Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi - My husband and I will be moving from Miami to Houston in a couple weeks along with our two cats. We will be driving. About 3 years ago we drove from Tulsa to Miami to move and we used a medium sized dog crate to put the two cats in. So they were together and I also had a small litter box and food and water in the crate. I have a small SUV and folded the seats down. This worked OK, but I just don't know if it was the best way. I sedated them both with was great for one, not so great for the other, who meowed the entire drive. For this trip, I am considering keeping them each in their separate carriers and wondering if this is a better or worse idea. This would be better for me, personally, but I am concerned for their comfort and peace of mind. If they travel in their carriers, their only access to food and water and litter boxes would be during breaks and during our hotel stop. Last time they did not use the food, water, or litter box the entire time they were in the car. Could somebody who knows more than me please advise? Thank you so much...
CKMICK

I think the cats might be OK in separate carriers. Put toweling in to absorb any accidents and bring fresh towels to replace the soiled ones. When you take a rest stop, you might try taking the cats out of the carriers, putting a litterbox and some food and water down in the car and see if they will use anything. Of course you will have to closely watch the cats and be sure that the car doors and windows are shut during the process. Since you are planning to stop in a motel, they should be OK even if they don't use the litterbox, drink or eat in the car as long as they do so when you get into the room. Be sure that you don't leave the cats unattended in the room while they are loose. If you must leave, confine them to the carriers.

If you can get the cats to wear collars with an ID tag this would be a good thing. Also you will want to be sure the carriers are securely belted in while you are in the car.
Good luck and have a safe trip!
-----
Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

Thank you! I appreciate the response. In regard to hotel stops while road tripping with cats, I want to let people know that you should cat proof the hotel room when you get there! This will depend on the personality of your cat, but I have one who likes to find the smallest space available and crawl into it when she is scared or nervous. This includes recliners, sofa beds, or underneath the hotel bed and in the box spring. The last time we did this we actually had to completely take apart the bed in two hotels and turn a recliner upside down, just to keep/get Chloe out of them... If there is a nook or a cranny, she will find it!

Also, I am looking at the "Rubbermaid® Pet Auto Traveler" that is soft sided, has seat belt loops, mesh sides, and a bed, thinking this would be a nicer way for my kitties to travel in my car instead of using the standard plastic pet carrier. Does anyone have any experience with this type of product? I'm thinking if it's soft it could be less helpful with claws and things getting caught if a cat starts to freak out, so I am not sure...
Thanks, again.

CKMICK

>>
>>Also, I am looking at the "Rubbermaid® Pet Auto Traveler" that is soft sided, has seat belt loops, mesh sides, and a bed, thinking this would be a nicer way for my kitties to travel in my car instead of using the standard plastic pet carrier. Does anyone have any experience with this type of product? I'm thinking if it's soft it could be less helpful with claws and things getting caught if a cat starts to freak out, so I am not sure...
>>Thanks, again.
I have never used this product, but it sounds nice.
-----
Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

I think the cats will be fine in their own carriers. When I drove from WA state to Maine. I made sure Crash had on a harnes at all times. I lost her in the hotel when I went to take the dog out. She slipped out of the room behind me. Make sure to shut the door tightly behind you when you leave the cats in the room by themselves. I was lucky a nice couple found her at the door going outside and saw me looking in a panic for her. THey said if she hadn't have had the harness on they may have let her outside.
-----
Jaime owned by
Mya the dog
and the cats:Crash, Moxie, Gabby and sometimes Tucker