RVing With a Cat

[Goodspike]

We bring our cat with us, which isn't entirely unusual, but our last trip was. The spot across the road had another cat that also walked on a leash, and the camp host in the next site over had a cat that just roamed around off leash (technically the park signs said only dogs needed to be leashed up!).

The cat across the street was interesting because it grew up with a dog and tended to walk more than our cat. Our cat tends to look around, then walk, then look around, then walk, then smell the plants, etc. Sometimes he'll get a long way away from the trailer, but that will usually be the third or fourth trip out.

[whalepirot]

We're considering that, having a 'new' Highlander Lynx. While 98% 'indoor' cat, he's a scaredy cat but highly curious and quite likely to rove. We did a short test run, at home and he didn't seem to adjust well. When he's not asleep, he wants to be near one of us, loudly expressing it.

While every cat is different, we're not a fan of boarding him, after poor experience with our (RIP) Maine Coon.

Any lessons about caging versus free roaming when driving?

[l1v3fr33ord1]

Our cat settles down under one of the front seats as soon as he figures out we are preparing to move. He is soon asleep, even with the engine noise right next to his head. On occasion he will wake up during a lunch stop, eat and drink a bit, look around and then go back to sleep until we arrive at our destination.

He's a fully-indoor cat. While curious, he has yet to rush the door.

[vsheetz]

Our kitties are indoor only. For travel they are in large pet carriers secured on the couch.

[kenandterry]

Duke has spent more of his life in the RV than at home even though he’s an indoor cat.

He has free run within the motorhome with his preferred area near the front for his litter box, water and food mat.

We walk.....he rides.
Oh.....and of course, he has to have his own window.

[C5c5]

Originally Posted by whalepirot

We're considering that, having a 'new' Highlander Lynx. While 98% 'indoor' cat, he's a scaredy cat but highly curious and quite likely to rove. We did a short test run, at home and he didn't seem to adjust well. When he's not asleep, he wants to be near one of us, loudly expressing it.

While every cat is different, we're not a fan of boarding him, after poor experience with our (RIP) Maine Coon.

Any lessons about caging versus free roaming when driving?

My kitties free roam. Winkie is very hangy but not afraid of traveling. Hoops & Perry tend to not join me in the cockpit while on the road. They go to hiding spots & sleep for the majority of the trip.

I was pleasantly suprised at how well-behaved they are during travel.

[Jkjavelin]

Having a fifth wheel, our cat travels in the truck. The back seat folds flat and her carrier, food, water and litter box are back there with a toolbox, small cooler and a few other things, so she has the plenty of room. She starts each trip in the carrier, then once underway she is let out. My wife won't allow her to go onto my lap or towards my feet. Most of the time she crawls behind the back seat backrest and sleeps.

[Goodspike]

Originally Posted by whalepirot

Any lessons about caging versus free roaming when driving?

I keep mine on a harness attached to a leash attached to something in the back of the truck. I have the rear seat back folded down so that makes a nice platform for him and his cat box. He can come up to the front center console, but that's about it.

But he spends most his time sleeping on the floor behind my chair. Cats are good travelers because they like to sleep.

The one thing you don't want is them to be able to get to the driver's feet where they could hide under a brake pedal.

[RVFunlovers]

Our cat “Foxy” has the run of the motorhome. Her litter box is in the large rear closet. We don’t close the closet door all the way.

If she is in the back and we start the diesel engine she runs to the middle of the coach.

She travels on the couch, under the table, etc... She does not lay up in the front windshield when we are moving. She likes that area when we are parked.

We take her out about 15 minutes a day on a harness attached to a small rope. She can get out of the harness if she gets the rope stuck on something. She will not run off but she is mostly an indoor cat.

We half time. She seems to like the RV about a much as the house.

For safety, we don’t move a slide in or out without eyes on the kitty.

[Goodspike]

Originally Posted by RVFunlovers

She can get out of the harness if she gets the rope stuck on something.

This is the best harness I've found. I won't claim it's escape proof like the manufacturer, but it does seem very secure, and you can measure your cat to find the right size. I have one very large cat and one rather small cat and found the proper size to fit each.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[armullis]

Our kitty is a 3 year old short hair and her name is "Cam" (my wife's previous cat was "Mac"...so "Cam" is "Mac" backwards!). When we are on the road, Cam travels just about anywhere, usually by a window. When she jumps up on the dash, she becomes "Dash-Cam"! Her litter box is by the entrance with her food and water bowls. Cam has shown no interest in the door and she is strictly an indoor cat. We don't walk her outside on a leash.

Cam hangs under the sofa, under the Queen bed, by the large side windows, and the front dash. Sometimes caught napping under the captains chairs.

We don't think Cam really cares if we are at home or in the coach. She just wants to be with us!

[kcdogger]

Don't worry, we are a not for profit community organization that would be interested in a free roaming cat. Sincerely, The Fox, Coyote, Wolf, Lynx, Badger,Bear, Cougar, Eagle and Falcon Society of the Mountain West.