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Original poster

Long car journey with kitten

40 replies

newlabelwriter · 27/12/2021 08:18

I’m driving from Bristol to Newcastle tomorrow and I’ve just had a message from my house sitter that she’s no longer able to look after my kitten due due to Covid, which means I’m going to have to take my kitten with me as I can’t find anyone at late notice to look after him.

Journey is going to take about 5 hours and then we’ll be in unfamiliar surroundings so none of this is ideal but it does seem to be only option. Can you let me know any tips on making the trip more comfortable for him (and us 😉) Thank you.

OP posts:
coogee · 27/12/2021 08:23

Take some pedal bin liners and a big roll of paper towels. Line his box/cage with something absorbent and easily removable and have more that you can put in.

Make sure your windows wind up and down.

PostChristmasSwapShop · 27/12/2021 08:24

Kittens can and do get car sick. You need a wipe-clean container, spare blankets to sub in for sicky ones and binbags to contain the sicky blankets. Dehydration is a real danger if the kitten is sick numerous times. Never attempted as long as 5 hours though!

Original poster
newlabelwriter · 27/12/2021 08:28

Thank you. This is a stupid question but is he likely to poo when he’s on the journey?

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Darklane · 27/12/2021 08:35

Don’t forget to take a bottle of water for him with a bowl of course. Feeding him will more likely make him sick but five hours is a long time to go without something so better to feed him small amounts of something light like small pieces of cooked chicken .
I’ve done similar journeys but with puppies not kittens so easier as you can stop to take them out for a wee. We have had motorhomes for years & have always taken the dogs with us so they were puppies on their first trips. I never found the so called anti sickness remedies worked, some are just better travellers & were never sick, others were.

coogee · 27/12/2021 08:36

Yes, he is likely to poo when on the journey. Very likely.

Hence why working windows and clean up stuff are essential.

Also don’t ever let him out of the cage in the car when there is a door or window open.

Original poster
newlabelwriter · 27/12/2021 08:40

Poor kitty. I feel terrible for dragging all the way with us but I can’t leave him here. I think he’ll be fine once we’re there.

OP posts:
ItsSnowJokes · 27/12/2021 08:43

I would be calling other pet sitters or catterys today. Its really not fair to put a kitten through a 5 hour journey and then in a new strange place.

Brusca · 27/12/2021 08:44

I'd cancel the trip. Five hours is too long.

Original poster
newlabelwriter · 27/12/2021 08:46

@ItsSnowJokes I’ve called all the people I can and nobody able to look after him at short notice and he’s too young for cattery. As I said I know this is in no way ideal but it does seem to be happening so I’m trying to make the best for him in a bad situation.

OP posts:
Nosnowthisyear · 27/12/2021 08:48

Sorry I wouldn’t do it either. My cat was traumatised for days, hiding and not eating, after a very short car journey.

Theunamedcat · 27/12/2021 08:48

Can you not get a car seat harness and strap him in? There are some people on the Internet that travel with there cat he goes in a harness

InTheLabyrinth · 27/12/2021 08:49

Have you tried to find someone?
When it became apparent DH wouldn't be home for Xmas, I messaged our cattery, and they had spaces for 23-29. If kitten is vaccinated, I'd give one a call.

InTheLabyrinth · 27/12/2021 08:50

Sorry, just seen your update. Ignore me.

Haus1234 · 27/12/2021 08:51

I’d be more worried about losing him at the other end! Everyone will have to be very very careful with windows and doors, both in the car and at your destination.

Mumdiva99 · 27/12/2021 08:52

I would stay home. The risk of the cat escaping from the house in Newcastle would worry me too much.

dementedpixie · 27/12/2021 08:53

Would you trust a neighbour to pop in a couple of times a day to feed/play with the cat?
How long are you away for?

Overthebow · 27/12/2021 08:54

Can you cancel your trip instead? There’s no way I’d take a kitten in the car for 5 hours there and back, it’s not fair on them.

Original poster
newlabelwriter · 27/12/2021 08:56

@Nosnowthisyear

Sorry I wouldn’t do it either. My cat was traumatised for days, hiding and not eating, after a very short car journey.
He’s done a few hours in car when we collected him so has been in a car before. Calm once in town and lit up, but didn’t like the dark. We’re driving down in the day so this might help.

Cancelling trip not an option either as I’m looking after someone at the other end (not an animal).

Thanks for all suggestions. I’d really love any that were to make him more comfortable in the car. Thank you

OP posts:
PinkWaferBiscuit · 27/12/2021 08:57

I agree with those who would cancel the trip, it's grossly unfair on the kitten, he's going to be incredibly stressed out on both the journey and in a unfamiliar new house.

If you have not been able to find someone to pop in and look after him at home then I really don't think taking him with you is the next best option, staying at home would be much kinder.

RampantIvy · 27/12/2021 08:57

Can you not get a car seat harness and strap him in?

What! Shock
You obviously know nothing about kittens.

Seriously, I would consider cancelling my visit. IMO 5 hours is a very optimistic journey time for Bristol to Newcastle unless you are driving in the middle of the night.

We used to drive our kittens regularly between Leeds and Northumberland, and they hated it. The first time they threw up everywhere and pooed. On all subsequent journeys one of them just miaowed during the entire journey.

Pease do the right thing and stay at home. Taking them on this car journey is cruel.

Original poster
newlabelwriter · 27/12/2021 08:58

@Haus1234

I’d be more worried about losing him at the other end! Everyone will have to be very very careful with windows and doors, both in the car and at your destination.
Yes this too. The whole situation has me very worried although DC are really careful with him as he’s not currently allowed out and we live near a busy road. We can lock door from Inside and small apartment so we’ll know where he is if anyone visits.
OP posts:
RampantIvy · 27/12/2021 08:59

Cross posted with your update.

Original poster
newlabelwriter · 27/12/2021 09:01

Thanks all. I’m going to check with another neighbour but not looking likely. Obviously a lot of other people are away this time of year.

OP posts:
Chunkymenrock · 27/12/2021 09:04

You need to let the person know you can't come any more and they'll have to make other arrangements or find someone else. It's really unfair on the kitten and it will be distressed, frightened and confused.

Kinsters · 27/12/2021 09:14

How old is he? We did 4 hours with our cats but they weren't kittens. They were totally fine, just miaowed a bit. I don't think I gave them food and water. For five hours and a small kitten maybe plan for a break to give him something.

When you're away I'd plan to keep him to a confined area like a bathroom or bedroom and put his familiar items in there. When my first cat was a tiny kitten we lived in one room with her and as long as we played with her enough it was fine.