400 mile car journey with stinky cat. Any tips?

[Twinklemegan]

And don't say leave her behind - that isn't an option. But she gets dreadful rear end problems in the car, even after a few minutes, so the thought of 8 hours in the car is horrendous.

[pucca]

Could you not speak to your vet and see if they could give you something to sedate her?

[WideWebWitch]

oh yuk. no idea.

[Twinklemegan]

Yes I'm going to do that, but I have read that being sedated can make it worse for them - the loss of control stresses them apparently.

[pucca]

Ooh i don't know then, i guess just cover the entire car with plastic sheets, and maybe put some sort of light cover over her cage. I would try the sedation though, stress is a terrible thing, and with such a long journey, i would ask your vet's advice.

[Twinklemegan]

Thanks Pucca - I am worried about her tbh. Has anyone on here done such a long journey with cats I wonder? I'd appreciate your experiences.

[bananabump]

I've done a 120 mile journey with our (non stinky) cat in a packed car in late june with him balanced on my knee in his basket, poor little sod. I was terribly worried about him getting too hot/stressed out, but in the end I just aimed the fans near the basket and talked to him quietly when he meowed. Eventually he settled down and while he wasn't exactly happy about it, he dealt with it quite well.

As for a cat with a bum problem, that might not be so nice for you to hold/sit next to for 400 miles. I really would look into getting a mild sedative for her, it's an awfully long journey for any cat but especially if she gets so stressed after just a few minutes in the car.

I have heard of some kind of feline pheromone atomiser which is supposed to calm them on car journeys but I'd see what the vet says about what her behaviour should be like when under sedation, and how it will affect her bottom. I can only imagine it'd make it better but I'm not certain.

Have a stop halfway (you'll need one anyway) where she can have a drink and a stroke, and you can change the newspaper underneath her. Take wetwipes to clean her feet if necessary.

[KITTENSOCKS]

I've heard that you can use Rescue Remedy very dilute, for cat anxiety, but check with vet. Another option is to get a dog cage for the car boot, so that you can fit in a litter tray as well as the cats own bed. Mine seemed happier having the option of a tray, but you still have to deal with the smell!!!!
If using a cat carrier is the only option, try lining the base with a Pampers disposable nappy changing mat. I sellotape mine around a small newspaper to stop it moving about in the carrier, brilliant for catching all accidents including vomit, you can strip off the soiled one and replace (don't forget spare mats and tape, plus bin bags and special cat wipes to clean soiled fur (Pets at Home do some.)
It sounds like a really long journey though, what will you do if there are tailbacks/delays? Is it really necessary to put an anxious cat through that? Do consult the vet to discuss the options.
An afterthought; some cats like the new style "bag" carriers better than the rigid plastic/basket ones, I've never known a cat that didn't like getting into a bag!!

[beautifulgirls]

Changes of bedding for the cat box, feliway spray from the vets, don't feed the cat for 12 hrs prior to travel. Vallerian powder in the box (herbal) can be quite helpful too though it stinks in its own right! Sedation is not always that effective in cats for travelling. Once the first worst smells have come and been cleaned out there is only a limited amount a cat can produce so the rest of the journey will probably be less eventful for you all.

[Twinklemegan]

Thanks everyone. I do have to take her (and the other more laid back one) as we're moving house and I couldn't bear to leave them behind.