Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Cats & Kittens

1. 

   Hello all,
   I was wondering if I could get some advice on moving long distances with kitties. In a week I will be moving 12 hours away and I have two cats that will be coming along with me. They each will have their own carrier and be in the backseat of my car. My main questions are:
   Should I put food and water in their crates, or feed them during rest stops?
   How do I handle the litterbox situation?
   Is there anything at all I can do to reduce stress on them?

   Any and all advice will be more than welcome! :)

   Posted 2 years ago by pouncer #

2. 

   pouncer,
   I have traveled a lot with cats to and from cat shows. I learned that no food or water until you stop. They will do fine. No litter, either. I line the bottom with newspaper, and if there are "accidents", It's east to clean up and get rid of. Litter ends up being scattered everywhere, and they end up sleeping in it.
   Hope that helps.

   Posted 2 years ago by artistabobbi TX 1/17 #

3. 

   Agreed. I'd take up any food about 3 hours before departure, and take up water about 1 hour before departure. Newspaper and/or towels in the carrier will be good. Keep a couple extra towels handy, in case the others get soiled.

   If you offer anything at rest stops, just offer water. Hold off on food until you get to your destination. When you reach your new home, I strongly advise keeping the cats (with food, water & litter) closed in your bedroom for the first day or two. After they seem to be comfortable there, you can let them explore the rest of your home.

   If you believe your cats will be seriously stressed by the travel, you can discuss your options with your vet. Some will give you sedatives, to give to your cats an hour before departure. However, it's not necessary for most cats.

   Also, you could try this week (yes, you're busy and have lots of things to do) to take the cats in their carriers on a couple of quick errands. I'd also leave the carriers out with their doors open this week, so the cats don't freak out by their appearance.

   Good luck!!

   Posted 2 years ago by anncetera2 #

4. 

   pouncer, good advice by both aristabobbi & anncetera, also don't be surprised if they aren't used to traveling that they cry either for a small timeframe or however long until they get tired or comfortable.

   Posted 2 years ago by AZDEBRA 5/27 & crew #

5. 

   I don't know the correct word but you know the plastic-covered sheet they use in hospitals for geriatric patients? Cats prefer them to newspaper because their surface remains dry/drier.

   Remember to watch for heat and draft. Have a good moving!

   Posted 2 years ago by miu #

6. 

   I recommend getting large disposeable soft pads with plastic liners on the bottom to line the carriers with. Commonly called "chucks" in the US. I've bought them at medical supply stores or pharmacies. They come in several sizes Here's a link so you can see what they are:

   http://www.1800wheelchair.com/asp/view-category-products.asp?category_id=524

   Posted 2 years ago by CatRancher #

7. 

   They are also sold as puppy pads at walmart and most grocery stores

   Posted 2 years ago by TheKnittingNinja #

8. 

   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

   Posted 2 years ago by TheKnittingNinja #

9. 

   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.

   Posted 2 years ago by CatRancher #

10. 

    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?
    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!
    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?
    Good luck with the move!

    Posted 2 years ago by GreatDane #

11. 

    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.

    Do everything you can to get them accustomed to the carriers, to the car, and so forth. It will help.

    Posted 2 years ago by anncetera2 #

12. 

    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!

    Posted 2 years ago by pouncer #

13. 

    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. . .

    Posted 2 years ago by FondaHonda #

14. 

    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!

    Posted 2 years ago by anncetera2 #

15. 

    Good advice, everyone.
    ancetera, what a scary thing to experience!
    I will try the chucks, myself, Thanks for that tip CatRancher.
    I usually use towels when it's baby time, but they have never been a good solution.
    I will definitely give the chucks a try, and line my cages with them.

    Posted 2 years ago by artistabobbi TX 1/17 #

16. 

    Anncetera, how on earth did the hood liner catch fire?????

    Posted 2 years ago by GreatDane #

17. 

    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.

    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.

    Posted 2 years ago by anncetera2 #

18. 

    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.

    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.

    Posted 2 years ago by Emma #

19. 

    Good choice, Anncetera!
    And Bad Taffy, for scaring your family!

    Posted 2 years ago by GreatDane #

20. 

    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!!!

    Posted 2 years ago by Jamie #

21. 

    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!

    Posted 2 years ago by Bogman, Clark and Andy's mama 2/27 Florida #

22. 

    Sounds like a stubborn little kitty. Naughty boy! have you tried enticing him in with treats?

    Posted 2 years ago by Jamie #

23. 

    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.

    Posted 2 years ago by Sheba's Mom in Phoenix, AZ 10/8 #

24. 

    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!

    Posted 2 years ago by GreatDane #

25. 

    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.

    Posted 2 years ago by KYKAT 12 23 #

26. 

    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.

    Posted 2 years ago by paulajeanne #

27. 

    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.

    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.

    Posted 2 years ago by AngelaMotorman #

28. 

    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.

    Sheba's mom & AngelaMotorman, where are you moving too?

    Posted 2 years ago by AZDEBRA 5/27 & crew #

29. 

    AZDEBRA,
    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.

    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.

    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
    Twinkie (yes, he looks like one) are breaking my heart. They're very adoptable...

    Posted 2 years ago by AngelaMotorman #

30. 

    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...

    Posted 2 years ago by Cheri 12/22 #

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