Anyone move thier cat(s) cross-country? (USA)?

Hi Trish...driving would be less traumatic than flying and less stressful for you having to meet all the travel guidelines imposed by each air carrier (e.g. health certification from a vet, rabies, airline restrictions on when you can fly if it's too cold or warm and which airline will allow in cabin travel vs. cargo travel, etc).

Consider purchasing a walking jacket harnesses http://www.hdw-inc.com/walkingjackets.htm and leashes to help secure the cats in their travel crates to prevent accidental escape. Litterbox ideally can be placed down low on the floor so they can feel secure with a bit of privacy instead up high and exposed. Most cats tend to sleep the majority of the road trip and are too nervous to use the litterboxes. Perhaps, if you stay over at a hotel/motel they may use it then.

Here are some tips to help your kitties get used to road travel if you can the week or two before your trip. The best solution is to begin a treat reward inside the travel crates before you place it into the car so begin feeding your cats now until you leave for your trip inside the crate fulltime. If kitties will not go into the crate begin by feeding them in front/around of the crate then gradually move the food dish it into the crate...eventually when they are okay with eating in the crate gently close the door, but open it immediately while the kitties are eating to help them acclimate to this. After they appear to be okay with eating inside the crate (sometimes it will happen within a couple days) you can begin with the next step...

First take them in the car (with crates and food dish) and sit quietly with them and the crate door opened and offer them delicious treats inside the crates, which rewards them for accepting the new environment. Do this several times throughout the day and when they are showing signs of being more comfortable then you can move onto the next step. Just start the car (no driving) and offer rewarding treats again in the crate/bed still with door opened and also closed. After a few times then start the car and move it back and forth in that little area again offer treats in the crates with door opened and closed (by the way, chicken baby food is usually is an excellent treat just make sure this is Gerbers "2nd" NOT 3rd as the ingredients Onion and Garlic are toxic to kitty). Again, when the kitties shows sign of comfort then try a drive around the block once then several times gradually with the crate door closed this time. Make sure they can see you when you travel as they find comfort with their owner's familiar face and can easily hear your voice as well. If you don't have anyone traveling with you then place crates on the front passenger seat and floor so you can occasionally put your fingers through the holes to comfort them with your touch too.

Keep in mind this method is the healthiest so that you don't need to tranquilize the kitties, which should be reserved as a last resort if the kitties still are very anxious in the final stages of the training. The method I described above is how zoo trainers teach their animals to be managed without sedation.

I hope you all will have a safe and happy long journey.

We moved cross-country (from CA to MO) last year with two cats. We kept them in the carrier during the day & only let them out once we were in our motel room for the night. We put a towel into the carrier in case they had an accident, but they never did... they just slept all day. Those disposable cat boxes that you can get at PetSmart or wherever made things a lot easier! We opened a new one each night & tossed it in the morning when we hit the road again.

AS SOON AS you get into the motel room, put out food, clean water, and the cat box, but don't be surprised if they stay in the carrier for a bit... they will likely be a bit timid for a while. The carrier represents safety for them. Soon they will come out & explore.

Don't plan marathon driving days, either -- we only drove about six or seven hours a day. We were driving with kids, too, so we had to consider them... but I don't think the cats would have been happy with driving twelve hours, either. Take an extra day or two if you can.

Good luck with your move!

I have gone cross country with my cat, daughter and two grandsons (from Tennessee to LA to Oregon). I have few bits of advice to share with you:

1) You must transport your cats in separate kitty carriers or kennels. You MUST NOT allow them to be unrestrained in your car -that's an accident waiting to happen. For your safety and theirs, ensure that each of your cats will have an appropriate cat carrier (you can buy those plastic pet carriers with stainless steel bars at the pet shop or even supermarket).

2) Inside the car, cover each kitty carrier with a blanket (just make sure the cats can breath) The point of this exercise is to help the cats keep calmer while in transport. If you darken their cages and they can't see what is going on outside, they won't get agitated - they might even sleep through most of the journey (mine did).

3) NEVER let your cats ot when you stop at a diner or restroom on the road. They will run away. Keep them in their carriers where they are safe

4) When you finally stop at a motel for the night to sleep, bring the cats INSIDE their carriers into your room - make sure the door and windows are closed and that there is no chance of escape. Only then can you allow your kitties to "Stretch their legs." and eat.

4) Make sure you have a litter tray for when you stop at a motel for the night. Your cats will be "busting" to go by then. Unless your cats are leash-trained, do not attemp to allow any of your cats to "take a leak" by the side of the road!

5) A few days before you are scheduled to leave, make a "test drive" with your cats in their carriers. If you feel that they will be too stressed out during a long journey, you can go to your vet and ask for "kitty valium" - explain why.

6) Motel-6 is pet friendly and wouldn't raise an eyebrow if you lugged in 3 cats!

My cat cried and cried for the first 2 hours of the trip. After that, he was fine! Even went into his carrier willingly in the mornings when he saw that we were all getting ready to go. He didn't want to be left behind in a motel!

Hope this helps. :)

BON VOYAGE!!!!

We moved my cat from Arkansas to Florida in the car. We got a tupperware container with a lid for the kitty litter. We put her in an animal taxi when we stopped, but when we were on the road she was laying in the back seat of the car. She was a fairly good traveler considering it was about a 22 hour road trip. Any further details, just email me.

Your best bet is to use pet carriers. It is the safest if you're going to drive. We've moved from state to state with our 2 cats for my husband's job. I wouldn't use the cardboard type. I had one cat claw thru it and was all over the car. We tried tranquilizers from our vet but they just left the cat more agitated.

When I traveled with my cat. From Louisiana to Illinois, I just kept her in her travel cage and when we stopped I walked her on a leash and we stayed at a pet friendly hotel and used a box with her kitty litter .

ive driven from maryland to michigan many many times and we take a dog and cat. this is what we do: we just let our animals walk around in the car. they usually find a spot and sit most of the ride. for rest stops: our dog is fine and does what we say so he wont run away. but our cat... (first we bought a harness before we went). before we get out, we take a leash on the harness and tie it to something like the door handle so she cant get away. then we get out and do what we need, come back and untie her. Its really simple. good luck.