Taking a little trip...

[hvp05]

Okay, so you're bringing them BACK from your mom's with you? I thought you were taking them there and back. Good luck. Sometimes cats get diarreah when nervous.

No, one-way trip... MD -> VT. Oh, and I plan to bring a roll of paper towels just in case.

I moved both my cats at the time to VT and back (about 11 hrs) in a dog crate. They did not have a litter box. I just held back food and water the night before I left. They did great. I would never, never, never take a cat outside in a harness if I was away from home. I'd rather them have to sit in a crate all day than somehow escape. What in the world would you do if your cat got lost in another state?

Good stuff, thanks. I was planning to take away food a few hours before and maybe provide water once or twice along the way, but maybe I will remove those things even earlier.

My cats are not outside cats; they can usually be okay going outside, but traveling stress may make them do unusual things. Harnessing them and letting them walk was an idea I saw on a few sites, but I think I would be best off to avoid doing so. Like you indicated, CG, if they do run off I'd be screwed and scared.

Thanks also, jp.

 

[BS Gal]

No, one-way trip... MD -> VT. Oh, and I plan to bring a roll of paper towels just in case.

Might want to make them the super-absorbing type. And some old towels. And maybe noseplugs. I have found that turning my stereo up full blast to drown out the cat is helpful.

 

[hvp05]

Also, I'm wondering about the success (or failure) of Feliway and herbal tranquilizers. I know Feliway can be found at PETsMART, but what about the others? I have never had a need to use them so I don't know how effective they may be.

 

[Cowgirl]

Might want to make them the super-absorbing type. And some old towels. And maybe noseplugs. I have found that turning my stereo up full blast to drown out the cat is helpful.

Actually, some pee pads would be a good idea.

 

[BS Gal]

Actually, some pee pads would be a good idea.

For him or the cats?

 

[Cowgirl]

For him or the cats?

Both?

 

[hvp05]

Might want to make them the super-absorbing type. And some old towels. And maybe noseplugs. I have found that turning my stereo up full blast to drown out the cat is helpful.

Do you stockpile paper towels as you do toilet paper? You can bring several rolls when we go to lunch. TIA. The music may not work, as my one can get pretty cranky, but I'll try. Do you think they'd prefer John Denver or Metallica?

 

[hvp05]

Both?

Awesome, then I definitely should not have to stop! I can make the trip in a snap - relatively.

 

[Cowgirl]

Do you stockpile paper towels as you do toilet paper? You can bring several rolls when we go to lunch. TIA. The music may not work, as my one can get pretty cranky, but I'll try. Do you think they'd prefer John Denver or Metallica?

I think they'd like Cat Stevens.

 

[hvp05]

I think they'd like Cat Stevens.

Don't have anything by him. :shrug:

Since I'm getting all this great advice... is there anything particular I ought to do to help them settle in comfortably once we have arrived? I'm going to have (2) litter boxes and their food ready when they get here. But this space is very different from my old home - a two-story townhouse to a studio. The old owner had two dogs and some remnants from them (hair) are still around in places. I'm thinking it might be worthwhile to keep them sedated for the first few hours they are here until they realize this is a safe place.

 

[Cowgirl]

Don't have anything by him. :shrug:

Since I'm getting all this great advice... is there anything particular I ought to do to help them settle in comfortably once we have arrived? I'm going to have (2) litter boxes and their food ready when they get here. But this space is very different from my old home - a two-story townhouse to a studio. The old owner had two dogs and some remnants from them (hair) are still around in places. I'm thinking it might be worthwhile to keep them sedated for the first few hours they are here until they realize this is a safe place.

They'll probably take a few days to get adjusted, but I'm not sure you'd need to keep them sedated. :shrug: Mine always hide under the bed for a while, but they always come around.

 

[BS Gal]

Do you stockpile paper towels as you do toilet paper? You can bring several rolls when we go to lunch. TIA. The music may not work, as my one can get pretty cranky, but I'll try. Do you think they'd prefer John Denver or Metallica?

Nope, just toilet paper. And you aren't getting any of that. I'm down to 72 rolls, I think.

Play something twangy. It will kind of blend in with the howling.

 

[hvp05]

They'll probably take a few days to get adjusted, but I'm not sure you'd need to keep them sedated.

Okay. I guess it will just run its course. As long as I don't end up in Beelzebaby's position with them nervous peeing around the place.

I'm down to 72 rolls, I think.

Have you called the police to clear the roads and escort you to the nearest TP warehouse? Y'all could get a sudden quarter-inch of snow, and you wouldn't want to be stuck in the house with too little TP.

Play something twangy. It will kind of blend in with the howling.

"Travelin' Cat Bluegrass"!