Have you ever moved with cats?

[Stacey Jewell Stahl]

In about a month Alannah and I will be driving 1000 miles to our new home . . . with 2 cats in our SUV. I've made this drive before and here's how I usually do it: PC and monitor, suitcase (with one week of clothes), camera case, duffel bag with personal care items, and cooler in the back or on the seat next to me. Box of activities in the back seat for Alannah. Scrapbook albums behind my seat and stuffed in the back.

Now I need to add: two cat carriers and a litter box. I have about a dozen albums and I have never put them on the moving truck because it get so hot. This seems to be the only non-essential thing, but I'm concerned about my photos melting.

What would you do?

[SparkysGirl]

You're brave! Is your concern "space" for everything? Because it sounds reasonable to me to carry my albums versus putting them on a moving truck. In addition to the litter box, here are a few other items:
(1) Paper towels (there's bound to be a mess along the way)
(2) Water and food dish
(3) Cat food
(4) Water
(5) Line the bottom of the carriers with a towel

** You might want to consult a vet about antinausea meds for the cats**

Do the cats get along with each other? If yes, it might be more comfortable for them to be in a mid-size dog carrier together. Maybe they will be able to comfort one another.

Good luck! I hope your trip is safe and stress free!

[Stacey Jewell Stahl]

Space is exactly the issue. I have two cat carriers, one is larger than the other - but I'm not sure if they'd both fit in there okay. The cats are brother and sister and get along great. Thanks for the tip on the paper towels and supplies!

[Debb Cozzi]

When we drive up to Tahoe each summer we always bring Millie (our dog) and Cinnamon & Timbo (our cats.) I keep them both in one carrier. It saves on space and because the cats get along they end up being a comfort to each other. Millie and Cinnamon LOVE to be in the car. Timbo gets completely stressed. Inevitably about 20 minutes into the 10 hour drive he will quit his yowling, use the litter box and then curl up in a tight little ball in the back of the carrier. Cinnamon will tuck himself around Timbo and they mostly just sleep. We end up keeping the door to the carrier propped open a bit so that Millie can poke her nose in and give the cats her special "Millie love" every once in a while. We are just careful to make sure that everybody is locked up tight when we make any stops and before any doors ever get opened.

This year if we end up going up to Tahoe I'll have Tramp too.....what a traveling menagerie!!

Be safe sweetheart; my prayers for safe travel will go before you!

Oh....I would definitely take the albums with you-heat is so destructive to any kinds of adhesives even if they are archival and it can also discolor printed pages if you have them slipped into plastic sleeves.

[Stacey Jewell Stahl]

Well, I can certainly put both KC and Charlie in the same carrier. They sleep most of the day anyway.

Regarding the photo albums, I had an A-HA moment: Michael will take them in the front seat of the moving truck. He'll have the AC on and can bring them in the hotel with him if it's a hot night.

Thanks for the ideas!

[HeideC]

I have no advice on traveling with cats but I would definitely ask my vet for some travel meds in the event that they might get car sick. Was in a vehicle when that happened to a friend and it was not a pleasant experience.

I hope your travels are full of fun and new experiences. Which direction are you going?

Hugs
Heide