Okay. It's been a LONG, LONG time since I've posted here, I know. But things have been crazy hectic in my life.
Some of you might remember I left my husband at the end of the summer. Izzy adjusted well to living with my parents, and she and Tyler... well, they're not the best of friends, but they peacefully co-exist. Actually, she's gotten Tyler a lot more active and he's a lot healthier for it, which is good. But that's neither here nor there.
The important news now is I've moved to Texas. It was supposed to be just for a visit, but I've decided to stay. In about two weeks, I'm driving up to Detroit in a standard-cab pickup truck to get all my stuff, pack it in a U-Haul, and drive it down to Texas.
WHAT DO I DO WITH THE FREAKING CAT?
She's never been in a carrier. It's a two day trip. I'm going to have someone else with me. It's a VERY SMALL TRUCK -- 08 Colorado, and there's no room behind the seats. I'd have to have her in a tiiiiiiiiny carrier just to preserve room in the cab. Plus... it's a brand new truck. The cat's gotta pee sometime. How does this work, not having her pee everywhere in the cab of the truck? I'm freaking out. I need Izzy with me... leaving her behind isn't an option. I keep hearing her cries in the middle of the night haunting me... I miss her so much.
So what do I do?? Give me advice, because... man, I'm nervous about this...
Moving help!
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slvrwhispr
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Re: Moving help!
Do you mean you're pulling a u-haul trailer?
If the truck cab has a standard front seat, meaning no console in the middle of it, there should be room to accomodate a standard size cat carrier (small size cat/dog carrier). It would be a bit cramped, but it's safer for kitty to be in a carrier than loose in the cab. Your passenger can keep an eye on her and soother her while you're driving, or vice versa. If a standard small carrier won't fit, then consider investing in a sherpa-pet carrier, which is soft-sided and a bit smaller than a standard hard plastic carrier. Again, this should be placed between you on the seat, NOT on a floorboard.....floorboards are dusty and depending on the air in the cab, can be too cold or too warm, too much air circulation, dark and loud.
As for potty breaks, at least line the bottom of the carrier with puppy pads, so that if she has to go and you can't stop for some reason, the pads might at least absorb some of the urine. Check them often and change when necessary (when the doors are closed!)
Are you driving straight through, or stopping at a motel? If stopping at a motel, call in advance and ask about pets, some motels will take pets with a deposit.
At ANY time you stop, (for gas, food, etc), make sure Izzy is in her carrier AT ALL TIMES. Frightened, scared cats can bolt faster than you can say oh no whenever car doors are opened for even a second. One person should always stay in the cab with her if possible, while the other is fueling up, getting snacks, stretching legs, etc. It would also be a good idea to have a breakaway collar on her with a clear ID tag with either your current vet's number, or your CURRENT contact information (you could also use your parent's info). An attached rabies tag is ideal.
When stopped, if one person can get out, one person stay inside the cab with the doors closed, provide a soda box with kitty litter and encourage her to use it. If used, dispose in a sealed plastic bag and dispose at a gas station trash bin or something. If she is too scared to use it, then at least have puppy pads in the carrier and check it often. Also, encourage her to eat small amounts and give water whenever you stop (inside the truck cab with doors closed of course)
Do NOT be tempted to allow her to be loose in the cab of the truck. It is safer for her and you both for her to be in a carrier. Don't have the music on loud etc, try to keep the environment calm, talk to her often, check on her etc.
Please let us know how it goes, and when you've settled in your new place in TX!
If the truck cab has a standard front seat, meaning no console in the middle of it, there should be room to accomodate a standard size cat carrier (small size cat/dog carrier). It would be a bit cramped, but it's safer for kitty to be in a carrier than loose in the cab. Your passenger can keep an eye on her and soother her while you're driving, or vice versa. If a standard small carrier won't fit, then consider investing in a sherpa-pet carrier, which is soft-sided and a bit smaller than a standard hard plastic carrier. Again, this should be placed between you on the seat, NOT on a floorboard.....floorboards are dusty and depending on the air in the cab, can be too cold or too warm, too much air circulation, dark and loud.
As for potty breaks, at least line the bottom of the carrier with puppy pads, so that if she has to go and you can't stop for some reason, the pads might at least absorb some of the urine. Check them often and change when necessary (when the doors are closed!)
Are you driving straight through, or stopping at a motel? If stopping at a motel, call in advance and ask about pets, some motels will take pets with a deposit.
At ANY time you stop, (for gas, food, etc), make sure Izzy is in her carrier AT ALL TIMES. Frightened, scared cats can bolt faster than you can say oh no whenever car doors are opened for even a second. One person should always stay in the cab with her if possible, while the other is fueling up, getting snacks, stretching legs, etc. It would also be a good idea to have a breakaway collar on her with a clear ID tag with either your current vet's number, or your CURRENT contact information (you could also use your parent's info). An attached rabies tag is ideal.
When stopped, if one person can get out, one person stay inside the cab with the doors closed, provide a soda box with kitty litter and encourage her to use it. If used, dispose in a sealed plastic bag and dispose at a gas station trash bin or something. If she is too scared to use it, then at least have puppy pads in the carrier and check it often. Also, encourage her to eat small amounts and give water whenever you stop (inside the truck cab with doors closed of course)
Do NOT be tempted to allow her to be loose in the cab of the truck. It is safer for her and you both for her to be in a carrier. Don't have the music on loud etc, try to keep the environment calm, talk to her often, check on her etc.
Please let us know how it goes, and when you've settled in your new place in TX!
..........Traci
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slvrwhispr
- Posts: 1366
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Re: Moving help!
Traci, I'm so nervous about this. It's at least a two day trip... I've never driven with a trailer before... and Izzy DOES. NOT. LIKE. to be confined. Getting her in a carrier is going to involve bloodshed -- mine, of course -- even if I spend the week before the trip getting her accustomed to it. I'm so afraid she's going to panic. I wish I could get a big carrier for her but there's just no room. There's room between passengers, but not much...
What exactly is a puppy pad? I know it's for potty training puppies, but what do they look like? I'm sure if I went into PetSmart I'd find it... but, y'know, I'm nervous, and I don't want to mess things up...
What exactly is a puppy pad? I know it's for potty training puppies, but what do they look like? I'm sure if I went into PetSmart I'd find it... but, y'know, I'm nervous, and I don't want to mess things up...
Re: Moving help!
Puppy Piddle Pads...can probably find them at petsmart or any online pet store.
Try not to be so nervous, you can try getting her accustomed to the carrier this week and next, but chances are, once you're on the road, she'll be more calm. As long as you talk to her and soothe her as often as necessary and keep the conditions inside the cab calm and soothing as possible.
Try not to be so nervous, you can try getting her accustomed to the carrier this week and next, but chances are, once you're on the road, she'll be more calm. As long as you talk to her and soothe her as often as necessary and keep the conditions inside the cab calm and soothing as possible.
..........Traci
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slvrwhispr
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Re: Moving help!
I just miss her... I've been down here for almost a month now... I didn't realize just how much I'd miss the furball. I can't wait to have her with me again. It doesn't feel like home without her.
I gotta stop... I'm gonna start crying if I think about it more... but I'll see her soon, and I'll be bringing her home with me, and then it'll be okay.
I gotta stop... I'm gonna start crying if I think about it more... but I'll see her soon, and I'll be bringing her home with me, and then it'll be okay.
Re: Moving help!
I know what it's like, and I know it sucks! But, she's with mom and dad right now, in good hands, yes? Only two weeks, and you'll be together again 
..........Traci
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slvrwhispr
- Posts: 1366
- Joined: Tue May 27, 2003 11:48 pm
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Re: Moving help!
Yeah, she and Mom bonded. She'll probably miss Mom once she's down here more than she misses me now. 
Mom gives her way more treats than I do... lol.
Mom gives her way more treats than I do... lol.
Re: Moving help!
Hey Slvrwhispr - welcome to Central Texas! Killeen is just up the pike from me (NE Austin)... Re travelling with kitty: I seldom disagree with Traci, but must say from personal experience: never, ever let kitty out of her carrier in the vehicle. Wait till you and passenger have taken carrier and a litter box into motel room bath, and things are calm, outside door shut. Don't worry, kitty will be fine without a potty break: cats tend to "shut down" during travel.
As soon as possible, buy or have your folks buy *smallest size plastic cat carrier, not cloth, from a pet store. If you can, have your mom begin now to train cat to be in the carrier. Cat should be taken to her vet before the trip anyhow, and BTW there are safe tranquillizers available: vet can advise if this is suitable for your kitty. One safe thing to do is to spread some butter or margerine or fish oil on kitty's paws to help keep her calmly occupied during travel and in a new place (this tip comes down to us from ancestors who moved in horse or ox drawn wagons!)
*Plan on placing the carrier between driver and passenger. All luggage, the litter box and other gear can go in the trailer. It is good to offer a tiny amount of water through the carrier wire at rest stops during the trip (most carriers have a little bowl inside the door, or you can use a teaspoon) but no food until motel stops. As Traci says, one person must stay in the truck cab at all stops during the drive, but again, do NOT open the carrier door until you are in a closed room.
*If it seems to you that this plan cannot be made to work, you may want to look into shipping kitty by air, in which case you would need to follow airline instructions re cage size, watering etc. Since Ft. Hood is a major military site, I could be mistaken but I suspect the nearest civilian airport may be Austin Bergstrom International (formerly Bergstrom AFB)... but in Texas you get used to driving 100 miles or so for what you need
More on my experiences traveling with cats in odd vehicles later, maybe...
As soon as possible, buy or have your folks buy *smallest size plastic cat carrier, not cloth, from a pet store. If you can, have your mom begin now to train cat to be in the carrier. Cat should be taken to her vet before the trip anyhow, and BTW there are safe tranquillizers available: vet can advise if this is suitable for your kitty. One safe thing to do is to spread some butter or margerine or fish oil on kitty's paws to help keep her calmly occupied during travel and in a new place (this tip comes down to us from ancestors who moved in horse or ox drawn wagons!)
*Plan on placing the carrier between driver and passenger. All luggage, the litter box and other gear can go in the trailer. It is good to offer a tiny amount of water through the carrier wire at rest stops during the trip (most carriers have a little bowl inside the door, or you can use a teaspoon) but no food until motel stops. As Traci says, one person must stay in the truck cab at all stops during the drive, but again, do NOT open the carrier door until you are in a closed room.
*If it seems to you that this plan cannot be made to work, you may want to look into shipping kitty by air, in which case you would need to follow airline instructions re cage size, watering etc. Since Ft. Hood is a major military site, I could be mistaken but I suspect the nearest civilian airport may be Austin Bergstrom International (formerly Bergstrom AFB)... but in Texas you get used to driving 100 miles or so for what you need
More on my experiences traveling with cats in odd vehicles later, maybe...
Re: Moving help!
I drove from Arizona to Michigan with my 3 guys. It was interesting, but they actually did really well. We had a uhaul truck, so the cab was decent sized, but still just a truck cab. I had one carrier on the seat between us that was big enough for 2 cats, then another carrier on the floor with the third cat.
I had collars and tags with my cell phone number for all of them. I went with hot pink collars, so they would stand out in case they got lost. I got them microchipped, too. I also traveled with current photos, vet records, and veterinary health certificates (often required if you are crossing state lines, although the chances of anybody checking are very slim).
My dudes didn't use the bathroom or eat or drink at all during the day while we were driving. I offered it to them, but they weren't interested. They took care of all of that when we got to the motel for the night. We stopped a couple of times each day, but the longest stop was for 15 minutes. We waited to eat dinner until we got to the motel and didn't have to leave them in the truck.
For motels, we called ahead and made reservations with pet-friendly places. They had a pet fee, but it was generally only about $10. Then we set them up with food, litter, and water. I had 2 large rubbermaid containers available (we were towing my car, so they were in the back seat of the car) that we could just grab with everything I needed for the cats. One was full of litter, but it was nice to have a litterbox with a top. The other one had their records, photos, water and food bowls, food, water, treats, toys, paper towels, plastic bags and litter scoop, and anything else that I would need to take care of them. When we got to the motel, we just brought in the carriers and the 2 boxes, and we were all set. When we went out for dinner, we put the "do not disturb" sign on the door to make sure housekeeping did not come in with the cats alone in the room.
I also put softpaws on my boys for the trip, just to make sure that they didn't damage any motel furniture and cost me extra money...
I had harnesses and leashes for the boys, too. I used those in the truck in case they wanted to come out of their carrier. Spike was most comfortable sitting on my lap or on the seat next to me, rather than in the carrier. Captain Hook was definitely most comfortable hiding in the carrier. And Pat had a grand time, looking out the windows. But if anybody was outside of the carrier, they were in a harness with a leash attached, and I was holding on to their leash. That way, they did not in any way interfere with the driver.
Another thing that helped was having drugs on hand. I got enough to drug all the cats for the whole trip. It turned out that only Spike needed them. He was getting a little carsick and howled a bit, but once I gave him the pills, he settled down and traveled just fine. Definitely worth the vet visit to get those drugs!
I think that's everything that I can remember about driving my dudes across the country. I don't know that I did everything perfectly, and no two cats will behave the same way, but it worked for me.
I had collars and tags with my cell phone number for all of them. I went with hot pink collars, so they would stand out in case they got lost. I got them microchipped, too. I also traveled with current photos, vet records, and veterinary health certificates (often required if you are crossing state lines, although the chances of anybody checking are very slim).
My dudes didn't use the bathroom or eat or drink at all during the day while we were driving. I offered it to them, but they weren't interested. They took care of all of that when we got to the motel for the night. We stopped a couple of times each day, but the longest stop was for 15 minutes. We waited to eat dinner until we got to the motel and didn't have to leave them in the truck.
For motels, we called ahead and made reservations with pet-friendly places. They had a pet fee, but it was generally only about $10. Then we set them up with food, litter, and water. I had 2 large rubbermaid containers available (we were towing my car, so they were in the back seat of the car) that we could just grab with everything I needed for the cats. One was full of litter, but it was nice to have a litterbox with a top. The other one had their records, photos, water and food bowls, food, water, treats, toys, paper towels, plastic bags and litter scoop, and anything else that I would need to take care of them. When we got to the motel, we just brought in the carriers and the 2 boxes, and we were all set. When we went out for dinner, we put the "do not disturb" sign on the door to make sure housekeeping did not come in with the cats alone in the room.
I also put softpaws on my boys for the trip, just to make sure that they didn't damage any motel furniture and cost me extra money...
I had harnesses and leashes for the boys, too. I used those in the truck in case they wanted to come out of their carrier. Spike was most comfortable sitting on my lap or on the seat next to me, rather than in the carrier. Captain Hook was definitely most comfortable hiding in the carrier. And Pat had a grand time, looking out the windows. But if anybody was outside of the carrier, they were in a harness with a leash attached, and I was holding on to their leash. That way, they did not in any way interfere with the driver.
Another thing that helped was having drugs on hand. I got enough to drug all the cats for the whole trip. It turned out that only Spike needed them. He was getting a little carsick and howled a bit, but once I gave him the pills, he settled down and traveled just fine. Definitely worth the vet visit to get those drugs!
I think that's everything that I can remember about driving my dudes across the country. I don't know that I did everything perfectly, and no two cats will behave the same way, but it worked for me.
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slvrwhispr
- Posts: 1366
- Joined: Tue May 27, 2003 11:48 pm
- Location: Canton, MI
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Re: Moving help!
E's - I've been to Austin quite a bit since coming down here. Boyfriend bought a truck from Champion Chevrolet; great people there, very highly recommended. Got a friend down in Austin, too, so we've been down there often. What a city! Some really crazy people downtown, but everyone's friendly. It's system shock for a Yankee like me.
Kehorner - I miss Michigan, but I DON'T miss the snow.
I can't imagine making this trip with THREE cats. You deserve a medal!
Kehorner - I miss Michigan, but I DON'T miss the snow.
I can't imagine making this trip with THREE cats. You deserve a medal!