Traveling with your cat

I prepare with towels and pee pee pads inside their carriers. Within 5 minutes of driving, I get the trifecta from my cat Lily...poop, pee and vomit. I know it's coming, so I wait, then pull over, give her a new towel and seal the soiled one in a plastic bag. Then she's good for the rest of the ride.

My cantankerous Siamese/orange tabby mix (weird combo, I know) Caramel protests loudly the ENTIRE time she's in a car. She definitely got her Siamese mama's voice, and her alley cat daddy's temperment - LOL!

We've found OTC sedatives that help her relax through long car rides (we've moved several times), and she's never been ill, or used the carrier as a satellite potty. She'll wait until we stop, and get out a small disposable litter pan.

Put a sheet over the carrier so they cannot see out. This helps them to be less frightened.

When introducing a cat to a new home put him in a room by himself. If you have another cat put him in another room. This is a slow introduction to the place, the smells, the sight, what is outside the window, the new noises. Do not let them have the run of the house.
Once they seem to have settled down then let one out to roam through part or all of the house, depends on how large a home you have. Leave the other cat in his room. After the first one has explored put him back in his room and let the other roam free. If they are both out at the same time they may fight with each other or be afraid. This is also good to do when introducing a new pet to the family.

I believe in having my cats microchipped. I have peace of mind that if something happens and they get lost I have a better chance of getting them back. If your cat does get out, 99.9% of the time they are in a house next door or one over, if they are not in your yard. They just may be hiding. Sometimes a can of opened tuna or favorite food will bring them out. Do not chase them. It will not work. I act like I don't care if I catch them or not. Then I gradually work my way toward them. Of course with the food. They will eventually come to me, but I don't lunge. This is all from experience. If you don't find them within a few hours flyers in the neighborhood and neighborhoods nearby will help.

If you are thinking of declawing your cat just know that it is like a surgeon taking out the bone on your finger up to the knuckle. Painful and really unnecessary. Think about getting an adolescent or adult cat. You can observe them at a shelter and receive help in finding one that is a good fit for both of you. Plus, many times you can find one that is already declawed if that is what you want.

I have had cats most of my 49+ years, currently with 3. They are a wonder and a joy, but are not zero maintenance. Nothing worth having is.

Thanks for all these great stories. We are all together in CO, now. The Wabby was surprisingly calm about the whole thing. No loud meowing, no messes anywhere...and whenever we stopped for gas, I took her out of her carrier to see "the sights." She was totally fascinated by the trucks!

All in all, she was a charm. I expected much of what I read in your notes, but none happened. She used her litterbox when we were at the hotel, ate fine...even though we fed her late every day, and now, she's adopted her knew home as if she's lived her all her life!

The truck was monstrous - no fault of Uhaul's, but it bounced and was so loud, Tom and I had to shout at each other across the cab! Wabby took it in stride. I think the trip wore me and Tom out far more than it upset the Wabby!

We have been taking our cat on 6 hour drives (to our parents house) since he got him when he was around 5 months. We cannot keep him in the cage otherwise he will use it as a bathroom (regardless of the fact that I didn't let him eat for a few hours prior) and we will have to take it out... though lately he has been crying incessantly (usually when he is too hot, but sometimes just because he can... he's a loud mouth)... so we have started to give him setatives to calm himself and he will usually stay in his cage as a result (or on my lap), especially for the trip back home, because he is more contrary on the way back home than he is to our destination. But we do take his toys with him because he is a playful kitty and he would be super bored without them.

we got our cat as a rescue and i do not know if she was just glad we picked her or what.I never had a cat before but my fiance has .we call her sleepy because she loves to climb up on your lap and sleep she actually snores .she never climbes on counters does not scratch on my furniture.we take her to cincinnati at least 3 times a year that is 5 hr drive she always crys for 10 minutes each time we take her as long as she has her favorite toy she cuddles and falls a sleep she is the best cat i have ever seen,everyone wants to take her home i could never think of ever traveling without her

Be prepared. My boy Sooty will throw up between 15 and 25 minutes into the car trip either in or out of the carrier. So bring an extra towel and some disposable clean wipes. It's just the way it is. Poor little guy... so Pull over, change the towel and get on with the trip!