Tomorrow morning we will be going on holiday for two nights, three days. We will be taking Albus with us. The location is aprox 40-50mins away from where we live. We have never had Albus in his carrier in the car with us for longer than 10mins and since he has lived with us he has only been inside our home and at the vet for visits (and that sad time when he spent a couple of nights at the vet hospital).
Any advice on travelling with him for 40-50mins and on bringing him to a new home (it's a batch next to the beach and we have the run of it so no new people will be there, the doors will be closed just like at home etc)?
Thank you
Start taking him on more frequent car trips to get him prepared. Just go out and drive around the neighborhood and come home, make it pleasant and give him a treat. Spray your car and his carrier with a pheromone treatment like feliway.
Otherwise just be prepared for him to possibly meow the entire time in the carrier, but don't worry too much because he will survive the whole ordeal
Another option is to hire a kitty sitter and leave him home.
(01-25-2010 11:05 PM)Solo Wrote: [ -> ]Start taking him on more frequent car trips to get him prepared. Just go out and drive around the neighborhood and come home, make it pleasant and give him a treat. Spray your car and his carrier with a pheromone treatment like feliway.
Otherwise just be prepared for him to possibly meow the entire time in the carrier, but don't worry too much because he will survive the whole ordeal
Another option is to hire a kitty sitter and leave him home.
Thank you. The beach is going to be secluded- is it a good or bad idea to let him walk on the beach with his leash?
Do you have any Feliway you can spray in the carrier -- they say that helps. Otherwise, be sure that the carrier faces forward (I read somewhere they can get carsick if the carrier is sideways - don't know if it's true or not, but I'm not willing to try it so all mine ride forward going to the vets), try to tire him out playing and give him some canned food (if you feed canned - more filling for them and you k now how you always want a nap after eating?) before you leave and maybe he'll sleep most of the way. Also, I put foam rubber under the blanket in their carrier so they don't slide around in it.
Just some random thoughts.... good luck -- will you have Internet, or are you leaving us for 2-3 days too????
I'd say if you plan to travel some in the future and want to take him, then start taking him now to see how it goes and getting him used to it.
If you use the leash on the beach - don't forget the camera!!!!!
(01-25-2010 11:10 PM)TeresaK Wrote: [ -> ]Do you have any Feliway you can spray in the carrier -- they say that helps. Otherwise, be sure that the carrier faces forward (I read somewhere they can get carsick if the carrier is sideways - don't know if it's true or not, but I'm not willing to try it so all mine ride forward going to the vets), try to tire him out playing and give him some canned food (if you feed canned - more filling for them and you k now how you always want a nap after eating?) before you leave and maybe he'll sleep most of the way. Also, I put foam rubber under the blanket in their carrier so they don't slide around in it.
Just some random thoughts.... good luck -- will you have Internet, or are you leaving us for 2-3 days too????
I'd say if you plan to travel some in the future and want to take him, then start taking him now to see how it goes and getting him used to it.
If you use the leash on the beach - don't forget the camera!!!!!
Thank you, we'll pick up some Feliway in the morn, good advice on the carrier, thanks! We will take the laptop but I may be distracted by the beach!
Oh and half the reason I would like to take him on the leash is the amazing pics lol. If this happens there will be a post of pics lol. We get back Friday morning and will be getting Fawkes on Saturday so this is all very exciting!
has Albus ever been outside? Some cats, once they get a taste of the outdoors (even on a leash), then spend the rest of their lives trying to get back outside every time the door is opened, making it more likely that they'll get out and get lost. Some don't, but some do, and I don't know whether there's a way to know beforehand which category a cat will fall into... so at least consider the pros and cons before you bring him outside if he hasn't been outside before (if he has, then nevermind).
Wow, Albus has quite the life.. I'm jealous!
I used a calming spray when I first moved into my apartment, I wanted the Feliway but it was so expensive I decided to try a generic short term. I can't say enough about using the pheromones, the territorial issues we were having settled down within a few days.
Good luck with the drive, you are having quite a big week! Lucky Albus and Fawkes!
I agree with everything Teresa said.....play with him prior to the car trip...make him sleepy hehe...also the hot weather they seem more relaxed and sleepy, that might help. I think he will be fine
If you have walked him outside before I think you should walk him at the beach..what an amazing sight and experience for Albus! all the other kitties here will be jealous!....Have a great holiday you guys...and look forward to Saturday for Fawkes's home comming!
I've lost the reply I just posted. Yay for Albus. I can't let Menou and Bubba see the beach pictures since they will be so envious.
I hope this doesn't show up twice.
Our boys love to travel but have always taken them out in their carrier at least once a week. We keep their carrier in our home for them to rest in or whatever they do and when it comes time all we have to do is set it in the kitchen by the door and they know. Now we have to have two if we take both together.
Have fun.