Camping with cats?

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pevsfreedom

pevsfreedom

Member Since 2015
Never thought I'd ask this but here goes.

How bad of an idea is it to take Luna camping? She loves being outdoors and loves her harness. We have nobody who can watch her IF we were to leave somewhere and we obviously can't just leave her at home. We would be traveling in a truck and have an RV with a refrigerator (for insulin) and would just bring her and the supplies. She doesn't mind being in the car, she just sits and meows sadly, but doesn't get too stressed.

Has anyone done this? She's never tried to wiggle out of her harness, nor do I think she could (I might buy the "Kitty Harness" brand though her pumkin harness seems to work pretty well)... only problem I think is that she loves outdoors so much she runs outside on a daily basis (and I yell her name and she stops and falls over). She would probably have to be tied up inside the camper if we weren't around though it's pretty big and she'd be able to walk around freely. 1-2 day trips max.

Proof she likes her harness:
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We camped with 2 dogs and a cat in an RV for years. DC always had a harness on but we never had to restrain him while we were traveling or parked. We camped with kitten KT until he was about 2 years old when hubby's health went downhill and we could no longer do it. DC really enjoyed it but KT not so much...ECID! Luna would likely truly enjoy it!
 
@pevsfreedom i take vegetable camping with us all the time & she loves it! I make sure Veh has her harness on attached to a long leash or rope so she can explore. You have an RV so that makes it even easier, we rough it (we sleep in the back of our jeep) so an RV would make it luxury for us.

One thing I suggest is you make sure Luna had a chance to check out the RV before you go so she knows it's not a scary thing being in the RV. Also make sure to bring a blanket that smells like home with you for Luna to sleep on. Vegetable has a fuzzy blanket that we take everywhere with us, its her favourite so when she gets tired she jumps in the back of the jeep & snuggles in her blanket for a comfy nap.

Here's a pic of DH & Veg as well as a pic of Veg in her blanket.

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Have fun!
 

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Sounds like you'll be in truck with RV trailer? If she's not ridden in the truck and it sounds different that the vehicle that normally takes her places, take her for a short drive in it before getting on the road. That will give her a chance to become familiar with sounds without taking off for a long time.

HAVE FUN and share lots of pictures!
 
Just in case ...
Make sure there is a microchip AND that the info is registered and up to date.
Take some current pictures, especially of any identifying marks.
 
BJM said:
Just in case ...
Make sure there is a microchip AND that the info is registered and up to date.
Take some current pictures, especially of any identifying marks.
Click to expand...

Funny you say that since I did it all yesterday (made sure her chip is up to date) I'm gonna be very careful with her, she's gonna be double-strapped in to her harness. Got her a collar that won't come off as well.
 
Squeaky and KT said:
Sounds like you'll be in truck with RV trailer? If she's not ridden in the truck and it sounds different that the vehicle that normally takes her places, take her for a short drive in it before getting on the road. That will give her a chance to become familiar with sounds without taking off for a long time.

HAVE FUN and share lots of pictures!
Click to expand...

Good idea. She doesn't get too stressed, just a few minutes of sadness (lol) and she's ok in the car. Good ideas everyone! Will bring comfy and smelly blankets.

We have a harness that has a clip on the front, and a velcro strap under her belly (the pumpkin one). It seems really secure. I found this on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Kitty-Holster-Harness-Small-Medium/dp/B007KAXIHA/?tag=felinediabetesfdmb-20) but am not sure if it's worth it since we already have one that I think is pretty good.
 
I'm sure Luna will be just fine! Vegetable is an escape artist and she does really well when we go camping. Not once has she every gotten anywhere close to being able to slip out of her harness. Now on the other hand she did disappear a couple of times, I had to follow the rope to find her in the bush playing with her new chipmunk friends :)
 
Vegetable said:
I'm sure Luna will be just fine! Vegetable is an escape artist and she does really well when we go camping. Not once has she every gotten anywhere close to being able to slip out of her harness. Now on the other hand she did disappear a couple of times, I had to follow the rope to find her in the bush playing with her new chipmunk friends :)
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Lol. I'm worried Luna will find bear cub friends! Luckily she doesn't try to escape the harness, just the house! Once she gets to the concrete though she starts flopping all over the place - it must feel good.
 
Lol that's so cute. Vegetable used to always love to escape the house but since we started taking her camping with us she seems to be content to snuggle up on the end of my bed or in her hiding spots at home and not try to escape anymore. As for my other cats, some like to do the concrete flop as well some like to flop in the grass but mostly they are scared of their own shadow outside so they don't go much farther then a step or two out the door.
 
Vegetable said:
Lol that's so cute. Vegetable used to always love to escape the house but since we started taking her camping with us she seems to be content to snuggle up on the end of my bed or in her hiding spots at home and not try to escape anymore. As for my other cats, some like to do the concrete flop as well some like to flop in the grass but mostly they are scared of their own shadow outside so they don't go much farther then a step or two out the door.
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Lol I know what you mean. Tiana tries to bolt sometimes after she sees Luna do it and she gets outside and squeals and runs back inside. Mushu had a nice 3 week vacation outside last year when our roommate left his window open and we lost him for nearly a month! I ended up trapping him in a cage and couldn't have been happier to get him back. I'm glad Vegetable is able to get her "exploration" fix! Some cats need it I think.
 
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