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Recommendations for a pet carrier?

post #1 of 9
12/8/10 at 9:53am
Thread Starter 
We're thinking of taking Tiggy on a road trip (to visit my parents) next week. I've made that trip many years ago with Geisha and Sasha (may they rest in peace) with much larger pet carriers in which I could fit a water & food dish, as well as a small litter box (don't ask, very DIY).

The current pet carrier is cozy and comfy, but...it's fabric, the size of a gym bag and won't fit a food or water dish, let alone a small litter box.

I want Tiggy to be safe and comfortable. Is anyone familiar with Nutri-Vet's Pet ease paw gel? While Sasha didn't care much for it, Tiggy seems to like it okay, but how effective it is remains to be seen (it has oat extract, chamomile extract, passion flower and cat nip) as far as a "natural sedative"...

Any suggestions for the carrier? The one I currently have does have the advantage of seat belt straps...
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post #2 of 9
12/8/10 at 10:09am
My cats never eat or use the litter box while traveling, even if I let them out of the carriers when I make a rest stop for myself. I think the smaller carrier you have should be fine.

I'm not familiar with the gel you mentioned, but I have used Rescue Remedy. I suppose it's like any other herbal remedy, it works differently on each cat. Two of mine really calm down with the Rescue Remedy. The others don't seem to be affected by it.
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post #3 of 9
12/8/10 at 10:25am
Cats are often calmer in smaller spaces when they're in unfamiliar circumstances. They want to hide in those situations anyway, and being in a tight, small carrier will make him feel more safe while travelling. I also agree about the food, water, and litter. As long as the trip isn't hours and hours, Tiggy most likely wouldn't use them even given the option. When my cats are in their carrier for more than 10 minutes without me jostling them around, they almost always go right to sleep.
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post #4 of 9
12/8/10 at 10:32am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by rad65 View Post
As long as the trip isn't hours and hours, Tiggy most likely wouldn't use them even given the option.
That's the thing, it is a long trip, we're talking several hours.
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post #5 of 9
12/8/10 at 10:37am
The longest trip I've taken with my cats ended up taking 9 hours (was supposed to be seven). No problems during the drive, but they did want food as soon as we got into the hotel room.
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post #6 of 9
12/8/10 at 10:42am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by GoldyCat View Post
The longest trip I've taken with my cats ended up taking 9 hours (was supposed to be seven). No problems during the drive, but they did want food as soon as we got into the hotel room.
Okay, so I should be good then: Toronto- Montreal is about 5 hours (depending on traffic) and add another hour and a half- 2 hours to make it to my parents' home town...

I'm just being a worry-wart! I'll give Tiggy some Pet-Ease before leaving (it does seem to mellow him out).
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post #7 of 9
12/8/10 at 11:33am
I would take him on a regular hard side carrier, one that he can stand up and turn around... Cover the bottom with a blankie or a nice fleece carrier cover.
You can then put on the back seat of the car a disposable litterbox and water and food dishes - they have non-spill water and food dishes for traveling, or you can just take it in a ziplock bag and a bottle and fill in at every pit stop. You can stop every 3-4 hours, go back to the back of the car, put a harness on him, and let him go out of the carrier - with you inside and the doors closed. He can then eat and use the litterbox, eat and drink.
Some people will let them out of the car on the harness, but I am not comfortable with that... I prefer letting them out inside of the car for a bit just to eat and do their necessities...
Spraying the car with feliway will help too...
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post #8 of 9
12/8/10 at 12:49pm
www.sturdiproducts.com These are the carriers that cat exhibitors use when they travel with their show cats. The double sided one is my favorite, it is top loading, there is room for litter pan on one side, food on the other, and the cats just love them. I just wrote a review for my Top Ten Picks for Cats and Cat Lovers for 2010 and this was one of my picks.
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post #9 of 9
12/8/10 at 2:18pm
I've traveled cross country, numerous times with a cat or two - even in an old Volkswagen beetle. I mean trips that take 4 long days - 2000 miles. I used a regular hard sided carrier. I used a cake pan that comes with a plastic snap on lid for the litter pan*. I let the cat out (inside the car with the doors locked) every couple of hours at rest stops to use the pan, and offer water and dry food. It always went well.

Robin

*This prompted the boyfriend to say, "I have to remember to never eat cake at your house."
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