Don & Linda
Western PA / Cape Cod
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Joined: 07/23/2004
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Help, I’m in need of a little advice from the pet camping folk. Against my advice, DW (aka Lyn) captured a feral kitten last summer, while at home. He came knocking around supper-time and wow what a skinny bag o bones he was. A little male grey and black tiger cat , I guess tiger is what you’d call it. It’s got black stripes on a dark grey body. DW keeps him captive with her cooking and is determined to keep him from becoming carrion (busy road out front) by keeping him INDOORS! He doesn’t seem to mind captivity as long as her stove works. Anyway, last fall we (DW, Jay-Cee (aka Just-Cat) & I) made several camping trips with the 5th wheel trailer.
One short one (20mi to local campground for the shakedown cruise) and then one long trip (700+ mi each direction).
During the first trip, which was short in driving time and long in site time, Jay-Cee seemed to do ok. We put him in the 5th with a lil food and water and his potty box. Upon arrival we learned that the food and water need to be kept in the bathtub during travel, but aside of that learning curve, he came out of hiding and enjoyed the camping experience. I guess he’d trade the home windowsill for his leash, collar and the great outdoors, any day.
By the way, if I seem a little cold toward the “pet cat” idea, it because I’ve lived almost 6 decades and this is my first cat….and…well…I’ll admit it, he’s starting to kind of grow on me and hangs out in my woodworking area, despite the noise. But that’s a different tail, so back to the problem.
The longer trip, we stopped every 30-45 minutes to check on him and leash walked him at the 2 hr breaks. At about the halfway point, the cat wanted nothing to do with the 5th, so we took him into the truck and he quietly rode on center/upper seat back for the remainder of the trip. He didn’t even budge for any remaining breaks. ???? Upon arrival his appetite was poor for a day or so, but then he bounced back to normal and seemed to enjoy the stay. Eating well, going for walks, playing etc…
The trip home was twice as bad as the trip start and his off mood was prolonged once back at home.
Sorry if I am long winded about this and seem clueless, but I and 100% of my friends & family are/were dog people. I make no excuse, it’s just the way it was.
The questions I have are:
Can you RV travel with a cat? I’d hate to kennel him while we travel, he’d probably do worse in a strange environment.
If so, where’s the better place for him to travel? Trailer / Tow vehicle?
Do you crate a cat for travel?
Is there a med that a Vet can offer to help?
Do cats tend to have motion sickness?
Is this a phase he’ll grow accustom to?
Any other suggestions you can offer would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Don & Lyn
PS; He’s neutered, I had DW make that vet trip, as I didn’t want him to hate me forever and the collar/leash idea was DW’s too, but I’ve noticed he tends to enjoy our walks/runs. Also not camping isn’t an option, nor is finding a new home for him.
Sorry if this post seems long, I lacked the time to make it shorter.
almost quote from S.L. Clemens
Don & Linda
1st RV UL EMS 4s Dome
2nd RV 21' AMF Scamper TT PV D300 Dodge
3rd RV National Seabreeze 133LX w/Demco Dolly
4th RV Jayco 2450 5TH PV Ford F-250 SD
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chevyman2
missouri
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I used to take my cat all the time. She is just too old to handle it now. (17 yrs old). I had her since she was about 10 weeks old.
--I used to put her in her little cage and away we went. On the long trips I would let her roam the trailer to eat/drink/potty every time we would stop. While rolling she stayed in her cage in the backseat. Once in a while we would talk to her a bit. Other than that, she was an easy traveller.
OH sorry---YES cats can get motion sickness. My cat did. I would not feed her too much on travel day. I did allow her to eat some though. Mine did not get sick very often, just a few times.
Tim-DW(Kathy)
04 AVEO-DD, 03 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, 94 TRANS AM (DA TOY)
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lasttruck
Spokane, Wa
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We have two years of traveling with our cat, an 18 yo female rag doll. It took her a few trips to get used to travel and of course she prefers roaming the trailer when we are set up vs. road time.
She does ride in the truck (ext cab) with us free to roam, except the drivers area is blocked off so that the only way she could get to my side is over the center console which my wife guards.
We make sure that we do not travel more than one hour for the first leg in the am for a potty break, then every hour and a half at the most.
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ReverendCharles
on the road
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You may need to take the cat for counseling 1 on 1 to see what issues are bothering him and set up a treatment plan. Attached is a link.
http://www.thedailycat.com/behavior/behaviorproblems/cat_behavior_psychiatrist/index.html
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Code2High
One hour past Nowhere, CA
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This is pretty odd. It does sound like motion sickness.... and not the "nerves" kind so much. Although that's a possibility. Feral cats tend to be very quiet when they're upset, so there may be some behavior held over from his training as a kitten with his mother. In that case something like pheremones might be helpful to improve his mood, and/or Rescue Remedy.
Benadryl is used for motion sickness and it is fine for cats, so that's a possibility.
susan
You know, there's really quite a lot to be said for having your life turned upside down!
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dturm
Munster, IN
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I'd recommend the crate in the truck while moving, breaks as needed with litter box back in the 5er. Motion sickness or just anxiety can cause the symptoms you describe. I'd try the pheromone (Feliway or similar product) and if that doesn't work a mild sedative from your vet might help (my preferred in cats is amitriptyline). I've had a few patients that never acclimate to travel, but a huge majority either learn to enjoy it or tolerate it.
Doug, DVM
Doug & Sandy
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2chiefsRus
USA Somewhere
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We used to travel with two cats, one was a little feral that I saved by catching under a five gallon bucket and the other was what I like to call a "store bought city cat". The feral one, named Kitty hated the Feliway - it actually made her even more wound-up. The city cat, name Casey, didn't mind anything anyway.
Kitty wanted a small area to ride in with a cover over it to block out being able to see the moving things. Casey wanted to ride up front on the dash until he got bored.
Point of the story is while they wanted different ways to travel, we eventually worked out what they wanted and they lived until they were 20 and 19 respectively. They traveled with us cross country and to Alaska and back. Both fulltimed with us for over 3 years.
I think for your little guy, based upon your post, I would have him ride in the truck, and maybe try to drape a blanket or sheet somehow so he could hide under it if he felt like it. Also keep in mind that a cat can sleep for hours on end without feeling the need to get up and take a walk. You may have been interfering with him getting in his 18 hours of sleep a day.
Good luck - sounds like he is one lucky cat.
Dave & Kathy
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eHoefler
ozark mountains
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We have traveled with a rescue cat, a rescue Shepard, and a 6 pound chihuahua . All 3 ride up front with us and have their respective beds. Crew cab with the seat folded up and a platform I made to fit for them. They do exceptionally well. We have had to go as long as 6 hours with out stopping with out any problems. And yes animals will get motion sickness. We had a basset/boarder collie mix that would get motion sickness and our then six year old daughter. We had a doctor tell us to get a fresh newspaper and have our daughter smell it we she felt a little woozy. She never was sick again when we traveled. So we laid the paper out under the bedding in the dog bed, the dog never got sick again either.
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lucy6194
Cape cod MA
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we have a mom & son (he's double pawed and wts in at 21LBs. They Travel with us in our 28ft 5th wheel. First trip "Mr" got a urine infection in the woods of Maine (we were 9 mi down a loggin rd) I had brought antibotics so gave them, infection clear he settled and they've love camping ever since. We think they prefer it to home as they have us all to themselves. Momma cat "catrina" will escape if given a chance so far have been able to coral. Headed to alaska in May for 5 or 6 mo we tell them they could be bear snacks if they don't stay inside. Hope they are listening.
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nina_70
On wheels, USA
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Cats can definitely get motion sickness and I would move her from the 5th to the truck. The 5th is way too bumpy a ride.
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