How do I 'orchestrate' a 5 hour car ride with 2 cats?

15 years ago

DH and I will be moving 5 hours away next Friday. I have a 16 yr. old cat named Katie and a 3 yr. old cat named Bebe. I have 2 cat carriers and I bought some Rescue Remedy for kids(no alcohol). We want to leave early in the morning. Should I put the RR on their wet food an hour before we leave?

I don't know if I should stop along the way and let them out inside the back of the car to use a litter box or just stop at drive-thru places to feed myself and keep going? DH says I am making too big of a deal about the whole thing but I want them to be as comfortable as possible. What do you all suggest?

TIA

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Comments (6)

lilliepad
15 years ago
I don't know if I would feed them at all before leaving.They won't starve or die from thirst in 5 hours unless it is going to be extremely hot in your car! If you do feed them make sure it is long enough before you leave to allow them to use the litter box before you go. I would start giving them doses of the Rescue Remedy a few days before the trip,then a dose the night before and another before leaving.If they seem nervous or stressed along the way,more doses won't hurt them if given according to directions.Have they taken trips in the car before? If not you might want to ask your vet about giving you something to relax them to the point they will sleep a lot along the way.I have given dogs and cats a dose of Benadryl for traveling and it helps.Won't hurt them.I wouldn't trust letting them out in the car to use the litter box,especially if they are stressed to begin with.Is the carrier large enough to allow putting a small box of litter,maybe shoe box size, inside,just in case?
cat_mom
15 years ago
We traveled for 9 hours with our two when one was almost a year old and the other was 4 months. Our vet said that they wouldn't use the litter box 'til they got "there." We offered opportunities for them to use it though along the way--the 4 month old peed a few times, the older kitten didn't go at all during the drive.
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quasifish
15 years ago
I doubt they will use the litter box during the 5 hours, and it's probably safer to just keep them confined to their crates while you are on the road- lest somebody panic and try to get away, even with the car closed up, it can be distressing.

I'll give you my advice on traveling/moving with cats because we've done it a few times. Take extra blankets and/or towels, a roll of paper towels, a non-offensive cleaning agent, and some plastic grocery bags. You never know when someone is going to have an accident from one end or the other, and if you need an airtight laundry bag, a trash bag, new bedding, and something to wipe down the carrier, you'll be glad to have it. Also take along an extra bottle of water in case you have to clean up a cat as well. My very responsible cats have both messed themselves in one way or another while on the road.

I also found that my cats traveled better when a light sheet was put over the carrier from the sides- not restricting their view out the front, but removing any awareness of scenery flashing by to the side.
emmhip
15 years ago
All good advice. 12 years ago, I did a cross country move from California to Rhode Island in 3 days, with 2 cats and 2 dogs. It wasn't the greatest trip in history, but we made it.

Things that worked: I had large cat carriers with small litter boxes inside. My younger cat used his a few times, the older cat usually waited. I had air conditioning in my car, it kept everyone cool and calm. Once we were safely in our hotel room, they'd run around and be crazy and burn off their engery.

For a 5 hour trip, I think as long as you have some RR and air conditioning, you'll be fine. I would advise you not to let them out at all if possible, as others have said, it may cause more nervousness and problems.
Lily316
15 years ago
Good luck to you. Five hours should not be a problem. I have never moved more than one cat since I've been here 26 years and that's when I got multiples. My five had a trip to the rabies clinic five minutes away last week and all howled the whole trip...Just keep the AC on and don't feed them, and cover the sides of their carriers and they'll be fine.
mazer415
15 years ago
i just did this with my friends cats. Wewent from California to New Mexico, took 3 days. The cats seemed to know they were travelling beyond the norm and settled right in. Provide water, feed on a regular schedule, they probably wont eat, they always seem to know when something is up. Provide water in the crate or if there is not enough room, provide it when you stop. Always park them in the deepest shade you can find, and make certain you check on them perodically. If you have a large back window in the car, put up some stiff carboard or something to protect them from the heat. They should be fine....

How do I 'orchestrate' a 5 hour car ride with 2 cats?

Comments (6)

lilliepad

cat_mom

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