traveling

Status
Not open for further replies.
J

jackiesmom

Member Since 2012
hey guys..

sorry I havent posted in a while..


I promised my dad before I did this that I would ask questions and do some research..


Situations didnt work out where I was..I had a friend who offer me a place to stay in Tennesee. I Love it here. The thing is once I get all my state stuff switched to Tennesee..i.e my disability, I can get an apartment in the complex I am staying in.


The thing I want to ask is have anyone traveled with their diabetic loved ones? Is this undoable? I know stress can raise BG's and hes been doing well but my dad doesnt think he'll find a place that will take three cats-hes consolidating due to my mother dying and wants a smaller place. I would like jack with me within the next couple months but I dont want to make him extremely sick..What are your thoughts on this? I kind of wish I could take my vet with me..shes been freaking awesome with jack
 
Lisa and Leo traveled quite a bit from I believe NJ to Maryland on almost a weekly basis, by car She might be a good member to ask about this.

She has a link in her signature in her posts that talks about traveling with cats. Here it is:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YvM4QmUfneiSeS0gNd8R9JNc0eqEo5mmLm8GNK6eg-8/edit?pli=1

She covers pretty much everything you need to know when traveling with a cat.

Lisa also has a link to another person's info on travelling with a special needs kitty. Here is the link to Merlin's Mom writeup on travelling with a special needs cat:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gMwbpx3Lnrq5KDiKk0lhyQIRZylEmhztYhxZCpNcDqM/edit?pli=1

If this does not answer your questions, I'm pretty sure a PM to Lisa And Leo with any questions that she does not answer in her excellent write up will be answered.
 
We just took Chester From Indianapolis, IN to Lansing, MI and back (about five hours each way by car) and he did fine. We stopped every couple of hours for a litter box break so he could walk around the car for a few minutes. We have a big carrier that gives him enough room to move around, with a blankie and some food and water. I did a BG test about halfway up and there was nothing out of the ordinary. I could tell he was a little agitated - I have NEVER heard him "talk" as much as he did in the car! But all in all he traveled well. I have also driven for several different cat rescue organizations.

Number 1 rule about traveling with a cat - Never let the cat out of the carrier unless you are parked with all doors closed. Do NOT open any car door if the carrier is not latched shut. Keep the cat in the carrier while driving. I used to let my cats wander about the "cabin", but all it takes is one panicked dive for your feet to really cause a dangerous problem.

I don't smoke in the car when I have a cat with me, and I keep the music low. Look up emergency veterinarians along the route in case you need one. In the winter, just drive with a T-shirt on - if you're cold, so is your cat. Do not block the front of the carrier by wedging it up against the seat or piling stuff around it. That is the primary ventilation source and the kitty needs the airflow. In the summer if it's really hot, you might think about getting one of those refreezable ice block things and wrapping that in a towel to put in the carrier to keep kitty cool. If there's not room in the carrier for food and water, stop every hour or so to offer water, at least. You can line carriers with puppy pads if you don't want to haul around a litterbox - just make sure you check it frequently so the kitty isn't left lying in their Stuff.

Let's see...anything else? That's about it for right now
 
Thanks guys thats helpful!


Is their a perferred method...I am taking two trips to Michigan this summer and I am doing both..air and car
 
For air travel, the cat goes in the cabin with you. The storage area of a plane is not climate controlled and baggage handlers may accidentally let the cat loose. There are too many stories I've heard. Alternatively, get a pet sitter or baording arrangement.

The crate must fit under the passenger seat OR puchase an adjoining seat if you want to use a larger crate.

Teach your cat to allow a harness, so that removing the cat for a security inspection may be done without the cat getting away. And if an inspection is requested, ask to go into an enclosed room for additional safety of the cat.

Discuss with the vet if a mild tranquilizer should be used.
 
When traveling by car for a long trip, I find my cat settles down better if I throw a jacket/blanket over most of the carrier. If she can see out just in one direction, especially towards me inside the car, I think it's less scary for her than being able to see glimpses of everything flying by outside the car windows. She mostly just "talks" now if I change speed or direction!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top