Moving pets 250 miles

[FerryCrossTheMersey]

My parents are considering moving 250 miles up the country. Any tips on how to transport three cats and two dogs?

Do they or you drive?

I drove my mum’s cats 200 miles for her, put them in the boot with a litter tray and a metal fence thing so they didn’t come into the rest of the car.

Dogs are easier, just stop to let them pee every so often.

How do they normally transport them?

I moved 5 cats from SW England to SW France a few years ago. I used a specialist pet transporter with a purpose built air conditioned vehicle. All cats arrived safely and in good health (if a little pissed off until they realised how much more space and freedom they had here!). Probably not the cheapest option but well worth it for the convenience and peace of mind.

My dad will be driving. It’s just awkward with both cats and dogs. We of course would let the dogs out to pee, but it’s stressful for the cats to keep having to stop and start. Probably should have mentioned that the cats are house cats.

Do you know if you can get anything from the vets to aid with the travel, something to calm them maybe?

I wouldn't worry too much. I routinely travel with my dog between my home and my mums which is about the same distance. These days I don't often even stop so I don't toilet her on the journey but if your worried perhaps stop halfway. Just make sure they have good safe travel crates with good airflow. Keep the car relatively cool.

We recently moved 2 cats and a dog about 500 miles. We have moved long distance before and used to put the cats in a large dog crate with a litter tray so that they didn’t have to stress about anything but this time we didn’t have the space so we put the cats into individual carriers and put them in the rear footwell. The dog was in the boot and we just went for it with a couple of short stops. I did worry about the cats a little bit but then I thought about cats recovering in a vet practice and how long some of them need to stay in a small area for their safety and figured they would be fine and would just have to go with it. They were totally fine and seemed fairly relaxed when we arrived. You can get mild sedative tablets from the vet and we’ve used them in the past, but to be honest I didn’t really see any difference in the cat’s behaviour.

Try valerian oil between their shoulder blades where they can't reach it to lick it off. It is a natural essential oil but it does calm them well.
We use it for our anxious spaniel on long journeys. She hate the car.
My friend uses it for stressy cats.

Forgot to say that you can order it from Amazon for about £10.

We just put the cats in a cat basket each and the dogs in the boot. Obviously stopped a few times for the dogs to pee but didn’t worry about the cats as they both had form for going all day without a toilet break (their choice). All were fine. We did put the cats in dog cage whilst the removal men were bringing the furniture in the new house just in case one took fright at all the strange men.

Thanks for all the replies, lots of good ideas. My mum will feel better knowing that it’s doable.

Have done this! Cats in baskets and they just slept. Dogs went for pee breaks as did us humans!
Lots of fuss and treats at the other end, and put in one room with litter tray, food and beds whilst I unpacked the van.
If using removal service - make sure you put a big notice on the door if the room you put the cats in - so everyone knows not to open the door! (Or rebox the cats and leave in the room until everyone has gone.)