To crate or not while traveling...

[Gypsytwo]

We have 2 cats that we will be fulltiming with soon. We have taken them with us in the MH a couple of times now. The first time we put them in a crate thinking it would (and I'm sure it was) safer for them to travel this way. However, neither of them settled down the whole trip. One got sick. They were definitely not happy.

The second trip we decided to let them travel in the front part of the coach. We closed the bathroom door so they couldn't get beyond the kitchen. We put their "walking jackets" on and put their leashes on. This way the passenger can grab their leash to keep them from getting in the way of the driver. They roamed a little bit but for the most part laid down and seemed pretty relaxed.

This seems like a better way to go (although not as safe).

We are wondering what others who travel with cats do.

Please let us know.

Thanks

[Frank P. Martin]

I think there are a lot of variables here and every cat (or any animal for that matter) tolerates travel differently. I agree that while it's probably safer for the animal to be crated rather than loose, we let our cat, Purrscilla, loose in the cab of the truck when we travel. She's been on three camping trips with us so far.

The first two camping trips were in our 96 Ford F-250 SuperCab. In this truck, Purr seemed rather uncomfortable. With the rear seat folded down (for the litter box and other items), she couldn't easily look out the windows. She mewed almost the whole time and went from window to window standing on her hind legs to look out. There were numerous front seat visits and several attempts to climb onto the dashboard which my wife thwarted.

Last month, I replaced the Ford with an 09 GMC 2500HD Crew Cab. The rear seats fold up on this truck to form the cargo area. The folded seats make a nice, comfortable "roosting" area for the cat and she seemed much happier lying up there where she could see everything. There was far less mewing and, on the return trip, she stayed in the rear of the cab the entire time.

I don't know about your cats, but I find that mine has to be able to see out the windows. In our TT, the cat became very "antsy" until I raised the venetian blinds so she could poke her head through the curtains for an unobstructed view of the world outside. And, here, at home, I have an oak bar stool at my living room window so Purrscilla can sit comfortably while enjoying the outside view.

One safety issue that our vet brought to our attention is that air bags can seriously injure or kill an animal if it's in the effective range of them should they deploy. Our 96 Ford didn't have air bags so it was a non-issue. On our new truck, we should be OK as long as the cat stays in the back of the cab.

[Ray,IN]

Any unrestrained animal inside a moving vehicle becomes a missile of bones and flesh during a crash.

[Doggy Daddy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN Any unrestrained animal inside a moving vehicle becomes a missile of bones and flesh during a crash.

Yes, but soft fuzzy ones.
My cat prefers to climb to the highest point and that is
the bed in the loft which is above the garage. Usually
she crawls under an afgan or blanket when she is not
sunning herself by a window.

[DAN L]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gypsytwo We have 2 cats that we will be fulltiming with soon. We have taken them with us in the MH a couple of times now. The first time we put them in a crate thinking it would (and I'm sure it was) safer for them to travel this way. However, neither of them settled down the whole trip. One got sick. They were definitely not happy. The second trip we decided to let them travel in the front part of the coach. We closed the bathroom door so they couldn't get beyond the kitchen. We put their "walking jackets" on and put their leashes on. This way the passenger can grab their leash to keep them from getting in the way of the driver. They roamed a little bit but for the most part laid down and seemed pretty relaxed. This seems like a better way to go (although not as safe). We are wondering what others who travel with cats do. Please let us know. Thanks

I installed a "cat latch" i made from 3/16 brazing wire with 2 eyelets to keep the bathroom door open about 5". i tried coat hanger wire but it was not stiff enough and kept bouncing out of the eyelet. their litter box is a littermaid that sits on the shower floor.
when we are under way, both of our cats still hide. they have 2 hiding places: on the aft side of the bed and under the couch.
we have to pick up the water dish while we are under way to avoid spilling.
our cats come out about an hour after we stop and deploy the slideouts.
our 2 kitties are brother and sister and are almost 15 years old.

[hondo122]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAN L I installed a "cat latch" i made from 3/16 brazing wire with 2 eyelets to keep the bathroom door open about 5". i tried coat hanger wire but it was not stiff enough and kept bouncing out of the eyelet. their litter box is a littermaid that sits on the shower floor. when we are under way, both of our cats still hide. they have 2 hiding places: on the aft side of the bed and under the couch. we have to pick up the water dish while we are under way to avoid spilling. our cats come out about an hour after we stop and deploy the slideouts. our 2 kitties are brother and sister and are almost 15 years old.

You need to know exactly where they are BEFORE you extend or retract a slideout. We found out the hard way! Please put them in a carrier before you move a slideout.

[DAN L]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hondo122 You need to know exactly where they are BEFORE you extend or retract a slideout. We found out the hard way! Please put them in a carrier before you move a slideout.

my cat critters 2 hiding places are up against bulkheads that move with the slides. we cannot use the power recline mechanism of the couch when the kitties are hiding there. the bulkheads restrict their movement forward (like in a collision). we make sure we know where they are before moving the slides.

[Submustang]

Our cat hides under the couch as soon as I start the diesel and usually doesn't come out until after I shut it down at the end of the trip. She surprised us during one trip when she came out and hopped in my lap. Hasn't done it since. The dog rides in his crate. It is his home and he seems to do better in it than he does loose. We put the cat in the shower stall while me move the slides, since her other hiding place is under the bed with the slide mechanism.

[Gypsytwo]

Thanks to all who took the time to reply. I appreciate your perspectives, experiences and advice.

Safe travels,
Cindy

[PNWGirl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAN L we have to pick up the water dish while we are under way to avoid spilling.:banghead:

Hi Dan L,
I have used this water bowl, even in my car, since 1979 and never had a water spill. This way, when I'm traveling, my fur-kids always have water.

Amazon.com: Waterhole Dish: Home & Garden

Sheila :)

[mom2mastiffs]

Roscoe travels free and is sometimes on the dash on the passenger side but most of the time curled up on the sleeper couch--hogging it so the Mastiffs can't get on with him.

[inpath]

We travel with two cats in our MH. As soon as the keys rattle in my hand the one heads for the bedroom, up and under the covers and there she sleeps until we arrive. The other either curls up in a chair we pull up between the driver and passenger seats or sits in the window and watches the world go buy. They are as different as night and day. They have never lost footing and in fact, there is very little movement down at floor level. We have laminate throughout which you would think would be worse, but isn't. They even use their litter when we are moving or get a bite to eat. Great little travellers.

The only trouble was for the first couple of days when everything was new. The one would climb onto the drivers chair back and dig her nails in to driver's shoulder. The cat quickly learned that the driver's area was totally off limits. That was all there was too it. No crying, (except from the driver) those first and only two times.

[Ron & Dee]

We have traveled with both, cats and dogs, and have never crated them. They both have done just fine.

Our one dog used to like to get on the dash but we had to stop her from doing that because she was too big, 130 lbs. The two cats we have now ride under the couch while we are under way. One cat we used to have liked to ride on the dash.

Ron

[MonacoMama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron & Dee We have traveled with both, cats and dogs, and have never crated them. They both have done just fine. Our one dog used to like to get on the dash but we had to stop her from doing that because she was too big, 130 lbs. The two cats we have now ride under the couch while we are under way. One cat we used to have liked to ride on the dash. Ron

We have done both -crated and not crated. We had always traveled with our previous two dogs un-crated. They also would crawl under the sofa and travel on a pillow there or sometimes on the dash. (The largest was less than 20 pounds)

The two pins would love to be in Sacs' lap - but we are adamant about no pets near the driver so our two current dogs are usually crated while on the road. We will let them out if it is a longer road trip.