rnicks 0 #1 March 6, 2012 Anybody have any experience traveling long distance with 2 cats? I'm moving across the county in a couple of weeks and know my cats are going to freak out. I read an older thread about moving cats but it didn't specify the logistics. I estimate the trip will take about 2 days. How do I let them out of their carriers to go to the bathroom? There won't be room in the cab of the u-haul, but I'm terrified of letting them loose in the back of the truck. They will freak, run and hide. I'm making this trip by myself so I won't have help in containing them. I don't want to give them sedatives. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrewEckhardt 0 #2 March 6, 2012 Quote I estimate the trip will take about 2 days. How do I let them out of their carriers to go to the bathroom? Disposable litter box in the hotel bathroom. Quote I don't want to give them sedatives. Sedatives will be more pleasant for both cats and you. If you can afford it you may be better off flying back to get them so they're not traveling as long. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gonzalesna 0 #3 March 6, 2012 ship them. Some people refrain from beating a dead horse. Personally, I find a myriad of entertainment value when beating it until it becomes a horse-smoothie. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
boyfalldown 0 #4 March 6, 2012 I drove 2 cats from Denver to LA in a Uhaul. Not too big of a deal. I let them loose in the cab of the truck with me, and had a small litter box (shoe box sized) on the floor behind the passenger seat (had to move the seat all the way forward). They cried for the first 500 miles then began to relax. One of them sat in my lap for most of the ride. If you have a pet carrier, leave it open in your house with toys or treats in it for a few days before you leave. Put it at the passenger footwell in the truck, that way they'll have a familiar place to go. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shotgun 1 #5 March 6, 2012 I moved from Texas to California with one cat. I put a litter box in the front floor board of my pickup, and I kept her in a carrier with a seatbelt around it in the front seat. I would stop and let her out of the carrier sometimes, to see if she wanted food or water or the litter box, but I don't think she hardly wanted any of that stuff on the drive. I stopped at a motel for one night and kept her in the room with me. I think that might have been the only time she ate/drank and used the litter box. I did give her a sedative on the first day, but I'm not sure if it helped or just made her more freaked out. She meowed loudly for pretty much the entire time that we were driving - about 24 hours total. By the end, I was near psychotic and meowing loudly in harmony with her. Good luck! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
millertimeunc 0 #6 March 6, 2012 Quote ship them. Bad idea. They won't tolerate the shipping label being stuck to their fur. The best things in life are dangerous. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heatmiser 0 #7 March 6, 2012 Microwave.What you say is reflective of your knowledge...HOW ya say it is reflective of your experience. Airtwardo Someone's going to be spanked! Hopefully, it will be me. Skymama Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shah269 0 #8 March 6, 2012 Quote By the end, I was near psychotic and meowing loudly in harmony with her. OMG OMG OMG...that was so funny! Coffee all over my desk at work! Life through good thoughts, good words, and good deeds is necessary to ensure happiness and to keep chaos at bay. The only thing that falls from the sky is birdshit and fools! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rnicks 0 #9 March 6, 2012 QuoteShe meowed loudly for pretty much the entire time that we were driving - about 24 hours total. Good god! Maybe I better rethink that sedative idea! Thanks for all the other advice. Hopefully, I'll come up with a plan. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skymama 35 #10 March 6, 2012 I've been doing some reading on this and found some mentions of pheromone collars and also sprays. They are supposed to be stress relievers. I haven't tried them yet since I'm still reading up on them, but they might do some good. I might find out next week when we bring our cats to Fitzgerald with us.She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man, because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shropshire 0 #11 March 6, 2012 Here y'go ..... (.)Y(.) Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heatmiser 0 #12 March 6, 2012 Try a version of this. What you say is reflective of your knowledge...HOW ya say it is reflective of your experience. Airtwardo Someone's going to be spanked! Hopefully, it will be me. Skymama Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shah269 0 #13 March 6, 2012 Quote Try a version of this. Ok that there was funny! I could hear the cat....Life through good thoughts, good words, and good deeds is necessary to ensure happiness and to keep chaos at bay. The only thing that falls from the sky is birdshit and fools! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
adagen 0 #14 March 6, 2012 Never a good idea to have an animal on the loose in a vehicle if they're not used to it and likely to get distressed. If they freak out they can go any where and they are not transparent. I'm not being funny, I have seen a driver trying to get a scared cat off his head, while peering past a swishing tail at oncoming traffic! OK, it was funny after the event, but not at the time Anne Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Austintxflight 0 #15 March 6, 2012 The big danger of a cat running loose in a car is it getting between the brake pedal, if you need to brake you either crush your cat or crash. That has always been my fear, some cat sophie's choice shit. . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
base1325 0 #16 March 6, 2012 If you do let them run lose make sure they have a harness on with a leash attached to something in the car. They might take off running if you open the door when you get to a gas station. It also provides extra security for you and them if you are in a car accident. Just Think how horrible it would be to lose your cat in the middle of no ware. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gonzalesna 0 #17 March 6, 2012 Quote Quote ship them. Bad idea. They won't tolerate the shipping label being stuck to their fur. Ya gotta tape 'em up first... ya know... to avoid shifting during transport.or this sometimes works... http://www.addictinggames.com/funny-games/kittencannon.jspSome people refrain from beating a dead horse. Personally, I find a myriad of entertainment value when beating it until it becomes a horse-smoothie. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,380 #18 March 6, 2012 How to move cats long distance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk7yqlTMvp8"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eeneR 1 #19 March 6, 2012 Quote How to move cats long distance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk7yqlTMvp8 No no no...that is how you get a group of skydivers to go to dinner...or do anything for that matter She is not a "Dumb Blonde" - She is a "Light-Haired Detour Off The Information Superhighway." eeneR TF#72, FB#4130, Incauto Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hottamaly 1 #20 March 6, 2012 I also moved from Texas to Calif with a cat and kept him in a carrier and with sedatives. When he would start meowing I'd put a leash on him and go to a rest stop and let him out to stretch, eat and go potty. Popped another pill in him and we were off again. No real issues and I would highly recommend the sedative. Skydiving gave me a reason to live I'm not afraid of what I'll miss when I die...I'm afraid of what I'll miss as I live Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #21 March 6, 2012 Cat Valium, or run the risk of wanting to hurl the cats out the window. 1200miles with a cat and when the valium (low strength) wears off you will know about it You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theonlyski 3 #22 March 7, 2012 I recommend saran wrap and a cooler with ice, that way they're fresh when you get there HERE. "I may be a dirty pirate hooker...but I'm not about to go stand on the corner." iluvtofly DPH -7, TDS 578, Muff 5153, SCR 14890 I'm an asshole, and I approve this message Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillyVance 34 #23 March 7, 2012 Quote She meowed loudly for pretty much the entire time that we were driving - about 24 hours total. By the end, I was near psychotic and meowing loudly in harmony with her. Having had cats nearly my entire life, it depends on the cat. If you take the cat on drives frequently, even short ones before taking it on a long one, it'll usually go smoother. I don't think I have ever had a problem with mine making a racket.... oh wait... "Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rnicks 0 #24 March 7, 2012 Quote I recommend saran wrap and a cooler with ice, that way they're fresh when you get there HERE. I have a better idea. Why don't you fly up here and and drive down with me so they can drive you crazy too. You got nothing else to do! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rnicks 0 #25 March 7, 2012 Thanks skymama! I'm definitely looking into one of those collars. I had never heard of them before. Thanks everybody else for the advice. To reply to a few people: the cats will not be out of their carriers when the truck is in motion. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
