nellebelles

DH and I just took a one night trip to try out traveling in our RV with our cat. She is a very shy and skittish kitty--about 12 or 13 years old. I feel so bad--she was totally terrified the whole time! She hid under the pillows on the bed most of the time, or behind the swivel rocker when she wasn't on the bed. She did come out to eat a couple of times (I don't think she will ever be too afraid to eat--and it shows...) and to use the litter box. I tried to hold her on my lap but that didn't help at all. When we were sleeping, she slept at the end of our bed, but as soon as we got up, she went into hiding again. Any helpful ideas on how to travel with our feline friend? We really don't like leaving her behind--she cries when we are gone (the way we know that is sometimes she thinks we are gone, like when I am downstairs quilting and she cries then...) Thanks in advance for any advice!

Chasing Hawk

Cats are creatures of habit, does she ride in the car with you?
Or has she just been a stay at home kitty? My advice is to take her along she may eventually get used to riding in the RV. Until then if she hasn't rode with you in the car, try that maybe the motion of the vehicle is freaking her out.

When we moved to our new house, Kola lived in the master bedroom closet for over a week. She was terrified of the ceiling fan and we didn't let her outside for 2 weeks. We have been here over a yer now and she has just gotten used to going outdoors again for hours at a time.

litacats

when you are at home let her go into the RV, feed her in the RV from time to time and put her favourite bed in there to, also start the motor a few times when she is near it or in it to get her used to the sound, she will never stop being skittish at her age, but she can adapt given time, she need to realize that the RV is a good place to be, and that is thru food rewards when she goes in and lots of cuddles while in the RV. the motor will freak her out and it will take a lot longer for her to get used to the noise, so you just nead to persavere

sueisallaboutquilts

All good ideas! As the slave of 5 cats (hee hee )I find that they get used to things. It just takes time. I would take her along too, mine get really lonesome if I'm not home! :D

CarrieAnne

Its so nice that you can take her along!

nellebelles

All great ideas--we'll have to try them! She has been a stay at home and indoor kitty all of her life, as well as being scared of everything. Whenever guests come to our home, she heads for her favorite hiding place under our bed. She was pretty upset with us, but has now settled back into her daily routine, thank goodness! We have another trip planned for the 17th of September. This trip will be about 3 or 4 days long. We're thinking that we will probably leave Shyla home for this trip and just have someone check on her every day.
One thing I know that we did wrong, was we didn't give her enough time to get used to being in the RV before we left on our trip. I'm afraid that she will remember just how terrified she was and not want to even try again. We'll see--we keep the RV in our backyard, so it's easily accessible to let her get used to being inside. Thanks again for your suggestions!

Beffy_Boo

I have 14 cats who have their own room (playground) complete with a/c and a kitty door to a fully enclosed porch just for their pleasure. They made the trip in an RV from MD to NM and this product I'm sure is what made it possible.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...fm?pcatid=1061
Yes my kids call me the crazy cat lady but sitting in the kitty room reading a good book is one of the best parts of my day. The cats seem to like it too. :-)

nellebelles

I wondered if there was anything like that out there that would help to calm Shyla. Thanks for letting me know about this product!

patricej

she finds a safe and comfy place to "ride". she eats and uses the litter box. those are the three most important things to her physical health. the rest will come in time.

before you know it, you'll catch her at mapquest, planning the trips she wants to take.

;-)

amandasgramma

We put our cat's carrier in the living room for a day or so before traveling. Let her go in and out and sleep there if she wants. Then when traveling, set it on the floor with the door propped open. If you have room, leave it in the MH all the time. It'll be her "familiar" place. Litacat gave the same advice I'd give, too. We travel with our 2 cats all the time...but we did start when they were kittens.