Has anyone brought their cats along?

[Jenycat12]

My hubby and I want to slowly explore this world and see if it fits us. I do believe we are hippies at heart and I think we will be very happy in this lifestyle. The problem is we have two kitties that are use to being home. If we got an RV and brought our kitties I don't know if they would be happy. Has anyone done this? If you have, please tell me how to do it! I will not leave without my babies! Thank you! Jennifer

[hippymuso]

Hi Jenny


its a big task, taking cats with you. It depends a lot on the individual cat. If your cat is a nervous type that jumps when it hears a noise i wouldn't attempt to take it. Cats like that can get lost very easily.
Cats as a rule don't like to travel. The only way would be 2 seperate cat cages, collars and light chains. You would have to have them tied up nearly all the time otherwise they might nick off.
A dog is different, it will stay close to its owner, but a cat wanders. It may be heartbreaking but really, you need someone to look after them for you while you travel.
If you find the place you're looking for then send for them or go and get them. A cat is never loyal for long, they stay with whoever feeds them. As much as you love them, you shouldn't let them rule your lives.
I have 2 cats and luckily my brother looks after them for me whenever I travel.
Good luck dear, hope it works out for you.

Love Peace GAIA

[AFierceInvalid]

While I agree with your statement that they never stay loyal for long on the whole, I disagree that it's an end-all statement. I have a six-eight month old kitten who has been fed by others. Lived with others for a short period when I haven't been around and has been fed by others. She still ONLY does certain things with me that she doesn't do with others. I get groomed regularly by her. She and I share some special moments together. They are moments I have never experienced with a dog.

[hippymuso]

Yep, point taken Fierce,

There is the occasional loyal cat i suppose, just like the occasional loyal human.
All animals can be special friends.
A dog will stay with a dead master until it starves to death.
A cat will go get a feed and get over it.
But yeah, they are cute and great companions.

I love cats too, don't think I'm a cat hater. I just don't think someone should put their life on hold for a cat.

Love, peace GAIA

[XBloodyNailPolishX]

I personally love cats' sassy, bratty little attitudes... (;

[pixeewinged]

I think hippymuso is right for the most part, cats dont make the best traveling companions, but, then again, it does depend on the individual cat... I had a Maine Coon that lived in my car with me, and while Im sure he wasnt getting as much out of it as he would have living in a house, he was reletively happy... being a Maine Coon, he wasnt all that high strung, he was really mellow, and just sorta went with the flow. If your cats are like that, I dont see why, if you got an RV the cats wouldnt be fine. It would be just like living in a trailer, and plenty of trailer folk keep cats!!

the outdoors thing might get tricky, so you should probly keep em indoor cats while on the road, but yeah, I dont think, if your cats are chill enough, that they would have any trouble adapting to life on the road - you would just have to keep in mind that taking them on the road could present the risk of losing one or both of them (possibly tragically), if they decided to make a mad dash from the RV at a rest stop or something!

[MaryJane69]

my cats are whats keeping me at home. i know my youngest cant handle travelling. sucks.

[scratcho]

You know how it takes a while for cats to get used to a new house.I leave them in for a while 'till they get used to and feel comfy with their new surroundings.Then I open the door and leave it open so they can go out a few steps and come back in ,which usually doesn't take too long.Pretty soon after more excursions out they'll know where they live and get familiar with the yard,ect.------The problem with a cat is that if you're on the road and don't have them on a leash and they get startled and run somewhere--they're gone because nothing looks familiar to them.Happened to me and I learned the hard way.They need to see the same stuff that's in a yard or neighborhood or they panic. Next time I traveled with a cat I left a collar on and had a 50 foot rope I attached BEFORE we stopped anywhere. I'm sure there are exceptions ,but it's heartbreaking to have to drive away from someplace knowing that your little friend is now on it's own and you won't see them again.It's a hard decision---good luck with it.