Who RVs full time with cat(s)? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Travel Bug · RV-Dreams Family Member

Who RVs full time with cat(s)?

Travel Bug · RV-Dreams Family Member

Found the topic "Traveling with Cats" after posting my previous inquiry (of course). Went there and read everything and got my laughs for the day.

This site is FUN!

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Susan,

While I can't specifically address the "full-timing with cats" or even "rv'ing with cats", I did find these links after using the search feature with the phrase, "rving with cats". Some of them may relate directly to your question, and some may simply provide different insights and perspectives.

http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?aBID=91511&p=3&topicID=29861412

http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?aBID=91511&p=3&topicID=20394605

http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?aBID=91511&p=3&topicID=8046130

http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?aBID=91511&p=3&topicID=14680218

http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?aBID=91511&p=3&topicID=31703016

I didn't read through all of the threads. There were other links that mentioned "cats" that didn't really seem to relate too much other than the mention of them.

Welcome to the RV Dreams forums, and to the end of your "Lurker" status. However, there is no negatives attached to lurkers. It is all a continuing saga of learning. Once one becomes comfortable by reading posts that no one seems to be bashing others, it isn't hard to become active with the forums.

You will find a lot of knowledgeable folks here that are posting questions and comments. Obviously, we encourage you to make your comments as well as ask the pertinent questions. Maybe we'll learn something from you.

In addition to the forum posts, you can also glean through user profiles and blogs to find those with interests that you may also have an interest with.

Good luck.

Terry

Travel Bug · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thank you, Terry. You had some posts I hadn't read yet.

Looks like traveling with cats can be accomplished without too much trauma. I will have to start driving them around without going to the vet.

Susan

2riker2go · RV-Dreams Family Member

Welcome Susan! We are not fulltimers yet, but are on schedule for 3 years out. We also have two cats who will be traveling with us. I plan to do the "drive around the block without going to the vet" thing as well. ;) It will be great to be able to have them along when we are on the road.

janni · RV-Dreams Family Member

Left ours at home the 2 years we snowbirded and now that we are on the road for good we brought her. I do have to say that there is a big difference(for our cat) riding in the mh and riding in the pickup. She always hated riding in the pickup and "cried" for the whole two hour drive when I moved with her. She loves the mh and sneaks in her little hiding place when we move and comes out when we stop. She is outside most everyday and people always stopping by to pet and talk to her. She is a Ragdoll and her personality works very well with this lifestyle.

Rockinmotion · RV-Dreams Community Member

We're pulling our 30' Earthbound TT with a Ford Expedition. We got the largest dog crate (with a divider) that would fit in the back of the SUV. We attached the divider horizontally in the back of the crate, securing it ith carabiners. We put a plush cat bed on top of it. A covered litter box is on the lower level in front of the door, and behind that is a round carpeted "hidey-hole" (plus water dish screwed to the side of he crate).

We load up our 4 cats when we're on the move and they love it! Sometimes they're all riding on top watching where we go, or sometimes facing the trailer. One or two might be hanging downstairs, in or on the "hidey-hole" or in the "restroom" ;).

We can go all day without them complaining, as they have all their needs met and can move around...but usually the motion just rocks them to sleep.

Deb

Tim & Robyn · RV-Dreams Family Member

You will find lots of good information on this forum. These people are great.

I've found that, in general, the younger they are the less they are troubled by travel, so getting them used to it without going to the vet is probably a good idea.

I take care of feral cats in a park nearby. A few years ago there was one who seemed relatively tame, and a friend of mine who used to help had to move to Charlottesville VA because of his job (I live in Columbus GA) wanted to adopt the cat. I had already gotten him neutered and vaccinated.

So we arranged a transfer... He headed down the interstate towards North Carolina, and I headed in the same direction from Columbus, and we met up about halfway for the transfer.

I started out with the cat in a pet carrier on the passenger seat, and he seemed miserable, so I turned him loose in the car. He alternated between perching on top of the carrier or lying on the dashboard, watching the world go by, and was much more relaxed, having a wonderful time doing so.

This isn't to say that all cats will react the same way, but it's worth the around-the-block trips, or even just sitting in the car in the driveway at first to find out.

I have also found from experience that sometimes it's easier to travel with cats when they can't see the world whizzing by (sensory overload?). It has seemed that they traveled better in the car when driving after dark when it was harder to see things whizzing by. That may be why so many on this forum have reported that they seem to do better in the TT/5er than in the tow vehicle... I don't know, just guessing.

Anyway, good luck... after some time I think it will work out...

phyllen · RV-Dreams Family Member

At first we kept our cat in the fifthwheel while traveling. We would find him hiding under the bed and had to pull him out.

So we started putting him the truck. We put his carrier with door open and litter box on the floor in the back, facing each other. He sometimes sleeps in the carrier, sometimes on the back seat which is in the up position and sometimes on my lap. He seems to enjoy watching the scenery go by also.

And he does use the litter box when necessary. No mistaking it! PHEW!!!! Let's pull this rig over and do some cleaning out........

Travel Bug · RV-Dreams Family Member

Good information. I'm sitting here at my computer chuckling regarding the "Let's pull this rig over and do some cleaning out" comment.

-- Edited by Travel Bug on Tuesday 4th of January 2011 11:14:32 PM

-- Edited by Travel Bug on Tuesday 4th of January 2011 11:15:05 PM