Cats and Altitude

Good evening everyone.  It just dawned on me today that I know nothing of how cats react, or not, to changing altitudes.  I guess people fly with their cats too so it can't be too bad.

We will be spending the Summer in Colorado at 7500+ elevation and I wondered as we drive up (over Monarch Pass at 11,300 feet) should I be looking for any changes in Si?

He won't be out of our RV at all during that time.

Thanks in advance for your replies!

Huh that is actually a really interesting thought! I live in Colorado so I have never really thought about the effects of altitude on felines. My general advice would be what I would tell a human: Altitude sickness is a problem for out-of-towners here because the air is so thin. So, in addition to increasing your fluid intake I would increase theirs. Make sure they are getting wet food (or raw if that's how you feed them) in addition to dry food. And, you can increase the fluid level by adding a little warm water to it. During the trip keep a close eye on their hydration levels by pulling up the fur on the back of their necks. In a hydrated cat it will snap back down. If it's slow to do so or "tents" then they need fluids ASAP. 

I would do some research before you leave and print off a sheet with the names, numbers, and addresses of vets along your route so you aren't scrambling in case of an emergency. You can also ask your vet about taking some SubQ fluids with you. Once trained they are actually super easy to give. It may be worth just having some on hand. 

Are you driving up Monarch Pass right now or you will be in the future? If you are right now be careful- we are getting a lot of snow this week! Regardless of when you are there enjoy your trip- there is nothing more beautiful than the Rocky Mountains in the summer! 

Great ideas to consider and plan for EB24.  Thank you!

We won't cross the pass until the 11th or 12th of May based on our current travel schedule.   Si is currently on 5.5oz of wet per day, and he does drink water a couple of times daily already but I'm sure thats because we have dry kibble set out for snacking.  For the 4mos or so that we'll be in Gunnison, I can easily switch him over to all wet.

We are glad we didn't accept that campground job to start in April right now!   We have friends who went to work at a campground in Larkspur that were definitely not expecting a blizzard to roll through

Anytime! 

I think still letting him have dry in addition to wet is fine, you just want to make sure you have the wet on board because that's the main source of their water. For the first few days I would even add more water to it but once you all get acclimated he should be fine. I mean, we have a ba-zillion cats in Colorado and none of them are dropping from dehydration based on altitude. It's just making sure he's getting extra during the transition period. Of course if you want him on an all wet diet I'm sure he wouldn't complain! He should still have a water bowl at all times just in case he gets thirsty. 

Also, make sure he doesn't overly exert himself the first few days (same as you shouldn't). That's how you end up with altitude sickness which is no fun (even us Denver-ites fall prey when we go up to the Mountains). If you do or he does, a doctor visit is in order for oxygen and fluids. 

I'm glad you didn't accept the April start date either! This snow is absolutely crazy- we got over 6 inches where I am in the city and are supposed to get even more tomorrow. Most of the ski resorts have re-opened (or are extending their closing date) because of all the fresh powder. Rocks for the skiers/snowboarders, but would suck to be traveling through and trying to get set up in! 

May I be the first to welcome you to Colorado- the only place where you get more snow in April than you do in December! 

Just coming back to update (as that is a pet peeve of mine - no follow ups - lol)   but I did what you recommended EB, adding a little water to his wet food, just like we were hydrating ourselves a bit more before we arrived at 7700' for the Summer.  Si has always drank a little water anyhow - I guess when he needs it.   And he seems to be just fine.  All of us in fact.   We arrived Monday and we all restricted our activities for the first couple of days.

Today .. his majesty decided he has had enough of being indoors not being able to get to all the birds in the campground so he let me put his harness on him and go outside for a little chase the stick time.  Of course, he did multiple dirt rolls which he has no idea he'll have to pay for later

Aw, that's great!

And he is SO adorable! :lovegrin2:

Thanks so much LDG. 

He is a little character at 11mos now, but we could not be happier that he chose to adopt us.  Our drive to Colorado was only his 5th trip in the RV now and he doesn't seem like he could care less. 

I know there are differing opinions on the matter, but I let him ride loose inside.  Primarily because he wants to sit on the table and stare out the kitchen window for about 3min before he hops on the couch inside his carrier which backs up to the driver's seat.  And he will nap from rest stop to rest stop.  We did, of course, lengthen our rest stops to let him stretch his legs and play with a few toys.   The last two legs of our trip out here, he's even eaten, used the litter box and played with his toys and me in the floor while scootin on down the road.

I have always believed that there are animals that were meant specifically meant to be in our lives and Si reinforces those beliefs daily.

That picture of Si standing with his harness on is so cute! I am so happy to hear that you all had a good trip and are adjusting to the altitude just fine. I live in CO. Enjoy your summer here! It's beautiful during the summer.

We never crated them in the RV when we travel with them. In ours, the bed opens for storage. We keep it empty of our stuff, and put cat beds under there. We cut holes in the sides of the bed so they can access under there. Whenever we turn over the engine, they all run and hide under there. After they get into the swing of travel, some come out. Spooky likes to ride up int the front dash.

vball91 said:

That picture of Si standing with his harness on is so cute! I am so happy to hear that you all had a good trip and are adjusting to the altitude just fine. I live in CO. Enjoy your summer here! It's beautiful during the summer.

Click to expand...

Thank you vball!  One of my childhood friends on facebook told me I needed to photoshop in a little hat and squeezebox or those little monkey cymbals

LDG said:

We never crated them in the RV when we travel with them. In ours, the bed opens for storage. We keep it empty of our stuff, and put cat beds under there. We cut holes in the sides of the bed so they can access under there. Whenever we turn over the engine, they all run and hide under there. After they get into the swing of travel, some come out. Spooky likes to ride up int the front dash.

Click to expand...

It was a hard call up front to crate or not, but we've met a ton of folks who have told us about your option and that they have done that as well.  Our fresh water tank is under our bed so we didn't have that option, but I feel better that he hangs out snoozing on the couch, so if George ever had to hit the brakes hard/quick he would slide straight into his carrier, which butts up to the driver seat, anyhow.  But he primarily curls up inside it first since he's always like his carrier to nap in.