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#Post#: 77293--------------------------------------------------
Transporting kittens
By: Rain Date: September 30, 2022, 6:53 pm
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My DS, who lives in a different state, is adopting kittens from
a coworker of mine. What's the best way to transport kittens for
6-hour Drive?
#Post#: 77294--------------------------------------------------
Re: Transporting kittens
By: jpcher Date: September 30, 2022, 7:31 pm
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Just let them roam around the car and explore! Plenty of fun
stuff for them to find that would keep them busy. ;D
Seriously -- whatever you do, don't do that. They could easily
find their way under the gas/break pedal and distract the driver
with whatever mischief they might get into.
Use a cat carrier. Or at the very least, a large cardboard box
with a lid on it, so they can't get out. Maybe line the bottom
of the box with a bunch of newspaper and toss in a small towel
for cuddle comfort.
Six hours isn't too terribly long, once they settle in they'll
probably sleep most of the trip.
How many kittens?
#Post#: 77296--------------------------------------------------
Re: Transporting kittens
By: Rain Date: September 30, 2022, 11:16 pm
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2. It'll be 9 weeks old when I make the trip
#Post#: 77307--------------------------------------------------
Re: Transporting kittens
By: honeybee42 Date: October 2, 2022, 12:07 pm
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Definitely go with a cat carrier (with kittens, you may be able
to fit them both into one, which may make them happier as there
is at least a familiarity in the strangeness). After all, the
carrier is necessary as an expenditure regardless, since it will
be needed for carting said kittens to future vet visits. You
may want a large towel or sheet/blanket to drape over the
carrier during travel (this is a calming thing when transporting
ferals, it may also help with kittens who are traveling a long
way). Kittens/carrier should be in the back seat unless there
are no front passenger airbags in the vehicle.
#Post#: 77308--------------------------------------------------
Re: Transporting kittens
By: sandisadie Date: October 2, 2022, 6:24 pm
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Please get a large carrier so they will have room to move and
stretch out. Six hours isn't a long time for them to travel so
probably no food or water will be needed. But as soon as they
arrive they should be given a secure room and a potty box and
some water. I've traveled with cats on a variety of occasions;
from hours to days at a time. I have a large dog kennel and am
able to use a small plastic box that I put a small amount of
litter in. I punched a couple of holes in the rim and tied the
box to the bars of the kennel. They'll turn it over if it isn't
tied with string. I also line the bottom of the kennel with a
fluffy towel. Since they are young kittens you might add a
couple of appropriate, small cat toys too. It's possible that
they may throw up during the trip. Don't be surprised as cats
do get car sick especially if the road is really curvy. I had
one cat that almost always cried and cried during trips. So
that might happen too. There's not much you can do about that
though.
Most likely you won't have any trouble and the trip will go very
smoothly and they will be asleep most of the time. Always place
the kennel securely in the back seat. Or in the back of an SUV
if that's what you have. If putting it in the back seat I
always prop up the kennel where it is against the back of the
seat, with a rolled up towel, so the bottom of the kennel will
be level. Otherwise it will probably lean slightly backwards on
that side.
#Post#: 77309--------------------------------------------------
Re: Transporting kittens
By: Rain Date: October 2, 2022, 6:59 pm
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So I may be treated to a duet/song of their people for hours
🙄
DS will owe me big time. ☺️
Thanks for the info about airbags. I'd planned to have the
carrier in the front seat.
#Post#: 77310--------------------------------------------------
Re: Transporting kittens
By: Wanaca Date: October 2, 2022, 7:45 pm
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I have several cats that howl very loudly whenever the car is
moving. If I had to take them a long distance, I'd wear
earplugs. But as kittens, they weren't nearly as loud as they
are now.
#Post#: 77311--------------------------------------------------
Re: Transporting kittens
By: oogyda Date: October 3, 2022, 6:41 am
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You may be able to turn off the front passenger seat airbag.
#Post#: 77314--------------------------------------------------
Re: Transporting kittens
By: Hmmm Date: October 3, 2022, 9:55 am
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[quote author=Wanaca link=topic=2410.msg77310#msg77310
date=1664757952]
I have several cats that howl very loudly whenever the car is
moving. If I had to take them a long distance, I'd wear
earplugs. But as kittens, they weren't nearly as loud as they
are now.
[/quote]
My daughter's cat has made a 12 hour drive 3 times now. He's the
exact opposite. He howls when the car stops and settles when the
car is moving. :)
I agree about using a crate a bit larger than you'd expect. Also
see if they will let the kittens start sleeping on a towel or
blanket and let you take it with you for the drive.
You'll also want to think about a litter box. Decades ago, we
were helping move kittens. We'd but newspaper down in the back
of the SUV, put a smallish box with litter in and then put
clothes hamper over it and pop a kitten in to see if they use
the box during the trip.
We will be driving their cat next month and I'm considering
investing in this portable litter box.
HTML https://www.amazon.com/Upgrade-Petsfit-Portable-Leak-Proof-Collapsible/dp/B095JQXQFC/ref=pd_lpo_3?pd_rd_i=B095JQXQFC&psc=1
#Post#: 77318--------------------------------------------------
Re: Transporting kittens
By: Sweet Jane Date: October 3, 2022, 1:23 pm
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This might sound nutty but I used to have a cat who was soothed
by music. So when I had to drive him anywhere I'd play his
playlist.
Also, we'd line his carrier with an old bath towel on top of a
puppy pad, which made cleanup pretty easy in case of accidents.
He was also not a big fan of a larger carrier - he was happier
in something small and cozy, where he was more comfortable
napping. Also, I always attached his carrier to the back seat
with the seat belt (it was a soft-sided carrier with a loop in
the back that I'd run the belt through), so the carrier wasn't
going to move much while driving.
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