car journeys

[Rissolesfortea]

We are thinking of moving house soon but it means a journey of 6+ hours. Has anyone any tips how we can make this as comfortable as possible for our four cats who will be travelling in the car with us please?

They will obviously be in a cat carrier (one in each) and although they have never been car sick we have only taken them on short journeys before, they do make a lot of noise!

I was thinking of not feeding them in the morning before we go but is there anything else I can do?

I've taken cats on similar journeys - longer journeys even - many times. I used to take cats on UK holidays with me and I even took Twoago on a car touring holiday once. (He was very bonded to me and probably wouldn't have eaten if I'd gone away for an extended period.)

I've always done it very matter of factly. They go in their carriers and the carriers are then secured inside the car in some way so that they can't move around - especially in the event of a road issue. (Best decide on that beforehand - human luggage can usually be minimal but you don't need to fill the car up with stuff and then find you have nowhere to stow and secure the carriers appropriately.)

Then I cover the carriers with a light coverlet to help their feeling secure but in such a way as to allow enough air and to give them a sight of me if they want.

They likely won't want to eat or drink during the journey, or to use a tray, but I'd take some food, water, bowls etc and a ready made litter tray just in case along with some kitchen towel and a few carrier bags in case of accidents. (Even if they don't use the tray during the journey and cross their legs it's always good to have a tray made up and to hand in the car - if nothing else, you can bang at least that one into the room they're to go to at the other end as soon as you arrive and get them in there and safe while you unpack and potter.)

Some posters have had good experiences with eg Feliway spraying and puppy training pads on the floor of cages so they may have suggestions on those. I generally just use a big fluffy (washable) towel for cage bottoms and carry a couple of those in a plastic bag in case of accidents.

It's not going to be their favourite moment but it should be quite doable. I've found that mine moan a bit for the first 10 minutes and then hunker down to grit it out with the occasional yowl just to let you know that they're still there. (I'd recommend a quick acknowledgement of any yowls but not much tea and sympathy.)

One important thing - don't ever let them out of their cages while the car is moving and unless the doors and windows are securely closed. The last thing you need is a loose cat in the car in the event of bad traffic conditions or a spooked cat at large on a motorway service area.

Will you have their accommodation at the other end sorted out so that you can get them in there right away to recover their equanimity?

Thank you cozietoesie, very good advice. I was thinking that if I feed them the evening before we go and let them out for a bit that evening they probably wont need the toilet again until we arrive but will certainly take your advice re the old towels in their boxes, or maybe the training pads just in case.

I intend to put them in a room with some food and water and litter trays when we arrive and keep the door securely closed until all removals are completed and then keep them indoors for at least 2 weeks until they have settled.

I must admit I'm not looking forward to the journey at all!

Thank you again

Dosing them up with Zylkene should help. Like valium for cats. But give them a tester dose before , as Zylkene is a milk protein, so you want to make sure that it won't give them a runny bum on the journey. Otherwise things could get messy...