Cats and RVing

[ITResC@gmx.com]

I have struggled with this question for sometime.

I have two small dogs and two cats at home. I have seen many cats in RVs of many sizes while traveling. How do people get a cat initiated to a rig, and how do you live with them in a rig? What about litter boxes, how do you exercise them, how do you deal with them when they run and hide when the motor starts? I have been able to entice one of my two cats to come into the motorhome while parked in front of the house, but she doesn't stay very long. I have many questions about taking them with me on the road. Perhaps, some of the experienced pet owners can shed some light on the how to's of cats in the RV lifestyle.

[tmoning]

Cathe:

Here are some articles on FMCA.com's Motorhoming with Pets pages that might help:

• My tips for traveling with cats
• Canyon the cat can travel
• Zandr and Kazmr: contented cats
• On the road with Rusty

[berginaperzina]

We have been traveling with our cat for many years now and he loves it! At this time we have an 8 year old Siamese and he loves it! Before him we have traveled with 2 other cats and they liked it also.

We put kitty in a cat carrier that is on a stroller, we bought it online at a cat site. The carrier is heavy cloth in the back with a window and the front half is mesh for a view, it attaches to a base that has 4 wheels. We put him in the carrier in between us and use a bunji cord to secure the carrier on both sides, when we first take off he comments a bunch for the first 10 miles or so and then he curls up, and sleeps. At the campsite he has the run of the motorhome (he is an indoor kitty) he loves to sleep in one of the cabinets where the blankets are and he loves to sit in the big window up front and watch chipmunks and fun stuff. The litter box is not a problem we keep it in a corner by the shower and we just make sure to clean it several time a day, a couple of times a day we take him for a walk through the campsite in his stroller and people laugh - it is a great way to meet people and pass the time chatting. Often when we are sitting around at the campsite we will bring him out in his carrier to sit with us and enjoy the birds or chipmunks.

Cats are great in motorhomes because they are fun, good company, sleep allot and are self entertaining, we can not imagine travelling without kitty.

[F223975D]

I have struggled with this question for sometime.

I have two small dogs and two cats at home. I have seen many cats in RVs of many sizes while traveling. How do people get a cat initiated to a rig, and how do you live with them in a rig? What about litter boxes, how do you exercise them, how do you deal with them when they run and hide when the motor starts? I have been able to entice one of my two cats to come into the motorhome while parked in front of the house, but she doesn't stay very long. I have many questions about taking them with me on the road. Perhaps, some of the experienced pet owners can shed some light on the how to's of cats in the RV lifestyle.

Our cat, Chessie, has traveled with us since 2004. We tried to acclimate her to her new surroundings while we were parked at home. We put her box and some food and water in the coach then went out with her for a few hours while we packed and organized. We also try to do this before the first trip of each season. She stays in a collapsible canvas dog crate while we are moving. It is large enough for her to sit up and turn around in. It doubles as her bed when we are parked. My concern is that in an accident, cats tend to hide and you may not be able to retrieve them quickly if you have to leave the coach. We let her out of the carrier at rest stops for a treat and she know to use her box then too. She willingly goes right back into the carrier when we set off again. Once parked at a camp site she really enjoys sleeping in the front window so we have a padded dash cover to protect the dash area We always bring a fresh catnip mouse for her to play with. She also likes to run from one end of the coach to the other. I always carry her vaccination papers with us in the pocket of her cat carrier since you never know when a campground will ask for them. Taking a carrier is also a good idea if you ever need to seek veterinary care or have to have the coach towed. We never intentionally let her out of the coach. However, she has accidentally escaped twice while we were camped. She ran up the tire once. The other time she ran under the coach. Both times she was scared to death. For this reason we always try to confine her to her carrier if we exit the coach at rest areas. We keep a large covered litter box for her so the mess stays in the box. That has never been a problem. I hope that answers some of your questions. I think Chessie is just happy to be wherever we are.

[Stan4d]

We've traveled with a pair of cats for over 10 years, and wouldn't be without them. One passed away a couple of months ago, so we've just adopted an additional pair of kittens, and are just starting the process of getting them familiar with our RVs.

Litterbox hint: We prefer to keep the litterbox in the rig's shower, and hold the door open with a short length of swimming "noodle" and a bungee cord. Before you do this, consider your pet's preferred litter!

Clay-based litter is NOT a good thing for your gray tank. We use a brand that's made strictly from corn, so when the inevitable odd bits of litter get washed down the shower drain, it doesn't cause any problems. We've found the "World's Best" brand nationwide at pet and feed stores, but there undoubtedly are competitors. The corn product does very well at odor control, "clumping," and other functions you want in a litter. When we brought our new kittens home, we set out a litterbox with corn litter, and covered half of it with the litter the breeder had used. Both kittens ignored the litter they'd used all their lives, and used the corn litter. So in our experience, kitty acceptance is also not a problem.

[pappabull]

We fulltime with 2 cats and 1 yorkie. One cat is 15 years the other cat is a newbie at only 2 years and he has never lived anywhere else. We have had as many as 5 cats and until recently 2 yorkies. We have tried many types of litter boxes and the best by far is one made by "clever cat"-- excellent at controlling litter. Of course we vacuum often, every day or two or three. We rescue all of our kids so most are older when they move in with us and they all live very long lives so I do not feel the RV lifestyle bothers them a bit. I do recommend keeping all vet records current and close at hand and I also keep 3 or pet carries stored in the basement in case the M/H breaks down. Several I have talked to find it harder to travel with a spouse than a pet.

[deenad]

We have seven cats, all of which we take with us. Each has their own place to lay or hide when in motion. One likes the back of the couch, two like under the chair, another likes back in a cubbyhole by the bed, one likes on the floor between us, and once in a while one will want up in my wife's lap. (Wife is deceased as of Aug. 21st, 2016) Once we stop they show up, although one starts "yelling" at me to get the kitty Kondo's out so she can go out.

The oldest is 16 and the youngest is less than a year but we haven't taken him out to the MH.

Deen

F47302S

[missbrandie]

We have just started traveling in an RV. My cats are my kids so they have to be with us. At first they didn't like it. They were afraid and would hide or try to escape. Now they still tend to hide when we are in motion, but when we are parked they are at home and happy. My Brady likes to sleep in the over head compartment in the cab where we keep our DVR and blue ray. Brandie has her corner of the sofa. They love to sit on the back of the sofa and look out at the neighbors at the park or watch birds and squirrels. I keep the litter box cleaned out daily to keep down odors, but the tracking is an on going problem as it is in our house. Part of being a cat parent. I just keep a small hand vac with us and sweep daily. Our cats run our RV.....

[nitehawk]

We rescued Rocket from a shelter when he was about six months old. He is now 11. We knew we were going to be camping a lot and he would have to go with us so a harness and leash were essential. Training started with him wearing the harness whenever he was allowed out in the back yard (6' high fencing) with one of us present near him. After awhile we put a leash on him. The secret to leash training is to initially let him wander and then after awhile gently "guide" him in the direction you want him to go. Steady pulling brings out the bullhead in him and he put on the brakes. Now a gentle tug and then slack lets him know that it is time to move along.

Litter box is under the table and gets cleaned after his daily "chore". He is pretty consistent with his schedule so cleaning is not an issue. Traveling he lies on the floor between us. Whenever we stop for ANY length of time he wants to get out and smell the flowers. Even for a long traffic stop!! If he gets out here at home he will go and lie next to the coach steps, just so we don't forget him!!

[C-677946]

We take along two cats when we go camping. They don't like it one bit when the engine starts. They run and hide. But they come out in 15 or 20 minutes and start wandering around. They both love to lounge in the sun while going down the road. Also like to look out the window at everything going by. The oldest, BJ, wants to help me drive. Think he knows that I am controling what is happening.

As to the litterbox, there was a cabinet under the fridge. I checked it out to make sure there was nothing in there that could hurt them and it looked idea for the litter box. Took the door off the cabinet, and put up a curtain rod and curtain. Litter box is in there. The cats have no problem going in that cabinet to their litter box. We change the litter every day, sometimes twice a day.

My biggest problem is their water. They both like to play in it and splash it on the floor. Have hardwood floors.

Both the cats are house cats. The oldest was out once that we know of. When the door is opened they run the other way, which is good in the motorhome. They seem to be very happy looking outside and staying inside.

[jjpegm@gmail.com]

We travel with three cats. They are all happy where ever we happen to be. However, they do not enjoy the coach when it is moving. They all three lie huddled together behind the couch until the motor stops. What is strange is that they recognize when we arrive at a campground because they are quick to come out. Should we stop at a rest area for lunch or to stretch our legs they stay in their hiding spots. We still haven't figured out how they know the difference. They are the major reason we travel by RV. We just couldn't bear to leave them behind on long treks across the country.

[worob40]

We travel with 4 cats, 2 dogs and a cockatiel. One cats is not a good traveler and stays hide most of the time. The others have full range of the motorhome. From dash to bedroom. I sometimes have a dog and cat in my lap at the same time. Only our tomcat wants out when we stop. We can leave the door open and the others are content to look out but hides if a stranger comes into sight. We have a 36ft Monaco and it is our 4th coach. Have always taken our pets and have never had a serious problem.

[Mritter]

Thanks, everyone. I need to read all of this. My cat and I are new at this.

[deenad]

Guess I should publish one picture of three of our seven cats.

As you can see they are not afraid of traveling. This was on I-5 coming back from Seven Feathers Casino in OR.

[huffypuff]

Deen, I can see my cats with claws trying to grab the wipers to hang on for dear life.

[DenAndDeb]

We travel with our 18 year old Calico. She sleeps on our bed 90 percent of the time. She doesn't even move when we are opening or closing the slides. I think she likes the bed because of the hum of the motor in the bedroom. I was able to fit a small litter box in the bathroom sink cabinet. I made a contraption using a long hook and a toilet paper cardboard roll. It keeps the cabinet door propped open about 4 inches. I clean the box once a day, keep air fresheners in the cabinet and use a dustpan & brush several times a day to keep the tracked litter cleaned up. The hardest thing is keeping the cat's food out of reach of the dog. I keep it on top of the stove when we are traveling and on the dashboard when parked.

[deenad]

Deen, I can see my cats with claws trying to grab the wipers to hang on for dear life.

One of our cats (now over the rainbow) liked to sit on the dash and watch in the mirror which completely blocked my view. I finally bought longer arms and installed them to cure the problem.

[ClayL]

Nicki, our last cat was with us for ten years and passed on suddenly two years ago – brain aneurism the vet thought. Since we were full timers she spent her entire life in the motor home. She was very smart and inventive and pretty good at figuring out how to get out of the motor home, so we had to come up with ways to thwart her. Although she did her best to get out sometimes, she didn’t really like being out and would just go under the rig until we coaxed her out.

The two new cats we have now have shown no interest in getting out so we had taken the dowels out of the sliding screen tracks to prevent the screens from being opened and removed the small bungee cord that kept the slider on the screen door from being opened.

The other morning when we got up the cats were gone. Lee found that one of the bedroom screens had been opened by one of them. It was about a six foot drop to the ground but that didn’t stop them.

There are coyotes that come right into the RV park so we were very worried about them. It was pretty traumatic for us but thankfully they had climbed up into the chassis and hid out for the night.

Looks like we have to reinstall our safeguards.

[NorthernDriver]

12 y.o. first timer, we use http://headtotaildaily.com/product/calming-cat/ . She has chewed the fur off her tummy. After 3 wks she would come out to visit when the bus was moving.

[BearAndMoon]

Guess I should publish one picture of three of our seven cats.

As you can see they are not afraid of traveling. This was on I-5 coming back from Seven Feathers Casino in OR.

We also have seven cats (and a mini Dachshund) in our 39 foot Dutch Star. We removed the Splendide' washer/dryer combo, built an enclosed cat box room and vented it out through the dryer vent with a 36 cubic feet per minute computer fan. We clean it three times a day.

All of the cats have adjusted to living in the coach, Pogo (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pogo-Mau/758400314204858?ref=hl) insists on going out though, so we bought a Kitty Holster, to take him on walks. He took to it so well that now he has four of them! His sister Stella uses one of his when she gets the urge to go munch some fresh grass.

[obedb]

Brad,

Thank you for a great idea on removing the washer/dryer combo. We are the second owners of a 40ft Phaeton. We were out almost three months on our first trip in it last fall. Did not use it once. When I dewinterize the unit soon, I hope to do the same thing.

Any advice you offer on the removal would be appreciated and what brand of fan do you use?

What type of door or covering would also be helpful. I guess that I could wing it, but there is no substitute for experience.

Thanks!

Byron

[BennieH]

Our cats have traveled with us ever since we got our first RV. All have done very well and ours were all house cats that had no interest in the outdoors. When we first get them, we get them used to the 2nd home by taking them out there for variable times. The first trip then goes quite well.

On our "C's" we would use one of the under dinette storage areas for the litter box and put a order absorber in there with it as well. We would also use the curtain across the opening as others have. The litter gets cleaned daily and we never had any problems.

Still working on what our final idea will be with the "A".

Our current cat needs medication twice daily, so it is a must that she travel with us.

Dogs and cats, funny how they become important members of the family, ain't it?

[obedb]

We had dogs for over forty years and as the last two were getting near the end, I told my wife that our next dogs were going to be cats. We started with a neutered male that was approaching two years old. He is the classic brown tabby with the orange nose. A copy of the one that appears on many cat products labels. We love him and he has been to Colorado from PA twice. We adopted an older female all black domestic long hair in December. She hasn't traveled with us yet, but the adventurous character she is will hopefully make her fit right in. We would never board them. Yes! They ARE family.

Brad's idea on removing the washer to create space for the litter box is definitely a good one for us. Two cats living on Fancy Feast dry food will put additional pressure on the "restroom facilities." Byron

[obedb]

Oh by the way, not to get you dog owners ticked off because we had dogs before we bought our new Georgie Boy II in 1988, but!!! When it is raining and chilly in Colorado on a fall night, it nice to not have to do that last dog walk before slumber.

[jdwright]

Not many recent cat RV post. We bought our first motorhome in 1972 and are on number 6 now.

We have traveled with dogs [anywhere from one to three at a time] over the years. My wife hated cats, but following the death our oldest son in December 2012, God sent us cats to help comfort us. Since then we have been traveling with two cats and two dogs and made several trips of a month or longer.

Both of the dogs do quite well. Both of the cats do well when we reach our destination. The other does not like the starting or traveling part of the trip and when the engine starts, he heads under the couch where he stays until we stop for the night. This cat either has a 6th sense or can understand what we are saying because when we start talking about leaving, he disappears under the couch. The other cat sits on the dash, or in either my wife or my lap and naps.

We tried teaching them to walk on leashes, but that didn't work too well. While we are in a park, they know that they are in their alternative home and enjoy it. The dogs and cats get along well and when we take the dogs out for a walk, we give them a treat when we return. It didn't take but one or two of those for the cats to gather with their hands out for a treat when the dogs return.

The cats have been a joy to my wife and I, and I would have never believed that she would have taken to cats since she always hated them. We have found out with two cats, you don't need TV because the cats will keep you entertained. Would not think about leaving either the cats or dogs at home when we travel.

JDW

F78957

Member since 1986