Camping w/ a Cat

[stampgirl]

Any help/ideas for getting a "middle-aged" cat to adopt to camping? I'd love to take our cat camping in our TT, but not sure how to go about it. I hate leaving her home on our trips, usually weekend trips...but I'm afraid she'd freak out in the truck and trailer. Thanks for any suggestions.

[mitchf150]

We used to take our cat with us....

The first thing you have to see is if they even like riding in the truck. If they pass that test, then it's seeing if they can tolerate the camper. Let them find the water, food, box and see what they think while it's sitting in the driveway.

Even after all of this, the cat may decide later on that they don't care for this kind of thing.... Ours was fine the first couple of trips in the carrier in the backseat of the truck... Was fine inside the trailer at the camp site.

Then all of a sudden, he didn't like it one single bit in the cab of the truck... Well, we left him in the trailer to get back home that trip and he was just laying on the bed whenever we stopped and checked on him... Perfectly fine.. Not like the 'paniced' state he was in while in the cab... Yes, I know I'll get flamed for having the cat in the trailer, but that's where he liked to ride! So, the next couple of trips we let him ride in the trailer... He was a happy camper!

Then while we had him on a harness in the campsite one day, he got startled and ran under the trailer and got all tangled up under there.... Well, after that episode, we never took him with us again...

He would hide in the house whenever he saw us getting ready to leave for a weekend trip.... One time, he hid in the closet.... Oopps... We closed the door and that's where he was when we came back on Sunday afternoon!

Needless to say, no more cats going camping with us and we always check the closet before leaving!

Good luck,

Mitch

[treemakr]

My two cats travel with me full timing. The first thing to do is make short trips, just a ride around the block every day so they get used to riding. Most cats only go in the car to the vet, so they associate a ride with something traumatic.

Also, spend time with them in the motorhome without going anywhere. Give them lots of treats and lovin. You can spend the weekend in your rig with the cats and not go anywhere.

Being in the rig needs to be fun for them too! Be patient, they'll adapt.

[stampgirl]

mitchf150,
As I read your reply, I was actully chuckling to myself as I could actually imagine My Cat doing everything you stated! She does like to get in the TT...she loves snooping around and naping...until I leave, then she wants OUT NOW. I can say to her "Wanna go camping?" and she knows what I mean as she heads right for the TT.
Thanks for reply.

[smokeybear]

Hey StampGirl..

Please work carefully to get Your Cat comfortable on a Light weight leash. Even a light weight string type.

I had to aid a Park Ranger trap a cat that had escaped an out of state Camper's RV. The cat scampered out of their RV the day before they were scheduled to head back north. They looked everywhere... calling it's name but no luck.

I found the Cat in a drainage pipe... told the office... they brought a live trap which I placed a tuna fish can in... the next morning the cat was safely trapped.

They left a Phone Number of a Family member who lived quite some distance away. The Ranger said the office would attempt to get in touch with that family member.

I've seen several cats walked or at least let out of the RV on a leash. It seemed to be a safe way to protect a loved pet.

Marv

[laurel]

As stated by others, get your cat acquainted with your home on wheels well before you go anywhere. Then acquaint it with the vehicle running; going on small trips, etc. When we decided to start full-timing, we got everything moved into the RV and left the two cats in the house by themselves for a few days. We then moved them into the motorhome. They really missed us and were glad to be there. We then ran the engine and let them get used to it. Then a week or so later, we did an hour run on the road. One had a hidding spot, the other laid in her glory on the bed, just purring . They adapted better than we expected. But, they are individuals, as we are, so will react differently. The biggest recommendation I can make is: put stickers on the door reminding you to not let the cat out; keep a harness on the cat at all times, along with a tag with your contact information on it; make sure your cat is licensed; and in you can, get it microchipped; and make sure it's vaccinated. Cats are fast and can be gone in an instant! And just because they have been great in every other circumstance doesn't mean something might not scare them at some point, causing them to flee. It's fun to watch them laying in the sun in a window and watching the birds and wildlife outdoors.
Laurel

[john2261]

Our cat Kate loves to travel. She will sleep under the couch or pile up with the two dogs on the couch. While in camp her favorite spot is on the dash so she can see whats going on. We just broke her in gradually and spent time with her in the motor home and extended the time until the first trip and then longer trips. She travels fine without being kenneled. We have a covered litter box for her and keep her food and water available while we travel and she's fine. You do have to watch going in and out of the camper so she doesn't go with you. Once out she would be hard to get back. She will come when called but I wouldn't want to take the chance. Good luck. Jack & Janet

[km105]

We have traveled with many cats through the years. Right now we travel with 3. Missie started camping as a kitten and loves to travel. Her first trip lasted 3 months. When we go into the motorhome we have to watch that she does not get locked in there. TT was a year old when she firts\\st went on a short trip. She has never been on a long trip and she isn't crazy about the moving house, but she does fine. Stays under the drivers seat when the motorhome is moving. When we stop she does just fine. Spends alot of time on the dash looking out. Then there is Baby. She was my mothers cat that we got when Mama passed away last July. She gets CAR SICK!!!! Had to stop at a vet's office in MO. She said to give her dramine. That didn't work to good. Went to my vet at home and got something stronger. She does just fine if we don't forget to give her the med 45 minutes before we leave. Then she is good for about 6 hours of travel. She is a very scarry cat to start off with. She had better adapt because she is gooing to be on the road for a little over 2 months this summer. We just have to give her her med on the days we will move. We had several other cats that have traveled with us in the past. One was middled age when she first started camping. I got a haulter for her and she took to it like she had worn one all of her life. She loved to go walking. Then we had one that was blind and we would put a haulter on him and he liked to go walking, too. He trusted us to keep him safe. If you didn't know he was blind you wouldn't have known it. Then there was Old Man Blackie. He would run behind the kids on their bikes just like a dog. He always came back to the trailer. So you see, it just depends on the cat. Try different things and see what your likes.

[stampgirl]

Wow! You have had many traveling cats! I really want to try taking the cat w/us this year, but I don't think it will happen. She loves to "go camping" when I'm out in the TT working/cleaning (at home, in the yard) and we are not moving. But if I leave for more then a couple minutes, she wants out NOW. And she ablsolutley won't wear a halter. She was a stray when we got her and prabably 2-3 years old...I think she is pretty much set in her ways. But I keep trying and hoping that one day she can travel with us becasue I just hate leaving her at home...even for only a couple days. Thanks for the reply!

[john3697]

We fulltime with two cats and find they are more comfortable in the trailer. One sits on the floor under the bed and the other lies between two pillows on the bed. It works well for them as long as the temps are cool, but if the temp outside exceeds 80 while we are travelling we bring them up into the cab. The kitten doesn't seem to mind it, but the older one howls. Some cats frequently associate a ride in the car or truck to an unpleasant ride to the vet. Our vet suggested we give her 2-1/2cc of children's Benadryl before the trip. Haven't tried this yet but I've got to believe it will work, as it makes me very sleepy and lethargic when I take an adult dose. As for walking on a leash, both our cats are inside cats and we rarely take them outside the rig, as they just don't like it out there. With the older cat a walk on a leash usually turns out to be a drag, so we don't do it. Each cat we have met on the road have their own temperament, so you'll have to feel them out. Spend lots of lap time with them and love them alot. They'll respond.

[gaylonharden]

I just spent about $1,000 repairing the seat covers and side posts from damage done by cats or cat of the previous owner,So just beware of the damage a cat can do to the inside of your RV.

[mistresssarah]

BEEN CAMPING WITH ARE 18 year old cat now for years! He stays on the dash while we are driving! "BONES" love it when we go out side he is ready to go!

[nhkitkat]

when traveling with cat in a truck , make sure that their carry case is up high
enough so that they can see out the window, it helps alot if you have a cat that likes to howl. My cat used to howl alot when we started taking her with us, she is 18 yrs old, and now as long as she can see she is fine and she loves the 5th wheel, good thing as we are full timers now.

[overthehillfan]

We have always traveled with our pets........we now have 4 cats......
and we are FULL TIMERS, in a 38 Foot Damon Challenger Motorhome.
1. Chance is 14 yrs
2. Bandit is 12
3. Taz is 11
4. And our newest Ginger is 2 years old

As the other's said........let them get used to it......let them stay in there with they're beds, toys, food, water, litter box and even a scratching post with extra cat nip!
Get in and play with them......sleep in there, love them and feed them they're special treats.
Even my newest, a dumped cat.......as learned quickly how to handle.
When we bring the slides in, the newest one gets a bit freaked out, but her special "pillow" is laid on the couch and that is where she stays till we stop.
They all run to use the litter box and water and food, when we stop for lunch or for gas (it's like TAKE A NUMBER at the litter box), so I keep those clean and fresh.......and use a "non-spill" water dish (available at pet and camping centers).
They're needs always come first...........but we have NEVER taken them out of the RV.
1. They can pick up fleas, mites, and whatever else is out there.
2. This way they don't "bolt" for the door, as they are never allowed out and don't know what is out there.
We do still open the doors very carefully.....just in case!:p

But they will get used to traveling.........if they do have an extremely hard time with anxiety, then contact your vet. They will give you something to calm them down. I had ONE prescription.......when we first started. But never had to use it.
Good luck, and happy but hairy traveling!:D

[riggsrepair]

Cat in Cars.

Having to take your cat for a car ride in many cases can be quite unpleasant. While a cat can experience motion sickness, for most cats they simply hate the car. The noise, the movement, and the confusion surrounding the ride is simply too much. Many cats spend the entire ride howling to escape. The first consideration in riding with cats is safety, yours and theirs. A carrier is commonly needed to keep a cat off the gas pedal, the steering wheel, or your head. They may hate the carrier too, but most likely it is worth the struggle to get kitty in the box. While most cats don’t like car rides, the extent of their anxiety can very greatly. Some, while not happy, accept their journey, others have a virtual melt down, and some don’t mind the car that much at all. Help is particularly needed for cats showing physical sign of stress such as shaking, vomiting, or hyperventilating. If your cat is the one experiencing serious distress there are a couple things that can help. First, try acclimating your cat to the car prior to the needed ride. Put him in the car, give him food and treats then bring him back inside. Once he adjusts to this, then try doing it again this time also start the engine, if needed follow this with a short ride. Some of the anxiety is likely to dissipate as your cat realizes that he is safe and secure in the car. If he is still seriously stressed there are herbal remedies that help pets relax, and in severe cases your vet may even prescribe medication to ease your cat’s nerves. While your cat may never enjoy a car ride, helping him adjust can make the ride much more bearable for both of you.

From:

http://www.doctordog.com/Drdognewsletter/catcar.html