Traveling With Kitters - I Need Your Advice

[Suuse]

I'm going to be driving cross-country with my three fuzzbots in a couple of weeks and wondered if anyone has any wisdom to impart before I do something for which I will never be forgiven--by either the cats or my beloved human.

At the moment, the plan is to drive 8-9 hours a day, and I've booked motels that are cat-friendly. I have disposable litter pans and trash bags packed. This is just the tip of an iceberg, I'm sure, so any/all advice is welcome.

Thanks!

[Suuse]

We've had one roadtrip--we went to visit my family a four-hour drive away. It was relatively quiet and painless. Now I'm looking at 8-9 hours a day for three days. HELP!!!

[Dazzling Zoomer Gal Diana]

I asked Douglas and he (unfortunately ) has no wisdom to impart. I'm guessing that each fuzzbot has it's own container? Is beloved human cute dude travelling with you? How much catnip can a cat handle at one time in one day? Have you done a trail run, all in the back seat - driving around for an hour or so ? Just to - err, see what happens?

We travelled when I was five by car for several days - me in the front seat with mum and dad, and our 180 pound Great Dane, and small cat in small container, in the back seat. All I remember was a (very) smelly dog, a whining cat - and two constantly arguing parents. It was quite the road show! As - I suspect, yours will be.

Soothing music - treats, and be prepared for VERY bad behaviour the moment each of them is released from their container! If A. is with you I can just see the two of you trying to get three cranky cats out from under a hotel bed!

Wear hazmat gear.

[Suuse]

Thank you very much and merci beaucoup!

While I would love to leave the kitters at home, they'll be traveling *to* their new home, so...off they go.

Each fuzzbot has his/her own sherpa bag, and we'll be staying at pet-friendly motels--so no confinement 14 hours a day. Favourite foods: check!

Something I learned from the lovely people who rescued Lulu is the use of crib liners in the bags. Super-absorbent fabric on one side and plastic on the other, it's the perfect solution to keeping "accidents" under control.

I'm not a big fan of drugs, but I might consider it if it makes it easier for the cats. I don't want the little buggers traumatized any more than is necessary. I hope they'll reciprocate. ;)

[WS]

You might want harnesses. They hate them, but I last a cat when traveling across country once. She darted out into the woods and was never seen again. I stlll feel guilty and look for her in when I go through Arkansas.

[Suuse]

Ya know...I was thinking about that--so thank you for the nudge. Years ago, when I transported two cats from LA to NYC (we flew), I had harnesses on both of them.

I would never forgive myself if something happened to one of these critters.

[Chez moi]

We put harnesses on our two cats, Gilbert and Shirley, when we moved them up to Seattle from SF in '67. They slunk around like snakes at each rest stop... and yes, they did vocalize. Tip: pass the end of the leash outside the door of the carrier before you close it, so that you can have it in hand when it is opened the next time.

When we flew our dear Annie to France, she was tranquilized and withstood the voyage in steerage quite well. I remember seeing her in her carrier, on a baggage trolley on the tarmac, from a window in the airport waiting room at Schiphol where we changed planes. She was quite calm as she observed all the activity around her. I highly recommend it, but do test in advance to check reactions and get the dosage right.

Good luck!

[Suuse]

Brilliant--the leash bit! I'm going up today to buy harnesses and leashes for the chirr'n.

I've also had them chipped--in the unlikely event that they escape, I have a better chance of getting them back. Not that they're going to escape because I'm not giving them the opportunity!

It would be easier to fly them, of course, but I need my car and a few other things in LA and since my financial resources are not unlimited (drat it all!), we're just going to have to make the best of this. I've explained this to the cats, but I don't think they're buying it. But going walkies at rest stops will help, I think.

Thanks again to everyone--I knew this was the place to ask this question, and, sure enough...great answers.

[Dazzling Zoomer Gal Diana]

That's what we are all here for darlin'! :-D
It is inspiring isn't it!?!

Suuse - what does the "sherpa bag" look like for the fuzzbots? Is this something esp. for cats? I think
at this point we may all want a snap shot of the trio - so we can all do "good journey" visual for them too!

[Suuse]

OH, NO! DON'T MAKE ME POST PHOTOS OF MY KITTERS!!!

Oh, ok...but just for you! :D

Charlie

Boyo

Lulu

[Dazzling Zoomer Gal Diana]

Wonderful! Of course we want to see what they look like - sooooooo cute!

I take it this is what you mean ? I'm so outta it - obviously have not bought a pet carrier in a VERY long time!

[Suuse]

That's it! Except mine are, of course, black, as demanded by life in NYC. ;)

They are acceptable as carry-on and the cats rather enjoy being able to see one another.

BTW--the cats appear in the order in which they adopted me. Charlie and Boyo are approximately the same age (Boyo was an adult--HA!--when he was rescued) and Lulu is just a year and a few months old. My greatest fear has been realized: she's grown into her paws and tail...which is to say she is approximately the size of a Shetland pony. ;) Sweet, and funny--and she sounds like R2D2 when she speaks.

[Chez moi]

Thanks for sharing your 'children' - I love readheaded kitties. Lulu is not only a big girl, from your description, but she may have the longest tail I've seen a cat wearing!

Happy trails to all...