Ok, if you've read the post about the kittie in the tree, you'll know that the cat I am transporting home next Friday is a stray. The first time I put her in the car, she went berzerk and scratched up my hands. I don't think it'll be much of a problem because after her little fit, she calmed right down and dozed in a friend's lap. I've never taken a cat in the car for 6 hours before. Actually, to tell you the truth, I've never transported a cat period. How often should I stop and let her out of the car? (She'll be on a harness and leash.) Should I give her any food before or during the trip? How much water should I give her? What if she pees in her carrier?

When I travel with my cats (5 hours), I just put a litterbox in the floor of the backseat. When we stop at the rest stop, I let them out of their cages (INSIDE the car ONLY). They usually won't come out and if they do, they don't use the box! They usually will settle down in their carriers and just sleep. They're not interested in eating or drinking. Of course when we get to my dad's, they use the box immediately and are starving!

Stephanie

Ok, well I'll have her in a carrier the entire way home, except for letting her out at rest stops. Do you think I'll need to stop at a rest stop? Normally when I travel the 6 hours, I stop at one rest stop the whole way.

One stop would probably be fine. We have to stop more frequently because my DH has back problems and gets very sore if he sits for more than an hour or so in one position. I usually stay in the car with the doors locked and the cat while he walks around. When he's ready to get back in the car, I get the kitty back in her carrier, THEN unlock the door.

Another tip: If you can, travel when your cat normally naps. We've found that travelling mid-morning to late afternoon is the best time. This is when both of our cats have their longest naps, so it's not too much of an upset in routine for them to sleep on the way. Travelling when it's their dinner time or at night when they're naturally more playful and awake is not fun! :lol3:

Stephanie

I am glad you wrote this post. At the end of the summer I am going to be traveling 6 hours with my kitten and I was just about to ask what the best way of doing it was. Please let me know how the trip works out for you so I have an idea how to handle it with my kitty.

~Jess