Comments on: How to Pet a Cat: 4 Tips http://www.petswelcome.com/articles/how-to-pet-a-cat-4-tips.html Pet Travel Articles Mon, 06 May 2013 15:14:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Kathy http://www.petswelcome.com/articles/how-to-pet-a-cat-4-tips.html/comment-page-1#comment-1488 Kathy Thu, 08 Apr 2010 16:05:25 +0000 http://www.petswelcome.com/articles/?p=2709#comment-1488 I almost did a road trip with my cats but felt they'd not do well. If your cat is like one of mine - I'd suggest getting a small dog crate or decent sized carrier for the trip and setting up a small litter box in one area and then instead of a bed or towels, use some of your old shirts or sweatshirt as a bed. One of my cats gets so nervous with trips in a car that he likes to hide. I found he feels better if he can hide inside or under a shirt of mine rather than under a blanket. I suggest old shirts in case she vomits on them. Then it won't be a big deal and you won't mind tossing them out in the garbage. Keep the music low in the car, keep the noise down - windows closed - and try to make the trip not seem scary. Avoid fast turns or anything that may jostle car. This may not always be possible but give it your best. Imagine what it might be like from her perspective - sounds, smells, visuals of things flying by, and gravity pushing her about in the car. It can be rather disorienting. If she does eat, keep the meals small and give her some time to digest. When you do stop, keep the window cracked for her - but dn't let run around freely in the car. She might hide under something or run out in fear when you open the door to get back in. You might want to try "test trips" like small drives around Boston before the big road trip to get her used to it and show her that after the car, she's safe in a home again with you. It's important to let her know that you're not abandoning her. Good luck! I almost did a road trip with my cats but felt they’d not do well. If your cat is like one of mine – I’d suggest getting a small dog crate or decent sized carrier for the trip and setting up a small litter box in one area and then instead of a bed or towels, use some of your old shirts or sweatshirt as a bed. One of my cats gets so nervous with trips in a car that he likes to hide. I found he feels better if he can hide inside or under a shirt of mine rather than under a blanket. I suggest old shirts in case she vomits on them. Then it won’t be a big deal and you won’t mind tossing them out in the garbage.

Keep the music low in the car, keep the noise down – windows closed – and try to make the trip not seem scary. Avoid fast turns or anything that may jostle car. This may not always be possible but give it your best. Imagine what it might be like from her perspective – sounds, smells, visuals of things flying by, and gravity pushing her about in the car. It can be rather disorienting.

If she does eat, keep the meals small and give her some time to digest. When you do stop, keep the window cracked for her – but dn’t let run around freely in the car. She might hide under something or run out in fear when you open the door to get back in.

You might want to try “test trips” like small drives around Boston before the big road trip to get her used to it and show her that after the car, she’s safe in a home again with you. It’s important to let her know that you’re not abandoning her. Good luck!

]]> By: mark gillis http://www.petswelcome.com/articles/how-to-pet-a-cat-4-tips.html/comment-page-1#comment-1482 mark gillis Thu, 08 Apr 2010 00:37:18 +0000 http://www.petswelcome.com/articles/?p=2709#comment-1482 i am traveling from florida to boston with my cat,and she really gets frightened easily.any suggestion. i am going to stop every 8 hrs,but i think she will be too scared to even eat. i am traveling from florida to boston with my cat,and she really gets frightened easily.any suggestion. i am going to stop every 8 hrs,but i think she will be too scared to even eat.

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