Travelling & Meeting Dogs

susieborgel

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For Christmas, my husband and I are never home. We travel between our two parents houses - which means we'll be gone from the afternoon of today (23rd) to the 27th.

Susie, our one year old (who's having her first Christmas in her furever home), usually spends the days home alone while we're both at work, and has been perfectly fine on the weekends we need to leave. I don't leave her for anymore than one night usually, two at the very most without someone coming to visit her.

This year, my mother in law has the idea in her head that she wants Susie to come over for Christmas with us, because our regular cat sitter and the only one I trust to look in on her is also travelling for the holidays. My mother in law also had one of her dogs pass recently, and loves the distraction that Susie is (playful, kittenish behavior).

She's not the best in the car. She gets upset and cries for the most part - we've only taken her from the shelter to home, and one trip to the vet and back. I find it extremely stressful, as I know she does too. The drive this weekend would be 40mins, and I've prepared myself for the anxiety filled trip.

However - my biggest concern is my in laws dog. She's a King Charles Cavalier, and is an extremely skittish dog who won't bark if you hold her. My mother in law is convinced that if we watch them that they will be fine, but I'm terrified that one - Susie will traumatize the dog on Christmas. And two, we will traumatize Susie.

Susie is a people loving cat and LOVES to be in the center of attention. We had my in laws over last night for dinner, so she's familiar with them and loves them but has never met a dog - she hasn't been around dogs at all since we've had her. We plan on shutting the door in the nights so Susie has full range of the house to explore while the dog sleeps in with my husbands parents, we're going to try to keep them on separate levels of the house as much as we can, and I'm going to put Susie in front of her litter box as soon as we arrive. 

Thoughts/advice on this situation? I'm driving myself insane.
 

mollyblue

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Is your kitty crate trained?  Growing up, I never considered the possibility that an animal could love a crate and feel comfortable in it so I  never bothered crate training  I though it was mean.  I now have 4 cats that are crate trained, and it is a God send for them and for me.  The crate is a safe spot for them.  They feel protected.  It keeps them safer in the car too... The crate is also beneficial in introducing the animals as they can sniff each other out without having full access until you know how they will react. 

Some people may recommend a feliway collar and or room spray as it is supposed to help the animals relax and be more calm. 

Hopefully, if you do this, you will feel somewhat comfortable during introductions also  The more stressed you are, the more the  animals will react in a stressfull manner. 
 
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susieborgel

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She's not crate trained, unfortunately. To be completely honest, I had no idea that was a thing. She hates her crate - but usually as soon as she gets out of it she's fine. She would much rather be in one of our laps, but for travel we have the carrier for all of our safety.

My mother in law isn't stressed at all, and I suppose I'll calm down myself once I get there and see how things go. I worry way too much.
 

mollyblue

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​Well i hope all goes well. my cats travel well... they  like riding in a car, and are leash trained so they can get out at rest stops.  Snowy came crate trained as she was crated at the shelter before we adopted her so we always leave it out in a corner somewhere and it is one of her safe spots.  The other cats venture in just because its their nature to be curious.  Add a soft blanket and a cat nip toy and its even better.
 
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