Traveling with beloved Cats

I moved relatively recently. Amongst loads of other things, we were taking our 16-year old (he was 15-years old at the time) with us. For quite some time, I was quite concerned about how he would fair a 1200 mile trip that stretched over two days time.

In the end, two very important tips helped the little kitty-cat travel better:

1. Getting the cat accustomed to the cat carrier a week or two before the actual trip -

I purchased a carrier just large enough (for him to stretch out comfortably and to turn around as he pleased) a week or two before our trip. I put a little towel in the bottom of the carrier and spread cat-nip here and there on the towel. I left the front door open, so that he could check the cat carrier as he pleased.

2. Getting the cat to take the partial tranquilizer -

In the past, every attempt suggested by the VETs have failed, including tossing the partial tranquilizer (that I purchased from the VET) to the back of his throat. Not only did that seem cruel, but he managed to foam all of the medicine back up, out of his mouth.

This time around, I stopped feeding him around six or seven in the evening, the night before our travel. Then, I had my husband crush the recommended amount of the partial tranquilizer into powder form. Then, I mixed it with his favorite wet tuna treats and let it sit overnight. By morning, he was extremely hungry and any hints of the medicine were quite hint, and he ate all the tuna I gave him.


The partial tranquilizer worked very soon after he had consumed the food. And, I believe the traveling, in the end, was less traumatic for him. We put the cat carrier between the two of us, in the front of the moving van. Throughout the journey, I comforted him and spoke to him. When we stopped to get gas, I would open the top (I bought a cat carrier that opens in the front and on top) and pet him. And once, I put him on the make-shift litter box to see if he needed to go. He didn't go. The second day of our journey, he refused to eat anything, until we reached our final destination. But, he traveled just as well, despite the fact that he had taken no medicine.

Hope this helps for any of you cat-lovers, who need to take your cats on a long haul.