Moving the kitties

[Futurevillager2013]

Hi,

Will be moving my guys in six weeks from New York to Florida.
Thinking a cage would be good in the backset of the car.
Really wondering how they will drink, eat and poop.
They are indoor cats and one of them is really skittish.

Anyone been through this and could give some suggestions.

Thanks,

Anne

[Mamaderby]

Hi,

Will be moving my guys in six weeks from New York to Florida.
Thinking a cage would be good in the backset of the car.
Really wondering how they will drink, eat and poop.
They are indoor cats and one of them is really skittish.

Anyone been through this and could give some suggestions.

Thanks,

Anne

Our guy, Harley Cat, did surprisingly well, hadn't been in a car for years. He is 10 years old. Now what may have helped is that we had to board him for a few days before we left, so he was glad to see us. Had a medium size dog crate so he had room. Put in a small litter box and took a lot of catnip. He yelled for about 1/2 hour and then was fine. Frankly, I was shocked he did so well!

[ajbrown]

With two cats and a dog, I came up with the idea of a two bedroom apartment for the cats. I used an an old medium sized dog crate that a friend no longer wanted. I replaced one side with an old piece of scrap peg board so I could attach two cat carriers. Now they have their own bedrooms and a lobby with a shared bath. The cats mostly sleep in their respective rooms. Been this way for six years....

Here are two pictures to help my words...

Back of SUV somewhere in route it looks like, can barely make out the grey kitty in the front room.


http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af146/ajbrown2007/totv/P1040051_zps22429d63.jpg (http://s1002.photobucket.com/user/ajbrown2007/media/totv/P1040051_zps22429d63.jpg.html)


A better view of apartment after the car is unpacked in MA.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af146/ajbrown2007/totv/P1040057_zps7660639b.jpg (http://s1002.photobucket.com/user/ajbrown2007/media/totv/P1040057_zps7660639b.jpg.html)

[lovinganimals]

I moved a month ago from CT with 5 cats. We were stopping one night in NC. My vet told us to do this and it was fine. We gave them a light dinner the night prior. Put them in individual carriers with nothing else and when we stopped for the night we gave them a litter box, food and water. In the morning it was back in the carriers and no food or water or litterbox until we arrived. They were fine. She said they only need the litterbox at night and she was right. The only problem we had was that I asked her for a sedative and because of that, one of the cats lost her bladder 2 hours into the ride the first day. But they did not need sedatives because they calmed down after a bit anyway. I would have put 2 of them into a cage since they get along, but the vet said if I was stopping for the night not to do that since I would then have to transfer them from the cage into carriers to get them into the motel and they might escape into the car, or worse yet, the road. Good luck!

[CFrance]

With two cats and a dog, I came up with the idea of a two bedroom apartment for the cats. I used an an old medium sized dog crate that a friend no longer wanted. I replaced one side with an old piece of scrap peg board so I could attach two cat carriers. Now they have their own bedrooms and a lobby with a shared bath. The cats mostly sleep in their respective rooms. Been this way for six years....

Here are two pictures to help my words...

Back of SUV somewhere in route it looks like, can barely make out the grey kitty in the front room.




http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af146/ajbrown2007/totv/P1040051_zps22429d63.jpg (http://s1002.photobucket.com/user/ajbrown2007/media/totv/P1040051_zps22429d63.jpg.html)


A better view of apartment after the car is unpacked in MA.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af146/ajbrown2007/totv/P1040057_zps7660639b.jpg (http://s1002.photobucket.com/user/ajbrown2007/media/totv/P1040057_zps7660639b.jpg.html)

You gotta love the dog, just sittin' there rarin' to go. "C'mon, guys, let's get movin'! this'll be fun!!!"

I think your setup is perfect for the kitties. We took two cats around the country for seven months while my husband was on a training program for Westinghouse. Had to move every month. We transported them in a dog carrier. They felt very secure. They could make the trips without using the bathrooms, then we would set their litterbox up in the motel when we arrived. I think they really liked being in that cage together, as they were used to sleeping together from kittens.

[ajbrown]

We are sometimes on the road for 15 hours and our cats do use the litter box en route. Until they scratch it in there can be several moments of http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-sick007.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)

Once at the motel, my wife carries them in one at a time. I have the harder job of getting Caly (dog) into the room :D.

[graciegirl]

[quote=ajbrown;720723]We are sometimes on the road for 15 hours and our cats do use the litter box en route. Until they scratch it in there can be several moments of http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-sick007.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)


YUP!

We took them back and forth many times when we were snow birding. We got harnesses for them and attached leashes thinking if one somehow got out it would be easier to get them. Be sure that the harnesses fit close enough they can't slip out...Cats are excellent slipper outers. We got a big vinyl cage at Walmart (about thirty bucks and large enough for three cats, we have two) and put them in it when the trip began and they yelled like crazy. When we were on the road we let them out and they were allowed two laps, NOT the drivers. (There are three of us) They shed and they threw up and they pooped due to stress so take all necessary items for cleanups. We had a litter box in the van too and they used it. Food isn't important. It took us 14 hours straight through and we drove it straight through because of the cats.

They were calmer when they could roam the van, but we zipped them back in before we opened the car doors.

They are so pleased now we are permanent and we are too. Redwitch takes care of them in our home now when we leave for any extended length of time and she takes EXCELLENT care of them. She loves our two cats, Harry, Mikey and Hershey.

[Dayzee]

Our return to TV this October will be the first long road trip for both of our kitties. I asked the vet this past week about 'natural' alternatives for sedating them in the event that they don't travel well, she told me about a calming product called Feliway. It comes in the form of a spray (and also a nibblie treat). It can be sprayed directly on their beds and the entire surrounding area and has no obnoxious odor. I did some research and found that there are several similar products on the market. It is a bit expensive but I certainly intend to give it a try - anything to make the trip less-stressful for them - and us. Glad to read the positive post with the 'cat hotel' pics, it is very much like the set-up I plan on using, good to know it worked well for you.

[CFrance]

Our return to TV this October will be the first long road trip for both of our kitties. I asked the vet this past week about 'natural' alternatives for sedating them in the event that they don't travel well, she told me about a calming product called Feliway. It comes in the form of a spray (and also a nibblie treat). It can be sprayed directly on their beds and the entire surrounding area and has no obnoxious odor. I did some research and found that there are several similar products on the market. It is a bit expensive but I certainly intend to give it a try - anything to make the trip less-stressful for them - and us. Glad to read the positive post with the 'cat hotel' pics, it is very much like the set-up I plan on using, good to know it worked well for you.

We used one of these products in our dog's crate for a plane trip. Also, it came in collars, which lasted a month or so, and we kept one on him the whole 6 months we were gone because we stayed in a big city and he was not used to walking on crowded sidewalks. He did well.

[ajbrown]

Sorry for all the pictures, but I love seeing others photos, so hope you enjoy some of mine..... It has come to my attention that only Caly gets any face time on TOTV. Here are the other girls watching Caly, patiently waiting their turn to get out of the car after arriving in MA.

Willow (grey) and Cricket. Cricket is about 20 years old. We got her when very little, she was a feral kitty when she joined the family.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af146/ajbrown2007/totv/P1040052_zps836bacb6.jpg (http://s1002.photobucket.com/user/ajbrown2007/media/totv/P1040052_zps836bacb6.jpg.html)

[CFrance]

Sorry for all the pictures, but I love seeing others photos, so hope you enjoy some of mine..... It has come to my attention that only Caly gets any face time on TOTV. Here are the other girls watching Caly, patiently waiting their turn to get out of the car after arriving in MA.

Willow (grey) and Cricket. Cricket is about 20 years old. We got her when very little, she was a feral kitty when she joined the family.

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af146/ajbrown2007/totv/P1040052_zps836bacb6.jpg (http://s1002.photobucket.com/user/ajbrown2007/media/totv/P1040052_zps836bacb6.jpg.html)

Awwwwwwwwww! How cute. And they have a great little condo setup there. You are very clever.

[JC and John]

Our return to TV this October will be the first long road trip for both of our kitties. I asked the vet this past week about 'natural' alternatives for sedating them in the event that they don't travel well, she told me about a calming product called Feliway. It comes in the form of a spray (and also a nibblie treat). It can be sprayed directly on their beds and the entire surrounding area and has no obnoxious odor. I did some research and found that there are several similar products on the market. It is a bit expensive but I certainly intend to give it a try - anything to make the trip less-stressful for them - and us. Glad to read the positive post with the 'cat hotel' pics, it is very much like the set-up I plan on using, good to know it worked well for you.

Feliway worked pretty well for our 2 cats when we moved them down. One of the cats did holler a lot the first couple of hours but she is a talker anyway. We moved her carrier from the back seat of the SUV to the front seat of the Hertz truck with "Dad". She was calm the whole time since she could see Dad. We did stop twice for overnite on the way down from VA. The girls did well in the motel rooms and slept on the beds with us. As above, no food till night. We offered water in the carrier, not sure they drank any of it. We put the litter box inside a large garbage bag for transport. I must say the girls did really well on the trip and adjusting to a new home. Better than "Mom". I was an exhausted but excited wreck. We also used Feliway in our new home for awhile. BE SURE TO HAVE A TAG ON THE KITTYS WITH YOUR CELL NUMBER! Have a wonderful and safe trip!

[duffysmom]

I am so impressed with the love and care you guys have for your pets. AJBrown, your little condo is a hoot and very clever, the cats are beautiful as well. Don't you have a platform for Caly on the back of your cart? I once made a trip to NYC with two cats in a rental car. One cat disappeared and I was heartbroken running up and down a busy street looking for her. Hours later as I was returning the rental car I found her tucked way up under the front seat. She wasn't visible when I looked under the seat a dozen times because she had imbedded her little self way up inside the seat. Close call!!

[CFrance]

[QUOTE=duffysmom;721017]I am so impressed with the love and care you guys have for your pets. AJBrown, your little condo is a hoot and very clever, the cats are beautiful as well. Don't you have a platform for Caly on the back of your cart? I once made a trip to NYC with two cats in a rental car. One cat disappeared and I was heartbroken running up and down a busy street looking for her. Hours later as I was returning the rental car I found her tucked way up under the front seat. She wasn't visible when I looked under the seat a dozen times because she had imbedded her little self way up inside the seat. Close call!![/QUOTE

Ohhhhhhh, I can just feel your dread, panic, and sorrow, duffysmom. My stomach knotted up just reading about it. I am so glad you found your little girl.

When we moved from Pittsburgh to NJ in the '80s, somehow one of our cats escaped through the van's little front window (the one people used to flick their cigarette ashes out of) and ran for the woods behind the house. She was missing for three days. The JOY when she finally showed back up...!

I can't even remember why she wasn't in the cage with her brothers. But she always was the "acting out" one!

[DougB]

20 years old??? Dang, what's that, like 150 in people years?

[scarflady]

We made the trip from Pa to Fl and back 2 times this past year with 2 cats. The first time I was worried how it would go for them, but I quickly found out they travel well. They are not interested in eating, drinking or using the litter box while in the van in a cage. I keep the cage covered with a small blanket and this keeps them calm and they sleep the whole time...about 9 hours a day. When we stop at a motel for the night, they are happy to roam the room, eat, drink and use the litter box. The next day we repeat the same to arrive in the Villages by mid afternoon and we are all happy to be there. I never use any kind of drugs or sprays to calm them. They are both oriental shorthairs, which are very vocal, but it only takes them about 15 minutes to settle and fall asleep.

[ajbrown]

I am so impressed with the love and care you guys have for your pets. AJBrown, your little condo is a hoot and very clever, the cats are beautiful as well. Don't you have a platform for Caly on the back of your cart? <OP shortened by Alan>

Thank you for the clever compliment. There is a fine line between clever and cheap hack :laugh:

The platform for Caly was given to someone in The Villages through TOTV. It only fits a Par Car and I sold that. I never heard if she used it. Here is a picture of that Caly platform:

http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af146/ajbrown2007/totv/P1030321-1.jpg (http://s1002.photobucket.com/user/ajbrown2007/media/totv/P1030321-1.jpg.html)

20 years old??? Dang, what's that, like 150 in people years?

Cricket the cat IS old no matter how you measure it. Still healthy (vet yesterday), still eats a lot, but literally a bag of bones.

[duffysmom]

[QUOTE=ajbrown;721236]Thank you for the clever compliment. There is a fine line between clever and cheap hack :laugh:/QUOTE]

This definition says it all....

clev·er

Adjective
1.Quick to understand, learn, and devise or apply ideas; intelligent.
2.Skilled at doing or achieving something; talented: "she is clever with her hands".

Synonyms
smart - shrewd - intelligent - skillful - skilful

Caly has no intention of leaving, she has it too good at home.:)

[Futurevillager2013]

Thank you everyone for all the clever ideas. We are looking for a used dog carrier on Craigs list for our two cats and will be using lots of your ideas especially about not giving them too much food or water. We don't know how they will do because the only time we've taken them in the car is to go to the vet. So we will try some practice runs.

[CFrance]

I have to tell. In 1970, we embarked on a Westinghouse training program which involved moving once a month for seven months. We had two Siamese cats (boys) and a used Chevy Caprice which broke down once a month without fail.

As I said earlier, the cats traveled in a dog carrier and made all the trips fine. Well. There was that one time... PEE-EWW!!!!!!! But that was only once, and they wouldn't tell on each other.

At the end of the training program, with the Caprice really going down the drain, we were forced to trade it in for a new car. Sentimental couple that we are, we loaded the cats into the backseat (free from carrier) for a "last ride" before trading the car in. They both hurled all over the place.