Question for Cat Owners? About This Page:

[denwol]

How would you go about transporting cats over long distances?

We may be making a move to FL, and if so, we would be driving down over a period of 2-3 days. You really can't take a cat in a car for that long, can you? They aren't like dogs that can go on a leash and do their business whenever you stop....

Can you bring cats and litterboxes into hotels? Will they be okay to travel 6-8 hours per day in the car without going? Will the vet prescribe tranquilizers for the trip? How hard is it to give a cat a tranquilizer?


I am completely clueless as to what we should do. Thanks for your help!

[mrsmac2001]

The longest I have ever travel with my cat was 4 hours. I would definately ask your vet.

[FanOfMickey]

I too would talk to your vet. I made the trip from Pittsburgh to Ma, about 10 hours with my cats and they did fine. They were a bit skittish when we got to where we were going though.

[rescuesk]

There is a wonderful book available called "Traveling with your pet" by AAA. It gives alot of tips about traveling with pets, as well as a listing of pet-friendly hotels in every state. I picked up my copy at AAA, but you could probably get it on Amazon or even at the library.

[Chrissi]

You can safely travel with cats in a large dog carrier with a litterbox in the carrier. Look for pet-friendly hotels and explain your needs when you book. Pet-friendly hotels may even have some suggestions you haven't thought of. Keep in mind that they'll need frequent stops so you can provide them with fresh water. (Traveling when we moved made my cats pee like mad. )

[Eeyore Tattoo]

We moved from California to Texas with 2 cats, 1 dog and 2 birds.
The cats had carriers and we stopped about every 4 to 6 hours so everyone could have a break. We had a litter box for the kitties. When we stopped we put the "box" on the floor of the truck and one of us let them out of their crates while the other walked the dog. The birds rode in their cages in the car we were towing. We were on the road 3 days.. A great time was had by all
Deb

[camsammom1]

It depends on the cat. Years ago I was helping a friend move across country. We let her cat loose in the car while we drove. He sat in the back window the whole way very content. (we got some very strange looks from passing cars) Not many cats would do that though. My cat hates car trips. I wouldn't dream of taking her further than across town without tranquilizers. You know your cats temperment. Talk to your vet and decide what will be best.

[WishIwasinDisney]

I'm so glad you asked this question. We are planning a move to FL this summer with two cats who do NOT ride in the car well, not even for 10 minutes, never mind 1200 miles. Everyone I know is telling me to go to the vet for "kitty vallium". I'm going to make an appointment for mine to see what the vet has to say. It's going to be a long trip with them in the car, I'm hopeful that some sort of relaxer or sedative will work. Let me know if you come up with some good ideas and I will do the same.

[DrDolphin]

You've gotten good advice -

1. Definitely make an appt with your vet. I could not give one of my cats "valium" he was allergic...
2. Get each cat their own crate - with blankets, etc that they know.
3. you can get disposal litter boxes - until you get to the hotel were you can set up their regular one. I found my cats did fine in their box once we got to the hotel.
4. Don't feed the cats on the road - only when you stop for the night
5. Keep plenty of water for the kids - you may notice they are stressed and pant.
6. Put the crates where the kids can SEE out of the car if at all possible. That will help with car sickness and stress
When I traveled from DC to JAX - it took 2 days and one of the cats - Rocky - cried the whole way... and since he could not take the drugs - I talked to him for 2 days. We listened to music, listened to books on CD - and I talked as well.

Many hotels will allow pets - with a pet deposit or fee. The AAA book Sue mentioned sounds like a great resource.

Good Luck!

[akleos]

We drove from Michigan to Jersey with my two cats. I gave them tranquilizers at my vet's advice. One cat was so drugged out it he couldn't lift his head and his tongue lolled out of his mouth (that really frightened me), and the other cat got so freaked by feeling drugged up that he struggled through it - howling through the whole ride and feeling miserable. I think if I had to move like that again with my cats, I would have let them roam free in the car instead of keeping them in a cage and drugged. I think they would have felt more comfortable, which would have made everyone else more comfortable. Some of the drawbacks to letting them roam free are that you cat can get under your feet as your driving, it is more difficult to get in and out of the car at rest stops (and as in your case, when you get to and leave the hotels), and they might make your suitcase their bathroom. The best news is that no matter how awful the drive seems, your cat will bounce back once they feel acclimated in your new home! Good luck!

[DopeyGirl]

We drove from the Pensacola, FL to Norfolk, Virginia in November (it took us 2 days) then a week later drove from Norfolk to St. Louis, MO (and then back to VA a month later) with both of our cats.

They are both really good car riders and slept most of the way . . . we brought our regular litter box (with litter in drawstring litter box liners) and they went straight to the box as soon as we got settled in a hotel and showed them where it was.

Do be sure that you check with your vet (and take your cats on short rides around town or a bit out of town just for the heck of it). If they aren't great car riders, maybe ask for a VERY low dose of pet valium or something. Definitely check for pet friendly hotels as well, since there are MANY chains that do not allow pets. Here's a site that might come in handy:

petswelcome.com

[Teresa]

We have two cats that walk on leashes. The leashes can be found at any pet supply store, and we use the harness style ones. It took almost no time for them to get used to the feel. We put the leashes on them, and just let them wander around the house, plying them with treats.

I wouldn't recommend letting them roam in the car at all. I've known people who were in accidents because of an animal under their feet.

[Chrissi]

I have to agree about not letting them roam around the car. They pose a danger to you, but to others as well if they get underfoot and you can't brake. Very dangerous. You wouldn't let your kids loose in the car. Don't let your pets loose. It's also unsafe for them. If there's an accident, who knows what could happen to them. In a carrier, they're easy for you or rescue personel to locate in the event of an accident.

[denwol]

Thanks for all of the advice, guys! I'll definitely be putting it to good use.....

[DawnDenise]

Thanks from me for the info as well. The website for hotels that accept pets was extremely handy because we will be living in a hotel for 3 days in between our two places.