Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

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:
ProfessorInkling · 27/12/2021 09:15

I wouldn’t go either, sorry. What would your plan B have been if you were too unwell to go? Can you put that in place instead?

Original poster
newlabelwriter · 27/12/2021 09:23

We may have had a last minute reprieve as neighbour might be able to have him. Fingers crossed 🤞

OP posts:
CaramelEmporium · 27/12/2021 09:38

If you are still travelling OP a blanket over the carrier helps our cats enormously when travelling, I guess it’s the darkness they like.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Cats
Clarkey86 · 27/12/2021 09:39

I’m very very much a cat person and I’m quite surprised how many people think this is cruel. Given the right conditions he’ll mostly just settle down and sleep! It’s not likely to be “traumatising” to him in anyway, he’s just in a cage for a few hours Confused

If you do need to take him and can find a large pet shop that’s open, you can get larger fabric carriers that give them more space and fit a small litter tray in. See pic. Remember to stop to provide him with a bit of food/water and clean up any accidents. Other than that it’s no different to a kitten being in a cage or pen for a few hours at home if for example they were a bit poorly or needed keeping safe for a while.

It’s not ideal but it’s not cruel if arranged properly. We drove to Scotland from the midlands to pick up one of our Maine coons and she was grand - but we did have quite a large fabric dog carrier in the boot for her so she had space and a tray etc.

Clarkey86 · 27/12/2021 09:40

Forgot the pic, but this is what you need. Much better than the small plastic carriers.

Long car journey with kitten
MrsLangOnionsMcWeetabix · 27/12/2021 09:41

We have a large dog crate so there’s room for a litter tray (one of my cats regularly has to go to a specialist vet an hour away and tends to poo in the carrier). Transfer to a smaller carrier to get in and out of the car making sure windows and doors are shut. He’s a very docile chap so easy to handle even in the car.

Original poster
newlabelwriter · 27/12/2021 09:46

@Clarkey86 thank you. That’s the carrier we have. Fingers crossed with neighbour option but thank you for tips of this doesn’t work out.

OP posts:
Original poster
newlabelwriter · 27/12/2021 09:47

Out of interest what do people do when moving home / country with pets? Do they sedate them (genuine question, I literally have no idea if that’s a done thing).

OP posts:
Slowfoxfast · 27/12/2021 09:49

The kitten will be fine in a new place, just try and keep it in one room for the first night or two. I would put plenty of newspaper under the carrier in case of accidents, along with other suggestions above. Another thing that might help is to put the career in the footwell rather than on the seat in the back as it will give more stability. Good luck the journey and really don't worry.

CaramelEmporium · 27/12/2021 10:16

You can buy OTC stuff, it’s a powder that you sprinkle on their food and it calms/sedates them. Worked like a dream the first time we used it, second time they turned their noses up at it 🤷‍♀️ 6 hour car journey.

coogee · 27/12/2021 10:29

Out of interest what do people do when moving home / country with pets? Do they sedate them (genuine question, I literally have no idea if that’s a done thing).

I don’t know what other people do but ours survived two aeroplanes and then a road trip back to the UK through the channel tunnel. Non stop travelling for two days without any I’ll effects. He was a bit wary when we let him out in his new home but it only lasted ten minutes. He wasn’t sedated.

RampantIvy · 27/12/2021 11:36

We don't know how old the kittens are. Were your pets older @coogee?

coogee · 27/12/2021 11:48

Roughly six months old. The journey was so tortuous because there were no direct flights to the UK due to covid.

britnay · 27/12/2021 11:48

We've done house moves with pets a few times. Usually stop every 2 hours to offer a very small amount of food and water (but don't leave these in the cage. Longest journey was 2 days of 8 hours driving each day.

Imdreamingofapeacefulxmas · 27/12/2021 12:06

Goodness needs must op I'm sure he will be fine!! I'd do note regular stops.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page