Moving

I have 2 cats, one was abandoned with 16 other cats in a foreclosure, one showed up at a remote location at my job when she was about 6 months old. I have had both for about the same amount of time, almost 3 years. My big guy, Pinky, is a lovable giant. The girl I found abandoned at work will still barely let me touch her. Her name is Axle in honor of some of the work we do at work. I am planning on moving from Nevada to Michigan in the next few months. I plan on driving. My big guy Pinky, is terrible in the car...non-stop meowing and crying on short trips to the vet and back. Axle has not been to the vet except to be fixed and vaccinated almost as soon as I got her. She is mean (but also very playful!). So funny that she came to me and never left but still is well, just mean. I really want to take both of them with me on a very long ride, in a pick-up truck, towing a trailer, stopping every night along the way. I am just having a hard time seeing the possibility that this will not end anything but bad. Pinky need to go to the vet a few months ago and  I put him in the carrier Axle attacked the carrier and puffed her little butt up giant sized. I can't see how I could ever crate her for a trip anywhere when it wasn't even her in the carrier.

So I have a non-stop howler and a wild child. How could I make this work?

I guess I should add that Axle terrorizes Pinky (who is 2x as big as her) relentlessly. He tolerates it and will not fight back...she is just mean!

How much space do you have in the pick--up truck? Two crates, large enough to hold litterboxes, food and water should be a safe solution - each cat in her own crate - so no bullying, and no risk of escaping in the hotels.

As for the meowing and crying... well, first, the cats pick up on your stress. The more stressed you are, the more stressed they will be. So first, just make peace with the thought that this is something you have to do. Then, talk to a vet about anti anxiety stuff for your cats - from Feliway spray to travel pills (we have a brand called ActiPet, Anxiety Free, natural chicken flavor, it has thiamine, valerian and hopes). I have also used Pet Naturals Calming Cat Soft Chews. There is also the Bach Rescue Remedy, but you have to give it some time to work.

We have just moved three months ago and are getting ready to move again in two months. It has been harder on myself than on my three cats. But the one thing that helped the most was the CARPET. I mean it. Having their carpet with their smell made them feel safe. So maybe you can put around the crates/carriers some blankets/sheets something that holds their smell (while on the road).

Thank you for your feedback! I am thinking about removing the passenger seat from the truck. The large carrier does not fit well on the seat and it is only 1 carrier, I need to see how the seat attaches because if there are giant sized brackets on the floor it won't do any good if I can't remove them. I will get some spray and hope it works and go to the doctor to get something to keep ME calm!



I was looking at the PetEGo  tube carrier. sounds like the perfect thing to transport kitties. If only mine could get along