Long-distance travel with a pet?

You've received some very good advice from others who have replied so all I can do is add to it. The only driving I've done with my two cats was from Central Oregon to Tulsa ~ most of their travel has been done via air ~ Australia - California - London - Scotland was their longest flight but, as law required we have two overnights, we stayed in L. A. and London.

For safety reasons, your cat must be kept in a hard-sided carrier during car travel and I suggest you put him on the back seat ... seat-belt the carry case so that, in case of an accident, it won't fly across the car. If you don't already have a case for him, be sure you get one which is 14" high x 22" long as it's important he be able to stand. These cost $30-35 at any pet store.

Into his case, put whatever he sleeps on (don't wash it - he'll want familiar odors) plus two hand towels so if he wants to burrow underneath while in the car he can and also, place his carrier so he can see the outside world - he won't be as frightened as he would be not seeing anything. Do Not, Do Not, medicate your cat with a tranquilizer as that would be another 'fright component' for him.

Btw - you should type your cat's information: his name, and any necessary medical information, your name, address and 'phone number, the name and 'phone number of his veterinarian and your destination information ~ tape this to the top of his carrier.

During the time you have before your trip, bring him out a few times a week for 30 minute rides to be sure he doesn't get car sick in which case he'll need medication.. Before you leave your driveway, allow him to roam the car for a few minutes prior to putting him into his case and, when you come home, do the same ... sit in the car with him so he associates you with this particular car. If he isn't leash-trained, now is as good a time as any to begin and I suggest you get him a harness instead of a collar as a harness is safer.

I think you should plan to stop for 45 minutes every 4 hours to 'water' him - on a 14-hour trip, it really isn't necessary to offer him any food but if you do, be sure the portion is very small in case he doesn't travel well ... about 1/4 cup of dry is enough.

Bring trash bags, bottled water for yourself, a roll of paper towels, a container of wet-wipes and some air spray in case he has an 'accident' (which is one reason why our cats are fed only if we'll be somewhere for four to six hours).

By the time your trip is over, you'll be a "pro" at traveling with a cat ~ (expect things to go well).

Use a cat carrier (hard sided) for in the car. This is the safest way for an animal to travel. Have an x-pen with some sort of top or an enclosed cage that you can put a litter box in when you stop so he gets a chance to pee and poop. If you have space in the care, you can use a small wire cage for transport, but your cat isn't likely to use a litter box while the car is moving. Offer food and water when you stop, but don't leave water in the carrier as it will spill when the car is moving.

Bring a jug of water from home so your cat has water he is used to and you can switch him to the water form the new place over a couple day. Also bring food from home, enough to last until you can get more if needed.

Once you get there, put the cat in a room that is safe for him. Give him food and water, a litter box and other comforts from home. Keep him confined for a couple days so he can get used to the new environment.

Have tags with your new phone number and keep them on him just in case. If he is microchipped, make sure the info is up to date. Also bring your vet records

Cats have no sweat glands, they pant. Keep windows open a crack. OOOOONLY a crack- enough for ventilation but NOT enough for him to jump out. Even if it's somewhat cool, that direct light can get pretty warm to their furry bodies. His heart rate will probably be up, too. This will help circulate the air & cool him.

Do NOT let him climb all over the car. He could get under your feet, causing an accident. Although most people have managed without this happening, it's still dangerous, and I believe illegal. If you can get up a barrier between the front of the car and back of the car, that'd be very good, and they can move around freely. You can also use a pet seat belt. Both are available at most pet stores. At the very least, you'll want to shove something underneath the seats so he won't try to crawl under and give you a surprise. Stuff like that can get pretty distracting.

It would be a good idea to bring with you a comfortable carrier, leaving it in the back seat for him to retreat to if he wishes. There's probably about a 10% chance he'll use it (male tabbies tend to be in the action most of the time), but he'll feel safe knowing it's there. The ones that are well ventilated are the best. You can place it on the bottom, where the backseat passengers feet would go. This is a good location because the box will not slide all over and he'll feel like he's protected.

You'll also want to bring a small litter box so he'll be able to go. Not much litter is necessary. He would probably use it only twice, if at all. Cats can hold it like people. Not sure he'd feel comfortable with all that shifting. Also, you'll have to empty it later. Just put enough that he can bury waste well.

Food: He won't be eating very much. If he's three and hasn't traveled much, he's more likely to stare like it's an earthquake. If he's 3 years, he should be between 12-16 lbs. At that weight, 1-1/2 cups is the average dry cat food a day--

If I were you, I would probably break it up into three pit stops for gas, food and bathroom breaks -- or every 4 hours. *Personally* I would wait until the stops to give him food because it'll likely be wasted sitting there fomenting.

WATER, on the other hand, is ABSOLUTELY essential at all times. You can bring a cereal bowl and fill it a half inch at the bottom with water. Wrap a towel around it if you wish, to pick up spill. But with it filled low, very little should spill; and with it wide, he'll be able to see it and get to it better.

You might want to bring a small blanket or towel with you for him to sit in also. Alternative to a cat carrier, and something to sink into. Get him ready for the trip by giving him treats on that blanket or towel every day, so it can be his "good things happen on this" blanket/towel. Uh, that's optional. Probably won't do *much* emotionally, still unfamiliar & scary, but I would still suggest something for him to lie on for the trip.

I think that's about it. Might have to edit later.

I have traveled 1700 miles with my cat 4 times now, and she does pretty well still at 9 years old. I have also given up the idea of a closed carrier. I pack my car full of crap first, put a small travel litter box behind the passenger seat and place her carrier on top of all my junk with a blanket in it. It gives her the ability to see out the window while i'm driving. Any time that I stop for gas or snacks I roll down the window halfway and let her absorb the smells. Mine walks with a walking jacket which I highly suggest any traveling cat owner to have, but you could just hold him next to your car in a quieter area of the parking lot to get him adjusted to the fact that he's not permanently stuck in the car. Also, I leave out food and water every time I stop for more than 10 minutes. It usually takes them a good 5 minutes to realize that they're comfortable enough to eat or drink. Also, be sure you check the windows and if it's warmer out, 65+ leave the windows cracked. But if you can squeeze your fist out the window close it up just a little bit. It's amazing what they can fit through. Be sure that if he starts to get ancy at first, pull off and re-introduce him to the litter box. If you're really worried about his trip, you can try dramamine (1/2 tablet) or get a tranquilizer pill from the vet. I tend to use that towards the end of the trip when she's cranky and mouthy and I'm tired and don't want to deal with it. Good luck!

The walking jacket I have for my cat:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item...

Im from Illinois and every six months i drive to south carolina. I have a "mini" litter box i keep on the floor in the back seat. I also put out a bowl for food. When i stop i give them water. They dont mind the car ride. I let them roam the car. They sleep on the dashboard most of the time.

The above ideas are good. Small and dark is best. If it is an adult, I would recommend a snake bag or pillow case. Try not to put that (or a smaller box) inside the tank itself, you don't want to leave him somewhere where he'll bump around a whole lot, try o place the bag or tub somewhere secure. I've always found the floor of the passenger seat or back seat to be good. And watch for the temperature of where ever he's at along the ride, so he doesn't spend 4 hours in direct sunlight being amplified through the window, etc... You may need to stop and move him around during the ride.

we moved from north carolina to georgia it was about a 10 hour drive two days after christmas with a huge uhaul pulling one car and me in our truck with our two cats ....one was miserable...the baby...i had gotten them soft sided carriers and those actually worked out well...when we would stop for food, rest stop etc. i would let them out of their bags i had food, water and a litter box set up in my floor board...they didnt eat nor did they use the litter box the entire trip but i had everything for them...the oldest cat who was about 15 at the time slept on the hump in the front of the truck i think she stayed warm..never heard a peep out of her..i was told to give the baby who was 2 at the time a half a benadryl..i thought she took it...she spit it out..lol! she cried for an hour...we finally took her out of the carrier and let her sleep on the seat behind me with my daughter who kept her hand on her ..i would never move my cats by car again...and the weird thing is..the baby loves to get in the car and go for a ride

when i would put their food water etc out..i had two bowls one for food one for water..i had a bottle of water i would pour from...if they didnt drink it i would dump it out the door...the food it was in a baggy..i would just put it right back in there..the litter box..was a soda flat with a bag over it with the litter in it...which is similar to what we use at home..i would just close the bag up when it wasnt out for them to use. i did not let my cats just roam in the car..other than when the baby was sleeping on the seat they stayed in their bags unless we were at a stop.

Your vet can prescribe medication to help your cat remain calm during the trip.

Best wishes.