Introducing the cat to the coach

[Blondiega1]

I've been reading several old threads on here about taking the kitty along for the ride.

My husband is retiring tomorrow and I plan to follow suit at the end of the year. Our plan is to start 2019 exploring this big ol' beautiful country of ours!! The knucklehead chocolate lab loves traveling but the kitty has never gone with us.

Some tips I've received so far for traveling with a kitty:

1. Do a couple of weekend driveway camps to introduce the kitty to the coach so she learns this is home base too.

2. Crank the engine and allow her to become accustomed to the sound of the engine.

3. Take your time introducing her to the coach so she learns it is a second home and she's not scared of it.

4. Always know where the cat is before the slides go out and before the slides come in.

What other tips do you have for introducing a kitty to traveling or just traveling with a kitty in general?

[Mr_D]

They'll love it or not. At the time the second picture was taken we had seven cats. Three rode on the dash, three were behind the couch and one rode on my late wife's lap.

[fuboom]

Originally Posted by Mr_D

They'll love it or not. At the time the second picture was taken we had seven cats. Three rode on the dash, three were behind the couch and one rode on my late wife's lap.

I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt that you loved those cats as much as your wife (God rest her gentle soul).

So for that you are wonderful for giving those little fur balls a good home.

[WinnieView]

We have discovered this year that the 17yo just likes to lay on the rear bed, the 1yo likes to be in the carrier, and the 6mo likes to roam around but falls asleep fast and stays that way most of the time, thankfully.

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by fuboom

I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt that you loved those cats as much as your wife (God rest her gentle soul).

So for that you are wonderful for giving those little fur balls a good home.

The reason for the cats is my late wife. Love them but wouldn't have near as many if it weren't for her.

[bruceisla]

I will add one item:


Before you take kitty to the RV, examine the entire RV for potentially dangerous areas that are uncovered when the slides are in but no problem when they are extended. Our RV has 2 such areas ... one alongside the bed and another next to the refrigerator. They are open areas going to places you don't want kitty to visit. We lock the door to the bedroom and put a large pillow in the space near the refrigerator.

[l1v3fr33ord1]

Blondiega1-

Our cat was going, one way or the other, so we carried him in as our last task before we left for an 8,000-mile trip. He adapted pretty quickly.

It helps to create a "safe and quiet" spot for traveling, even if he doesn't stay in it. On our second coach, the cat eschewed the safe place the first day-and-a-half and sat in his clean litter box.

My wife and I have a two-person slide movement process, designed so that the cat doesn't get into a danger area. Mainly this involves making sure the bedroom door is closed.

Our biggest concern is a cat dash-for-the-door. It helps that our cat is indoor-only, and we have trained him to steer clear of the door at the house. That carries over to the coach.

[Blondiega1]

Originally Posted by l1v3fr33ord1

Blondiega1-

Our cat was going, one way or the other, so we carried him in as our last task before we left for an 8,000-mile trip. He adapted pretty quickly.

It helps to create a "safe and quiet" spot for traveling, even if he doesn't stay in it. On our second coach, the cat eschewed the safe place the first day-and-a-half and sat in his clean litter box.

My wife and I have a two-person slide movement process, designed so that the cat doesn't get into a danger area. Mainly this involves making sure the bedroom door is closed.

Our biggest concern is a cat dash-for-the-door. It helps that our cat is indoor-only, and we have trained him to steer clear of the door at the house. That carries over to the coach.

That's kind of the position we are in. We are going and I can't just abandon the cat for a couple of months at a time. She's going to have to adjust. I want to make it as easy on her as possible. She's 12 so a bit of a princess, but then, what cat isn't? LOL
She's got a good collar with tag, and will likely be getting microchipped. My biggest fear is her bolting for the door. She occasionally gets out here at home, but she stays close the house and comes back to the door in an hour or so. (sooner if it's raining. LOL)
We will have to be very cautious of her and the door.
I thought I might try taking her into the coach this weekend while we do some cleaning. Let her explore around a bit. Maybe even feed her over there to start warming her up to it.

[rgvtexan]

When you say Kitty, is it a Cat or Kitten? Kittens adapt much easier. Ours started riding at 8 wks, in the golf cart, car and MH. She is over 12 yrs now, and has many miles under her collar. She is leash trained and loves to sit outdoors with us, but knows the S&B and MH are hers. At the ABQ. Balloon Fiesta she likes to sit in the windshield and watch the Balloons overhead, this year will be the 9th.


Enjoy the ride!

[wildtoad]

If the kitty has claws then look for ways to protect and leather or vinyl furniture, dash, etc. Find a place to keep a litter box, and be prepared to clean it often. During our recent 5k trip out west, our cat got out twice and the first time it took a while to find her. Turns out she simply jumped into the engine area of the RV. She did the second time also. But she could just as well have become a Utah or South Dakota resident. Keep an eye out when going in and out.

We only take her with us on longer trips, over 10 days in our case. Otherwise she stays home by herself with food, water, litter. Always happy to see us upon return.

[Blondiega1]

Originally Posted by rgvtexan

When you say Kitty, is it a Cat or Kitten? Kittens adapt much easier. Ours started riding at 8 wks, in the golf cart, car and MH. She is over 12 yrs now, and has many miles under her collar. She is leash trained and loves to sit outdoors with us, but knows the S&B and MH are hers. At the ABQ. Balloon Fiesta she likes to sit in the windshield and watch the Balloons overhead, this year will be the 9th.


Enjoy the ride!

She's 12. So not only with the coach be a new experience, so will a leash!!

Originally Posted by wildtoad

If the kitty has claws then look for ways to protect and leather or vinyl furniture, dash, etc. Find a place to keep a litter box, and be prepared to clean it often. During our recent 5k trip out west, our cat got out twice and the first time it took a while to find her. Turns out she simply jumped into the engine area of the RV. She did the second time also. But she could just as well have become a Utah or South Dakota resident. Keep an eye out when going in and out.

We only take her with us on longer trips, over 10 days in our case. Otherwise she stays home by herself with food, water, litter. Always happy to see us upon return.

Thanks!
I think we've got a good spot in mind for the box and she's a little thing so cleaning the box daily really is not a big issue.
No front claws, only back ones.

[wildtoad]

Originally Posted by Blondiega1

She's 12. So not only with the coach be a new experience, so will a leash!!



Thanks!
I think we've got a good spot in mind for the box and she's a little thing so cleaning the box daily really is not a big issue.
No front claws, only back ones.

Ours is in the same condition regarding claws.

[Mr_D]

Some take to being on a leash and some not so well.

[justlou]

Our vet. recommended liquid Baby Benadryl to calm him down. Worked great. Went from foaming at the mouth to riding on the dashboard watching the world go by. Two doses was all it took.