Moving with cats! (Sarasota: rent, hotel, house)

[ZipMunch]

Hi all,

Can anyone help? We will be moving with 2 cats (one will be 1.5 years, the other will be almost a year). We are coming from over 1200 miles away and will probably use a PODS style moving company.

Question is... has anyone ever moved cross country with pets? We don't know if we should/ could pay to fly the animals without us or if we should put them in the car to make the long haul.

Anyone have experience? I am thinking that if we can fly the animals (without us flying), that it might be less stressful on the cats than if we take them in the car.

Feedback is necessary and appreciated!!

[LovePalms]

If you choose to fly, call up the airline first, and make sure you're allowed to take the animal in the passenger compartment with you. We flew on USA3000 and they allowed us to bring the carrier on board, as long as it fit under the seat in front of us. It didn't entirely fit, but it was close, and they didn't make a fuss over it. If the cat starts frothing at the mouth, that's what they do when they're stressed.

Never, under any circumstances, allow them to put it in the luggage compartment. I'm not sure if they still do that, but it used to be fairly common, and it's risky. If the flight is delayed, and the cat is locked in a closed compartment on the ground for a few hours as it slowly heats up; luggage cam get dropped and spill open, allowing the cat to make a run for freedom; the luggage compartment may not be pressurized; and so on.

Oops, sorry, misread the original post. What I said about making sure she goes in the passenger compartment still stands though.

We drove 2000 miles with our cat. The first 50 miles were very hard on her. She started frothing at the mouse (a typical feline stress reaction), but turning the AC on high (in 40 degree weather!) calmed her down. After that, she fell asleep, and when she woke up, she was right as rain. It was as if she'd been travelling all her life.

Maybe ask your vet for advice? Maybe some sleeping pills will make the flight/drive easier on the cat?

[mr&mrssunshine]

Originally Posted by LovePalms

her. She started frothing at the mouse (a typical feline stress reaction), ?

that has to be one of the best typos ever !!!!!!!!!!!!

[TamRE]

I have Canadian buyers that travel every year by van to Florida with their two cats. They keep them in cat carriers in the van and they do fine. If it were me I would prefer to have my cats with me and not trust them traveling alone by airplane or with someone else. The vet can give you pills that will calm the cats if they get too anxious when traveling. Do you travel with them at all right now to know how they would react? Also, if they get car sick, you can see if the vet can give you anything for that. My friends mother travels with her cat up to her daughters house about 4 hours from her and the cat cries the whole entire way. It can be stressful on them if they are not used to it. I wish you the best in your move.

[loves2read]

personally even for such a long trip I would prefer to carry my cats with me--
talk to your vet
get some tranqs to give them
practice by taking them for hour long car rides in crates
some cats might do better with crate that they really can't see out of vs one with lots of wire openings--as long as the roof has ventilation they probably don't need to have open sides as well
again--talk to your vet
and you can post on the PETS forum in the general forum

We took one cat we owned on 5 hour car ride from Houston to Shreveport years ago--
bad problem when we had to stop to get the cat to use litter box--he slipped the leash and hid under the car--we were just lucky he did not fly into traffic or bolt into surrounding area
IF you are using POD for moving maybe you can rent van to use for your drive--have area in back that is fenced off where cats could use litter box w/o having to take them outside...

OR get a HARNESS and get your cats used to wearing it (not an easy thing I know)
many motels allow pets to stay inside--you just have to check the policy--

cats IMO would be more stressed by flying than dogs and flying pets is never without problems since the airlines consider them cargo and treat them like that
and flying a pet is expensive

[blueherons]

I just made the move with THREE cats from 625 miles away!

I put them each in their own carrier and after a little bitching in the beginning, they did fine.

We broke up a 10 hour car ride into two days, six hours the first then four the second.

Whatever you do, never allow them to roam around the car not in a carrier. It can be dangerous and if God forbid, you get into an accident, they could escape.

If your cats are close, I would get one large carrier and put them in it together.

[leetchy2]

Never in a million years would I trust the lives of my cats in the hands of an airline.

In two weeks I'm moving to Sarasota with my 4 cats. Even though it's a 10 hour ride I'm pretty sure they'll do fine. Three of the four cats already have moved with me twice before on 6-hour trips in the car and had no issues.

[nphomeowner]

We moved with our dog 1100 miles from PA to here. We had no issues what so ever. Stopped at rest stops for all of us to stretch our legs, packed a picnic lunch so we didn't have to leave him in the car in the heat. He's a good rider but if you think your cats can't handle it do as others said and get them accustomed to the riding you should be fine. We booked a pet friendly hotel for our one night stay while on the road. Good luck, hope all goes well!

[ZipMunch]

Thank you all so much! We've got an 18-20 hour drive, so it is going to be tough.

The older of the two cats is fine on long car rides. She doesn't mind staying in the crate, but would prefer a lap. The younger one is not as easy to take in the car. I think that if we, luck some of you have suggested, keep them together, that they may adjust easier.

I don't think I even want to consider flying them anymore... Wasn't a big fan to begin with, just thought it might be easier on them.

Looks like we'll be talking to the vet and getting them something to calm them down (if need be).

Thanks again for all the feedback!

[Sunscape]

I have traveled with one big dog and 2 cats in a car for rather long trips. They did pretty good after the cats protesting at the beginning for a while.
I would check in a motel and would have a disposable kitty litter box for them to use at each place. After spending the night , we would continue each day to our destination.
It worked out fine.
Good luck with your trip.