Anyone Have Advice On Traveling 660 Miles With 6 Cats???

[moosmom]

Michigan here we come!!! Only 46 more days and we're outta here!

I would just like to ask if anyone has any advice or tips on traveling with 6 cats (11 1/2 hours). This is the first time any of my cats have traveled for more than 4 hours (I used to show 2 of my cats). So far, someone told me that when I feed them the morning that I leave, to pour a little Cammomile tea leaves in wet food. It's supposed to calm them down. I also have Bach's Rescue Remedy (although it doesn't affect the bald dude MooShoo).

Has anyone moved with cats?? HELLLLLLLLLPPPPP!!!!!!!

[Fuzzy317]

I have only travelled an hour or so with cats. I would have no idea what needs done for 11 1/2 hours. Do you feed your cats at specific times, or free feed? Can your cats go outside to do their "business" or do you need to provide litter boxes with ways to clean them?

[Pam]

I'm sorry but I am of no help at all except to wish you good luck. My cats have never been in the car longer than 15 min. (a typical trip to the vet). Judging from the loud meowing they do in their carriers I would probably be deaf at the end of 660 miles. I wish you a safe trip and much success in this big change in your life!

[Nomilynn]

Are they used to the car? I would try several shorter trips.. even a couple 4-5 hour day trips with them to try and break them in. That way you can know ahead of time what problems might come up. Also, you don't have to take all six at once this way at first. Are you going to have six separate kennels? Are you going in a car? That's a very long way!! I have no problems with Bassett in the car, and I've taken Tilly on a couple short trips in the car to try and break her in too. I'm leaving on Tuesday for central Oregon, which is a 9 1/2 hour trip I will let you know if I have any new tips after that!

[yorkster]

All I can say is good luck!
Let us all know how it goes.

[purrley]

LOAD UP ON THE PROZAC

[sasvermont]

My three cats do nicely in the car and are no trouble. I have had a couple in the past that were horrible. I got a few pills from the Vet to knock them out for a few hours....didn't put them out, just put them in a state of total relaxation. I would get at least three containers big enough to handle two cats each, with a litter -Pan. Attach a food bowl and water bowl.... Make sure there is A/C on all the time. Make sure your car radio works and turn the volume up if they get really noisey. They need lots of air, water and they need to stay in the containers. Once you get them out, they may be difficult to put back in. If your cats don't mind their containers and/or the car, then you will have no problems. I have gone as long as 10 hours at a time, keeping them contained. I would also travel at night, if you can and then the heat shouldn't be that much of an issue.

I have traveled from Burlington Vermont to Cape May New Jersey, with two cats, round trip, with not a peep out of them. Then just recently traveled from Phila. PA to Burlington with Gabe, the monster kitty, and not a peep out of him (he was given a little sedative first though).......

I would go with sedatives, litter, water, food and containers for sure!

Good luck. Keep us posted.

P. S. My cats like certain kinds of music better than others. They rather like opera - tenor stuff.

[moosmom]

Thanks Sasvermont! This is the first time I have ever traveled that far with any of them. It should prove to be interesting. I wonder if the vet will give ME something!

[pupper-lover]

When I was a kid, my family moved from Pittsburgh to St. Louis. We had two cats, a 10 month old golden retriever, and two kids (7 and 10). It was pretty hectic.

Our cats hated the car! They would meow, hiss, claw, etc. etc. This may sound mean, but our vet gave us a mild tranquilizer to calm the cats during their car ride. It didn't completely knock them out, but they pretty much just slept and sat there quietly in their carriers. A few meows of protest were still heard. I know the word tranquilizer is a bit scary, but what we had was safe and a mild dose. I would definately ask your vet about the options.

[sasvermont]

Moosmom,

Hey, I forgot about your nerves. Since you will be "in charge" you had better not take anything....and save it for when you arrive. Maybe a little scotch on the rocks when you get there! You may want to invest in some new music....and a couple of carriers.... AND TURN UP THE VOLUME WHEN AND IF THEY GET TOOOOO LOUD.

[Pam]

Originally posted by sasvermont
Then just recently traveled from Phila. PA to Burlington with Gabe, the monster kitty, and not a peep out of him (he was given a little sedative first though).......

Gee SAS do you realize that was only a little over a month ago? (June 10th) It seems like Gabe has been a Vermont kitty for ages.

[yumyum6970]

We just moved down the street from where we are now..so we haven't traveled that far with our babies..but my husband's parents travel with their cat sometimes in the travel trailer and they give her some kind of shot that calms her down...you may want to check into that with your vet

[lovemymaltese]

Wow, you are brave. All that I can say is I wish you the very best of luck!

[NoahsMommy]

Such great advice....I'll be remembering this thread for when we move in a few months....thanks!!

[moosmom]

I've gotten alot of great advice for traveling so far. My sister-in-law and I decided to break up the trip with a stay at a cat friendly hotel. This way it'll cut down on the stress all around.

I've been told that Camomile Tea leaves in wet food will help calm them down. I also have Bach's Rescue Remedy just in case. I'm going to do it cold turkey at first to see how it goes. Who knows??? They might just sleep the whole way (yeah right).

I just wish I could beam me and my furbabies there. It would make life SOOOOOOOO much easier.