A question about traveling long distance with cats

Question

I am thinking about moving, and I have 3 cats that are 10 and 8. (2 are 8). I am going to be going a long distance though.. from Missouri to Washington state. I do not know the best way to travel with them.. and the safest.. and make is non-stressful to my babies. They do not like the car.. they hate the car and yowl all the time. I need some advise please

Answer 1

Talk to your vet. You can get medication (pills) to keep the cats sedated. If you know how long you will be traveling, the vet can give you enough of the pills to work for each day, with maybe a couple of extra just in case.

Generally it's a good idea to have a separate carrier for each cat, or if you have cats that really like being together, get a larger carrier you can put a couple of cats in. Carry some disposable litter boxes with you and some of their favorite food. If you are going to be staying in motels, check ahead of time (try searching on the Internet) to find pet-friendly places. The cats can be kept sedated during the drive, then you can let them out in the hotel or motel room at night, and resedate them in the morning before you leave. Always make sure to give them water too.

Answer 2

That is a really long distance!!!  Do you have family or freinds in Washington...maybe you could fly there first with the kittens in a carrier and leave them there...and then drive by car yourself....too spare them the trauma...

However if cost and price of an airline ticket is the problem...you have no choice but to make the trip the most comfortable one for them...

1.) HAve a litter box available for them on the car floor

2.) Have food and water bowl available to them

3.) Be reassuring and calming to them

4.) ALWAYS be aware of the temperature in the car...cats can die in overheated cars  (Esp with the windows up in the summer)

5.) TAke them into the hotel room at night...Do not leave them in the car alone  YOU will be there comfort and familiarity on this long trip

Lastly think hard and make sure this move is what you want before you have to go throug it again......but if so enjoy the adventure and be considerate of your cats comforts and feelings

Answer 3

I moved from Missouri and we just let our cats walk in our car we got her into Hotels and she would use her litter box Because cats can hold in pee and poo for a LONG TIME and you can just have a lil thing of food and water in the car and she got used to the car and just laid down and went to sleep

Answer 4

How long have you taken them before?

Mine would yowl until after we were a bit past the vet then settle in to sleep.  As horrible as it may be for you, you'll need to be really careful if you plan to sedate them, especially since they're a bit older.

I drove for 8 hour trips a couple times a year and they managed, albeit unhappily.  But when I moved from FL to CA it seemed like way too long so we flew with them.  It could be a problem for you since I think most airlines limit to 2 per flight and it's 1 per person, unless they go with the baggage, which I wouldn't do.  But if they hate driving they will probably also hate flying (mine mostly slept, the same as they do in a car).  Sedating them is a bigger concern with the altitude.  And you'll have to take them out of the carriers to get them through security. You'll also need paperwork from the vet to prove that they're up on all their shots and healthy enough for travel.

Flying with cats is not fun, but neither is driving with them.  We picked flying because of the massive distance and because we wanted to take our time and enjoy the drive.  So we flew them out here, stayed for a week and got them settled, then flew back out and drove.  It was a pain, but it worked for our situation.  If you're driving and just want the trip over with as soon as possible then I'd probably drive with them.  I would discuss it with your vet too.  The cats won't like whatever you choose but they'll forgive you and settle in once the traveling is over.  

Answer 5

Pay a visit to your vet and tell him of your plans. He should be able to provide you with the necessary amount of sedatives for your feline friends for the duration of the trip. Also, to reduce their stress make sure that you have secure carriers that are tied or locked down in the back seat of your car. If they find comfort in being together you may want to purchase carriers that are large enough for 2 cats. You will also want to have harnesses for each cat and leashes too. Make sure to include a small blanket with your scent on it as that will help to make them feel more secure. Add a few treats that will keep them busy for a while and that should be good. You will also want to make certain that they have access to plenty of water. You may want to look into the water bottle feeders they have for rabbits at your local pet store. You can secure them to the outside of the carriers and the cats will always have water. You should stop someplace quiet (as possible) along your route about every 4-6 hours to walk them. I would suggest not taking more than 2 at a time out of the carrier just in case they get panicky. Hopefully they will do their business and when they do be sure to praise and pet them to reassure them. Don't forget to give yourself a break too. Make sure you have plenty of water to drink and some snacks to munch on, and take a stretch and walk break without the cats on occassion. (Be very careful that you never leave the cats in the car if it is hot as the temperature can rise very fast inside the car to the point of death within minutes). Always park in the shade with the car well ventilated and then never for more than 10 minutes at a time without checking on the cats. Your cats may still cry but just know that its not hurting them and it's just their way of coping. So turn up the music and tune out the meowing and try to enjoy the trip as best you can. Have fun and drive safely!

Answer 6

My cats also do not like cars. They miaow alot because they cannot have the space to do much in their baskets and it must be rather scary! I'm not really sure what other ways you could take them though... apparently you can take pets on planes but I think they would hate that even more to be honest. If you put food and water and get a leash and stop every now and again somewhere where you can give your cats a wander maybe they will be okay in the car. I'm sorry if this is no use but it could work

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Answer 7

I just moved across country with FOUR cats - I called 1-800-pet-meds and bought "Be Serene".  I tested it a few weeks ahead of time to see how much I needed for each individual cat.  It comes in a small bottle with a dropper-cap - and one bottle will be MORE than enough. I still have over a half a bottle left.  It was a little over $19.  

Make sure also you start to get them used to be in a carrier.  A few weeks before moving, put the carrier in a place they hang out around, take off the door if possible (if not, make sure it can NOT close by accident or rubbing their head on) and put a blanket/towel with a little catnip on it (do not change the blanket/towel, it'll have their scent on it after all this training).  Praise them quietly when they go in so they get to know it as a positive interaction.  

I do want to give you one personal warning.  The operator at the 1-800-pet-meds said to put a few drops on the blanket/towel in the carrier to keep them calm - don't do it - it made me less than alert while driving... so it did effect me as well.  Put it in their food/water or rub a little on their ear tips or head - but don't put it on the blanket if you are going to have them with you in the closed-window car.

Answer 8

Ask your vet for tranquilizers for cats. I drove all the way to california with two cats and they ended up sleeping in the back seat out of their cages.They even enjoyed the scenery!