Moving Long Distance-How To Bring Cats

We have traveled with cats a few times and stayed at motels.  Each time we traveled with them they would get under the mattress and box springs and we would have to get them out by upturning the bed.  What a nervous situation that was.  We have started putting long leashes on them and when they do get out of sight the leash is still visible and you can find them.  The first time this happened I didn't think of the long leash but on that same trip from Vegas to OK, I bought the long lease or two short ones put together.  One of the cats even tried to get into the ceiling  over the lavatory and in the bathroom.  They were the ones with just the plastic up there laying over the support beams.  So be careful of that as well as the box springs.  Good luck with traveling with cats.  We have 8 cats and are about ready to move from OK to FL.  We are looking into having them transported.  I think I get too nervous when I travel with cats.  We will be traveling two dogs, 1 in each car.

Dear Libbys Mom:

I know you posted this a long time ago on the cat site but I too now am Moving to GA from CT and wanted to know how your move went? Tom and I have 4 cats and 2 dogs to drive with in my car but Tom will drive the Uhaul moving truck. Any advice or experience would be greatly appreciated. - Kim

arolson87 said:

My boyfriend and I are planning a move from Seattle to Phoenix in a couple months, and I'm wondering the best way to transport my cats safely and effectively. We're going to be renting a big uhaul truck and I dont know if I should put them in little kennels, but then there's the problem of how often to bring them out to eat, play, and pee! I can't just let them in the front seat with us and I will not let them roam around with all the stuff in the back! I also was thinking about the pet relocation services but they are SO EXPENSIVE, like as much as it costs to move all of my stuff, and I simply can't afford it. Does anyone know of a good way to bring your cats on a big move?? Help!

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When I moved cross-country, this is how I did it. I had more room in the back than it sounds like you will, but you could consider putting up some kind of blocker (a piece of cardboard, whatever) to keep the cat out of places you don't want them to be.

My elder kitty had the floor in the back. On one side of the hump was a small litter box. On the other side was her food and water, which were in tubberware with a lid with a big hole cut in the top (in order to provide a lip so the water wouldn't slosh out).

And she could come up front to be in my lap (I was a passenger), or sit at my feet under the heater.

She was easy, since she was a good traveler and was a bit older, so she wasn't all that interested in getting into trouble under the foot pedals or something. But like I said, you could consider putting up blockers to guide her into a passanger seat rather than bugging the driver, and cutting off access to getting under boxes in the back.

To Salgal- how did your move go?  I recently did the same thing, I was forced to put the two male cats in the car on the dolly.  They were so glad to be in the car and not the truck.  It was a huge ordeal, the motel room was a nightmare.  I am going to fly them and drive with the dogs only.  They did like being in the towed car, they just went to sleep in their beds on the floor, had a litter box, etc.  I put a sunshade in the window during the day so they did not get extra heat, though it was November.  some of the days were still warm.

I may eventually attempt to move back to FL (want to, as hate new England) and I have just one cat but was considered with this. Rather not FLY him as I want him to know I'm there.  I just bought him a new carrier as one given with him when I got him he barley fits in. 

The one he has not it's a mesh one with zippers on front and top and he would not get out of it when I let him see/explore it when brought it home.  It has padding on the bottom and I would do blankets (depending on weather) plus the one on top.

Nice suggestions on the liter box ideas, I was wondering that; I will need to find someone to bring us down that way (it may be 2 years, hoping not) as I do not have car, nor could I drive myself for any length. I want minimal stops (more for him to use box, as I wouldn't feel right living him in car while in eating myself.  Most I'd have to stop for his bathroom and I think some of those rest areas can bring the cat in (if in carrier) though whomever with me can take turns watching while using facilities.

I am planning to move from Roseville, Ca to Humble, Texas in the next few months. I have a black cat who is technically an "outdoor" cat, but he sleeps on my bed every night entering through a cat door. I would love to take him as my "Best Friend" to Texas, but am concerned about how he will travel in a carrier in my car. Also, I am terrified with the thought he might run away once we arrive. Any thoughts?

I have moved several times from Florida to the tip of North Ga almost Tennessee. A good 14 hrs.

I got some sleeping meds from Vet and I tried not to give them soft food the night before..just dry..I fixed up a big box with lots of comfy blankets and alot of holes in box so she could see outside and stick her paws out if wanted...I stopped maybe 4 times and I would go to the Resting stop areas and took her into the bathroom with me and let her walk around a little..drink water and eat some dry food. I put one of those diaper sheets on the floor and she would do her dooty and I cleaned it up.

I put the box in the back seat of my car...another time I put her in back of the truck..I made sure it had A/C in the back..everytime I stopped I took her out...both times she was fine with no stress at all.

I heard a long time ago that with cats you have to keep them in the dark when moving because they will remember the way and come back home..dont know if true or not but I wasn't taking any chances.

Can you imagine your kitty calling you collect telling you she is back in Seattle? Hahaha

Oops this is old..sorry

I need to move from California to Texas. This will happen either May or June. I have three 2-3 years old cats. I will have a truck full of stuff plus my sedan. I was planning on renting a u-haul truck with car towing dolly on the back. Then I realize that I don't know how to bring my cats for long distance. Here are some of my ideas as they came to mind:

1. Keep the cats in truck's cabin area. But I am not sure if it is big enough with three cats. My daughter (17 going 18) might /or might not ride along.

2. Putting the cats in the cargo area. This is bad idea, especially in warmer weather.

3. Sell the car, buy big suv with lots of towing power, then use a u-haul trailer instead of truck. Put the cats in the suv.  However, not sure u-haurl trailer is big enough for all of my stuff.

4. Make two trips. One trip is driving with my stuff w/o cats, and other trip is flying with cats as carrry-on, but not sure I can do this with three cats (?)

What do you think? Any other suggestions/ideas?

Thanks!

I came up with other possibility:

5.  Use service like PODs, so that my stuff are taken care by them. Then I just get a crate for my sedan (Ford Fusion) and drive. PODS are more expensive than u-haul I would think, but this is still cheaper than trading my car for suv.

Hello CatLoop,

I am in exactly the same position you are.  Moving across the country in a few months with 3 kitties. I am dreading the whole thing. Even though I am making a huge move and significant life/job changes, the thing I am most worried about is getting my critters there safely.  Everything else will fall into place.

I am considering all of the same things you mentioned, but haven't decided on the best route yet.  You can fly with the cats, but the airlines require 1 human per cat, which means you'd need helpers to fly with you, or make 3 trips yourself.  (And there's an extra fee of course).  Aside from the stress on them, getting them through security is a concern, because you must carry them through, while their crate goes through the conveyor belt.  So getting them in and out of the crate in the middle of a crowded airport security line could be a hassle, even if they are sedated.  Make sure they have a harness and leash on all the time, even when in their carrier (that goes for driving in the car too). 

My drive will take about 28 hours, and I'm considering doing 2 14-hour days with one overnight stay.  I have heard/read the horror stories about cats getting loose in hotel rooms and getting behind/under furniture.  If I drive with mine and we stay in a hotel, I will probably keep them closed up in the bathroom, which I'd hate to do but it is for their own safety.  I have one that is very creative and resourceful when it comes to hiding, so I know she will try hard to get to someplace that she perceives as safe.  No matter how I do it, I think it is going to be stressful on all of us. 

Good luck to you!  If you come up with any additional ideas please share them, and I will do the same.

Hi 3meow,

After thinking all the options in details for the cats sake and other considerations including cost, I've decided to go with driving a truck towing my car behind and cats in passenger side of the truck cabin. My daughter will not drive with me, so just me and my cats. It will be tight. I am stopping by at a pet store. Thinking about if I should pick up a big dog cage or not.

My driving is about the same distance as yours. I was thinking three - 8 hours drive, but I see your point about making two - 12 hours. I'll have to think about that.

Good luck to your move!

Hi I was wondering how your move went? I am moving from Oklahoma to oregon with 2 dogs and four cats and I'm very nervous

Hi! I'm planning on moving next Spring from Atlanta to Southern AZ and one of my biggest worries is how the heck I'm going to do thus with 4 cats! A prior post by someone mentioned puppy pee pads which I thought was brilliant. I'm also planning on camping along the way so I can avoid the dreaded hotel/motel fiascos. I've also been researching for rest stops and camping a covered play pen so they can get out and stretch while enclosed and safe. I know they all can travel for 6 hrs will real issues (only 1 cries like a baby - the whole time!!!), but I want to try to drive 12 hrs with 2 30 min stops along the way. I'm also contemplating putting all 4 in my car which I will be towing (full lift). Of course they will all be in their own crates with ample room for each to stand, sit, lay down, and stretch in...just wondering if anyone else has done that? Any other ideas or thoughts? Everything else I'm cool with, but my 3 boys and newly acquired girl I worry about.,

I live in Acworth now but did move from Atlanta to Denver with 8 cats, and then moved back from Denver to Atlanta 6 months later with 10 cats.  It ay have been me who mentioned the puppy pee padds.  I can't discuss tonight because I have a Siamese kitten here who is getting spayed in the morning and won't leave me alone now, and I can't type with her jumping into my lap every 30 seconds, so I must get off the computer, but Private Message me and I'll be glad to give you my number & tell you more later.

Hi Debra, I was just cruising sites.  I am pondering a move myself in 6 months, from Oregon to Virginia. I have 2 cats. And will be driving a u-haul truck with them as my passengers. Was just wondering how your move was and any good tips for me after the fact?

I'll never forget my move from Palm Coast to Daytona!!  I drove the truck, and had 4 kitties and BOY-Were they ever singing!!  HAHA  Should have seen the looks I got from other drivers!    So now going from Daytona to Indy w/my only child flying the nest w/his 2 babies-then I am going from Daytona to Watertown, NY month later  w/ a truck-My 8 yr Aussie & my 2 kitties.....After that last experience...am really thinking of getting something from vet to make them sleepy for ride....Gonna put small litter box in one well of son's car & put there nibbles-water in other & have their boxes on back seat w/comfy towel!!  No WAY I can put them on a leash!!

Hi there. New to this site, and planning to move very soon from Miami, FL to Rutland, VT with 4 adult cats and very likely 1 kitten. As it stands right now, I'm going to send my stuff in moving containers, either through U-Pak or U-Haul, and I'm driving up in a Nissan Altima 4 door.  Not a clue in the world how to pull that off without spending a small fortune on either a pet moving service or a hotel pet-friendly ENOUGH to allow that many critters. @Red Top Rescue  Clearly, you are the person I need to speak with, given your similar experience with twice as many cats. Please reveal to me the secret to successfully surviving a move like this with my sanity intact and without fully exhausting my meager life savings.

I moved 3 cats from Chicago to Savannah GA.  I put a dog crate in the back seat of my car and I drugged my 3 little angels.  We drove 10 hours the first day and 10 hours the second.  I provided water in the car and put down puppy pads, but they didn't touch the water or pee, they just slept.  On the first night, I went to a hotel with outdoor entrances to the rooms.  I told the front desk I had a cat and paid the fee.  I then quickly escorted my stoned little felines from the car and provided food, water and a litter box.  I don't remember them eating all that much but all three slept quite well and were dosed back up the next day.  My solid grey boy was an anxious type, stayed under my bed for 3 days without eating when I moved into a new condo in Chicago.  He handled this move halfway across the US without issue and I'm fairly certain it was entirely because he was medicated.  But if you do go with medication, try it first, some cats react poorly and get hyper instead of mellow.  That would be a rude surprise on moving day.    

Best part of that drive was my female and my orange tabby, they hated each other with a violent passion.  But in that car, they curled up together in a little kitty ball.  Wish I would have had an iphone at the time to get a picture.