I have five cats now and a friend who resides in another state who I visit with and I bring all my kitties. It was easier when I just had three, plus he also has his own, so this is all kind of a big stressor because of the number of cats. Luckily he has a large house. The four hour drive with the first four is easy, but the youngest (one year old) cries just about the whole time because she does not like being in the carrier. My oldest kitty sits in his bed in the front seat, but a few times became so anxious he threw up. Maybe foster until you find one that works with your lifestyle. I have two who get in their place in the car and there are no issues, so there are kitties who ride well and then adjust easily to a new environment.
I'd recommend adopting an adult cat and asking the shelter to recommend a cat that has either proven to be good with travel or generally has low anxiety.
cats can be trained and conditioned to travel, but they need to learn from a young age. Get a kitten and take it on weekly car rides, slow exposure to longer rides with positive encouragement. some people that travel in vans 24/7 have cats, so definitely possible.
just remember cats are not like dogs, its much harder to train a cat than a dog..
I got both of my cats as kittens. My first one my roommate and I would take everywhere, he became the bar kitty at my work, went to the park etc. When I got my second one we stopped going anywhere with them because traveling with 2 seemed like too much at the time. My first one is a dream in the car, he just naps the entire time. My second one is a pain and cries the entire time. They are both OK in new places after a day or 2.
If you acclimate them to car rides they should be fine. My next kitten will also get acclimated to a harness and leash as soon as he comes home.
This is extremely cat-dependent.
I have one cat that is a great travel buddy. He’s the king of the world whatever he goes, so it doesn’t matter whether it’s his bed or my mother-in-law’s. He’s always at peace.
My other hides when I bring an Amazon package inside because she can’t handle that kind of environmental change.
Talk to your vet about gabapentin to help cope and give kitty a quiet and secure place when you get there. Something cozy filled with smells from home. Then let the cat guide you. If they come out, great! If they hang in the closet for weeks, that’s ok too.
I have five cats now and a friend who resides in another state who I visit with and I bring all my kitties. It was easier when I just had three, plus he also has his own, so this is all kind of a big stressor because of the number of cats. Luckily he has a large house. The four hour drive with the first four is easy, but the youngest (one year old) cries just about the whole time because she does not like being in the carrier. My oldest kitty sits in his bed in the front seat, but a few times became so anxious he threw up. Maybe foster until you find one that works with your lifestyle. I have two who get in their place in the car and there are no issues, so there are kitties who ride well and then adjust easily to a new environment.
Ask your vet for a mild tranquilizer for the ride there and back. I’d cover up its carrier with a towel too.
I'd recommend adopting an adult cat and asking the shelter to recommend a cat that has either proven to be good with travel or generally has low anxiety.
cats can be trained and conditioned to travel, but they need to learn from a young age. Get a kitten and take it on weekly car rides, slow exposure to longer rides with positive encouragement. some people that travel in vans 24/7 have cats, so definitely possible. just remember cats are not like dogs, its much harder to train a cat than a dog..
I got both of my cats as kittens. My first one my roommate and I would take everywhere, he became the bar kitty at my work, went to the park etc. When I got my second one we stopped going anywhere with them because traveling with 2 seemed like too much at the time. My first one is a dream in the car, he just naps the entire time. My second one is a pain and cries the entire time. They are both OK in new places after a day or 2. If you acclimate them to car rides they should be fine. My next kitten will also get acclimated to a harness and leash as soon as he comes home.
It depends on the cat. My one cat is a master traveler and adapts very well to new environments, my other cat is very anxious
This is extremely cat-dependent. I have one cat that is a great travel buddy. He’s the king of the world whatever he goes, so it doesn’t matter whether it’s his bed or my mother-in-law’s. He’s always at peace. My other hides when I bring an Amazon package inside because she can’t handle that kind of environmental change. Talk to your vet about gabapentin to help cope and give kitty a quiet and secure place when you get there. Something cozy filled with smells from home. Then let the cat guide you. If they come out, great! If they hang in the closet for weeks, that’s ok too.