I have a cat that was recently diagnosed with heart disease and therefore needs to be given pills once a day. When we go on vacation we normally just leave him at home and have a friend take care of him, but I'm not comfortable asking my friend to give him the pills (anyone that has pilled a cat knows what a struggle it can be). I am wondering what people's thoughts and/or experience are with taking a cat on a week long vacation in a PUP?
Guess it would depend on the cat. Is it an indoor cat only or does it go in and out? Is it active and likes to climb or is it laid back and just lays around all day? Has it ever been in an environment other than home for any length of time, not just trips to the vet? If so, how did it handle that? Was it nervous or just fine with the whole thing. If not, have you tried popping up the camper and seeing how the cat reacts to being in there? There is no way I could go camping with any of my three cats, they are indoor/outdoor cats (all fixed BTW) so they would not take kindly to being kept inside for a week, not to mention the damage they would do to the popup trying to get out and the hassles of trying to keep them in.
An alternative might be to board the cat with your vet. Most offer boarding of some type, and they would be able to give the cat its medicine without a problem.
If you REALLY want to have the cat camping with you try two things first.
Take the cat for a ride in the car. Many cats can't tolerate riding in cars. Then try an over night in camp driveway. Most cats do not take well and it's a constant battle keeping them in the camper or from tearing up everything in the camper. This means someone HAS to stay with the cat all the time.
My vote goes for boarding.
As noted in our sig, we have two camping cats, neither declawed. Both have been indoor/outdoor cats in the past, although since one was diagnosed with diabetes, both have been indoor cats for over two years and that is when the camping with cats adventure began. We have to give insulin shots twice a day, and in this area, to board a cat that has medication needs is $17/day. I would note that both are 13 years old, so not as rambunctious as a much younger cat can be.
We took a four week trip to California with both of them in June. The first 1/2 hour down the road the first day of the trip was the only bad part, with both cats getting sick. After that, things settled down. I guess they realized they weren't going to the vet! We didn't have a clue before we started taking them camping, but neither cat has shown any inclination to want out of the trailer. I think they are a little intimidated by what they see and hear outside and want no part of it. In fact they seem to "pout" when they see the sheets taken off the bed since they know it's back in the car. We have taken both of them out on leashes (not liked, but tolerated) and often they make a beeline right back to the trailer. Because we were camping in cool (temperature) places, we'd leave them in the trailer for up to eight hours at a shot with a few windows open of course. Never a bit of damage even to the screens, although like cats do anywhere, they love to try to get into the cabinets and cubby holes to hide. Altogether, they travelled around 4000 miles on this trip.
We once met a couple in Zion from British Columbia and they were on a several month trip with their three cats.
Our dogs love going camping but our cat hates to even think about getting in a car. He hides when the crate comes out. Even a car ride to the vet is non stop howling and he often pees in the crate. That being said when I was growing up we had a cat who never rode in a cat carrier and always went with us on rides up to the cabin almost every weekend and some camping trips. We had a large station wagon and usually the first few minutes he woudl howl then sometimes urp and then he was fine. His preferred spot to ride after the first few minutes was sitting on the back of the drivers seat leaning on my Dad's shoulder. He would go hundreds of miles in a day there.
If they don't mind riding in a car (especially in a carrier) you may want to have them hang out in the samper in the driveway ato get them used to it but they should do fine.
When I was young we took a cat to our cabin,- the cat got out and never found again.
Cats are not like dogs, if they get out they don't come when the're called.
If they are in a camper and in a foreign place, they might try to get out because of fear.
I would look into a vet/border.
Families who camp together, stay together...
Dad
Mom
11yr old son- knows everything now...
5 yr old son- still sweet...
4 yr old daugher- turning me grey already...
Having spent several weeks over the last couple of years camping with my SIL and her two cats, we have some experience in making sure everyone has a happy camping experience.
First up, they’re her cats, so they get transported in her car. Given that myself and DS are allergic to cats and the presence of our dog, the cats are NOT allowed inside the trailer. After setting up camp, we house the cats in a large fold-down kennel/cage (designed for small dogs, about 2½’ x 3’ x 2’ H). We leave this kennel under the rear bunk, where there is sufficient shade, protection from the rain and some privacy from any passing children who might want to come over and play with the cats. At night we cover the kennel with an old blanket. Of course, litterbox, food & water are in the kennel as well. During the day, my SIL will leash her cats and tie them up outside (of course our dog is also tied up and we make sure that the two don’t meet!)
One further note, when we’re not in camp, and at night, we make sure the kennel is secured with a cable and locked to the trailer.
You could experiment with your friend about administering the pill before you go and see how it works out. Maybe a little money incentive for your friend or extra if already offered?
I haven't camped with any of our 3 cats, but I wouldn't want to! They sure are quick when they want to be and I'd be paranoid about them slipping by me or the kids.
Bringing the dog is a bit of stress as it is...especially since she is so picky about where/when she does her "business".
It is good to realize that if love and peace can prevail on earth, and if we can teach our children to honor nature's gifts, the joys and beauties of the outdoors will be here forever.
-Jimmy Carter --39th president of the United States (1977-81), b.1924
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