Posted on 09/10/2018 8:23:41 PM PDT by CatOwner
We're a couple months away (fingers crossed) from selling our house and moving from California to Texas. What we're trying to determine is the best way to move our three indoor-only cats. It should be noted that a 10 minute drive to the vet is a challenge. Not sure how we're going to handle a 1,700+ mile move.
Our cats always get pretty excited in a car for about the first 15 minutes then curled up and slept for hours.
We made moves with cats. The first one I don’t remember; the cat was in a box and “went crazy”, to hear my mother tell it. They pulled over in the next town, found a vet and had the cat put down. Nowadays Kit might have gone to a rescue shelter but in 1966 those were rare, if they existed at all.
Personally, because of the other moves, I believe the box was the problem.
The next move was in 1968, the cat was Kit II, and she had freedom to move about the cabin (a ‘65 Ford Falcon station wagon). We (Dad) drove from Florida to Washington (state) by a circuitous route to allow for some rare family visits; then car and cat were sent by ship to Alaska. I know not what arrangements the shipping company made for Kit; that sedatives may have been involved is possible but not assumable.
Kit survived the trip but left us in Alaska. That’s a different story and a different subject.
We got our next (last) cats in 1972. We lived in New Mexico. While still kittens, they traveled with us to Florida for vacation. Later, they rode with us on moves to Washington (state), Utah, and Michigan. They had freedom of the cabin for all of those moves.
They died old and full of years in Michigan, and were not replaced.
I believe that freedom to move around and look outside is best for cats on road trips.
It totally works.
Imagine picking up a cat by the scruff of the neck.
Picking it up freezes the cat and it is frozen.
you place a clothes pin on the neck to keep it pinched and they just lay there...
Your vet can advise you on some drugs they give to animals to reduce anxiety and stress for travelling.
I did San Francisco to Arizona, vet suggested light dose of baby aspirin. Worked okay. Probably better stuff these days. Definitely something you want to talk to a vet about.
Our daughter just moved from Montana to Ohio with two cats. Each was in a separate carrier strapped into the back seat. She stays in pet friendly hotels like La Quinta (translation: Next To Denny’s). 3 days on the road. They did Ok. She called it fear-bonding.
Do you have dvd screens? if so how about continuously playing “ the lion king”?
Kitty benzos.
Also, I heard that people with cats like it better in Colorado, not Texas. Too many tamale makers here
Good idea! Feliway is another brand to try. Also, you might try putting some soft, stinky t-shirts/workout clothes of yours, unwashed, in the carrier with them. And some favorite small toys/cuddlies.
Yeah my wife took her white persian with us on a start up I was on in Montreal. Well, the cat wound up in Nova Scotia. This took us three days to figure out and another 2 to get the cat to Montreal. Well, the apartment my company leased was completely white, bright white. Furniture, fixtures, everything except for the TV.
Well when this stressed out cat got there and we finally let it out of the crate, it went nuts and started running around and bumping into all the white furniture against the white walls and fell over, passed out or knocked out. About an hour or so later, it popped up squalled and finally made it thru a door and under a bed, where it stayed for the better part of a day.
The cat was never the same and would spaz out at the drop of a hat. I think something in its brain broke.
After two days I bet that was a pleasant smelling car.
AND they dock you if you smoke in a car but NO questions about cats doing their do in a car. Go figure
One mile at a time. Water and litter box on the floor. Let them be free as long as the doors and windows are closed.
One mile at a time. Water and litter box on the floor. Let them be free as long as the doors and windows are closed. Cat leashes.
Along with mild sedatives and a large cat box for each, get a cat harness with a leash. Let them experience the harness for varying periods. Keep the leash tied to the cat boxes. You might consider getting absorbent bottoms for the boxes and just keep cleaning them out. Get electronic identifiers inserted under their skin with your new contact information.
Yes on the earplugs.
Best of luck.
We used to have one cat that became hysterical in the car. It wasn’t your typical yowling. It resembled the sound of someone putting her tail in a meat grinder and cranking it. To soothe her on the two day car ride we got something from the vet to calm her. The first night in the hotel she was completely stoned. Her eyes were dilated and hooded, nor could she walk upright or in a straight line. Concerned, we stopped giving the sedative after the first dose, however, she was still acting funky when we arrived at our destination the next day. We finally decided to take her to the vet where they had to hydrate her with an IV. After that experience, we have skipped drugging our kitties on other moves, nor have we needed it.
Our subsequent cross-country move with the same three cats, a three week old baby, a new nursing mother and a farm boy packed in a Geo Prism was flawless.
Kitty-strength valiums and crates; that said, you’re going love Texas.
I made the move from Santa Cruz to Denton (North DFW) about 7 1/2 yrs ago and couldn’t be much happier.
God bless you and yours.
I went from Jersey to Texas. Mine went via air. It was simple.
Don’t move! There are no cats in Texas. All the critters here eat them. Stay in California for the sake of your cats.
Does that work on mothers-in-law as well?
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