Cats

[mill]

We travel with 3 cats, and have problems with 2 of them climbing under the dashboard, especially at night. Does anyone have any suggestions or has anyone also had this problem. Any suggestions would be appreciated

[njs42]

Cats are persistent aren't they?

Perhaps some screening you get at Lowes for screen door replacement. Some of it is quite flexible---more of a course fabric than screen. You could cut it to fit and use velcro to attach strategically? Perhaps sew a trim on the edge? I don't know your lay out but it might be able to be done once and leave it in place? It would allow air flow to the dash equipment when in operation.

Or you could train your cats in electronics in case you need to service under your dash---I actually got stuck under mine once between the seat and the brake pedal.

I needed "electrocat" for sure----but as you see I escaped and now am on a diet.

Good luck----I think the screen would work.

[BarkAvenue]

We travel with two senior kitties. I am going to assume by dash you mean the area around the drivers side?
I would suggest bed pillows....they are pliable easy to store and have worked great for us...obviously this would solve your night problem.
Our kitties travel in the selected condo's while on the road, seems to give them the security they like.
We have area behind our couch they liked to "explore" and this has worked out quite well.
another thing we have also used is "foam insulation" the type you can buy in sheets. Its easy to cut to size or design and can be "fitted" for a particular area.
Not sure if either of these will resolve your issue but has worked for us.

[wa8yxm]

Let them.. At least if you are not driving.

One of mine hides under the dash when I walk through the motor home. Now I've never stepped on his tail (or any other part of him) but that's what he does. The other (Female) She gets underfoot all the time, but when I pull in the slides, They go hide under the bed.

Well, it's a fairly secure location, low odds of injury if disaster happens, I made it so they can get out easily no matter if the slide is in or out, And they seem to like to hide there.. I let them.

[butterflyjr]

ok, are these housecats you travel with? My three 20-pounders are used to the run of a house and a small backyard (they can't get out of the backyard). Wouldn't it be a little crowded with three cats in a 30' motorhome? I would love to find a way to bring my guys along but quite frankly am afraid to try! Your advice would be much appreciated!

[BarkAvenue]

Once we started traveling many months during the year in order to do this we had to pack up the cats. I was fearful at first but have found them to be amazing travelers. We also have a little 4 year old Pom who was added to the mix Aug of 09.
Here is a thought, "test drive" your three. Perhaps take an overnight trip and see how they do. Our two ( 20 years old and 12 years old) each have their own spot and take up almost no room at all.
We marvel at the places they have been and the U.S. they have seen looking out the front window.
We take their kennels along also in the basement of the RV should an emergency arrive and we need to transport them in another way.
Its amazing to me who is really on board when you get to looking around. Some folks we met had a lovely parrot had traveled with them for years.
If our group did not travel with us, well we just wouldn't travel.

[MickBrennan]

Here is a story about what happened to us during a panic stop.

[butterflyjr]

Oh my oh my, I think this is one story I will keep to myself... definitely wouldn't contribute, at least not in a positive way, to my "why we should take the cats" argument! (But thanks for sharing Mike!)

[njs42]

mill: So have we offered any usable help---are these cats getting up under the dash where the electronics are or just in front of the drivers seat? Which is it---give us a hint?

What is the solution???

[mill]

All three cats are three years old, we travel in a 45' Monaco/Dynasty 09.
Actually the screen sounds like a viable idea. I actually keep one upper cabinet empty for her, and she comes and goes in the upper penthouse, as she desires. If you get the idea that these three are spoiled, you are right. They were three drop off's at our lane, obviously they made it further than the lane. They are strictictly house cats.

The leader of the gang is Taz, for tazamanaian devil; and the name fits
We are on extended vacation at the present time; but when I get a chance or return home; I am trying the screen. Pillows work sometime;but she has worked at them enough to squeeze her way through. All three are in the 11-12 lb range.
Thanks...

[stepside454]

My wife would like to have a cut when we fulltime. What do you do for a stinky litterbox ?

[Bill Adams]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stepside454 My wife would like to have a cut when we fulltime. What do you do for a stinky litterbox ?

Stinky? Not ours! You can't leave it there unattended for days. We have 3 cats and that means scooping is going to need to take place several times per day. Still beats walking a dog in the rain and snow!

[mill]

Actually we do not have a problem with the odor. I keep it in our bedroom, it is one with a lid, and I use "Fresh Step" litter; which is heads above others with odor. I usually empty it twice daily, in the AM, when I get up and before I go to bed. The litter box with the lid; probably helps some; but if you use one of those, you have to start them with the lid and not introduce it later. These three have traveled with us since they were 6-8 weeks old;and therefore adjusted to it. We only do this for recreation and vacation;not full time.

[Senior Chief]

We travel with 2 cats and keep the litter box under the dinette seat, with a little cat flap for access.

We also discovered World's Best Cat Litter brand; no exageration! It is head and shoulders above any other litter we've tried in 30 years. It lasts forever; we never actually change the entire litter box anymore (well, maybe every few months). Just scoop twice daily and add some fresh. The odor control is amazing, with NO PERFUMES. It's corn based and all natural.

Wonderful stuff.