Hi,
I'm new here, although I've been reading for awhile. I recently accepted a job offer in Dallas TX and, as a result, have to move my 2 cats and dog from Milwaukee WI. My cats have traveled before but not that far or for that long. I'm really worried about them and am looking for some advice as to how to make the travel and the move less stressful for them. What is the best way to travel safely with cats?
So far I have planned:
I have a larger than necessary carrier for each of them that I was planning on putting some blankets and a small litter box or puppy pee pads on one side.
I got some Acepromazine from my vet. My male (Tigger) gets really stressed riding in the car and the Ace really helps calm him. My female (Tora) rides easier but the Ace keeps her from being obnoxious with the crying. My vet says it should be fine to give them the Ace for 2 days (the length of our trip) in a row but I am worried about any negative side effects from this. Does anyone have any experience with this?
Should I feed the cats prior to our departure? Should I feed a full meal or a partial meal? (Like give them their wet food before we leave and small bit of dry food in the carrier for them?)
Should they be ok in their carriers for 6-8 hours if they have access to a litter box? I'll let them out of the carriers at the hotel.
Aside from the obvious, (not leaving them in the car unattended, not letting them out of their carriers in the car while moving etc) anything else I need to think about or get in order before we go?
I appreciate any advice and tips. I'm really worried about this trip and stressing them out, poor little guys
Thanks
Sara
I'm new here, although I've been reading for awhile. I recently accepted a job offer in Dallas TX and, as a result, have to move my 2 cats and dog from Milwaukee WI. My cats have traveled before but not that far or for that long. I'm really worried about them and am looking for some advice as to how to make the travel and the move less stressful for them. What is the best way to travel safely with cats?
So far I have planned:
I have a larger than necessary carrier for each of them that I was planning on putting some blankets and a small litter box or puppy pee pads on one side.
I got some Acepromazine from my vet. My male (Tigger) gets really stressed riding in the car and the Ace really helps calm him. My female (Tora) rides easier but the Ace keeps her from being obnoxious with the crying. My vet says it should be fine to give them the Ace for 2 days (the length of our trip) in a row but I am worried about any negative side effects from this. Does anyone have any experience with this?
Should I feed the cats prior to our departure? Should I feed a full meal or a partial meal? (Like give them their wet food before we leave and small bit of dry food in the carrier for them?)
Should they be ok in their carriers for 6-8 hours if they have access to a litter box? I'll let them out of the carriers at the hotel.
Aside from the obvious, (not leaving them in the car unattended, not letting them out of their carriers in the car while moving etc) anything else I need to think about or get in order before we go?
I appreciate any advice and tips. I'm really worried about this trip and stressing them out, poor little guys
Thanks
Sara