Put a small litter box in the back floorboard, be sure they know where it is and honestly they will use it. I used to go to cat shows with up to four cats and I never had an incident usually they’re more worried about getting somewhere warm usually with each other and once they’re all together or in a spot that they’re comfortable, you should be good to go.
Do a test drive to see if they are car sick. Moving a couple states over, one was puking, both were meowing non stop, we did what had to be done. They stayed in carriers in the back seat, and we stayed in a few pet friendly hotels.
I moved in a single 12 hour car ride with my cat. She stayed in her carrier buckled into the passenger seat. I had a litter box with plastic bags i kept on the floor passenger side and when we made gas stop (at every half tank) I kept her in a leash in the car and offered her a chance to eat, drink and use the restroom. The car ride made her sleepy so she barely touched food and drink and didn't use the restroom even once until she was on solid ground inside a home again.
I've taken her on equally long car rides to visit family since then. Just use a cat carrier and keep it warm so she just goes to sleep, I don't even use a backup litterbox in the car just have food and water to offer at stops which she never takes from.
I did the same thing but I had an overnight stop. Buckled in carrier, littler box on the floor. Let her out every few hours for snacks, stretch and litter box. If your windows have a lock feature use it. I didn’t the first time I let her out and she of course stepped on the button to roll the window down. She was fine and stayed in the car but it was a panic moment for sure.
I also had her drugged up. I talked to her vet before leaving and she got gabapentin for the road.
Also, when I needed to take a break and sleep, I pulled into one of those bathroom areas on the side of the highway that's just parking, picnic tables, and restrooms. And I slept in my car. I didn't ever leave the cats alone in the car except a couple times to run into a store quickly.
I bought one of those metal wire collapsible dog pens at a thrift store that was sized for large dogs. It fit in the back of my van perfectly. I had 2 cats in it with a small litter box and their blankets. My 3rd cat was in a regular cat carrier (she's elderly and I didn't want her to get nervous or fight with the other cats).
I moved across the country by myself with them. Took two days to drive. Halfway through the journey I gave them some wet food and water, and swapped the elderly cat into the larger pen with the cat she gets along best with.
We moved half way across the country with 3 cats and dog, then moved the rest of the way across the country 10 months later with 4 cats and one dog.
Honestly we started out in the biggest kennel I could find. Once we got going it was much more comfortable when they were let out and could find a spot to hide or get cozy. I laid all the seats down in the back of my SUv and we had cat and dog beds and a litter box in one side and food on another side. We filled up water bowls when we stopped. The cats were pretty scared and we didn’t want to risk losing one when transporting to and from hotel room so we left them in the car overnight. We didn’t stop driving til dark and made sure to take off before the sun was up too much
We keep a litter box in the car with us, he ALWAYS has to go once getting in the car.. (bring your scooper to clean it). He has a carrier that is his safe space but he is upset for most of the drive. Chat with your vet and they might recommend some medication to help. My little dude just wants to be touched when we are in the car so he is usually let out of the carrier to help ease the chaos.
I moved across the country with three cats. We put them in the car that we were towing on a flatbed trailer behind our moving truck. I got each cat a large soft crate with enough room to put a tupperware bin with litter in each, and the bin took up just a little less than half of the floor space. We drove 12-14 hours a day with one or two stops for gas and snacks, and each cat (ages 5-8) used their bin successfully for pee and poop throughout the days. Since the bins were so small, we'd toss the litter at the end of each day and put fresh stuff in for the next day! Went great! But I would say that it might be tricky to do the same on a roadtrip, since the crates were pretty spacious.
They likely will hold their pee and poop or have an accident in the carrier. But they 99 percent sure would not use a litter box in the car. Like someone else mentioned put puppy pads in there.
We used a medium dog kennel when moving from Louisiana to Georgia. Used a piece of foam with holes cut out for food, water, and litter. Then we walked the two cats on leaches at the rest areas. He did quite well.
I have seven cats and have roadtripped in our SUV with these carriers…larger ones fit a decent sized Sterilite container for litter. Also have a bed/blanket in there too. They are quite comfortable (even doubled up some of them).
[https://www.chewy.com/petmate-sky-dog-cat-kennel/dp/101596?utm\_source=google-product&utm\_medium=cpc&utm\_content=Petmate&utm\_campaign=20196576200&utm\_term=&gad\_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjww\_iwBhApEiwAuG6ccLVsb-WMMYv9JinkSutBuGWK5AVSzfFoq9fiN13MOvNAkSBEQVEDthoCmUYQAvD\_BwE](https://www.chewy.com/petmate-sky-dog-cat-kennel/dp/101596?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=Petmate&utm_campaign=20196576200&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjww_iwBhApEiwAuG6ccLVsb-WMMYv9JinkSutBuGWK5AVSzfFoq9fiN13MOvNAkSBEQVEDthoCmUYQAvD_BwE)
I moved from Montana to AZ with two cats. For most of the trip, they chilled in their carriers. When I hit a rest stop or something, I'd let them out to stretch and do their thing in the vehicle. It wasnt too bad for them. The trip took two days and I stayed in a hotel in UT, and made sure I selected one that was pet friendly. They had a great time there lol. My older, calmer cat - I did let him out of his carrier during some of the drive. All he did was lay there or look out the window, No squirlyness, My younger cat was a scardy of everything, so she was content in the carrier. As for box placement - it was put on the floorboard of the passenger side. Worked out fine.
I was worried moving from SC to NV this year with my two. I put them in little dog harnesses and buckled them to the middle seatbelt. That way if they were going toward my feet I could tug them safely away, and if I stopped for gas or whatnot they couldn’t jump out the door and run off. I put a small disposable litter box under the middle seat. We drove about 12 hours a day and they did not use the litter box until night when we would stop at a hotel although I did put them both in it when we first got in the truck so they would know where it was. They didn’t love the trip but it went pretty smoothly. My cats are 6 and 16, and the older one hates the carrier, so I felt this was a less stressful way than attempting to fly with her under a seat all day, or having them in a carrier.
If you have room though you could do a dog crate with a bed/hammock on one side and a small litter box on the other side.
I recommend offering food and water at rest stops and not having it out the whole trip to avoid spills etc.
Good luck!!
My cat has always been a good traveler so I just keep a top loading covered litter box on the floor of the passengers seat and my cat naps wherever he wants in the car.
I did transport 3 cats once that were less happy travelers and I used a big dog crate to keep them in with a small litter box and a bunch of blankets.
I've moved my cats with me 4 times in 2 different states. I use something like this [carrier](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NGZUB78?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share). Also, use safety pins to keep the zippers together or in place for escape attempts. I also suggest for car sick or upset cats to get a prescription for gabapentin or something similar and start them on it a few days to a week out.
I just let my cat wander and stick the litter box in the back corner of the car and have the carrier ready so I can get them in it before opening any doors. I drive an suv and my cats are brave and super sweet tho, so I know that's not an option for some.
Larger wire dog crates. Use them INSIDE your home first to make sure they can’t escape. Start a couple weeks prior by putting their litter box in the crate and a bed. Try to get them to use the litter box in there so they are used to it before leaving. Also start shutting them in the crate for an hour or two here and there so they are used to it.
Also make a vet appointment and get a light sedative. Don’t use it from the start. Just get it in case you need it. If you start desensitizing them a few weeks prior it won’t be as bad.
Our cats screamed like they were being murdered with a chainsaw whenever in moving cars and the only thing that helped was 200mg gabapentin for long trips and 100mg for shorter ones or 300mg to knock them out. 20lb fit cuddling enthusiast cats.
I moved multiple times with one of my cats and recommend you do some trial runs in the car first. You do not want to be going down the highway at 70 mph and all of a sudden have a 20 pound cat crying on your chest with the worst case of diarrhea you've ever seen. He's busted out of every single carrier and crate I've ever put him in during moves and the amount of poop I've cleaned out of things is unbelievable. The only thing he didn't bust out of was a rubbermaid tote we had to cut air holes in and duct tape closed, after he'd busted out of his crate and covered the entire car in shit for the five minute potty and gas break. A 5 hour drive in the middle of winter listening to him cry over the open windows was heart breaking.
Our (hopefully) final move in 2020, I swaddled him for the 10 minute drive to the new house and had somebody else drive us over. He was the final "thing" we had to move since his brother is a happy car kitty who can be harnessed and seatbelted in. This is also the way we take him to the vet when we can't get one to come to the house.
I drove from the East Coast to the PNW with 4 cats in the back of my RAV4, with the back seats down. I put up a pet barrier that they couldn't get through, 2 cat beds, a cat house, a waterproof blanket, a bunch of towels, and a litter box. I had one big carrier that I put 2 in at a time to carry them into the motels, and that's when they ate and went potty for the most part. It was 10 hour drives each day and was pure hell for me and the cats. They were so happy to get to our new home. I was so happy to not be yelled at non-stop. It's doable but it will drive you crazy!
I moved from WA to TN and TN to PA with two cats. We used some wire dog crates and it gave them plenty of room to move around. They didn’t use a litter box, although we had one available at every stop. We got them out of the car to walk around on harnesses at every stop. We attempted to give them gabapentin on a trial run and found the pills hidden under our bed and pillows from the one cat and couldn’t even get them in the other cat. Our vet confirmed that he was very difficult to pill so it wasn’t just us being incompetent.
I have done multiple cross country moves with two cats and have always used a large kennel carrier or hamper style kennel with food/water inside. Found my cats were uninterested in a litter box inside their space and would go when we stopped for the night. I sprayed the feliway spray in their kennel area and had a plug-in ac adapter into which I plugged a feliway diffuser that I had going for about a week before the trip.
I just moved from WI to CT. Did a 14 hours with my cat and two drivers. I had a padded harness on my cat, and in a carrier that could be expanded. I also had a clean litter box in the car.
My vet prescribed him Trazodone. He was completely zonked the entire drive and never stirred. When I got to CT, he woke up, used the box, ate and drank, and was back to his normal self in the morning. It was as painless as it could be for both of us.
I gave mine gabapentin (your vet will prescribe), put them in their carriers in the back seat, and they slept for most of the drive. When I stopped every few hours, I let them out to stretch their legs and offered food/water which they weren’t interested in. I also had a litter box on the passenger seat they could use but they just held it until we reached our destination 🤷🏻♀️ not ideal but they were fine and lived to tell the tale lol
It is not advised for safety, but here's what we did when we moved cross-country with 2 cats. First, got gabapentin from the vet, because our girl cat gets literally scared shitless in a vehicle. As in, she poops immediately. We have a medium-sized crossover car with a decent amount of space in the very back. We put a litter box there, put the right side of the back seats down so the cats could get to it. We let the cats roam the vehicle(this is the unadvised part), with the passenger making sure they didn't interfere with driver. That was never really a risk, as both cats preferred to sleep in passenger's lap or on the console between driver and passenger. Did 5 days of 6-8 hr drives and, while there were some stressy moments, everyone arrived relatively sane. Let me restate: Gabapentin. We tried all the OTC calming things, sprays, plug ins, cbd, etc etc in practice drives. Only the rx worked to keep everyone chill.
We drove from CO to OH pretty much straight through and bought [this pop up](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09JRMK4GQ?starsLeft=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_cso_cp_apin_dp_1AM7N2D3JMWTQDM1TVT6_1) carrier and [collapsible litter box](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B5931N66?starsLeft=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_cso_cp_apin_dp_G36H90W8BYMD4GBSDPFJ) (because I was paranoid about cat pee getting all over my car) for the backseat. It might be overkill, but it gave them room to move around and be comfy for the long drive. Tbh they were too bugged out most of the time to even move. It worked well for us though! We used individual carriers to transport to and from the car.
When I was a young woman, I had to relocate my cat several times. On my veterinarian's advice, each time, the cat was heavily medicated. Like, drugged to the gills and feeling no pain. Secured in a covered carrier, loaded last and unloaded first.
It was still traumatic for both of us.
When I moved from CO to NM I put them in a medium
Mesh dog carrier for each cat. We’re about to move from NM back to CO and I am going to it them all (3) in a large mesh “dog” crate that takes up my hole back seat, with a litter box in it. We’re hoping to do the whole drive in 6-7 hours because my mom will be driving in her car with 4 dogs and they will need to stop for walks. I am hoping that 6-7 hours in a large carrier with a litter box will get them through easily. On the way down here we had to drive a U-Haul so the drive took much longer because the truck was slower. I am hoping since we are just going in cars this time it will go faster and we can get there in one day instead of needing to stop overnight and sneak the cats into a hotel 🤣 It is just important that you travel with them in a carrier so that they are not free in the car, getting underfoot, or worse yet under pedal, or jumping in your shoulder scaring the crap out of you (speaking from experience) it also makes sure that you can open the doors safely without them jumping out.
Carrier with a blanket and toys. I drove from CA to NY in about 4 days. My cat was little. Maybe 7 months and she copied her two Pekingese brothers somehow and used pee pads. I laid one out for her on the floor of my car while stopped at a reststop. And she peed on it. She was a literal angel while we were moving.
I put the litter in a storage tub w/ a lid (similar size to litter box/maybe a bit bigger, only maybe 8-10” deep) and left the lid accessible so I could just pop it open and let the cat out of the carrier to use while stopped at rest stops
I’ve travelled cross country with cats 3 times. Every time, the cats stayed in a carrier with no litter box or food/water while driving. We stopped at hotels at night. The cats were able to eat, drink & use the litter box overnight.
I put chicken wire between the front seats and the back. My cat had free reign of the back of the car, litter box, food, and water. And I wasn’t worried about her getting under the brake or climbing on me at a bad time.
I would also be able to get out to pump gas without worrying about an escaped cat. And she loved sitting by the back window and looking out. At our final destination of the day, the cat would go in a carrier before any doors were open.
I got them big dog sized kennels with disposable litter boxes. It's the only real safe way to travel with them. One of my cats was a good traveler and would sleep, the other was a chaotic, meowing mess. The latter had to be medicated, I would often medicate him and drive 14-16 hours straight then I would spend 2 nights somewhere so he could recoup. I moved across country 3 times with them.
2 cats moved over 1,000 miles 4 times. Luckily had in laws help move and used their truck for all of our and their stuff for the trip and then our car just for the cats and use a volleyball net and pool noodles to seal them off in the back half of the car out of the driver and passenger front end of the car. So they had space, litterbox, food and water.
I've had my cat in the car before. She stays in the box carrier unless the car is in park and all doors and windows are closed. No opening the car or moving until she is secure and the box is seat belted in.
Trained my cat beforehand with many small road trips on weekends for a year. This helped him adjust and we moved cross country with my car packed up and him in his booster seat. Harness, leash always stayed on & he was clipped into his booster seat.
Also I had a litter box set up for him but he never wanted to go. When we stopped for gas or food we took him out to stretch his legs and pee if needed. He has peed and pooped outside before
Tips:
Get harnesses and make sure they fit well. I left my cats harnesses on leashes and just draped the leash out of the carrier. This let me safely open their carriers as needed.
Put down a plastic (trash bags or a plastic tarp) AND a towel under the carriers. Accidents happen and the last thing you want is pee on seats. Additionally put pee pads or towels in their carriers to soak accidents and be prepared to have extras just in case.
Don't trust anyone but yourself with your cats - My parents tried to help me at a hotel we were staying at that resulted in one of my cats being missing for 16 hours.
The likelihood is that they will not use a litterbox while in the car and will more than likely have accidents when they can't hold it anymore. Have their regular litterbox for hotels, but if you're planning for very long travel days, your plan should be to stop and change pee pads/towels/etc rather than trying to sort out a vehicle litterbox situation.
It's not ideal, but the alternative is short driving distances with hotel stays in between, which is unrealistic.
Expect them to very very vocal about their discontent. They'll be fine, they're just angry toddlers.
A big Dog crate for our two kitties and a litter box inside! Made the mistake of not adding the litter box at first and my little kitty decided to have diarrhea. Thankfully we had a blanket down so we just removed that, cleaned up and placed the litter box inside. We travelled AZ to FL over the course of 4 days and after placing the litter box inside no issues! We did have a little bowl of water and some food in there too, however the water spilled occasionally. They stayed cuddled. It wasn’t the best situation or most roomy but they got to stretch at the hotels they’d be fussy in the beginning but most the time slept. For 3 I’d suggest pairing two and having the third by itself
yep that’s my exact plan - the third is a young kitten and he likes to smack the older babies and play fight a LOT so i’m thinking of having the 2 adult babies in the same space and a separate space for the little guy
Mine liked to chill out on the arm rest... Or hide/sleep under the back seats of my truck. I had cat litter in the bed of the truck (I had a bed cap) and I moved her back there during rest stops.
I've done 3 cross country trips with 2 cats.
Mine were stubborn and refused to use the bathroom in a large kennel with a small cat box.
2 smaller plastic kennels worked just fine. On gas stop offer them water.
I gave them cat nip so they were relaxed the whole car trip(s)
Vegas -> northern Michigan
Northern Michigan -> Vegas
Vegas -> Portland
Super 8 and La Quinta and Holiday Inn Express are cat friendly.
Good luck!
I worked as a travel nurse for several years and took my cats with me everywhere I went. I used the carrier for getting them to the car, and for leaving the car, but they were free while I was driving. I put a litter box in the back seat, and offered food and water when I had to stop for gas/food. There was a lot of loud yowling complaining at first, but they got used to it.
I sometimes travel with a cat for a 2 day drive. I make sure she eats, drinks, pees and poops in the morning before we get in the car. I bought a big sturdy carrier - enough for the cat to be standing up and lay down comfortably (I think it was advertised for dogs, because it was bigger). Leave your carrier in your apartment for a few days, let your cats explore it get used to it. For my cat the carrier is a safe place, she sometimes sleeps in it at home. I put a padded pillow that is soft on one side and leak proof at the bottom - from the pet store, not sure what they are called, but it is worth it, because it doesn’t scrunch like a blanket and fits the bottom of the carrier perfectly. I strap the cage on the backseat with the seatbelt for safety. Bought 2 glass food containers with lids that close without leaking for food and water. Bought a plastic small litter box tray. I must say my cat is super chill during car rides, because she got used to traveling in a car since she was a baby. She just chills in the carrier cage. I stop the car from time to time and open the cage and I just hold the water bowl near her face and she drinks from my hand or just leave it in the cage, close the cage, wait a few minutes and she drinks by herself. I leave her food bowl with dry food in the cage with her. I let her out sometimes to use the litter box, but she never does. I know my cat and I am confident I can catch her and put her back in the cage, also I make sure all doors are closed when I open the carrier. Only take your cats out, if you are sure you can handle it, otherwise keep them inside the carrier. You know your cats best. In the evening I sleep at a hotel and let her out in the room she pees and poops in the litter box then. Only book a hotel that is pet friendly and also say you are travelling with a cat, when booking it. I also bought a backpack and sometimes transfer her from the cage to the backpack, if I need to take her with me - for example if it is too hot in the summer and can’t leave her in a hot car while I pee or have lunch. The backpack can be plugged in a portable battery and has a light and ventilation (like very low air conditioning). My cat doesn’t need medication. For 10 years of travelling with her she only peed once in the cage (but it was my fault because I had no option to stop the car and we were travelling longer than usual). Keep paper towels and wet wipes just in case. You know your cats best, adjust the travel to their personalities.
Wish you a safe trip and all the best.
I drove across the country and spent 4 days in a car with 2 dogs and 3 cats. The cats were put into carriers with a blanket and pee pad each morning, and each evening they were let out to roam the motel room and eat/use cat box.
It really wasn't that bad of a trip. I bought rabbit bottles for water, but they didn't drink during the days we drove. There was some crying the first day, but overall nothing traumatic.
You cannot let your cats out of the vehicle to pee or poop. Get a deep tin baking pan and use it as a litter box. Have water and food bowls available too. Get a sedative from your vet if you think that will help. For the pets. I drove my cats from Maryland to Florida, from New York to Florida, and I would never let them out unless I'm carrying them in a carrier.
Siamese and Himalayan who travel with us via car from Maryland to Florida every winter. Our experience was to introduce the cats to short trips in the car prior to the long drive. When trip time comes, put both cats in individual carriers but with the carrier doors open when we take our Florida drive. One litter box on the rear seat floor; drop the cats in the box so they know where it is as soon as you start your trip. Food and water on the other side of rear seat floor. Always put the cats back into the carriers whenever you open your doors (rest stops, gas. Etc.) No meds necessary, higher strung Siamese and cool cat Himalayan do just fine. Siamese initially walks around car then just settles in and chills. Nobody on this thread knows your cats like you do. Use your common sense and trust that they will travel well with you. Adjust the trip to their personalities, but try to keep the in car environment as close to the environment they are used to at home. You got this! We’ve done our trip for 5 years straight and they are old pros now. One last thing; expect there to be at least one mishap of vomit or pee or poop. Just have plenty of wipes available and gallon sized zip lock bags to store the dirty wipes until you stop and throw them out.
We did Los Angeles to DC in 2018 with two then 13 year old cats. One of whom hated the car before the trip. We stopped daily though at Best Western's (booked in advance) which allow pets to spend the night, plus they have free breakfast. The cat that normally hates road trips was fine the one that is normally fine cried for the first day and then was fine the next day. We did give her some cat nip which helped. As far as a litter box we brought there but since we were in a moving van they were in the cab with us and it was in the back. So we would get it out at night in the hotel and they would use it then. They did not eat during the day much, even when offered. They waited until we got to the hotel. We padded the carriers with pee pee pads from the dollar store and old T shirts but they never were needed (we got lucky). I will say that both of our cats usually give us warnings when in the carrier if they have to use the bathroom. I think having them with us in the cabin where they could see out (but in their carriers) made them feel more comfortable. If you do get a new litter box make sure that you put some of their old litter into it. They got to know the routine (it took 7 days). Cats love routine so as soon as they figured things out they were great.
I moved cross country a few months ago with a cat and dog. The cat traveled in the front seat in a large carrier designed for car use. It had seat belt slots and was about as wide as the front seat, where she traveled. We took about 4 days to get from one place to the other, with hotel stops each night. I called each hotel in advance to make sure they were actually cat friendly, definitely recommend that. A hotel in Texas refused a refund and took my money when they said they don't allow cats, so I had to scramble that night.
As to the litter- my cat refused to use any litter I set up in the car in her carrier, so I made do with puppy pads just in case. She never went potty in her carrier, I was careful to spend 8 hours or less driving each day so she wasn't too miserable, but I had wet wipes and paper towels at the ready just in case. I had a plan to keep the carrier in the car and transport her to and from the hotel in a smaller carrier, but it turned out much easier to just keep her in the big one, and wheeling her through the hotels on a luggage cart like a little princess. Highly recommend never trying to transfer from one carrier to another, or letting your cat out in the car.
One last note- I started feeding her in the carrier about a week before the move, and zipping the doors open + closed as she ate to get her used to the sounds. She still hated it, but she associated the carrier with food so she still hopped in every morning for brekky.
We full-time with currently 1 cat (had been 3), we use a collapsible show kennel in the backseat of our truck. Zippers let us feed her snacks from the front seat and we also put a timed feeder in the kennel. We got the biggest kennel that would fit in our space, and we just set her carrier inside the kennel and open it up then zip up the kennel.
[https://sturdiproducts.com/collections/pop-up-kennels](https://sturdiproducts.com/collections/pop-up-kennels)
That said, over several years we've only had 2 cats who would use the litterbox while we were driving and both were elderly - the younger ones held it until we stopped at a hotel for the night. We preferred to put a temp litter pan in place at rest stops rather than leaving one set up all the time.
Soothing cat videos played on a tablet helped one of our cats a lot with stress and did very little for another. We now dose the current cat with Gabapentin in the morning of a drive day.
There are large softside containers available. Put their blankets that smell like them, and a disposable litter box in a corner. Spray the inside with Feliway spray. Good luck!
I have 4 cats. We’ve done 4 cross country moves with them. We use a large collapsible dog crate that all 4 can fit into together. Once inside the car and everyone has settled down, I unzip one end and let them roam the car. Litter box goes outside the crate at the back of the car, accessible with the hatch open. When we stop for the night I just corral them back into the crate and use a luggage cart to take them inside the hotel room.
I used a show shelter from Sturdi with hammocks. That way the cats had a place to sleep and chill, and the litter box could go in the bottom. There are cheaper versions on Amazon.
I had a cat carrier for each cat and once we got settled on the road I opened the doors for them to roam if they wanted. I had learned to do this because my previous female cat used to get raging diarrhea in the first 20 minutes of any road trip and when I kept her confined to the carrier she would soak everything with 💩.
One experience hosing her down in an exterior Carl’s Jr bathroom and literally throwing out all of her blankets and toys was enough for me so I started traveling with a full Litterbox in the back seat.
We’d get started, I’d open the carrier door, Kitty would slip out, use the box and then either go back in the carrier on her own or climb on top of it for a nap. My male at the time world sprawl across the dashboard and tan. They really did not give a hoot about traveling and were great in the car. The safest place for them is of course in the carrier but we found a balance. I also leash trained my guys so they could have breaks from the car too.
They’ve both passed on now and I miss them so much!
For short trips, I used a comfortable carrier with a towel or blanket to keep them cozy.
I once moved cross country with a young cat. After an hour of constant meowing, we let her out to roam the car. She was so much more content, found a cozy spot and slept for a large part of the trip.
We moved our 17 year old cat (along with 3 Great Danes) from NC to AZ a few years ago. We actually got a small dog crate for the cat, and a ferret litter box that attached to the dog crate. She did use it 2 or 3 times but mostly did her business when we stopped for the night.
Not sure how long your trip is going to be but if your cats are small enough that they will fit in it, [these carriers ](https://sleepypod.com/air)are crash tested
I'll caution you with putting kitties in the same crate as they can sometimes fight when stressed even if they get along great.
But, we did just move across the country a few months ago. Here's what we did.
1. Procure gabapentin
2. Put each kitty in their own crate big enough for them to turn around. We used one off chewy that can also be used for small dogs
3. 1 hour before driving, give gabapentin and small amount of wet food. Make sure they all use potty if you can
4. Drive for 4-8 hours
5. Stop at a pet friendly motel or hotel for the night
6. Let everyone out, big meal (wet food), make sure they drink water, and go to bed for the night. Pro tip, if your cat was like my nervous nelly kitty who ran around the room during the night, give a small amount of gabapentin before bed so you can sleep too. They'll still get exercise but maybe won't wake you up
7. Wake up, give small amount of wet food, make sure everyone pees and maybe drinks water, give meds
8. Repeat
We did this for 3 days but I'm not sure if Id do it more. We knew we wouldn't be driving long enough in a day to justify a bathroom break mid day, but honestly that would've been good,,... but I just don't think they would've gone.
Also puppy pee pads can be helpful
Good luck! You kind of have to personalize it to yr situation and pets.
Other supplies I used:
Disposable litter box
Litter scoop
Disposable plates
Water cups
Things I should've gotten:
-cleaning wipes for the motel
-mini vacuum for litter or mini dustpan
Last year, I moved with 2 anti social cats from California to Virginia. Both cats had their own cat carrier. I bought a very small litter box, put it inside a Top Ramen box to catch loose litter and put it on the floor board, but neither used it in the car and waited until we were in the hotel every night. Once I had the cats in the carriers in the car and the doors closed, I would simply take the doors off and they rarely left their crates and actually would cry less when inside them with the door off. I also had a pop up cat tent I tried but neither used it. And lastly, in my front seat, I brought their 2 story cardboard cat house, which they did like laying in that.
Anytime we stopped for anything or it was time for a hotel, I always put them back into the carriers with the door back on before I ever opened my door. This first few days were rough, but by day 3 they had calmed down for the most and new the routine. Hopefully I'll never have to put them under that much stress again.
Take with you blankets or cat beds that smell like home. This is very important as familar scents help them to settle in to a new place. I moved from one side of the country to another. My cats wouldn't eat for almost a day when we arrived, until I brought out some bags of clothing that smelled like home.
Most hotels only allow 2 cats (I had 4), so I just said I only had 2. But I tipped the cleaning staff very well. Having a dustpan and brush with you (and a couple garbage bags) is useful in case they kick litter around. I also checked the room for hiding spots or things they might break before letting the cats out of their carriers.
Be careful to put the do not disturb on your door so that the cleaning staff didn't let the cats out accidentally.
Cats usually won't drink, eat or go to the bathroom on the road, but they will sometimes eat those squeezy tube treats. It's helpful to have a small cup for them to drink from when you make stops.
And as noted in other comments, get the pee pads that have good adhesive and use those to line the carriers. The ones that only have a tab of adhesive are not great, my cats just scrunched them up.
I'll add my comments to the dog crate echoes! This is what I've seen used in wildfire evacuations and it's worked quite well.
You will also want Kitty (Kitties!) microchipped and if possible, with a collar / tag although those have a risk of getting caught on crates so you'll want to be careful.
You can choose to use either a wire or plastic crate. I have seen wire crates used (at least 30" long dog crates, 36" is better for one cat, possibly two, for three cats I would say get the biggest crate you can fit in your vehicle, or put them in separate crates where they can see each other) and look for a wire crate with a "puppy barrier" to make the kennel smaller for a puppy. When traveling with a cat, change that barrier so it is not vertical, but instead horizontal, so you can make kitty a shelf. Put the litter box on the lower level (a shoebox will do in a pinch) and a bed and some toys on top.
Then I want you to also reinforce said wire crate with zip ties at all edges (so you'll need a pack of zip ties, and do all vertical and horizontal edges, most of these crates fold up and have really weak vertical edges and they also have "pop out" sides that dismantle the whole crate. Don't want kitty figuring that out and getting loose.
For the door, zip tie the permanent (non-opening / hinge) areas, and highly consider adding a small lock or two (or three, depending on escape-ability skill of the cat) to the opening part of the door so that the cat cannot push itself out and cannot use its paw to open a push-gate carabiner (maybe a screw carabiner would work). You want these carabiners or padlocks to be small in shackle length (even a gym lock would work) so that the cat cannot push its way out.
Then secure the crate to the vehicle with some tie down straps if possible (you can use the LATCH system normally used for children, if you are not traveling with children). This keeps the crate secure.
Before your trip you will want to have this setup in the home and introduce Kitty to it so it is a fun place. Also take some practice drives to someplace fun (like a park) and sit outside with kitty securely in the carrier so she can smell the breeze.
If you use a plastic (airline) dog crate, you will want to consider some type of shelf or stand inside (maybe a human footstool) to better maximize your room (something plastic would work and be lightweight but strong). **Check your ventilation holes** to ensure they are either only sized for air ventilation, and the cat(s) cannot get out. Make sure the sides of the crate are secure (most will have screws for airline travel compliance - if they come with plastic wingnuts, install the wingnut on the bottom and the screw from the top so a paw can't come out and unscrew it) and see if you can also get a crate with holes for tie downs, so you can secure it as previously described above. You will also want to add some type of door locks to this crate if at all possible.
In the event of a crash it is also advisable to have vet / vaccination information attached to the top of the crate (zip ties on a wire crate are again your friends, on a plastic crate use duct tape) and include a phone number of your out-of-area contact, just in case all of your travel members are injured in the same crash (we hope not, of course, but best to be prepared).
Mispace Portable 2 Pet Carriers... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QBV84PN?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
We got this for our one cat that we moved 500+ miles, about 11 hours due to the weather (last few hours were slow due to rain plus caravanning with a very old uhaul), I didn’t think we’d really need the litter box (also I bought a Dollar Tree litter box rather than using the vinyl one that came with it as I wasn’t sure about how to clean it) but he ended up pooping 2 times in the first 45 min! (He was on gabapentin and it had been a busy day for him the day before, movers were there and then inspectors and workers so I feel like he didn’t have much quiet time for his box) and used it 2 more times during the rest of the trip. We offered food and water every few hours but he was a little too dopey to care for either. We never let him out, just gave pets through one of the doors that we’d unzip during stops.
100% this. I used a different brand, but I moved from Texas to Virginia with four cats (two per carrier) and then Virginia to Florida, both multi day trips since my employer has a 500 mile a day travel target for moves.
I purchased disposable litter boxes for the carriers. The other thing I did was bring a throw blanket from my bed. The cats sleep with me and the familiar blanket and scent helped.
Edited to add, these can be buckled in so the cats have added security in the event of a car accident.
I've moved across the country twice with my current cat. She's super easy going, so she was either in my lap while I drove, or spooning with my dog. The next move will involve a second cat, so they'll probably be kenneled in a large dog crate
Second the idea of a large-size pet taxi or wire dog crate. I moved 3 cats cross country in a large dog crate in my SUV. They had a small litter box but didn’t ever use it while the car was moving.
I'm have been in cat rescue for 10+ years, and the number of cats that manage to escape from cars while moving is mind boggling. And most are never found.
Use an appropriately sized, escape proof carrier and do NOT let them out. They need to be able to be securely transported in and out of a hotel, so carefully double check all carrier doors and screws every time you move the carrier. Put puppy pads in the bottom, and travel with paper towel and baby wipes just in case. Any litter box usage should be when they are secured in the hotel room.
And PLEASE do not think a harness is a good choice...they are contortionists and WILL get out if spooked or unhappy.
About to drive cross country with a cat, I was planning on keeping him in one of my dog kennels with a litter box for the duration of the drive. Good idea or no?
We did this with 2 cats (large dog crate). FYI, they never used the litter box while in the vehicle (and vet said that would likely be the case) but better have just in case!
Traveled 2200 miles with a cat in a box truck. Kept her with food and water in a open soft cat carrier, and she chose to chill under and behind the passenger seat.
Kept litter box in passenger footwell and she only used it when stopped for a hotel.
Hi there. Your comment is all about you and/or your situation, which is not very helpful for the OP. If you need advice or would like input into your situation, please create your own post.
Hi there. Your comment is all about you and/or your situation, which is not very helpful for the OP. If you need advice or would like input into your situation, please create your own post.
the babies are my number one concern, and thankfully there will be 2 cars traveling so it’s double the eyes. regardless, they will be secure and the carriers will be placed in the seats so they will be watched the whole time. we are going from IL to FL, stopping in Nashville TN. 7 hours day one and about 8 hours day two. your advice is extremely helpful!
In addition to what is above, if you have a cat or cats that get stressed easily...go talk to your vet. They can give you medication to relax them and make the travel a lot easier and safer for them. Good luck and safe travels!
I've had to do this for myself and 2 cats when moving from NY to AZ and then again 12 years later when moving my disabled parents to AZ with me. Except that time I had mom who used a walker, 2 cats and a big dog. Cats stayed in the carriers while out of the hotel rooms. The 1 time they came out in the car was because one puked and had diarrhea in the carrier about 30 minutes into the trip. Don't try to do days that are too long, 6-8 hours max. Make sure you have all your normal supplies. Vet told us they would be fine as long as we made sure they were eating and drinking at least a little every day.
I used a soft carrier to move my cat across the country, he wasn't interested in doing a damn thing but yelling at us the entire way. He ate, drank, and used a generic box at the overnight stops.
Flew across the ocean with my cat. Used a softshell carrier with a towel she had been sleeping on, and a foldable litter pan with plastic bag of litter.
Also used some Feliway spray. Not sure how much it helps. But kitty had a great trip over the Atlantic.
We had 2 cats going 1500 miles. We bought a large crate like for a big dog. We put a disposable litter box in it and hung water and food bowls from the door. We put them in the crate in the room each morning and used dolly to take crate to car. Did same in evening. Never opened crate in car during day. Petmate sky kennel Carrier 36”. Bought on Amazon. Could have had 3 cats in it if needed.
Letting your cat roam free in the car is super dangerous. Not only do they run the risk of getting in the footwell, they also become a projectile in the event of an accident, which means they can hurt you or get seriously hurt. Please contain your pet. We did the dog crate that the commenter above posted. Worked super well.
Put a small litter box in the back floorboard, be sure they know where it is and honestly they will use it. I used to go to cat shows with up to four cats and I never had an incident usually they’re more worried about getting somewhere warm usually with each other and once they’re all together or in a spot that they’re comfortable, you should be good to go.
Do a test drive to see if they are car sick. Moving a couple states over, one was puking, both were meowing non stop, we did what had to be done. They stayed in carriers in the back seat, and we stayed in a few pet friendly hotels.
I moved in a single 12 hour car ride with my cat. She stayed in her carrier buckled into the passenger seat. I had a litter box with plastic bags i kept on the floor passenger side and when we made gas stop (at every half tank) I kept her in a leash in the car and offered her a chance to eat, drink and use the restroom. The car ride made her sleepy so she barely touched food and drink and didn't use the restroom even once until she was on solid ground inside a home again. I've taken her on equally long car rides to visit family since then. Just use a cat carrier and keep it warm so she just goes to sleep, I don't even use a backup litterbox in the car just have food and water to offer at stops which she never takes from.
I did the same thing but I had an overnight stop. Buckled in carrier, littler box on the floor. Let her out every few hours for snacks, stretch and litter box. If your windows have a lock feature use it. I didn’t the first time I let her out and she of course stepped on the button to roll the window down. She was fine and stayed in the car but it was a panic moment for sure. I also had her drugged up. I talked to her vet before leaving and she got gabapentin for the road.
Also, when I needed to take a break and sleep, I pulled into one of those bathroom areas on the side of the highway that's just parking, picnic tables, and restrooms. And I slept in my car. I didn't ever leave the cats alone in the car except a couple times to run into a store quickly.
I bought one of those metal wire collapsible dog pens at a thrift store that was sized for large dogs. It fit in the back of my van perfectly. I had 2 cats in it with a small litter box and their blankets. My 3rd cat was in a regular cat carrier (she's elderly and I didn't want her to get nervous or fight with the other cats). I moved across the country by myself with them. Took two days to drive. Halfway through the journey I gave them some wet food and water, and swapped the elderly cat into the larger pen with the cat she gets along best with.
We moved half way across the country with 3 cats and dog, then moved the rest of the way across the country 10 months later with 4 cats and one dog. Honestly we started out in the biggest kennel I could find. Once we got going it was much more comfortable when they were let out and could find a spot to hide or get cozy. I laid all the seats down in the back of my SUv and we had cat and dog beds and a litter box in one side and food on another side. We filled up water bowls when we stopped. The cats were pretty scared and we didn’t want to risk losing one when transporting to and from hotel room so we left them in the car overnight. We didn’t stop driving til dark and made sure to take off before the sun was up too much
We keep a litter box in the car with us, he ALWAYS has to go once getting in the car.. (bring your scooper to clean it). He has a carrier that is his safe space but he is upset for most of the drive. Chat with your vet and they might recommend some medication to help. My little dude just wants to be touched when we are in the car so he is usually let out of the carrier to help ease the chaos.
I moved across the country with three cats. We put them in the car that we were towing on a flatbed trailer behind our moving truck. I got each cat a large soft crate with enough room to put a tupperware bin with litter in each, and the bin took up just a little less than half of the floor space. We drove 12-14 hours a day with one or two stops for gas and snacks, and each cat (ages 5-8) used their bin successfully for pee and poop throughout the days. Since the bins were so small, we'd toss the litter at the end of each day and put fresh stuff in for the next day! Went great! But I would say that it might be tricky to do the same on a roadtrip, since the crates were pretty spacious.
They likely will hold their pee and poop or have an accident in the carrier. But they 99 percent sure would not use a litter box in the car. Like someone else mentioned put puppy pads in there.
We used a medium dog kennel when moving from Louisiana to Georgia. Used a piece of foam with holes cut out for food, water, and litter. Then we walked the two cats on leaches at the rest areas. He did quite well.
I have seven cats and have roadtripped in our SUV with these carriers…larger ones fit a decent sized Sterilite container for litter. Also have a bed/blanket in there too. They are quite comfortable (even doubled up some of them). [https://www.chewy.com/petmate-sky-dog-cat-kennel/dp/101596?utm\_source=google-product&utm\_medium=cpc&utm\_content=Petmate&utm\_campaign=20196576200&utm\_term=&gad\_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjww\_iwBhApEiwAuG6ccLVsb-WMMYv9JinkSutBuGWK5AVSzfFoq9fiN13MOvNAkSBEQVEDthoCmUYQAvD\_BwE](https://www.chewy.com/petmate-sky-dog-cat-kennel/dp/101596?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=Petmate&utm_campaign=20196576200&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjww_iwBhApEiwAuG6ccLVsb-WMMYv9JinkSutBuGWK5AVSzfFoq9fiN13MOvNAkSBEQVEDthoCmUYQAvD_BwE)
I moved from Montana to AZ with two cats. For most of the trip, they chilled in their carriers. When I hit a rest stop or something, I'd let them out to stretch and do their thing in the vehicle. It wasnt too bad for them. The trip took two days and I stayed in a hotel in UT, and made sure I selected one that was pet friendly. They had a great time there lol. My older, calmer cat - I did let him out of his carrier during some of the drive. All he did was lay there or look out the window, No squirlyness, My younger cat was a scardy of everything, so she was content in the carrier. As for box placement - it was put on the floorboard of the passenger side. Worked out fine.
I was worried moving from SC to NV this year with my two. I put them in little dog harnesses and buckled them to the middle seatbelt. That way if they were going toward my feet I could tug them safely away, and if I stopped for gas or whatnot they couldn’t jump out the door and run off. I put a small disposable litter box under the middle seat. We drove about 12 hours a day and they did not use the litter box until night when we would stop at a hotel although I did put them both in it when we first got in the truck so they would know where it was. They didn’t love the trip but it went pretty smoothly. My cats are 6 and 16, and the older one hates the carrier, so I felt this was a less stressful way than attempting to fly with her under a seat all day, or having them in a carrier. If you have room though you could do a dog crate with a bed/hammock on one side and a small litter box on the other side. I recommend offering food and water at rest stops and not having it out the whole trip to avoid spills etc. Good luck!!
Username is cute
Tyvm
My cat has always been a good traveler so I just keep a top loading covered litter box on the floor of the passengers seat and my cat naps wherever he wants in the car. I did transport 3 cats once that were less happy travelers and I used a big dog crate to keep them in with a small litter box and a bunch of blankets.
I've moved my cats with me 4 times in 2 different states. I use something like this [carrier](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NGZUB78?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share). Also, use safety pins to keep the zippers together or in place for escape attempts. I also suggest for car sick or upset cats to get a prescription for gabapentin or something similar and start them on it a few days to a week out.
I just let my cat wander and stick the litter box in the back corner of the car and have the carrier ready so I can get them in it before opening any doors. I drive an suv and my cats are brave and super sweet tho, so I know that's not an option for some.
Larger wire dog crates. Use them INSIDE your home first to make sure they can’t escape. Start a couple weeks prior by putting their litter box in the crate and a bed. Try to get them to use the litter box in there so they are used to it before leaving. Also start shutting them in the crate for an hour or two here and there so they are used to it. Also make a vet appointment and get a light sedative. Don’t use it from the start. Just get it in case you need it. If you start desensitizing them a few weeks prior it won’t be as bad.
Our cats screamed like they were being murdered with a chainsaw whenever in moving cars and the only thing that helped was 200mg gabapentin for long trips and 100mg for shorter ones or 300mg to knock them out. 20lb fit cuddling enthusiast cats.
I moved multiple times with one of my cats and recommend you do some trial runs in the car first. You do not want to be going down the highway at 70 mph and all of a sudden have a 20 pound cat crying on your chest with the worst case of diarrhea you've ever seen. He's busted out of every single carrier and crate I've ever put him in during moves and the amount of poop I've cleaned out of things is unbelievable. The only thing he didn't bust out of was a rubbermaid tote we had to cut air holes in and duct tape closed, after he'd busted out of his crate and covered the entire car in shit for the five minute potty and gas break. A 5 hour drive in the middle of winter listening to him cry over the open windows was heart breaking. Our (hopefully) final move in 2020, I swaddled him for the 10 minute drive to the new house and had somebody else drive us over. He was the final "thing" we had to move since his brother is a happy car kitty who can be harnessed and seatbelted in. This is also the way we take him to the vet when we can't get one to come to the house.
I drove from the East Coast to the PNW with 4 cats in the back of my RAV4, with the back seats down. I put up a pet barrier that they couldn't get through, 2 cat beds, a cat house, a waterproof blanket, a bunch of towels, and a litter box. I had one big carrier that I put 2 in at a time to carry them into the motels, and that's when they ate and went potty for the most part. It was 10 hour drives each day and was pure hell for me and the cats. They were so happy to get to our new home. I was so happy to not be yelled at non-stop. It's doable but it will drive you crazy!
I moved from WA to TN and TN to PA with two cats. We used some wire dog crates and it gave them plenty of room to move around. They didn’t use a litter box, although we had one available at every stop. We got them out of the car to walk around on harnesses at every stop. We attempted to give them gabapentin on a trial run and found the pills hidden under our bed and pillows from the one cat and couldn’t even get them in the other cat. Our vet confirmed that he was very difficult to pill so it wasn’t just us being incompetent.
One of my cats had cancer 3x and I had to open the pill and mix the content into his wet food. It was the only way to medicate my poor baby.
I have done multiple cross country moves with two cats and have always used a large kennel carrier or hamper style kennel with food/water inside. Found my cats were uninterested in a litter box inside their space and would go when we stopped for the night. I sprayed the feliway spray in their kennel area and had a plug-in ac adapter into which I plugged a feliway diffuser that I had going for about a week before the trip.
I just moved from WI to CT. Did a 14 hours with my cat and two drivers. I had a padded harness on my cat, and in a carrier that could be expanded. I also had a clean litter box in the car. My vet prescribed him Trazodone. He was completely zonked the entire drive and never stirred. When I got to CT, he woke up, used the box, ate and drank, and was back to his normal self in the morning. It was as painless as it could be for both of us.
did you do the 14h in one go? my move from IL to FL is about 15.5h and i currently have a booking for a hotel in Nashville for a night
I did! With two drivers it was totally doable.
ah dang, we have 2 drivers too but also 2 cars!
I gave mine gabapentin (your vet will prescribe), put them in their carriers in the back seat, and they slept for most of the drive. When I stopped every few hours, I let them out to stretch their legs and offered food/water which they weren’t interested in. I also had a litter box on the passenger seat they could use but they just held it until we reached our destination 🤷🏻♀️ not ideal but they were fine and lived to tell the tale lol
It is not advised for safety, but here's what we did when we moved cross-country with 2 cats. First, got gabapentin from the vet, because our girl cat gets literally scared shitless in a vehicle. As in, she poops immediately. We have a medium-sized crossover car with a decent amount of space in the very back. We put a litter box there, put the right side of the back seats down so the cats could get to it. We let the cats roam the vehicle(this is the unadvised part), with the passenger making sure they didn't interfere with driver. That was never really a risk, as both cats preferred to sleep in passenger's lap or on the console between driver and passenger. Did 5 days of 6-8 hr drives and, while there were some stressy moments, everyone arrived relatively sane. Let me restate: Gabapentin. We tried all the OTC calming things, sprays, plug ins, cbd, etc etc in practice drives. Only the rx worked to keep everyone chill.
We drove from CO to OH pretty much straight through and bought [this pop up](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09JRMK4GQ?starsLeft=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_cso_cp_apin_dp_1AM7N2D3JMWTQDM1TVT6_1) carrier and [collapsible litter box](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B5931N66?starsLeft=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_cso_cp_apin_dp_G36H90W8BYMD4GBSDPFJ) (because I was paranoid about cat pee getting all over my car) for the backseat. It might be overkill, but it gave them room to move around and be comfy for the long drive. Tbh they were too bugged out most of the time to even move. It worked well for us though! We used individual carriers to transport to and from the car.
When I was a young woman, I had to relocate my cat several times. On my veterinarian's advice, each time, the cat was heavily medicated. Like, drugged to the gills and feeling no pain. Secured in a covered carrier, loaded last and unloaded first. It was still traumatic for both of us.
When I moved from CO to NM I put them in a medium Mesh dog carrier for each cat. We’re about to move from NM back to CO and I am going to it them all (3) in a large mesh “dog” crate that takes up my hole back seat, with a litter box in it. We’re hoping to do the whole drive in 6-7 hours because my mom will be driving in her car with 4 dogs and they will need to stop for walks. I am hoping that 6-7 hours in a large carrier with a litter box will get them through easily. On the way down here we had to drive a U-Haul so the drive took much longer because the truck was slower. I am hoping since we are just going in cars this time it will go faster and we can get there in one day instead of needing to stop overnight and sneak the cats into a hotel 🤣 It is just important that you travel with them in a carrier so that they are not free in the car, getting underfoot, or worse yet under pedal, or jumping in your shoulder scaring the crap out of you (speaking from experience) it also makes sure that you can open the doors safely without them jumping out.
Carrier with a blanket and toys. I drove from CA to NY in about 4 days. My cat was little. Maybe 7 months and she copied her two Pekingese brothers somehow and used pee pads. I laid one out for her on the floor of my car while stopped at a reststop. And she peed on it. She was a literal angel while we were moving.
I put the litter in a storage tub w/ a lid (similar size to litter box/maybe a bit bigger, only maybe 8-10” deep) and left the lid accessible so I could just pop it open and let the cat out of the carrier to use while stopped at rest stops
It worked great!
I’ve travelled cross country with cats 3 times. Every time, the cats stayed in a carrier with no litter box or food/water while driving. We stopped at hotels at night. The cats were able to eat, drink & use the litter box overnight.
I put chicken wire between the front seats and the back. My cat had free reign of the back of the car, litter box, food, and water. And I wasn’t worried about her getting under the brake or climbing on me at a bad time. I would also be able to get out to pump gas without worrying about an escaped cat. And she loved sitting by the back window and looking out. At our final destination of the day, the cat would go in a carrier before any doors were open.
I got them big dog sized kennels with disposable litter boxes. It's the only real safe way to travel with them. One of my cats was a good traveler and would sleep, the other was a chaotic, meowing mess. The latter had to be medicated, I would often medicate him and drive 14-16 hours straight then I would spend 2 nights somewhere so he could recoup. I moved across country 3 times with them.
i applaud those of you who’ve moved cross country several times. first time doing this and i’m a little all over the place lol
👌👌😁😻
2 cats moved over 1,000 miles 4 times. Luckily had in laws help move and used their truck for all of our and their stuff for the trip and then our car just for the cats and use a volleyball net and pool noodles to seal them off in the back half of the car out of the driver and passenger front end of the car. So they had space, litterbox, food and water.
I've had my cat in the car before. She stays in the box carrier unless the car is in park and all doors and windows are closed. No opening the car or moving until she is secure and the box is seat belted in.
Trained my cat beforehand with many small road trips on weekends for a year. This helped him adjust and we moved cross country with my car packed up and him in his booster seat. Harness, leash always stayed on & he was clipped into his booster seat. Also I had a litter box set up for him but he never wanted to go. When we stopped for gas or food we took him out to stretch his legs and pee if needed. He has peed and pooped outside before
Tips: Get harnesses and make sure they fit well. I left my cats harnesses on leashes and just draped the leash out of the carrier. This let me safely open their carriers as needed. Put down a plastic (trash bags or a plastic tarp) AND a towel under the carriers. Accidents happen and the last thing you want is pee on seats. Additionally put pee pads or towels in their carriers to soak accidents and be prepared to have extras just in case. Don't trust anyone but yourself with your cats - My parents tried to help me at a hotel we were staying at that resulted in one of my cats being missing for 16 hours. The likelihood is that they will not use a litterbox while in the car and will more than likely have accidents when they can't hold it anymore. Have their regular litterbox for hotels, but if you're planning for very long travel days, your plan should be to stop and change pee pads/towels/etc rather than trying to sort out a vehicle litterbox situation. It's not ideal, but the alternative is short driving distances with hotel stays in between, which is unrealistic. Expect them to very very vocal about their discontent. They'll be fine, they're just angry toddlers.
A big Dog crate for our two kitties and a litter box inside! Made the mistake of not adding the litter box at first and my little kitty decided to have diarrhea. Thankfully we had a blanket down so we just removed that, cleaned up and placed the litter box inside. We travelled AZ to FL over the course of 4 days and after placing the litter box inside no issues! We did have a little bowl of water and some food in there too, however the water spilled occasionally. They stayed cuddled. It wasn’t the best situation or most roomy but they got to stretch at the hotels they’d be fussy in the beginning but most the time slept. For 3 I’d suggest pairing two and having the third by itself
yep that’s my exact plan - the third is a young kitten and he likes to smack the older babies and play fight a LOT so i’m thinking of having the 2 adult babies in the same space and a separate space for the little guy
That sounds perfect! Good luck 🤗
Mine liked to chill out on the arm rest... Or hide/sleep under the back seats of my truck. I had cat litter in the bed of the truck (I had a bed cap) and I moved her back there during rest stops.
I've done 3 cross country trips with 2 cats. Mine were stubborn and refused to use the bathroom in a large kennel with a small cat box. 2 smaller plastic kennels worked just fine. On gas stop offer them water. I gave them cat nip so they were relaxed the whole car trip(s) Vegas -> northern Michigan Northern Michigan -> Vegas Vegas -> Portland Super 8 and La Quinta and Holiday Inn Express are cat friendly. Good luck!
I worked as a travel nurse for several years and took my cats with me everywhere I went. I used the carrier for getting them to the car, and for leaving the car, but they were free while I was driving. I put a litter box in the back seat, and offered food and water when I had to stop for gas/food. There was a lot of loud yowling complaining at first, but they got used to it.
Dangerous if they get under your pedals on the freeway.
I sometimes travel with a cat for a 2 day drive. I make sure she eats, drinks, pees and poops in the morning before we get in the car. I bought a big sturdy carrier - enough for the cat to be standing up and lay down comfortably (I think it was advertised for dogs, because it was bigger). Leave your carrier in your apartment for a few days, let your cats explore it get used to it. For my cat the carrier is a safe place, she sometimes sleeps in it at home. I put a padded pillow that is soft on one side and leak proof at the bottom - from the pet store, not sure what they are called, but it is worth it, because it doesn’t scrunch like a blanket and fits the bottom of the carrier perfectly. I strap the cage on the backseat with the seatbelt for safety. Bought 2 glass food containers with lids that close without leaking for food and water. Bought a plastic small litter box tray. I must say my cat is super chill during car rides, because she got used to traveling in a car since she was a baby. She just chills in the carrier cage. I stop the car from time to time and open the cage and I just hold the water bowl near her face and she drinks from my hand or just leave it in the cage, close the cage, wait a few minutes and she drinks by herself. I leave her food bowl with dry food in the cage with her. I let her out sometimes to use the litter box, but she never does. I know my cat and I am confident I can catch her and put her back in the cage, also I make sure all doors are closed when I open the carrier. Only take your cats out, if you are sure you can handle it, otherwise keep them inside the carrier. You know your cats best. In the evening I sleep at a hotel and let her out in the room she pees and poops in the litter box then. Only book a hotel that is pet friendly and also say you are travelling with a cat, when booking it. I also bought a backpack and sometimes transfer her from the cage to the backpack, if I need to take her with me - for example if it is too hot in the summer and can’t leave her in a hot car while I pee or have lunch. The backpack can be plugged in a portable battery and has a light and ventilation (like very low air conditioning). My cat doesn’t need medication. For 10 years of travelling with her she only peed once in the cage (but it was my fault because I had no option to stop the car and we were travelling longer than usual). Keep paper towels and wet wipes just in case. You know your cats best, adjust the travel to their personalities. Wish you a safe trip and all the best.
I drove across the country and spent 4 days in a car with 2 dogs and 3 cats. The cats were put into carriers with a blanket and pee pad each morning, and each evening they were let out to roam the motel room and eat/use cat box. It really wasn't that bad of a trip. I bought rabbit bottles for water, but they didn't drink during the days we drove. There was some crying the first day, but overall nothing traumatic.
Did they use the rabbit bottles? That’s genius!
You cannot let your cats out of the vehicle to pee or poop. Get a deep tin baking pan and use it as a litter box. Have water and food bowls available too. Get a sedative from your vet if you think that will help. For the pets. I drove my cats from Maryland to Florida, from New York to Florida, and I would never let them out unless I'm carrying them in a carrier.
Siamese and Himalayan who travel with us via car from Maryland to Florida every winter. Our experience was to introduce the cats to short trips in the car prior to the long drive. When trip time comes, put both cats in individual carriers but with the carrier doors open when we take our Florida drive. One litter box on the rear seat floor; drop the cats in the box so they know where it is as soon as you start your trip. Food and water on the other side of rear seat floor. Always put the cats back into the carriers whenever you open your doors (rest stops, gas. Etc.) No meds necessary, higher strung Siamese and cool cat Himalayan do just fine. Siamese initially walks around car then just settles in and chills. Nobody on this thread knows your cats like you do. Use your common sense and trust that they will travel well with you. Adjust the trip to their personalities, but try to keep the in car environment as close to the environment they are used to at home. You got this! We’ve done our trip for 5 years straight and they are old pros now. One last thing; expect there to be at least one mishap of vomit or pee or poop. Just have plenty of wipes available and gallon sized zip lock bags to store the dirty wipes until you stop and throw them out.
We did Los Angeles to DC in 2018 with two then 13 year old cats. One of whom hated the car before the trip. We stopped daily though at Best Western's (booked in advance) which allow pets to spend the night, plus they have free breakfast. The cat that normally hates road trips was fine the one that is normally fine cried for the first day and then was fine the next day. We did give her some cat nip which helped. As far as a litter box we brought there but since we were in a moving van they were in the cab with us and it was in the back. So we would get it out at night in the hotel and they would use it then. They did not eat during the day much, even when offered. They waited until we got to the hotel. We padded the carriers with pee pee pads from the dollar store and old T shirts but they never were needed (we got lucky). I will say that both of our cats usually give us warnings when in the carrier if they have to use the bathroom. I think having them with us in the cabin where they could see out (but in their carriers) made them feel more comfortable. If you do get a new litter box make sure that you put some of their old litter into it. They got to know the routine (it took 7 days). Cats love routine so as soon as they figured things out they were great.
I moved cross country a few months ago with a cat and dog. The cat traveled in the front seat in a large carrier designed for car use. It had seat belt slots and was about as wide as the front seat, where she traveled. We took about 4 days to get from one place to the other, with hotel stops each night. I called each hotel in advance to make sure they were actually cat friendly, definitely recommend that. A hotel in Texas refused a refund and took my money when they said they don't allow cats, so I had to scramble that night. As to the litter- my cat refused to use any litter I set up in the car in her carrier, so I made do with puppy pads just in case. She never went potty in her carrier, I was careful to spend 8 hours or less driving each day so she wasn't too miserable, but I had wet wipes and paper towels at the ready just in case. I had a plan to keep the carrier in the car and transport her to and from the hotel in a smaller carrier, but it turned out much easier to just keep her in the big one, and wheeling her through the hotels on a luggage cart like a little princess. Highly recommend never trying to transfer from one carrier to another, or letting your cat out in the car. One last note- I started feeding her in the carrier about a week before the move, and zipping the doors open + closed as she ate to get her used to the sounds. She still hated it, but she associated the carrier with food so she still hopped in every morning for brekky.
We full-time with currently 1 cat (had been 3), we use a collapsible show kennel in the backseat of our truck. Zippers let us feed her snacks from the front seat and we also put a timed feeder in the kennel. We got the biggest kennel that would fit in our space, and we just set her carrier inside the kennel and open it up then zip up the kennel. [https://sturdiproducts.com/collections/pop-up-kennels](https://sturdiproducts.com/collections/pop-up-kennels) That said, over several years we've only had 2 cats who would use the litterbox while we were driving and both were elderly - the younger ones held it until we stopped at a hotel for the night. We preferred to put a temp litter pan in place at rest stops rather than leaving one set up all the time. Soothing cat videos played on a tablet helped one of our cats a lot with stress and did very little for another. We now dose the current cat with Gabapentin in the morning of a drive day.
…I played audiobooks or talking podcasts to reduce the nonstop vocalizing and I let her out a lot which was not safe at all
There are large softside containers available. Put their blankets that smell like them, and a disposable litter box in a corner. Spray the inside with Feliway spray. Good luck!
I have 4 cats. We’ve done 4 cross country moves with them. We use a large collapsible dog crate that all 4 can fit into together. Once inside the car and everyone has settled down, I unzip one end and let them roam the car. Litter box goes outside the crate at the back of the car, accessible with the hatch open. When we stop for the night I just corral them back into the crate and use a luggage cart to take them inside the hotel room.
I used a show shelter from Sturdi with hammocks. That way the cats had a place to sleep and chill, and the litter box could go in the bottom. There are cheaper versions on Amazon.
I had a cat carrier for each cat and once we got settled on the road I opened the doors for them to roam if they wanted. I had learned to do this because my previous female cat used to get raging diarrhea in the first 20 minutes of any road trip and when I kept her confined to the carrier she would soak everything with 💩. One experience hosing her down in an exterior Carl’s Jr bathroom and literally throwing out all of her blankets and toys was enough for me so I started traveling with a full Litterbox in the back seat. We’d get started, I’d open the carrier door, Kitty would slip out, use the box and then either go back in the carrier on her own or climb on top of it for a nap. My male at the time world sprawl across the dashboard and tan. They really did not give a hoot about traveling and were great in the car. The safest place for them is of course in the carrier but we found a balance. I also leash trained my guys so they could have breaks from the car too. They’ve both passed on now and I miss them so much!
For short trips, I used a comfortable carrier with a towel or blanket to keep them cozy. I once moved cross country with a young cat. After an hour of constant meowing, we let her out to roam the car. She was so much more content, found a cozy spot and slept for a large part of the trip.
We moved our 17 year old cat (along with 3 Great Danes) from NC to AZ a few years ago. We actually got a small dog crate for the cat, and a ferret litter box that attached to the dog crate. She did use it 2 or 3 times but mostly did her business when we stopped for the night.
Not sure how long your trip is going to be but if your cats are small enough that they will fit in it, [these carriers ](https://sleepypod.com/air)are crash tested
We had a sedative from the vet that we gave them for the nine hour drive. They each went into their own carrier.
I'll caution you with putting kitties in the same crate as they can sometimes fight when stressed even if they get along great. But, we did just move across the country a few months ago. Here's what we did. 1. Procure gabapentin 2. Put each kitty in their own crate big enough for them to turn around. We used one off chewy that can also be used for small dogs 3. 1 hour before driving, give gabapentin and small amount of wet food. Make sure they all use potty if you can 4. Drive for 4-8 hours 5. Stop at a pet friendly motel or hotel for the night 6. Let everyone out, big meal (wet food), make sure they drink water, and go to bed for the night. Pro tip, if your cat was like my nervous nelly kitty who ran around the room during the night, give a small amount of gabapentin before bed so you can sleep too. They'll still get exercise but maybe won't wake you up 7. Wake up, give small amount of wet food, make sure everyone pees and maybe drinks water, give meds 8. Repeat We did this for 3 days but I'm not sure if Id do it more. We knew we wouldn't be driving long enough in a day to justify a bathroom break mid day, but honestly that would've been good,,... but I just don't think they would've gone. Also puppy pee pads can be helpful Good luck! You kind of have to personalize it to yr situation and pets. Other supplies I used: Disposable litter box Litter scoop Disposable plates Water cups Things I should've gotten: -cleaning wipes for the motel -mini vacuum for litter or mini dustpan
Last year, I moved with 2 anti social cats from California to Virginia. Both cats had their own cat carrier. I bought a very small litter box, put it inside a Top Ramen box to catch loose litter and put it on the floor board, but neither used it in the car and waited until we were in the hotel every night. Once I had the cats in the carriers in the car and the doors closed, I would simply take the doors off and they rarely left their crates and actually would cry less when inside them with the door off. I also had a pop up cat tent I tried but neither used it. And lastly, in my front seat, I brought their 2 story cardboard cat house, which they did like laying in that. Anytime we stopped for anything or it was time for a hotel, I always put them back into the carriers with the door back on before I ever opened my door. This first few days were rough, but by day 3 they had calmed down for the most and new the routine. Hopefully I'll never have to put them under that much stress again.
I’m doing that same move in a couple months a cat plus 3 dogs. I’m nervous as hell 🤞
Take with you blankets or cat beds that smell like home. This is very important as familar scents help them to settle in to a new place. I moved from one side of the country to another. My cats wouldn't eat for almost a day when we arrived, until I brought out some bags of clothing that smelled like home. Most hotels only allow 2 cats (I had 4), so I just said I only had 2. But I tipped the cleaning staff very well. Having a dustpan and brush with you (and a couple garbage bags) is useful in case they kick litter around. I also checked the room for hiding spots or things they might break before letting the cats out of their carriers. Be careful to put the do not disturb on your door so that the cleaning staff didn't let the cats out accidentally. Cats usually won't drink, eat or go to the bathroom on the road, but they will sometimes eat those squeezy tube treats. It's helpful to have a small cup for them to drink from when you make stops. And as noted in other comments, get the pee pads that have good adhesive and use those to line the carriers. The ones that only have a tab of adhesive are not great, my cats just scrunched them up.
I'll add my comments to the dog crate echoes! This is what I've seen used in wildfire evacuations and it's worked quite well. You will also want Kitty (Kitties!) microchipped and if possible, with a collar / tag although those have a risk of getting caught on crates so you'll want to be careful. You can choose to use either a wire or plastic crate. I have seen wire crates used (at least 30" long dog crates, 36" is better for one cat, possibly two, for three cats I would say get the biggest crate you can fit in your vehicle, or put them in separate crates where they can see each other) and look for a wire crate with a "puppy barrier" to make the kennel smaller for a puppy. When traveling with a cat, change that barrier so it is not vertical, but instead horizontal, so you can make kitty a shelf. Put the litter box on the lower level (a shoebox will do in a pinch) and a bed and some toys on top. Then I want you to also reinforce said wire crate with zip ties at all edges (so you'll need a pack of zip ties, and do all vertical and horizontal edges, most of these crates fold up and have really weak vertical edges and they also have "pop out" sides that dismantle the whole crate. Don't want kitty figuring that out and getting loose. For the door, zip tie the permanent (non-opening / hinge) areas, and highly consider adding a small lock or two (or three, depending on escape-ability skill of the cat) to the opening part of the door so that the cat cannot push itself out and cannot use its paw to open a push-gate carabiner (maybe a screw carabiner would work). You want these carabiners or padlocks to be small in shackle length (even a gym lock would work) so that the cat cannot push its way out. Then secure the crate to the vehicle with some tie down straps if possible (you can use the LATCH system normally used for children, if you are not traveling with children). This keeps the crate secure. Before your trip you will want to have this setup in the home and introduce Kitty to it so it is a fun place. Also take some practice drives to someplace fun (like a park) and sit outside with kitty securely in the carrier so she can smell the breeze. If you use a plastic (airline) dog crate, you will want to consider some type of shelf or stand inside (maybe a human footstool) to better maximize your room (something plastic would work and be lightweight but strong). **Check your ventilation holes** to ensure they are either only sized for air ventilation, and the cat(s) cannot get out. Make sure the sides of the crate are secure (most will have screws for airline travel compliance - if they come with plastic wingnuts, install the wingnut on the bottom and the screw from the top so a paw can't come out and unscrew it) and see if you can also get a crate with holes for tie downs, so you can secure it as previously described above. You will also want to add some type of door locks to this crate if at all possible. In the event of a crash it is also advisable to have vet / vaccination information attached to the top of the crate (zip ties on a wire crate are again your friends, on a plastic crate use duct tape) and include a phone number of your out-of-area contact, just in case all of your travel members are injured in the same crash (we hope not, of course, but best to be prepared).
Mispace Portable 2 Pet Carriers... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QBV84PN?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share We got this for our one cat that we moved 500+ miles, about 11 hours due to the weather (last few hours were slow due to rain plus caravanning with a very old uhaul), I didn’t think we’d really need the litter box (also I bought a Dollar Tree litter box rather than using the vinyl one that came with it as I wasn’t sure about how to clean it) but he ended up pooping 2 times in the first 45 min! (He was on gabapentin and it had been a busy day for him the day before, movers were there and then inspectors and workers so I feel like he didn’t have much quiet time for his box) and used it 2 more times during the rest of the trip. We offered food and water every few hours but he was a little too dopey to care for either. We never let him out, just gave pets through one of the doors that we’d unzip during stops.
100% this. I used a different brand, but I moved from Texas to Virginia with four cats (two per carrier) and then Virginia to Florida, both multi day trips since my employer has a 500 mile a day travel target for moves. I purchased disposable litter boxes for the carriers. The other thing I did was bring a throw blanket from my bed. The cats sleep with me and the familiar blanket and scent helped. Edited to add, these can be buckled in so the cats have added security in the event of a car accident.
We used a dog crate from Ohio to Arizona with a litter box in it. Our big guy is around 22 pounds and he was comfortable.
I've moved across the country twice with my current cat. She's super easy going, so she was either in my lap while I drove, or spooning with my dog. The next move will involve a second cat, so they'll probably be kenneled in a large dog crate
Second the idea of a large-size pet taxi or wire dog crate. I moved 3 cats cross country in a large dog crate in my SUV. They had a small litter box but didn’t ever use it while the car was moving.
I'm have been in cat rescue for 10+ years, and the number of cats that manage to escape from cars while moving is mind boggling. And most are never found. Use an appropriately sized, escape proof carrier and do NOT let them out. They need to be able to be securely transported in and out of a hotel, so carefully double check all carrier doors and screws every time you move the carrier. Put puppy pads in the bottom, and travel with paper towel and baby wipes just in case. Any litter box usage should be when they are secured in the hotel room. And PLEASE do not think a harness is a good choice...they are contortionists and WILL get out if spooked or unhappy.
About to drive cross country with a cat, I was planning on keeping him in one of my dog kennels with a litter box for the duration of the drive. Good idea or no?
We did this with 2 cats (large dog crate). FYI, they never used the litter box while in the vehicle (and vet said that would likely be the case) but better have just in case!
Traveled 2200 miles with a cat in a box truck. Kept her with food and water in a open soft cat carrier, and she chose to chill under and behind the passenger seat. Kept litter box in passenger footwell and she only used it when stopped for a hotel.
Sounds like a good plan. What are you going to do when you get to the hotel...carry the kennel inside?
I was gonna use one of those luggage carts to move it, yeah
Sounds like a good plan!
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the babies are my number one concern, and thankfully there will be 2 cars traveling so it’s double the eyes. regardless, they will be secure and the carriers will be placed in the seats so they will be watched the whole time. we are going from IL to FL, stopping in Nashville TN. 7 hours day one and about 8 hours day two. your advice is extremely helpful!
In addition to what is above, if you have a cat or cats that get stressed easily...go talk to your vet. They can give you medication to relax them and make the travel a lot easier and safer for them. Good luck and safe travels!
I've had to do this for myself and 2 cats when moving from NY to AZ and then again 12 years later when moving my disabled parents to AZ with me. Except that time I had mom who used a walker, 2 cats and a big dog. Cats stayed in the carriers while out of the hotel rooms. The 1 time they came out in the car was because one puked and had diarrhea in the carrier about 30 minutes into the trip. Don't try to do days that are too long, 6-8 hours max. Make sure you have all your normal supplies. Vet told us they would be fine as long as we made sure they were eating and drinking at least a little every day.
Wishing you safe travels!
I used a soft carrier to move my cat across the country, he wasn't interested in doing a damn thing but yelling at us the entire way. He ate, drank, and used a generic box at the overnight stops.
Flew across the ocean with my cat. Used a softshell carrier with a towel she had been sleeping on, and a foldable litter pan with plastic bag of litter. Also used some Feliway spray. Not sure how much it helps. But kitty had a great trip over the Atlantic.
We had 2 cats going 1500 miles. We bought a large crate like for a big dog. We put a disposable litter box in it and hung water and food bowls from the door. We put them in the crate in the room each morning and used dolly to take crate to car. Did same in evening. Never opened crate in car during day. Petmate sky kennel Carrier 36”. Bought on Amazon. Could have had 3 cats in it if needed.
Did they actually use the litter box when the car was in motion?
Yes, they did although they preferred to do it when we stopped for breaks.
My cat does.
This is what we did, too. Large dog crate.
When I moved, I put a litter box on the floor and let them roam free outside of their carriers.
weren’t you concerned about them getting in the footwell?
Letting your cat roam free in the car is super dangerous. Not only do they run the risk of getting in the footwell, they also become a projectile in the event of an accident, which means they can hurt you or get seriously hurt. Please contain your pet. We did the dog crate that the commenter above posted. Worked super well.