travelling with a cat

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James A. Donald - 21 Jan 2004 03:54 GMT

A long time ago I made a car journey of many days with a dog. The
dog loved being in the car. When we stopped the car he would want to
get out and chase birds and rabbits, but if his superhuman hearing
detected the click of the car door locking, he would return to the car
with amazing speed and whimper to be allowed in. When I left him to
guard the car, he would refrain from racing all over the place to
chase rabbits, and faithfully lie underneath the car till I returned,
no matter how long I was away, despite his normal reluctance to move
slower than greased lightning. The only problems were his excessive
exuberance when the car was moving, and his excessive enthusiasm for
hunting in the wilderness.

Now I have a cat. What should I expect? I know cats bitterly hate
travelling and are apt to run away if one attempts it. Is it even
sane to attempt to travel with a cat?

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Phil? - 21 Jan 2004 09:52 GMT

hehe
Memories

I had to take my 3 cats to the kennels, but didn't have enough boxes.
I let the "floppy" cat who is very laid back just jump into the back of the
car.
This particular cat is more like a dog, he will come if you shout, he runs
to the front door when the doorbell goes, and will even chase dogs that
maybe loose in the road.

Well anyway, when he was loose in the car he went made when it pulled away.
He was not happy at all and meowed and ran round the inside of the car
looking for a way out. We never did this again and would not recommend it.

> A long time ago I made a car journey of many days with a dog. The
> dog loved being in the car. When we stopped the car he would want to
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> travelling and are apt to run away if one attempts it. Is it even
> sane to attempt to travel with a cat?

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MaryL - 21 Jan 2004 14:27 GMT

> A long time ago I made a car journey of many days with a dog. The
> dog loved being in the car.
>
> Now I have a cat. What should I expect? I know cats bitterly hate
> travelling and are apt to run away if one attempts it. Is it even
> sane to attempt to travel with a cat?

I have traveled with several different cats over a period of many years, and
I never had any problems. They certainly did not "love" it, as you describe
with your dog, but they were excellent companions. I did this at least once
a year for 25 years when I would visit relatives (a trip of approximately
1,300 miles each way) and stay several weeks. Most recommend keeping the
cat in a carrier, but I never did because mine traveled so well and each of
them spent a great deal of time curled up on the front seat beside me. I
always kept a harness and leash on the cat (1) first, for their own
protection. I never wanted to take a chance that the cat would panic and
bolt for the door, and I was extremely cautious when opening a door or
window. I attached the cat's harness to the seat belt so that the cat was
also "belted in" but had enough space to move around. (2) second, for my
protection. Although I said the cat had enough length to move around, it
was just enough for his or her comfort -- never enough for the cat to reach
my feet, which could be disastrous and also would not safeguard the cat.
Certainly, you should never just let the cat "run around" in the car when it
is moving. If you are traveling overnight, pick up some motel directories
and check ahead to see which ones will permit small pets in the rooms. Plan
to use drive-through windows and eat your meals in the car if you travel in
hot weather (not much of a problem right now!). On a hot day, a car can
heat up to dangerous levels in just a few minutes.

MaryL

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James A. Donald - 21 Jan 2004 23:21 GMT

On Wed, 21 Jan 2004 08:27:39 -0600, "MaryL"

> Plan
> to use drive-through windows and eat your meals in the car if you travel in
> hot weather (not much of a problem right now!). On a hot day, a car can
> heat up to dangerous levels in just a few minutes.

Your statement presupposes that if the cat is allowed out of the car,
it is apt to vanish, never to return, which is the big problem as
compared with a dog.

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MaryL - 22 Jan 2004 04:09 GMT

> On Wed, 21 Jan 2004 08:27:39 -0600, "MaryL"
> > Plan
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> it is apt to vanish, never to return, which is the big problem as
> compared with a dog.

Yes, I certainly do recognize that as a potential problem, especially if the
cat panics and is in unfamiliar territory. There have also been instances
of this happening with dogs, but it is less likely. However, a
panic-stricken dog could easily dash into traffic and be killed. I think it
is essential to keep all of our pets under particularly close supervision
when traveling.

MaryL

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James A. Donald - 22 Jan 2004 01:37 GMT

On Wed, 21 Jan 2004 08:27:39 -0600, "MaryL"

Your statement presupposes that if the cat is allowed out of the car,
it is apt to vanish, never to return, which is the big problem as
compared with a dog.

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butch burton - 21 Jan 2004 18:50 GMT

Not all cats hate traveling-mine rather likes it but is constantly
climbing around. After an hour or so of climbing around-off to sleep.
Always have a litter box and water for him to drink. Would suggest a
kennel. Had a cat that had to be kenneled on car trips-put a towel
over it to keep out the light and no more meows and off to sleep.

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