Crates and Safety

[angeli]

How do folks deal with dog crates in a van? Or it might be better to ask how people keep their furry friends safe while the vehicle is in motion.  Crates are huge things, and I can't seem to figure out where to store them in van when they aren't in use.  If you don't use a crate for your dog, what do you use?  Doggie harness/seatbelts?  ???

 

[angeli]

Oh dear.  60 page views and no one has any suggestions or anecdotes?

 

[Pikachu711]

Since I may have an animal crate or two when I hit the road I suppose I should make some comment on the subject.<br /><br />It makes sense that you should find some way of securing the animal crates with some type of ropes, belts, etc. Doing this should keep the crates from suddenly becoming airborne or suddenly shift. Even moreso if there are animals inside the crates as well. The trick is to find some type of anchor point to secure those crates.<br /><br />I'm faced with the decision of how many crates to bring as well. If both my cats are both still alive &amp; well I should bring one crate for each of my cats. I already own two crates in case of an emergency situation here at home. Now I need to decide to bring the large crate that will hold both cats OR include the smaller crate for the smaller cat. Forcing two cats into the same container may not be the best option if Pikachu &amp; Whiskers are not getting along that day.<br /><br />Very interesting question!

 

[angeli]

Thanks Pikachu,<br /><br />I'm especially interested in how folks have solved the space problem with their crates, or if they've found other options for keeping their furry navigators safe while their vehicle is in motion. &nbsp;I've got a shorty van, and that is limited space, so I'm interested. &nbsp;It may simply come down to a matter of space priorities?<br />

 

[mockturtle]

My dog rides in a soft-sided crate strapped to the sofa.&nbsp;

 

[cedric]

you could get a wire fold up crate. belt into the front passenger seat on ratchet strap it to the passenger seat on the floor. then if you needed the space up front you could move it to the rear or fold it up. they come in all sizes and you can even buy dividers for more than one fur ball.<br />I used a large one of these for my lab on trips or going to the vet<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Midwest-1524D...=1353820293&amp;sr=8-5&amp;keywords=dog+crate"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>like this one at amazon</strong></span></a>

 

[josephusminimus]

Pikachu711:&nbsp; Just a thought.&nbsp; I've found my cats tend to get a lot more stressed when they're contained in crates or cages while the vehicle's moving than they do if they're not confined so closely and can move around a bit.&nbsp; They also [probably because of the stress] are less prone to car sickness.<br /><br />I've chalked off the overhead for that reason, created a barrier that can be removed easily to get it out of the way, that allows them the overhead space freedom, but still has a hideyhole place for each of them if they don't want the company of the others.<br /><br />There's a litterbox up there, a little food and water, though they don't do much eating or drinking when the vehicle's moving.<br /><br />I'm hoping after they become used to frequent road experiences and relocations they'll calm down enough so's sometimes one of them can actually roam the rest of the rv on longer trips so's I only have to make sure of the location of a single cat before I open a door to the outside.<br /><br />But mine seem to build up stress exponentially as the size of the confinement space is reduced.&nbsp; When I came here from upstate New Mexico it was a two day trip with four cats confined in animal crates and by the time I arrived one was so stressed [she's a senior citizen] I had to stop along the road an hour or two before arriving here, take her outdoors and sit with her talking to her and cuddling in the grader ditch for a couple of hours before she calmed enough to cease wheezing.

 

[katelyn]

I plan on getting a seat belt for my dog that will attach to his harness. I will take out the front passenger seat so he can lay on his bed and be comfy and still be safe. He's so big a crate would take up way too much space. <br />&nbsp; Hope this helps<img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"><br />http://www.petco.com/product/112437...word=&amp;mr:match=&amp;mr:filter=51515441515

 

[Pikachu711]

josephusminimus, you do raise very good points. Traveling with the cats inside their hard-sided containers probably isn't the best option for my little furry friends. I suspect that I should come up with some alternative that you described in your post.<br /><br />Pikachu, now almost 17, knows something is happening whenever I bring out his carrier. Even when he is in the carrier and we're on the way for a vet visit he sounds very stressed out. I'll probably take your suggestion to create some type of barrier between the driver's area &amp; the "home" area of the van. I'll have to install some type of netting, etc to keep the cats loose in the van rather than spending all their time in their carriers. <br /><br />Just for your info, Pikachu (M) is 17yo &amp; Whiskers (F) is 9yo. Pikachu will be the most difficult to adjust. That's assuming that he's still with me next year when I move out! I'm fairly certain Whiskers will adjust well enough. At one point Whiskers was a stray cat that I adopted from work. Now she doesn't like leaving the apartment at all.<br /><br />Pikachu is beginning to show signs of health issues for a cat his age. I'm not certain if he'll still be around when I hit the road. Whiskers will certainly outlive Pikachu so I know I'll have at least one cat. If Whiskers can adjust from being a "stray" street cat &amp; now loves living in my apartment I'm certain she'll make the adjustment to living in the van. As I mentioned earlier, Pikachu has me concerned. He's never been a cat who adjusts to new situations. But I'll deal with that issue when it's closer to moving out of the apartment.<br /><br />Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[josephusminimus]

Pikachu711:&nbsp; Here's wishing old Pikachu a lot more years and that vandwelling agrees with him.&nbsp; Once a cat gets that old he's just now becoming useful.&nbsp; Needs to start making up for the time when he wasn't.<br /><br />Besides, he probably still has some mentoring and training obligations to Whiskers.&nbsp; Old Hydrox here [only 15, but wise at a 17 level] sends Pikachu his regards and says hang in there.

 

[angeli]

Pikachu711: &nbsp;My cat is @18 now and a bit thin and tottery, but still sweet as ever. &nbsp;And would be heartbroken to be left behind. &nbsp;Rocky, along with Hydrox, sends his regards to Pikachu and says to tell him that life begins to get really interesting at 17.<br /><br />Josephus Minimus: &nbsp;you are very correct I think in your point about crates for kitties. &nbsp;When we were in the scotty, our two cats had the top bunk dedicated entirely to them, their litter box and water and food. &nbsp;They were quite happy and got lots of attention from us whenever we stopped. &nbsp;The dogs rode in the truck with us, and not in the trailer, riding in the space in back of the seats which we filled with soft doggy beds. &nbsp;They most often rode while snoring with their feet twitching in the air.<br /><br />Katelynn: &nbsp;I've been looking at those! &nbsp;I think they may be a great solution, as Eldest Dog is now facing 12 yrs. &nbsp;I'd love to hear from folks who have actually used them!!<br /><br />Cedric: &nbsp;I have the wire cages, and I also have the hard sided airline crates. &nbsp;One for each dog. &nbsp;The crates we've used outside in the runs as doggie shelters for cold days when we are away, and the cages have been used when necessary, as in when bringing in a new foster furry. &nbsp;But they all take up LOTS of space. &nbsp;True, the wire cages do fold up, but they are a pain to fold and unfold, and take up lots of room. &nbsp;They are also not much protection, I wouldn't think, in an accident. &nbsp;The crates would be much more protection, especially if buffered, but then again, the tops and bottoms will reduce into each other but is a lot of work for every day that you are moving around and take up eve more room. &nbsp;So that is why I'm sort of asking how folks have solved the space issues.<br /><br />I could probably put one crate for the terrible twins, with lots of padding, under the bed and give up that storage space. &nbsp;It would be a safe place for them to ride, although not as fun as in a harness. &nbsp;The big retriever would definitely want the harness and as much cush as she can find, I think. &nbsp;<br /><br />It's not an option to leave these guys behind, as they will not survive long or well in my current environment.<br /><br />So any comments from folks who have used the harnesses? &nbsp;Or are the soft sided, easily folding crates OK in a collision? &nbsp;If so, how? &nbsp;I appreciate all words of wisdom and experience here. &nbsp;It's not just transporting them, as y'all know, it's living within the van-space with the equipment and supplies.<br /><br />

 

[josephusminimus]

Angeli:&nbsp; I'm breaking them in to the RV slowly.&nbsp; They eat there and sleep there, mostly.&nbsp; But in a few days I'll fire up the engine with them inside and let it idle a while, give them a chance to freak out a while, then calm down.&nbsp; After I've done that a few times I'll drive around a bit, just a mile or so, and park it again.<br /><br />Hopefully that will have them more comfortable with the eventual trek when it comes.

 

[angeli]

Sounds like the smart way to go about it, Jack. &nbsp;Rocky is pleased. &nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" />

 

[Pikachu711]

<p>josephusmimimus: I'll be doing the same thing before I make my final move out of the apartment next year. I want to the cats to&nbsp;adjust to living in a van. I'll be doing a few "test runs" with both cats in the van including a few overnights as well. This way they will&nbsp;get&nbsp;used to the smaller space. I'm&nbsp;certain that they'll make the adjustment. I'm more concerned about how the cats will react when the van is being driven. I'll have to figure out some way of giving the cats there own private area where they can settle in while the van's in motion.<br><br>P.S. Prior to leaving Vegas I'm bringing both cats to the vet for a check-up. As long as the vet tells me the cats are fine to travel all three of us are on our way. If the cats have "serious health concerns" that might make traveling unhealthy for the cats I'll deal with that issue at the time. I'm hoping both of my fur babies are in good general health for their new life with me on the road.</p>

 

[RV-Kitty]

How do folks deal with dog crates in a van? Or it might be better to ask how people keep their furry friends safe while the vehicle is in motion. &nbsp;Crates are huge things, and I can't seem to figure out where to store them in van when they aren't in use. &nbsp;If you don't use a crate for your dog, what do you use? &nbsp;Doggie harness/seatbelts? &nbsp;???

<br><br>Get the folding type. When not in use fold against van wall and bungee in place. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> That's what we did when we had the dogs.&nbsp; All our dogs are now at the Rainbow Bridge.