How can I travel with my cat?

My cat has gone cross-country with us in a van - from Tenessee to California. Then some months later, from California to Oregon. We drove 9 hrs minimum every day when we went cross-country. I had my cat in his carrier (a rather large one meant ofr a small dog). Same carrier he flies in on overseas trips. Ok, to your questions:

1) Feed your kitty a little less than what he normally has at least one hour before you hit the road.

2) Put kitty in a carrier where he can lay down comfortably. Cover the carrier with a blanket or towel so kitty cannot see outside the van.

3) If kitty cries and cries during the trip, that's fine... talk soothingly to him now and again, but I find that talking to kitty will just encourage kitty to keep on meowing ("let meout, let me out"). After an hour or so, kitty will usually be lulled to sleep.

4) At rest stop, if you want to give kitty a chance to go to the litter box, then do so only when you are ABSOLUTELY confident that you have kitty under control and he will not escape. Since you have a mini van, then let the cat use the box INSIDE the van with doors closed and only one person attending. Chances are you'll find that kitty will not want to releive himself - but will want to as soon as you reach your destination. Really, 2 hrs or even 4 hrs is not a terribly long time for cats to wait to releive themselves - unless bladder was full already when you hit the road. My cat would do his duty in the litter box at the end of the 8-hr drive. I would carry him in his carrier to our motel room. Clse the door. Position the litter box and THEN let the cat out. Beleive me, you wouldn't want your cat to escape anywhere while you are travelling. At airports. my cat had his halter and leash even while he is in the carrier.

Your cat will be fine during the 4 hr drive. Just make sure he has a comfortable carrier. I find "Pet Taxi" very comfy, strong, and easy to carry around.

Good luck!

I have done this a lot. Unless your cat is a good traveler, you may not want to feed him too much just prior to leaving. I would not recommend letting him out at rest stops, would advise providing a small litter box in the minivan that he can use when you are stopped (just make sure someone is always watching him when he is out of his carrier and no one opens the door). Yolu can give them medicine to sedate them, but the best thing is to cover their carrier with a light, breathable fabric (bed sheet). They get more upset by the moving scenery and over stimluation than anything. Also, if you are that unsure about traveling with him, I would advise boarding him. He should not have to go through that stress unless you have no other option.

I've made a couple of trips with one of my cats (then I had to give her to my parents b/c I couldn't keep her anymore where I was living)...she is a flying and riding cat...not sure if you have taken kitty our riding before or not, but the one cat loved to ride...she would sit in my lap and look out the window like a dog...the cats that I have now HATE riding if they are closed up in the carrier...they made a cross-country trip right after we got them...but as long as they could get out of the carrier and walk around some they were just fine...she would sleep in the carrier (carrier was still open) and he would climb up behind our necks and sleep there like a little neck pillow while we were on the road...and for the litterbox, we had a tubberware container that we had a lid on...that way when we stopped they could get down and go to the bathroom...and then we also had 2 small sealable bowls...one for food and one for water...worked out really good as long as they were not locked up in the carrier and could see what was going on...GOOD LUCK!!

a cat carrier is good to have to keep kitty from getting under foot and behind seats and being a distraction while you are driving. If kitty is leash trained or atleat o.k. on a leash, a HARNESS and leash are a good idea, a harness though, (and i noticed that you mentioned a harness), their necks are not as muscular as a dog's and they can really get bad hurt if you hook up to their collar. the sound of your voice and talking to the cat helps tremendously, that and being in a carrier where they can feel a bit more secure. i've traveled with cats, they don't particularly enjoy travel, so don't expect your cat to be exactly beside herself with joy over the prospect. but if you are calm, she can be atleast somewhat comfortable. and if you have some one that can hold the carrier in their lap part of the time, so she doesn't feel alone.

The cat will be just fine for a short trip like that one. Although if he is a high stress kitty I would go to the vet and get some meds to calm him down. I had a 3 day trip with my cat. During that time he would not eat but would drink limited water but we had to keep him mildly sedated.

I am not so sure I would bring the cat. Can you board him or leave him at home and have someone check up on him occasionally? Sorry I couldn't be more of a help! Good luck!

Just put it one of those cat cages. When it falls asleep, take it out(unless it scratches) And then get to your destination.

Sherpa bag

hide it under your shirt

these websites can answer your questions

http://www.metrokc.gov/animals/cattips/cat25.aspx

http://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/travcat.html