Moving from Chicago to San Diego - Driving with cats - help! (moving truck, transporting)

[nightbird47]

Originally Posted by Percy82

Gee, thanks a lot!!!

It really helps!!!

We will buy a kennel for both cats... if they are together they won't stress out that much!

We know we have to bring the Health Certificate. How old it must be? For sending them, it has to be no longer than 10 days old. How about if you move them yourself??

Make the certificate as new as possible and make sure they have all the necessary shots. The 4inone is reccomended and they must absolutely be up on their rabies. Keep these where they can be found

My cat was terrified but the little pill I got her to swallow made her nice and mellow and she slept the drive. If your cats are at all nervous use tranks...it will make it a much easier experience for them.

Don't drive for long long trips. Stop for the night. Many hotels take pets, Motel 6 if you want cheap and Best Western (and others) if not. Do NOT take your cats out while in the car, especially if they've woken. They might panice and either escape or hurt themselves or you. They won't eat or drink but when you get to the room, place liter box, water and food in the room and then let them out near. They'll head straight for it.

Don't leave them in the vehicle. Especially overnight. Not only is it illegal most places but it is risky. They could be stolen or let out should someone break in. And any emergency due to panic would not be known.

Before you let them out of the carrier, check out the room for hiding places. Make sure you know how to get into them. One day we were delayed in leaving since my cat found a really good hiding place I hadn't.

When you get to your ultimate destination, let them into the bathroom or a small room. Introduce them to the house slowly and let them explore. Make sure they don't get outside until they are used to the place.

You should have no problem if you just take care. Congrats on your new place and hope you have a problem free trip!

[mawipafl]

Regarding certification, all you need is the receipts from your vet showing the cats' dates of vaccination and that they are up-to-date. That includes the proof of rabies vaccination. Certification for flying or for prof. pet shippers is much more stringent.

Now, relax! :-) The most important thing to remember is that cats are very, very resilient and adaptable. No, they may not enjoy the trip, but once it's over it's history. But you never know - maybe one or both will actually enjoy watching the world go by as they travel or be thrilled with exploring the strange new smells in each hotel room every night.

[ginasj]

Originally Posted by Percy82

Hi there!

As some of you know, my wife and I are planning to move to San Diego, CA from Chicago, IL. We own to cats. Both of them are about 2 years old. One cat does not like a lot the car, and the other is fine. However, the cat that does not care about the care, needs to smell everything. If you move something from one place to another, she needs to sniff it and kick it to make sure it won't move.

We've planned to hire a pet moving company. They will pick them up at our place and deliver them to San Diego, however, it's so expensive. Around $1500. My wife worries and does not like to leave the cats for three days in a hotel.

Our idea is to buy a cat carrier big enough for the two of them and drive all the way from IL to CA. One of them is going to be talking all the way, and the other, will go nuts trying to smell everything in my car.
How we have to manage to feed them? Our cats are used to “self-serve” themselves as they have their food available all the day and they eat when needed. Is this a good way to feed them?
How about the litter box? Do you put it in the car and whenever you stop, you just open the kennel so they can go potty? What frequency is recommended to do this. I know cats can get urinary infections really fast.
Did you move in with your cats? How did you do it? How was your experience? Can you share some of your experience?
Thanks a lot!!!!!

I drove from California to NM with my two cats. I started out with a small litter box in the back seat along with a soft crate I purchased just for the trip. When I stopped for gas and my overnight stay I'd put out food and water. I also started out NOT having them in any carrier. It was ok but occasionally one would decide that laying down next to my feet was a groovy idea. It wasn't. They also would occasionally start talking/crying.
I left the carrier open but it didn't appeal to either of them. Eventually I decided to put them there to see if they'd settle down. It was the ideal situation. They stopped "talking" and curled up next to each other for the rest of the trip.
Granted, my trip was shorter than yours and they didn't use the litter box at all during the two day trip, nor did they eat the food I put out. They did drink plenty of water which is what I was most concerned about. No urinary infections from 'holding it.'

Also, if you feel it's necessary, your vet can give them a mild tranquilizer which calms them down a lot, and also give you advice on traveling cross country with your cats.

Good luck!

[Sweetlady71]

Originally Posted by Percy82

Hi there!

As some of you know, my wife and I are planning to move to San Diego, CA from Chicago, IL. We own to cats. Both of them are about 2 years old. One cat does not like a lot the car, and the other is fine. However, the cat that does not care about the care, needs to smell everything. If you move something from one place to another, she needs to sniff it and kick it to make sure it won't move.

We've planned to hire a pet moving company. They will pick them up at our place and deliver them to San Diego, however, it's so expensive. Around $1500. My wife worries and does not like to leave the cats for three days in a hotel.

Our idea is to buy a cat carrier big enough for the two of them and drive all the way from IL to CA. One of them is going to be talking all the way, and the other, will go nuts trying to smell everything in my car.
How we have to manage to feed them? Our cats are used to “self-serve” themselves as they have their food available all the day and they eat when needed. Is this a good way to feed them?
How about the litter box? Do you put it in the car and whenever you stop, you just open the kennel so they can go potty? What frequency is recommended to do this. I know cats can get urinary infections really fast.
Did you move in with your cats? How did you do it? How was your experience? Can you share some of your experience?
Thanks a lot!!!!!

hey there....we have traveled with cats, and its alot easier then most think, and alot easier then a dog....lol
our cat now HATES a carrier...he see's one and hides, cuz he knows it means the vet, and last time, he came back nuetered and declawed...lol(we still buy him goodis each week as a peace offering...lol)
anyways...if your cats are close(very bonded) then a bigger dog size carrier will be fine for them to travel together, it might help ease their fears. most cats give off the impression they hate to travel, when in fact, they dont fret to much. put a blanket inside, or fluffy towel, and a fav or new toy, and face them where they can perferabably see you and hear your voice, talk to them now and then, especially the first hour or 2 on road, after that, they relax and settle in. they do like to be able to see out, so if you can set them up on something so they can look out window, good.
as far as bathroom breaks and food, dont worry, most can tell you, when a cat is moved out of their enviroment, they go in "standby" mode, meaning that they wont eat or potty till they are settled again, even when we have stopped at hotel for night and let ours out, they never ate or pottied, but we advise setting food/water and litter out for them in anyway, not all cats are same. but most resume normal activity once in their new home withen a day or 2.
as far as pet transport services go, personally, i wouldnt. ive heard horror stories about them. stories of maltreatment, neglect, etc. Im not saying its all true, or all services are like that...so please...no hate messages from folks that operate these things, im just sayen what ive heard from folks that hav used them, as well as haveing their pet flown out, etc.
your cats will be fine, dont worry, your trip will be fine and your cats will be finer then you think. good luck on your move

[plaidmom]

I must have been living under a rock, because until this thread I had no idea that there were cat-moving services.

I guess you really do learn something new everyday!

Are there child-moving services as well?

About the only thing I learned whilst moving my cat cross-country is that she hates a leash. I've never seen a cat "velcroed" to the ground quite like that before.

Some great advice here, good luck.

[Sillypups]

Something else...

Have you talked to your cats vets ? I know they have doggy valium, not sure about cats taking it. If I were you I would talk to your vet about what you can do to make their trip easier.

They probably won't care about water or food. When they get hungry, they'll let you know.
As animal lovers, we worry too much, we need to give our animals a bit more credit. As long as their with you on your move, I think they would be happier then with strangers. I guess it all depends on the cats attitude.

GOOD LUCK

[linicx]

I've moved cats all my life. They all survived. Some were happy, some were not. I also had a cat that loved the car as much as the dog. If was a wonderful 2000 mile trip. He got out when we did and jumped back in the car. It was amazing.

I lightly tranquilized by yowling girl. She slept little and she did still made noise but not the level I you wanted throw her into the path of the next an oncoming semi. When she was mad level of noise was worse than an alarm clock.

It was easier to learh train mine that it was to force a reluctant cat into a carrier. If you want to do them a favor, get a large wire dog carrier. Then they can see and they don't feel trapped. If you won't stop for 200 miles let them out. Sure enough one will pick a lap or the back window ledge and be happy. The unhappy one can be tranquilized. The object is calm not sleep. Catnip does the same thing - but its a bad idea in a car.

Trim the nails before you leave. Do not attempt to feed or water until you stop for the night. Please do stop. They need the stability of territory that does not move. They will eat, drink and use the box while you sleep. I use 13 gal garbage cans to line the box because it is easy claen up and they always have fresh litter.

Do have separte carriers if you are going to use a cat carrier. And they need to be next to each other. Cats need to see their mate.

Hot wather does require watering. Also, in hot weather shade the window. I use a towel. As much as cats like to lay in windows in the summer, they don't like it for 10 straight hours at a time.

I can tell you a long distance move with cats in the car is not nearly as hard on cat as it is on you. They are natural survivors.

[justhere]

I did like Maw and Feather did the first time, 2 cats driving in a car California to Texas - powerdrive, straight through. It went exactly like they said. One cat was totally cool with it, the other megafreaked the whole way! Meowing in tones never before heard. No one used the litter box and I had to pull over several times to bushes or small park-like areas so they could go pee (girls kitties - so picky). No one used the litter box and no one ate inside the car (girl kitties - so picky, did I say that already?) It was the dead of Summer so they had to be wet down a couple of times with a spray bottle to avoid overheating which they eagerly sat still for and welcomed.

The trip back? Had a company pick them up at the airport (separate carriers) and take them to a kitty hotel and I swear, these cats were so mellow when the company dropped them off at the house it was unreal! I wondered if they had a kitty spa day or something??? They didn't appear drugged, but just so 'normal' compared to the car trip it was so pleasant. But the guy just loved cats and he made them feel comfortable. It was a 2-3 person company and so the cats got personal attention. Cost like $400 bucks ea if I remember correctly - but this was 17 years ago.

[linicx]

Catnip about an hour before the trip does wonders too, By that time they are so mellow they don't care what you do. Usually, but not always. As Jusghere says, girls are sooo picky. I never travel really long distances with cats without stopping. I can't stand 25 hour of yowling and I don't want them to be that upset that long. It is worth it if because we all get off the road and get down time.

[Percy82]

Thanks everybody for your help!
My wife feels better now She was freaking out about moving with the cats.

sweetasslady71 , easier with a dog? really? I had dogs all my life, but never had to move with them. For potty will be easier with dogs.

plaidmom, we didn't know either. But looking for a moving company for our things we found moving companies for cats. It's expensive, though. Around $1500 for my 2 cats, IL to CA. They do everything for you. We weren't sure about it and now we are moving with them in the back seat. Let's see how it goes.

We'll talk to the vet about the pills. It will be a lot easier, at least for one of them.
Skitty, the one who will be talking all the time, doesn't care about catnip.
Mew, will be fine during the trip and loooooooooves catnip.

We already purchased a carrier for both of them, and they like it. We put some of their favorite candies inside and they get in and out easily.

Do do guys think we should put the carrier facing to the window? so they can see outside. Or will they get dizzy?


Thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!