[shawano1]

We have a twelve yr old "child", I mean cat, who we are bringing down from WI. In the past, grandma would come and stay, while we went south to play. Grandma is now being dragged down with us, so Kid-D has to come, too. However, the only time Kid-D has left our house, was to go to the vet 1-2 times/yr. We were originally going to shorten the commute for her and fly, but thought the experience would be too stressful. So, I brought down the carrier and placed it in living room, which immediately sent Kid-D into hiding upstairs under our bed. After a couple feedings in her carrier she has now accepted the carrier. Next, its going to put Kid-D, litter box, and carrier into the back cargo area of a Ford Focus wagon to try to calm her anxieties of car travel, as she would let out loud, moaning cries all the way on our drives to the vet, which is 45 minutes each way. Any ideas for a 22 hour, 2-3 day drive? I know I will also need to find " cat-friendly" hotel/motels along the way. Also, any suggestions for when we get her to our home in TV and adjusting to new territory? Many sites suggest bringing water from home, which we will. Kid-D is an indoor only cat. Thank you, in advance

[redwitch]

I traveled with three cats and a 19 YO from California to here. One of my cats couldn't tolerate a five minute drive to the vet, so I really wasn't sure she would survive the drive. The other two weren't thrilled with cars but weren't absolutely terrified. For my fraidy cat, I did give her half a tranquilizer the first day. All three adapted quite well. By day two, there was no howling or even mewling when we got back in the car and on the road unless we locked them up. They ended being allowed to roam the car with their leads on. We blocked the driver's seat so they couldn't get under my feet. They loved looking out the window and harassing my daughter. It actually became an enjoyable trip and all seemed relatively happy by the time we got here.

I can't remember the site name for motels that allow pets I'm sure you can easily google it. I think AAA also has a list of pet friendly places. wasn't a problem at all.

Happy traveling.

[jblum315]

On a long-ago 3-day trip with our old Siamese cat Agatha, I gave her a tranq the first day but it knocked her out completely. Next time I gave her half and didn't need any more after that. I put a litter box in the back but she never used it in the car, only at night in the motel. No food in the car. Water in the form of a bowl of ice cubes that melted slowly. No carrier, leash and harness only. Good luck!

[JRichm369]

Make sure that you have an article of clothing that you have worn for the cat to lay on, also have a small dish of ice instead of water replenish as necessary. Holiday inn web site will show pet friendly hotels and Holiday Inn expresses. there is another web site that lists pet friendly hotels.

[Jaggy]

Memories of traveling to Fl from Oh with 3 cats and a weeping 16 yr old daughter.. Yikes !!!! I highly recommend the tranquilizers for cats.. just wish I had discovered them for me when that move was in process !!!

[Beth P]

Bringing two cays down in Feb. both of whom hate the car. Only a 7 hour trip for us but spoke with vet. Will try Dramamine and/or Xanax ahead of time to see how they react. They WILL stay in their carriers for the trip.

[Markam]

La Quinta Motels often allow pets.

We moved here with 2 cats who only had been in a car for vet visits. Both were rather vocal for a while but finally got used to it. One worthwhile tip we got was to cover their carriers with a cloth so they couldn't see out. That did seem to quiet them some.

[Barefoot]

We traveled for years with our cat, the last time when she was 19.
We would do a 26 hour drive over 3 days - to The Villages every November and back to Canada in May.
We would stay at LaQuinta Hotels.
The cat would be terribly agitated if we locked her in a carrier.
So we let her roam free with a halter and leash so we could tether her before a car door was opened.
If she could avoid the carrier, she would be happy to lie down with the dogs and sleep the time away.

[Bonanza]

I think everyone is stressing too much about traveling with cats. No, they don't like it but usually do much better than everyone thinks.

I am not a believer in tranquilizing any pet for travel. I find it much better to have an alert pet -- before, during and after.

Our last move was 2,500 miles and before that, we did 2,700 miles. Yes, they may throw up or poop in their carrier (carriers are a must). They may not eat much, if at all. We have never necessarily stopped at a pet friendly motel. We've never planned our stops because we never know how far we will go. Once in a room, we just make sure that besides their food, water and litter box, we also have a brush and dust pan to clean up after them, and a bag for their litter. We also bring a yard stick to ferret them out from under the bed when we're ready to leave.

Once you get them to their new destination, confine them for a few hours in their new home with their litter box -- hopefully it can be where the box will be permanently placed.

So, relax. The less stressed you are the less stressed your cat will be.

[gap2415]

One of our two kitties cries in the vehicle no matter how long the trip, so we often use house sitters.com (free) but we have now found that if we place a dark blanket on the carrier and he cannot see out, he settles right down.

[asianthree]

We must be lucky get out a box or suitcase and she is in it. Ready to go

[Trish Crocker]

I was worried about the same thing, driving down from Michigan. We put them both in carriers...that lasted about an hour when my husband opened the doors and let them roam. Absolutely NO problem. We also blocked the drivers floor area (put a bed pillow there). They took turns standing on the console between us to look out the window. As suggested, we stayed at LaQuinta since they are pet friendly. Again, my husband was right when he said that it would be easy....geez....is he EVER wrong????

[Sable99]

I have traveled with four cats (two at a time) and luckily they all have traveled well.

My two late cats used to travel between Falls Church, VA to Michigan. (I used to fly when I had one cat but started driving when I got a second cat.) They loved to sit in the back window of the car so everyone could admire them. One time, at a rest stop, three people waited by my car for me to ask what breed they were! They were beautiful Birmans!

I also traveled with the two cats I have now from Michigan to our condo in St. Augustine Beach. Since my 90 year old mother is a little paranoid that they are going to get out, we travel with a 30" cage (for both of them) in our van. I have a small litter box in the car and get out food and water when we stop. Much to my mother's dismay, I also let them out of the cage!

We usually overnight at a LaQuinta or a Comfort Suites. Some Comfort Suites have a pet fee.

Unfortunately, we rent out our TV home so we have to rent a home when we are in TV. Since most rentals don't allow cats, we only get to TV for two weeks at a time and I leave the cats in the care of a long time friend. I can't wait until I can take them to TV. They are going to love our lanai!

[MoeVonB61]

FROM EXPERIENCE: ..transporting 2 Senior Cats....buy a BIG carrier that your cat can stand up in and move around while driving. If nervous, the cat will pee in the carrier so put an old towel in there. The Ramada Inn is THE MOST pet-friendly and reasonably priced. We let our cats out of the carriers there at night. Neither cat would eat too while driving....SPRINKLE CAT NIP in the carrier....Good Luck

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by mrich61

The Ramada Inn is THE MOST pet-friendly and reasonably priced.

I've never heard anyone say before that The Ramada Inn is THE MOST pet-friendly.
That is good to know, we are always looking for pet-friendly accommodations for our two dogs.
We usually stay at La Quinta which allows two dogs to stay free, but there isn't necessarily a LaQuinta available every time we want to stop.
I assume the policy of Ramada Inns is no pet fee?