12 hour drive with my fur child

[happycampernc]

I don't like the idea of my kitty riding for 12 hours in the trailer but I know that we can't have her in the truck because she would have to have water and be able to use the litter pan. Besides that she would drive us crazy with her meowing. Any ideas on how to deal with her. Before anyone asks no we can not have someone watch her as she is diabetic and needs her shots twice a day.

[Ray LeTourneau]

We are facing the same dilemma. We have a newly acquired kitty and even a short trip to the vet was annoying. I've thought about leaving him in the trailer but I thought he may freak out and not be normal when we stop to set up. So I welcome any suggestions as well. Other than get rid of the cat.:rolleyes:

[cookie]

happycampernc, our kitty is 17 years old and we take him everywhere. He does ride in the truck with us. I put down the rear seats in our cc GMC, line the floor with old carpet, add a litter box and water bowl. When he gets in the truck the first thing he does is barf. We know it is going to happen so we are prepared. He complains for about an hour then settles in and rides on the consol between us. We have thought about him riding in the coach, but we would not know what is going on back there. Best to put up with his complaining for an hour.
Peace
Dave

[Paul & Nan]

Have you thought about a travel kennel, you can get a water/food dish that hooks to the wire on the door. When you stop for fuel/rest, let kitty or puppy out to do it's business. That way the fur child can ride in truck or trailer in safety and if you add their favorite blankie and toy they can enjoy the ride. Nan

[leftyf]

Taalk to your vet about a mild tranquilizer. Or, get a bunch of catnip..

Used to keep my girl more than occupied.

Man, I do miss that cat...sigh.

[Ray LeTourneau]

Taalk to your vet about a mild tranquilizer. Or, get a bunch of catnip..

Used to keep my girl more than occupied.

Man, I do miss that cat...sigh.
I like the idea of the tranquilizer. I didn't think of that. I'll check with our vet for a mild one.

[cjwigley]

Our Lady doesn't like to ride in the truck but there are times we insist. We put her favorite bed, disposable litter pan and small water bowl in the truck. She meows almost constantly and roams. Constantly petting her head, around her ears, is the only thing that calms her for a while. You think her voice would give out. Eventually (about 3 hrs later), she will attempt to lie down and nap but she fights it. Ever so often we hear a tiny little mew and we silently laugh. Tell her to be quiet and she meows back at us.

If the weather is not too cold or too hot, we do allow her to ride in the RV. She likes to lie on the carpet upstairs in the hall beside the bed. She gets to go to sleep (she is an all day sleeper and we think this is what makes her so cranky in the truck plus she doesn't like the truck sound) and seems not to be bothered at all. A couple of times we have found barf but that is usually when we have been traveling very rough roads. We stop about every hour for our own comfort and to check on her when she is in the RV. Most of the time, she meets us at the door with a very sleepy look on her face or she just stays lying in the floor where she sleeps. If we stop long enough, she goes to her food bowl or to the litter box or to get a drink.

I know riding in the RV is not the smoothest ride and sometimes not the safest if a door comes open or something decides to slide out of position. We have traveled with her for three years and now feel comfortable with whatever makes a better ride for her.

We do have a good size cage, which she hates, so rarely use it. In fact, it will be up for sale at the Goshen Rally - $40. It is large enough for two cats, a small litter pan, and small combo food/water dish. Great for keeping cats in when having RV work done inside. Lady loves service techs and enjoys their attention. So far we have had no problems with her getting out while RV is in for service. We just post a note on the door to remind techs she is inside.

Good luck with traveling with your fur kid!! It is an adventure:eek:

[ct0218]

One of our cats is 14, and is very much like Dave's--almost identical. Not a problem though.

[JohnDar]

I like the idea of the tranquilizer. I didn't think of that. I'll check with our vet for a mild one.

"Lemme tell you what you can do with that tranquilizer pill, Jack." We're going to experiment with taking Terrible Max (pictured here) and Ms. Allie on our summer trips to the lakes. Otherwise, we'll use the young lady that's taken care of them for the past two seasons when we're away. They get to stay home instead of the kennel and she makes extra college money...and it's a lot less than the kennel fees. The other benefit is that someone is checking the house daily, too.

[kkamshop]

Our cats both ride in the truck with the back seat folded down. We have a carrier that we bungie to the seat, a small litter box (which is rarely used) and a bowl of food and water. Neither cat will eat while riding, but will get a drink when we stop for fuel or food.
Usually at the meal stops, we will transfer them to the trailer for their comfort.
We haven't taken them in the new unit yet however and I worry about getting them to come to us with the slides in. Maybe we could close the bedroom door and keep them in there.

Also, they are mostly quiet, I am not sure I could stand hours of mewing!!! :)

[Ray LeTourneau]

"Lemme tell you what you can do with that tranquilizer pill, Jack." We're going to experiment with taking Terrible Max (pictured here) and Ms. Allie on our summer trips to the lakes. Otherwise, we'll use the young lady that's taken care of them for the past two seasons when we're away. They get to stay home instead of the kennel and she makes extra college money...and it's a lot less than the kennel fees. The other benefit is that someone is checking the house daily, too.
John, That Max is one big kitty! :eek: Ours is a little tabby much like on a couple of TV commercials. We're still not sure which way to go but will try the carrier in the truck with us and the dog. He may settle down after a while I hope.

[dbylinski]

Our fur kids ride in the truck and we have fun with the attention they get from toll takers and motorists. They wear halter collars and when we are getting in and out of the truck we leash them so they can't make a mad dash. My biggest fear was losing one of them on the road. They ride primarily in the back seat but when their favorite bed is on the center console, they will both squeeze into the bed. The litter box is there and trust me they use it! It will cause you to ride with the windows down for awhile. Food & water are on the floor but they rarely eat on the road. Sox likes to ride looking out the back window(remember to lock the power windows in case they step on the button) and schooz will settle down after about 15 minutes. We have taken them for 14 hours with no problems. Although, they did chew through 4 halter collars before they realized I wasn't going to give up. They wear them all the time now.

[JohnDar]

John, That Max is one big kitty! :eek: Ours is a little tabby much like on a couple of TV commercials. We're still not sure which way to go but will try the carrier in the truck with us and the dog. He may settle down after a while I hope.

Ray, your little guy is a cutie. Looks a lot like our first cat (1974 - 1989) did when he was a kitten. Zoom to present, Max is all of 15 pounds and tall at the shoulder. All muscle. Ms. Allie is much smaller but a bit over 11 pounds. Max annoys her, but when she's had enough, she kicks his patootie.

[kakampers]

We've been fulltime for four years. We started out with two cats and one dog. The dog is 70lbs and rides in the truck with us. The cats always have ridden in the trailer without issue.

One is gone now (old age), the other seems to know when we're getting ready to go. She goes up and lays on the pillows on the bed...and that's where she stays the entire trip...and we've done quite a few 12 hour days due to our business. We put the litter pan on the floor in front of the bathroom sink, and make sure she has water every time we stop.

Cats adjust well and usually will just find a safe comfortable place to sleep. I know some don't like the idea, but it works for us.:)

[worzit]

We took our two cats on their first trip (and ours) this month. We gave them a mild sedative the first day and they rode in the truck with us. They were a little restless. The second day they just slept all day and were restless at night. We enjoyed their company so much camping that they will surely be a part of our other trips.

[happycampernc]

Thanks for the help. We have the truck full of people riding so she will have to stay in the trailer. DH has to figure out a way to block the entrance under the slide out that she got into the last time she rode in there.

[trvlrerik]

We have airline approved pet carriers for our 2 dogs and 7 cats, I have them strapped down in the toy box with nothing in the carrier other than their fuzzy beds. We stop every couple of hours and check on them. We have a 12V electric heater for the winter. We have not figured out summer time yet, chances are they will not be safe in the summer unless I can figure out really good ventilation to keep the toy box cool.
Animals are shipped in airplanes the same way we travel with them.

[kakampers]

We have airline approved pet carriers for our 2 dogs and 7 cats, I have them strapped down in the toy box with nothing in the carrier other than their fuzzy beds. We stop every couple of hours and check on them. We have a 12V electric heater for the winter. We have not figured out summer time yet, chances are they will not be safe in the summer unless I can figure out really good ventilation to keep the toy box cool.
Animals are shipped in airplanes the same way we travel with them.

We've never had a problem with the trailer getting too hot, even on the hottest, longest travel days. We have a digital thermometer on the wall between the kitchen and bedroom at the steps and it's never reached 80 degrees, even when it's hitting 100 outside. Cats love warmth anyway...I wouldn't stress over the temperature.:)

[Edd and Janet]

Berry and I travel with 2 cats. They travel in the 6th wheel. We are going to start making them stay in the bedroom as this will make for a smoother ride for them. Berry is going to figure out something to trap them in the bedroom. Only once did we try allowing the cats to travel with us in the truck. NOT!!!!!

[Edd and Janet]

I meant to say 5th wheel. Didn't want you to think we stuffed them in the spare tire!

[cookie]

Janet, when Berry figures out something to trap them in the bedroom, be sure to block up any holes they might get into. Our monster decided to go under the bedroom slide as we were preparing to leave. Long story short, I had to dismantle the bed to get him out. He liked it there and didn't want to come out. DW says post a pic, so here it is.
Peace
Dave

[leftyf]

when it's hitting 100 outside. Cats love warmth anyway...I wouldn't stress over the temperature.:)

I would stress. I've recorded temps in excess of 105 in my rv. And, that was here in Norfolk, VA last summer during the heat wave. Anytime the outside temp is high enough that the refrigerator starts to lag, I'd be concerned.

[Greselda]

We just returned from three months on the road "snowbirding", traveling almost 5,000 miles with our two "kitties" (Bubba is 20 lbs....yikes!) and they did all their traveling in the bedroom of our Sundance 265rk 5th wheel.

My DH made a wood step that fits right on the first bedroom steps and the door rolls right over it....viola, the cats are safe and sound in the bedroom!!

We leave their litter box and a small amount of water and dry food on the floor with them, and every time we stop we check on them with the same results.....sleepy eyes, and the expressions of "are we there yet?".

We keep the MaxxAir vent open and they did just fine.

We always leave the cats in the bedroom until we have stopped for the day (we very rarely travel more than 5 hours) and have put the slide out. I always have the fear that a cat, any cat, would somehow find a way to wiggle into or out of someplace next to the slide.....so, if the slide is in, the cats are locked safely in the bedroom.

If anyone would like to have pictures and such of that step that my DH made, I will be happy to pass that info along.

BTW, we could not imagine traveling without our little furballs.....they seemed to love each new place and new smells, we would put them out in a large cage on the tables and people would always come by and they loved the attention!

Enjoy!
Rick and Janine

[happycampernc]

DH is not going to fix the opening. We will be putting her in the bathroom with the door closed. She will have water and her litter box. We will feed her in the morning before we leave and when we get there as she is on a restricted diet.

[Bob&Patty]

Why is it that all obstinate cats are black? Bob:confused:

[JohnDar]

Why is it that all obstinate cats are black? Bob:confused:

Must be the same gene that gives them the color.

[Ray LeTourneau]

We left Corpus Christi at 9am with the cat in a carrier in the back seat of the truck with Suzi. By 10am the cat was back in the trailer loose. He would not quiet down.:( Extreme yowling and carrying on. If I talked to him he would simmer down as long as I was talking. As soon as I stopped the yowl returned. We didn't check on him til we arrived at Rayford. He was fine. When Lin went in to do the slides, he appeared from the back end and acted as if nothing was out of the ordinary. Looks like he'll be traveling in the trailer.:D

[mike3fan]

maybe you should keep them in the cupboard....:D

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p52/michaelsop/sundane022.jpg

I have made 2 16hr trips with this whinny little fellow, non stop crying.....I put him in the trailer once and he kinda got freaked out by it, and I felt bad for doing it so now he either rides with us(crying) or doesn't go. A mild seditative sounds like a good idea.

[leftyf]

Looks like he'll be traveling in the trailer.:D

Uh, Ray...did you check your shoes?:rolleyes:

[2010augusta]

I had a plastic travel kennel and packed soft luggage around it to make it nice and dark. Took a two day drive from Colorado to Tennessee, and with a little food and a small dish of water never made a sound. Even had both corgi puppies in the truck with us as well. staying in a hotel with two puppies and a cat that hates the puppies is a very interesting experience.

[Ray LeTourneau]

Uh, Ray...did you check your shoes?:rolleyes:
Uh, No! :eek: Thank God they're in the closet, and the cat can't get in.:p KK's been in the trailer for the last 2 legs of our trip North and he seems OK with it.

[kakampers]

KK will be just fine Ray. After 4 years of traveling with cats in the RV...never have had any issue...they do just great.

One word of caution, however, make sure you have a visual of your cat before putting slides out. If you don't, find him FIRST!!

[Ray LeTourneau]

KK will be just fine Ray. After 4 years of traveling with cats in the RV...never have had any issue...they do just great.

One word of caution, however, make sure you have a visual of your cat before putting slides out. If you don't, find him FIRST!!
One of us always has cat in hand before the slides go out. He usually comes out when Lin goes in to get him.

[Greselda]

I second that one about making sure you know where the kitties are before putting the slide in or out. We always lock ours in the bedroom of our 5th wheel before we do anything electrical.......always!!!! Cannot be too careful with those little rascals;)

[htneighbors]

So I welcome any suggestions as well. Other than get rid of the cat.:rolleyes:

Darn, Ray...I was gonna just say get a dog! :D They'll give you a "high five" for a T-bone! :)

[Ray LeTourneau]

Darn, Ray...I was gonna just say get a dog! :D They'll give you a "high five" for a T-bone! :)
We have a dog. More like a spoiled best friend.;) She just lays in the back seat of the truck and only gets up when we stop. Especially if there's a chance for food involved in the stop.

[dm2776]

just wondering if you ever tried dramamine. had a little doggie (and since your's in cat, not sure if could still use), but he used to barf every time got in car. really slobbered a lot first. dramamine cured that. mad for nice rides after that.

[JohnDar]

Unless you've got a helper and a Pill Shooter, getting a pill into a cat can be a traumatic experience for you and the cat. And they are masters at spitting them out.

[phranc]

gloves , towel ,eyedropper full of water, helper-- all part of giving a pill to a cat..

[JohnDar]

gloves , towel ,eyedropper full of water, helper-- all part of giving a pill to a cat..

If you talk to your vet, ask them about the "Pill Shooter." It looks like a large syringe that you load the pill into. Open kitty's maw, insert the tip, and shoot the pill to the back of the mouth. Pretty hard for Frisky to spit it back out. Cost was under $10. Best thing is it gets the job done quick, before the cat can get too crazy.

[htneighbors]

All of this 'cat-talk' seems like entirely too much effort. Throw anything in the general direction of Chopper - he'll catch it and eat it!! :cool: Snacks, food, pills, small toys...you name it! He'll even eat veggies - squash, broccoli, cauliflower! :confused: Anything in a 'bite-size' chunck, I guess he thinks he's supposed to! :D

[Ray LeTourneau]

The only thing Suzi won't eat, as far as I know, is bananas. She can still catch pretty good to for an old codger.:D

[Edd and Janet]

Berry and I tried traveling with the 2 cats in the truck with us. I don't want a repeat of that experience! One of the cats would not shut up. Tom and Happy ride in the 5th. So far we haven't had any problems with this setup.

[Ray LeTourneau]

Berry and I tried traveling with the 2 cats in the truck with us. I don't want a repeat of that experience! One of the cats would not shut up. Tom and Happy ride in the 5th. So far we haven't had any problems with this setup.
Hi neighbors at Rayford! We had the same problem with KK in the truck. Constant meowing. I didn't want to try letting him roam free in the truck. You never know where he might roam to. He's been doing fine traveling in the trailer. We enjoyed your company while at Rayford and have a great summer. Stay Cool!

[arisce]

We have travelled with our two cats for over 10 years now and have had no problems. Usually we put them in the RV as they both sleep on the bed while we are travelling. Now that we are retired and leave for Florida in Jan with very cold temperatures outside, they come in the back of the truck with us. We put the seats down and have a litter box and bowls and food ready. They start out in their cages, but when we hit the highway, we let them come out as it would be terrible for them to be caged all day. Ebony would sit up front with us while Tabitha would sleep in her open cage. When we stop they are offered food and water, but we have found they do not drink on the road. It is only when we are set up that they eat and drink. It is great to be able to bring them.
Unfortunately Ebony, our beautiful boy, passed on this past May, so we only have Tabitha now. However when we do get another kitten(s), it will be trained early on to travel with us. I couldn't leave them at home for 3 months. I would miss them so much.

[bill40]

Our guy is 15 and like Cookie he travels in the truck. With the seats down (and Mommy puts a qulit down so it is soft for him) and a bowl 1/3 full of water. We do put a litter box but he has never used it. Due too her bad back we stop evey 150 to 200 miles and I put him back in the BC and he will use his big litter box. After a short time on the road he falls asleep. So far so good.
Once we stop and set up he is ready to set buy the widow and check out the CG.

[kravchuck]

Just wanted to jump in. DH and I travel with our two cat's.......Maxx (as in TJ Maxx) and Cheyenne. They ride with us in the back seat of our truck in their wire cages. Our vet suggested that we cover the cage to quiet them down. It works. I have also read to put a little butter on their paws and they will busy themselves licking instead of meowing. Haven't tried that. To keep Maxx from throwing up, we don't feed him the morning of travel. They have been great little travel companions. We make sure they get access to a litter box and that they have water.

P & B

[fhollan]

We've taken our cat with us ever since we've had her, going on five years. We do as most of you do, take the back seat down in our CC, place two long pillows, cover them with a sheet. We bring her to the truck in a large carrier. She's got some food, water, and a litter box. The first time she went, we were going down the highway, she got on her hind legs to look out, noticed that everything was "flying by" real fast, and gave a loud meow. DW and I both thought that was funny. We've never had any problems with her. In fact at times she comes and lays on the console.

She's use to the 5ver. She's found all kinds comfortable places to sleep. In fact, we even take her outside with us, on a leash and harness. The only difference is, she leads us instead of "visa versa".