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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Driving to France with cat - any tips?

124 replies

MarmMummy · 21/07/2020 19:55

Hi, we are driving to France with out 5 year old cat for the first time this year. It’s about a 14 hour journey. Anyone have any top tips to share?! TIA

OP posts:
pandafunfactory · 21/07/2020 19:56

Don't let them out of the container at the roadside ever.

RandomMess · 21/07/2020 19:56

Mine are quiet if they are in a large kittening crate rather than a basket.

Ear plugs?

Fluffycloudland77 · 21/07/2020 19:57

For a holiday?. 14hrs won’t be terribly nice for the cat. How big is the crate?.

WhoWouldHaveThoughtThat · 21/07/2020 20:04

I think Pussy may want a poop on the way... Perhaps get a collar and lead and get Pussy used to it. (Get some tough gloves)

Original poster
MarmMummy · 21/07/2020 20:05

We have a basket thats for dogs, so quite big.....maybe I should look at a crate.

OP posts:
RedRosie · 21/07/2020 20:08

You are braver than me! I once drove a cat from London to Wales (moving house) and it nearly finished me off! Could you ask your vet for (light, not knockout) sedation? That might make it easier for the cat. Big crate with a litter tray inside and plenty of stops for water/reassurance.

Not sure I'd do this for a holiday, maybe if it were a long stay like several months. Most cats prefer home turf.

RandomMess · 21/07/2020 20:09

You need a litter tray and water etc in the crate

missmouse101 · 21/07/2020 20:12

Don't. Cats don't need to have holidays. Sounds like hell for the poor thing.

Toddlerteaplease · 21/07/2020 20:19

Please don't take your cat on holiday.

slipperywhensparticus · 21/07/2020 20:21

Look up van cat miow for tips

Papyrus · 21/07/2020 20:23

I feel stressed just thinking about it!

babychange12 · 21/07/2020 20:24

Are you bringing your cat on holiday??

Campingintheraintoday · 21/07/2020 20:25

Do not let it share the driving!!

totallyyesno · 21/07/2020 20:26

Why??

HollyBollyBooBoo · 21/07/2020 20:26

Please tell me you're moving there and it's not a holiday as that would be ridiculous!!

Pancakeorcrepe · 21/07/2020 20:36

Only OK if it is for moving there. If it is to go on holiday that is very cruel.
If it is for moving there, my tip is to get him a cute little beret and a stripey top so he is accepted by the locals.

HeronLanyon · 21/07/2020 20:39

I once drove with a cat for 6 hours. I asked bet for advice He had a tablet to calm him (can’t remember name) which I think really helped.
We got a slightly bigger cat box for the journey several weeks before so it smelled a bit of home and we put dirty laundryman in for a bit so it smelled of us !
Cat box was belted in and he seemed to like to see us in front so we had it facing out.
We put towels on back seat and had a litter tray and travel water bowl. Everything ready for any stop.
We did two stops.
He yowled for around an hour then slept.
He made it clear when he needed pee/poo. We had a new clean litter tray. he used it no problem. We had a lot of bags so we didn’t need to scoop or throw away on the journey.
Mega rule - do not open the cat box at all if any door to the car is open or needs to be open for anything !
When we arrived he was very thirsty and hungry and rather cross with us !!
Didn’t like doing it. Unavoidable.
14 hours seems a very long time - get advice from your vet.

HeronLanyon · 21/07/2020 20:39

And good luck!

Original poster
MarmMummy · 21/07/2020 21:38

Thanks everyone! Um, it’s for a holiday... when we went for 2 weeks last year she got very anxious and stressed by herself and pulled out lots of her hair ( with lovely cat sitter who is our cleaner and she knows very well). We figured she’d love to be with us chasing lizards in the French sunshine so thought we would try that this year. Kids will pet her in car, hoping she’ll sleep, Fingers crossed!!!!!

OP posts:
milienhaus · 21/07/2020 21:41

When you get a new cat you have to keep them in for at least 2 weeks otherwise they won’t know how to get home ... are you planning to keep the cat locked in the house with no windows open ever, or planning to lose the cat in France?

caitlinohara · 21/07/2020 21:46

I can’t help thinking the cat will be way more stressed by the journey than you leaving her. Could you not use a cattery?? I would be worried about her running off whilst on holiday in a strange place, never mind by the journey!

Fluffycloudland77 · 21/07/2020 21:47

I think you should look for a cattery. You’d have to keep her indoors for the whole holiday & how achievable is this when you have kids?.

My cat hated other cats but was happier in a cattery than home with sitters.

UtterlyUnimaginativeUsername · 21/07/2020 21:49

DO NOT bring a highly strung cat on holiday. It'll ruin the trip for all of you, and if you let her roam around sunny french fields chasing lizards, chances are you'll never catch her and you'll end up coming back without her.

Longdistance · 21/07/2020 21:50

Omg! Why the fuck are you taking the cat on holiday? The cat needs to either have a sitter or go into a chattery.

Original poster
MarmMummy · 21/07/2020 21:50

I’ve taken her to my mums about 4hours away a few times and she’s been fine. I’m not planning on keeping her in, just think she.’ll want to stay close to us, But panicking slightly now....

OP posts:
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