame about the overwhelming cat crises there. Good luck with the traveling and your 7 babies. Choyt2 has a good suggestion on the spraying with feliway, wonder if spraying the back of the vehicle would work too. Would be nice if it worked on us two-legged critters too wouldn't it? </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/682/page/2#post-22981 Tue, 23 Oct 2007 07:12:41 +0000 AngelaMotorman 22981@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>choyt2,<br /> I'd love to use feliway, if only it didn't cost almost $40! I think I'll sing silly songs to them -- that often helps. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/682#post-22973 Tue, 23 Oct 2007 06:57:38 +0000 Cheri 12/22 22973@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>spray the carriers with feliway about 30 minutes before you put them in the carriers. it will give them a sense that everything's ok... </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/682#post-22968 Tue, 23 Oct 2007 06:50:44 +0000 AngelaMotorman 22968@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>AZDEBRA,<br /> I'm going home to Columbus, where my tribe lives: comfest.com . This is also where the wonderful CatWelfare folks have been doing it right since before I can remember. TN is beautiful, but I will not miss the completely overwhelming feral cat crisis in east TN. I took one of the last feral females in our neighborhood to be spayed this morning at a low-cost clinic (Wally's Friends) that just opened last year, and there was a line far out the door before 8 am. They've done almost 6,000 pets and ferals in one year, but the area is still waiting on its first no-kill shelter to be built. I've had rescuers here beg me to take some ferals to Ohio with me, and I wish I could -- but I have to take my own 7 guys (four of whom were ferals caught this year). I have never seen anything like the cat overpopulation here.</p> <p>Speaking of which: anybody here live in Chattanooga? My neighbor is willing to trap and feed and pay for neuters, but can't transport the cats back and forth to the vet. Write me offlist at mediacenter(at)ix.netcom.com if you can help.</p> <p>In any case, wish me luck in catching the last two momcats before I leave next week! They're exceptionally shy, which is why they managed to have the litters that included Susu, the gorgeous calico I took in today. Susu and her brother<br /> Twinkie (yes, he looks like one) are breaking my heart. They're very adoptable... </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/682#post-22950 Tue, 23 Oct 2007 06:12:36 +0000 AZDEBRA 5/27 & crew 22950@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Good luck with moving the kitties, when I moved last year, I only drove 75 miles with 4 fuzzbutts. You would have thought I was killing them by the yowling throughout the drive. Good thing that I drive with the a/c on all the time, otherwise someone would have called animal control for sure. But they made it all safe and sound, only one mess along the way but it was expected. </p> <p>Sheba's mom &#38; AngelaMotorman, where are you moving too? </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/682#post-22945 Tue, 23 Oct 2007 06:06:32 +0000 AngelaMotorman 22945@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>I'm late to this thread, but very glad to see it as I'm about to move 7 cats, in two shifts, over an 8-hour drive. The first group will be the Lost Boys, all yearling neutered males who have twice-daily rampages even when they're at home, so this could be no fun at all. But they identify as a tribe, and they'll be together. I'm using a large dog crate (which has on occasion been home to as many as five recuperating ferals at a time), although pack leader Spike has decided the pet taxi I left open in the living room is his new favorite cave, so maybe I'll use that, too. None of these guys has ever traveled farther than the vet before.</p> <p>The second shift will be the three older kitties, who have traveled extensively -- Trouble, at age 16, has lived in four states. Unfortunately, Trouble yowls for HOURS -- two moves ago, we made the mistake of stopping overnight at a pet-friendly motel and during dinner were mortified to realize that everyone in the restaurant was discussing her constant crying. It'll all be worth it when they meet up again, in a new house that even has stairs for the Lost Boys to race up and down. And just wait till they figure out we'll have a safe yard for them to go out in! But in the meantime, I'm taking along heavy-duty earplugs. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/682#post-18187 Mon, 15 Oct 2007 10:13:40 +0000 paulajeanne 18187@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>I'm able to travel with Molly's carrier on the passenger seat with its mesh zippered door facing me, partly upzipped. When she cries, I can slip my hand into the carrier and let her play with my fingers a few seconds. That's usually good for another 50 miles or so. I repeat as needed and she has traveled quite a bit now. (I also keep her carrier open on the floor in the living room and it has become a favored napping place.) Fortunately, I've never had to travel more than 300 miles at one time, don't know how this would work on longer trips. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/682#post-18182 Mon, 15 Oct 2007 10:01:27 +0000 KYKAT 12 23 18182@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>One more tip. Go to Petsmart and get tags made with your cell number on them. Make sure kitties have their collars on during the whole trip. I frequently travel with Thierry Henry and he prefers the carrier covered except for the door. With him, I leave the door open so he can occasionally peek out. When it is time for a stop the door is firmly locked before any car windows or doors are opened. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/682#post-18159 Mon, 15 Oct 2007 08:24:15 +0000 GreatDane 18159@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Hey, Bog is special - if he doesn't want to go in the carrier, he doesn't have to! Hugs to Bogman and little Tiger! </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/682#post-18158 Mon, 15 Oct 2007 08:21:46 +0000 Sheba's Mom in Phoenix, AZ 10/8 18158@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>I will be facing a move that will be 4 days of driving with 3 cats--I am not looking forward to this at all! We will be using a truck to move our stuff ourselves so we need to get one that has a back area for them. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/682#post-18151 Mon, 15 Oct 2007 07:49:30 +0000 Jamie 18151@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Sounds like a stubborn little kitty. Naughty boy! have you tried enticing him in with treats? </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/682#post-18150 Mon, 15 Oct 2007 07:47:13 +0000 Bogman, Clark and Andy's mama 2/27 Florida 18150@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>TigerButt likes to sleep in his little "house". I have no problems with him and his carrier, but Bog won't go into the carrier for all the world! </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/682#post-18149 Mon, 15 Oct 2007 07:43:27 +0000 Jamie 18149@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>This has worked well for both my cat and my parent's cat: to help keep them calm during the trip, put the carrier in the backseat, have the opening of the carrier facing you, and cover the entire rest of the carrier with a blanket. It really seems to minimize the crying and fright when they can focus on you instead of all of the stuff "moving" outside of the car! I've read in a couple different places that cats feel safer inside a dark, confined space. Oh, and don't forget to set out the carriers with the doors open a couple of days before the move! this will help them become acclimated to the carrier! We did that for my kitty, and he decided he liked sleeping in his carrier over sleeping on my bed!!! </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/682#post-11072 Wed, 03 Oct 2007 13:30:45 +0000 GreatDane 11072@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Good choice, Anncetera!<br /> And Bad Taffy, for scaring your family! </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/682#post-11062 Wed, 03 Oct 2007 13:20:53 +0000 Emma 11062@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Just a side note: My family was traveling, the cat got out of the carrier and diappeared when my brother opened the door in the back seat. We searched the woods, combing the side of the road, and drove slowly home, absolutely heartsick.</p> <p>Until Taffy climbed out from under my father's seat, looking smug. We must have checked under the seats 20 times, but the little wretch hid himself well. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/682#post-10990 Wed, 03 Oct 2007 11:43:27 +0000 anncetera2 10990@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>GreatDane, the hood liner had oil spattered on it from a long-term leak in the engine. That oil is what caught fire, once it got hot enough. As long as the car was moving, it remained cool enough and deprived enough of oxygen to not catch fire. But after 7 hours straight driving at about 65 mph, it was hot enough to catch fire, once the vehicle stopped.</p> <p>They put it out right away, but it was a few tense minutes. The worst part was feeling so torn; wanting to go back and help them put out the fire, being scared the car would blow up, and being scared I'd lose the cat. So I did what seemed best, at the time; grab the cat and get the hell out of the way. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/682#post-10945 Wed, 03 Oct 2007 10:32:52 +0000 GreatDane 10945@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Anncetera, how on earth did the hood liner catch fire????? </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/682#post-10675 Tue, 02 Oct 2007 20:42:14 +0000 artistabobbi TX 1/17 10675@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Good advice, everyone.<br /> ancetera, what a scary thing to experience!<br /> I will try the chucks, myself, Thanks for that tip CatRancher.<br /> I usually use towels when it's baby time, but they have never been a good solution.<br /> I will definitely give the chucks a try, and line my cages with them. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/682#post-10538 Tue, 02 Oct 2007 15:30:19 +0000 anncetera2 10538@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>FondaHonda, I'm so sorry to hear that! But yes, I completely agree; no water or attention unless all the car doors and windows are such that the cats can't escape. My brothers and I were once traveling back to Omaha from Chicago, and we stopped at a rest area only 80 miles from home. I had June, my cat, on my lap when my brothers realized the hood liner of the car was on fire. I had to dash about 100 yards away with June clutched tightly in my arms. She didn't escape, and I didn't hurt her. But I would much rather have been running with her in the carrier for that little adventure! </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/682#post-10533 Tue, 02 Oct 2007 15:15:54 +0000 FondaHonda 10533@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>pouncer--just remember to make sure that the car doors are shut and the windows are up when you stop and give them water, attention, or whatever. I will never forget the time my family was at a rest stop and the people in another car were looking for their cat. They were moving long distance and decided to give their cat some water during the trip. Still being afraid, the cat darted out of their car and they had been looking for hours. I still wonder if they found that poor cat. . . </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/682#post-10520 Tue, 02 Oct 2007 14:33:24 +0000 pouncer 10520@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Thank you for all the advice! I set the carriers out in the living room today for them to get used to. I had an old bath mat in the laundry room that they like to lay on and watch me as I fold clothes, so I cut pieces off of that and put in each carrier. My boy cat got in each carrier, sat down for a minute and then went back out. My girl cat sniffed and poked her head in, but didn't go in. Tomorrow I think I will try to take them for a drive around the neighborhood and see how they do. I will also look into the puppy pads/chuck pads at the store next time I'm out. Thanks! </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/682#post-10499 Tue, 02 Oct 2007 13:13:07 +0000 anncetera2 10499@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Some cats will calm down when the carrier is covered. Others will simply grab through the bars/holes and start messing with the fabric. Really impossible to say ahead of time which route the cat will choose.</p> <p>Do everything you can to get them accustomed to the carriers, to the car, and so forth. It will help. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/682#post-10494 Tue, 02 Oct 2007 13:03:29 +0000 GreatDane 10494@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Yes, try the pee pee training pads for dogs, pouncer. Offer them water when you stop, but I doubt they'll be feeling like eating while on the trip. Do they have a favorite toy, blanket or something you can put in the carrier with them to make them feel more secure?<br /> I agree with Anncetera - take some practice trips with them, to make them more comfortable with going in the car - and to make them realize they are not going to the vet!<br /> I also seem to remember reading somewhere that(sort of like with a bird) you can cover their carriers with a blanket or towel and it will calm them down. I'm not sure of that one, maybe Anncetera or Artistabobbi will know?<br /> Good luck with the move! </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/682#post-10489 Tue, 02 Oct 2007 12:58:31 +0000 CatRancher 10489@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>I have found that the "puppy pads" usually cost more than the human kind. I used to buy the "chucks" at a locale pharmacy that sold home nursing supplies and could get a package for a lot less than the puppy pads. I used to use them in the birthing kennel when I bred cats. They were great, cheap and easily to "chuck and replace." I think it is also important to put an article of old clothing or a blanket that they used in the kennel for familiar smells and comfort. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/682#post-10487 Tue, 02 Oct 2007 12:51:25 +0000 TheKnittingNinja 10487@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>also try talking to them about what is happening before hand, and above all else try and stay calm around them. I have taken many cats on road trips to see my parents (a few have elected to stay with my parents) and I find that if I am calm about stuff, the car travel bothers them less as well </p>