Our cats were inherited, and have never used a litter box. Does anyone else have this issue? I think if let out they would stay close to our mobile home once we hit the road, but I am a little concerned about other folk's dogs, wolves,large birds of prey....
phyllen said
05:24 AM Jul 8, 2010
Cats quckly learn the litter box. While traveling, I have only seen one cat that actually stayed near the RV without being leashed. Many cats have been abandoned by their owners because they run off scared and can't be found.
Our boy was a stray, although only about 10 weeks when he adopted us. Immediately once introduced to the litter box, he started using it.
We would leave him locked in the bedroom of our fiver while we traveled. We noticed he would not use litter box or eat. Then three times after a several hour drive, he wet our bedspread. We took him to a vet in TX as we thought he might have an urinary tract infection. She said he was healthy and it was probably pyschological! Great! He was mad at us.
We now keep him in truck with us. We put litter box and his carrier on back floor. He likes to lay in carrier and uses the litter box. Evey so often, he will come up and sit on my lap to look out window or he will lay on the center console. He has become quite adapted to traveling and seems to enjoy it.
Chances are your cats would adapt also.
GENECOP said
05:29 AM Jul 8, 2010
If you want to risk losing them, let them out. the threats that you mentioned, along with others are real. Our cats will be coming with us, and will be staying inside, start working with them now, get them used to the litter box, and keep them inside, if you want to keep them, G
Racerguy said
08:58 AM Jul 8, 2010
Most Campgrounds have an all pets leashed policy.I agree with the others, start working with them now.Even older cats can be litter box trained.Try some of the covered ones that give them some privacy and that may help( I read that somewhere).Welcome to the best forum on the internet.
Denise said
09:38 AM Jul 8, 2010
I would be careful if I were you. We stayed in a state park last year that was over run with wild cats. They would climb trees and watch us. It was a little nerve racking. We had to be careful when we took our dogs out to potty because the cats would hide in the bushes and jump out at us.
jb said
11:19 AM Jul 8, 2010
If they are going outside, they need to be leashed. Also, make sure you know where they are when setting up the rig. I know of one instance where a cat met a slide out with disastous results but I also know several people who travel with Cats, keep them in the rig all the time and everyone enjoys the traveling.
desertnurse said
01:38 PM Jul 8, 2010
Great advice, all. One of them is such a cuddle boy, aI think I could get him used to a litter box. The other is damned near feral, will be a bit of a challange, but you bring up really good points. Much appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you!
lmcallis said
02:29 PM Jul 8, 2010
Our cat was an indoor/outdoor cat before we hit the road. So no issues with the litter box. She loves to go outside on her leash, but it's not like walking a dog. It took about 4 months for her to learn how it worked, but now after over 2 years, she is an expert. Usually, she's on a stake with a 16 foot retractable dog leash, the kind that pulls out and retracts automatically. She's an expert about winding that through trees, and fences, etc and not getting tangled. The slight pull of the leash tells her which way to turn etc, and the constant slight tension doesn't bother her a bit. Loves to chase geckos, lizzards, bugs and other little critters. My wife really loves having the cat with us. But after trying for 6 months to have her ride in the truck as we go down the road, she now travels in the 5th wheel, and we're all happier. Has her own hidy hole under the bed for travel, rain storms, thunder, strangers, etc.
Lance
NorCal Dan said
03:38 PM Jul 8, 2010
I lost a cat inside my coach once...I never knew how many hiding spots there are in this thing...
mick22 said
08:47 AM Jul 9, 2010
I would not let the cat out. They will be stressed and might run away.
Most cats will learn to use litter box but i had crazy idea how to get a cat used to a little box faster. Cats love sand and use it for litter box even if it is your childrens sand box. I might try putting sand in litter box if they do not like the litter first. If you get them used to the sand start mixing it with litter until it is all litter.
Our cat was an indoor/outdoor cat before we hit the road. So no issues with the litter box. She loves to go outside on her leash, but it's not like walking a dog. It took about 4 months for her to learn how it worked, but now after over 2 years, she is an expert. Usually, she's on a stake with a 16 foot retractable dog leash, the kind that pulls out and retracts automatically. She's an expert about winding that through trees, and fences, etc and not getting tangled. The slight pull of the leash tells her which way to turn etc, and the constant slight tension doesn't bother her a bit. Loves to chase geckos, lizzards, bugs and other little critters. My wife really loves having the cat with us. But after trying for 6 months to have her ride in the truck as we go down the road, she now travels in the 5th wheel, and we're all happier. Has her own hidy hole under the bed for travel, rain storms, thunder, strangers, etc.
Lance