We recently came off the road after fulltime rving with 3 cats ..We went to a cat show to see how folks traveled with kitties and found a company that made the perfect pop open travel cage for our kitties..
It was 50in long, 29 in hi and 25 in. wide. We bought the hammack that the company sold and also put in a small litter pan. It opened (zippered) at both ends and had two zippered opening in the mesh front for easy access while traveling.
We set it across the back seat (folded down) of our dully truck.. We pulled a 5th wheel. It worked out very well for us..
It's made by a company called Sturdi Shelter.
When we found we no longer had a need for it we put our Sturdi shelter on Craigs List...
Traveling in motor homes with pets may be easy, it's a bit more of a challenge when traveling pulling a 5th or a TT...
Barb
2001 Chev. 3500 CC Duallie, D/A, 20.5 Pullrite Super 5th, Roll n Lock, StarBoards, Firestone Air Bags, TTT Mirrors, BrakeSmart.
2004 HitchHiker Discover America 33 1/2 CKQG, Disc Brakes, Mor/Ryde IS
Garmin Nuvi 350
I think a crate or cage large enough to accommodate one or more cats and a litter box might be a good set-up. More or less crates depending on how well they get along with each other. Some people do well with cats uncrated in the cabin, if you do that I'd recommend leash training and teaching kitty to ride in a particular spot in the car... that's actually what I did with my cat on the trip to ND. The other two rode in crates.
If you're going to pre-condition, I'd actually start just in the driveway, and include some really favorite treats, catnip and so on. Let them look around and wander around inside whatever they're going to ride in, give them treats, get them comfortable in that space. Later on, short trips. But first get them to where just going out to the car isn't a stressor.
I have to tell you that a few people here have had to travel with older cats, and they seem to do pretty darn well, usually much better than expected. Once they get over the panic, they're inclined to sleep a lot, and they like to be with their humans, so it often works out well.
Be VERY careful when dealing with a cat in a car that isn't crated. You don't want to lose a kitty! A harness and leash can help a lot, as can carrying to the car in the crate and crating before opening the door. Get your safety and security procedures in place and think about that when deciding who rides where... you don't want to be in the middle of nowhere chasing a cat across a parking lot. That happens too, and it sometimes works out well but is never fun.
susan
Fuzzy Wuzzy was a wabbit, Fuzzy Wuzzy had a dandelion habit! RIP little Wuz... don't go far.
We only had one cat in the car each time, so DW either kept an eye on or held the cat (depending on whether it looked interested in making any sort of a dash) when I got out for fuel, etc. We did have a cat carrier for some circumstances. But I suppose with 2 cats together it would be necessary to take more precautions.
Mike & Sherry
2000 Mercury Mountaineer
2008 Toyota Highlander
2011 KZ Spree Escape E14RB
Traveling with cats can be done, and the cat may even forgive you - eventually.
Talk to your vet about mild sedation, especially with the older kitties.
Have the kitties chipped for identification if they do get loose.
Leash training is good and a kennel is a must. The problem with loose cats (or dogs)in the cab is if you have to make an emergency stop, they become projectiles. If they are in your lap and the airbag goes off, the pet can sustain a crush injury.
Good Luck.
Ellen
1 Retired Husband
2 Dogs
2 Cats
1 2008 F350SD Truck
1 2011 Arctic Fox 29-5E
2 Cars
1 House
Not Enough Time
I must disagree with this advice. Someone can open a window or door and the cat dashes to it's death by passing autos, or gets lost. Cats need to be kept safely on large cages or carriers when in cars, vans or PU trucks. Stopping every 3 to 4 hours or so to let them use the litter pans and get water in the RV works well. Then back into their carriers or cages, and the TV for another few hours.
eightballsidepocket wrote: I'm most concerned about my 16 year old boy cat, Teddy.
How would or have you been able to work out pottying the
kitties on the road?
We stop every few hours and take them to the RV to use the litter pans. By then you will probably need a break from driving anyway. I know we do. NEVER let them loose in the TV unless they're in escape proof harnesses and there is someone to hold the leashes tightly. But that's the least safe way to move cats. Carriers or large cages (like those wire dog crates) are safest.
When we relocated from California to Alabama, we had two cats. I talked to their vet and got some pills to keep them calm for the trip. They rode in their little portable kennels. I kept a litter box in the back of the car and let them out to use it at rest stops. Also got a harness for each and would walk them in the pet area of rest stops.
It worked out ok. The pills kept them pretty "woozy" all day. We made it in four days and I was glad to get them back to "normal".
Offline
