Moving kitties

[bleupurrs]

Hello,
It is natural to be concerned about making any major change with your kitties, but they are amazing little creatures and will probably surprise you with how well they make the trip.

Last spring I moved from north central West Virginia to southeastern North Carolina, an eight hour trip. My two beautiful girls were real troupers. A couple of days before the movers came, I opened up their carriers and let them explore. Zöe fell asleep in hers.
On the day of the big trip, I put some of my shirts and other clothes from the laundry in the carriers, along with a little food and a small water dish. The carriers were strapped in with seat belts and off we went on our new adventure.

Each time I stopped I would check on the girls, talk to them and make sure they were comfortable. I talked to them the whole trip and we sang along with the radio. They both slept most of the way. Toward the end of the trip, Phoebe started to fuss, but nothing major.

When I got to our new home, I put the girls in the empty house with litter boxes, familiar toys, food , and water and let them explore.
By the time the movers got there, they were at home and loved the new place.

[Cat's Meowm]

Thank LuLu and bleupurrs . . .
I have their carriers on the living room floor right now without the doors on . My perfect princess girl likes to nap in hers. But punk-butt boy on the other hand . . .
I'm guessing I should leave the doors on, but propped open so they will get used to the doors. They know when I attach the doors it's time for a journey to the vet and I can literally catch the hair they shed from the stress.
I'm pretty sure Petey (my girl) will do okay; but the boy . . . he's my worry. This is the only house he's ever lived in and like I said, he pees himself every vet trip and that's just across town. He's gonna go on the short trips so hopefully he'll realize not all car trips mean shots and some stranger opening his mouth.
Appreciate you taking time to answer me!

[LuLu the Queen]

I hope every thing will be fine...

did you check about the shots with your vet??
I think taking them for short trips.. will be good..

How old they are??
Believe me the dirty clothes will help a lot...

you will notes that...

and put catnip in their carriers..

[emily_the_spoiled]

I hav emoved a couple of time with cats (myself and helped a friend). If you are going to do the 14 hour drive in one shot that is fine, but you might want to consider staying in a pet friendly hotel about half way through the journey.

If your little boy "leaves you liquid presents" on the trip to the vet, you are likely to get the same "present" here. Try using the adsorbing puppy training pads as a liner for the carrier. (That way he won't mess himself if he does leave something for you.)

Make sure the cats are wearing their collars (just in case). Is it possible for you to have them microchipped (just to be on the safe side)?

All the other advice is really good. The one thing I have learned is when you are on the highway going a constant speed cats are usually pretty good about not being to loud (otherwise turn up the radio).

Good luck!

[Cat's Meowm]

Thanks 24 paws - those puppy pads sound like an excellent idea - I had never heard of them. I got some baby blankets from good-will and have them on the favorite naps spots in front of the windows for them to get used to now. (I just can't bring myself to sacrifice my clothes) If the blankies get messed on I can just toss them.
Nope, they don't have collars. Even though I tried when they were babies, I could never get them to adjust. Petey, Five years old, And Wilbur, almost 3, would try to bite them off and get theirs mouths stuck open. I gave up on collars. Will look into chips - another good piece of advice!
Thanks so much, board.

[Cat's Meowm]

LuLu - what do you mean? Trannies? They are up on all their shots. But trannys? I guess if they still wig out after these short trips, I'll look into sedating them. Is that what you mean? The little boy and I are gonna start trips before me and my princess.

[Cat's Meowm]

Oh my Gawd, just drained the waterbed they are both used to sleeping on, and they are both like a bat out of hell.(What happenened to my bed?) Don't know who is angrier.
Was thinking tomorrow to start bringing in boxes. I"M SCARED!
Thank God I'm doing this with weeks instead of days!