Most cats do not do well traveling, because they do not do it often. My cats hate being put in travel crates to drive from home to the vet – they yowl for the entire fifteen-minute drive.How could they possibly survive a three-day drive? The advice I received from my veterinarian was to give them sedatives to keep them calm.
{spin]Now that I’ve done it three times, I’ve become an expert on moving with cats|After repeated relocations, I know how to move my cats without them having a fit|If you can get your cat used to moving in a car, they will love it[/spin]. You can entrust your furniture to professional movers. moving services unless specialized on the moving of pets, do not have the proper equipment to move your cat safely. With the right carrier, your cat, not to mention your vehicle, will survive the trip no worse the wear. It needs to be large enough that your cat can stretch out fully when laying down. I use doghouses to transport my cats. You will want to use something that allows your cat to see the outside, this will also help with the closed in feeling; they also allow good air circulation. The doghouses fill up half of the back of my vehicle. You will have to check what the truck rental companies rules are about moving pets in their vehicle. Make sure to leave enough room between the carrier and the easiest way to get groggy cats in and out of the vehicle, the best way to transport cats is to give them a sedative, like the vet recommended. I outfitted the doghouses with plush, round cat beds. They will sleep and doze quietly for up to eight hours.
I used to worry about the cats’ need to use the litter box. Although I tried many methods, I finally realized they would not go so long as the drugs were still in their system making them groggy. When I put the litter box into the crate with them, they thought is was a bed and slept in it. While on the road, the cats would not use a litter box, they would wait until we stopped. The same can be said for food and water – no matter where or how I gave it to them, they never partook until we reached the motel.
If you time your stops to right before the drugs should wear off, you will be able to carry your cats into the room without protest. Getting your cats to and from the motel room should be simple, just carry them in your arms. A cat will remember what they need to do when they are outside going in, they do not like to be in the open in unfamiliar an unfamiliar area–My cats have never tried to run, or even get out of my arms, until they were safely inside. If you are going to carry them in your arms, then you will want to park as close to the door as possible.
Be sure to pack an overnight bag for your cats as well as yourself. Make sure the food is in a sealed container, plus you will want to pack dishes, toys and a litter box. They are lightweight plastic boxes filled with litter and enclosed with a paper top. You will want to set up the box first, before you get yourself settled in. These boxes are convenient as you can just throw them away as you leave the room.
Before you check into a room, make sure they will allow you to have your cats in the room. It may cost an extra $10 to $15 per pet, but it’s worth it. You don’t have to sneak your animals in or worry about spilled litter or food. After the drugs have worn off all the way, your cats will want to explore the room they are in for the night.