I can't decide about bringing my cat.

[Lucy]

Everything for my van-life is coming together slowly - the van is shaping up, I'm clearing the house out bit by bit. The biggest issue I'm working out right now is Tony.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>Tony is 11 years old. He's a big guy, fluffy as all hell. He's also very active, especially for his age. I can't figure out if it's even fair to him to consider tucking him away into a crowded van. He's never been an outdoor cat, so am I basically reducing his entire world to the van that I get to escape? Or do I try to leash train him, or let him go outside and hope he doesn't run off?&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>I keep going back and forth. If it were a dog I don't think I'd second guess bringing him, since I could walk a dog often. Plus a dog wouldn't require a litterbox taking up a corner of the van. Still, he's my baby.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>So...most people on this forum talk about dogs. Can I get some advice from any cat people about how they do traveling and whether there are alternatives to keeping them cooped up?&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Thanks in advance!&nbsp;</div>

 

[stude53]

<p style="margin: 0px;">Good idea, Blkjak <img border="0" align="absmiddle" src="https://vanlivingforum.com/images/boards/smilies/idea.gif"></p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Carpet the side and top for scratching post and comfy seat.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Can't leave our buddies out. Get a small harness and retractible leash for outside exploration and lap sitting.</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">Bob</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;">&nbsp;</p>

 

[sl1966]

The biggest issue I'm working out right now is Tony.

<div><br></div><div>Animals are flexible like us so he can learn to adjust. Whether he likes it or not is another matter. You might want to go through a few dry runs with him and see how well he handles it. Give him some time to get used to and adjust to it. I think you'll find that he likes it so long as you're with him.</div><div><br></div><div>Check out Cherry's blog -&nbsp;<a href="http://cherrywanders.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://cherrywanders.blogspot.com/</a>. She moved into her van with 3 cats and 1 mouse.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>

 

[mockturtle]

My parents traveled with their aging cat.&nbsp; She had a harness and they did take her for walks.&nbsp; Many cats don't like to go out but I've seen cats enjoying these window boxes in RVs: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.katkabana.com/">http://www.katkabana.com/</a>&nbsp; Cat's like nothing better than a perch from which to survey the world.<br>

 

[Nemo]

I travelled with mine tll she passed, put the liter box on the passenger floorboard in front of the seat, did take a bit of adjusting, but she was fine.&nbsp; since I spend my time in the boonies, never bothered with a leash or harness, she would just come out and wander in the immediate area, and sit on me when I was reading in the sun.<br><br><br>

 

[sl1966]

I'm sorry I got the number of cats wrong. Cherry has 6 cats and not 3.<div><br></div>

 

[Lucy]

Thanks for the advice, everybody! I definitely feel better about at least making the attempt to bring him along. Litterbox by the passenger's seat is a great idea. I admit that space was also a concern for me.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>I think I'll go buy him a harness and see how disgruntled he gets. Better get some flea dip too, since he won't be a sheltered inside-only baby anymore.&nbsp;</div>

 

[Cherry]

Yep 6 cats and a mouse. The cats have adjusted quite well (now that no one is hiding anymore) I have the luxury of having a high top camper van so they have lots of play room when I'm parked. I also have the luxury of being able to hide the litter pan away inside a dinette seat. It's a lot of scooping but so far everyone who has poked their head inside the van has said that it smells nice inside (a huge feat in my opinion)<br><br>Definitely don't leave your fuzzy friend behind. You may be surprised how well Tony will acclimate.<br><br>To make sure my fuzz squad gets exercised I play with them in the van a lot (laser pointer - best invention ever),&nbsp; they also have a 10 x 10 tent that I will be experimenting with once they all settle down from the move. A couple of mine also do well on harnesses. Just make sure you do your first attempts very securely. Cats can squeeze out of just about anything.<br><br>I stepped my cats down into the van. We moved from a 14x64' house to a 10x10 room to the camper van.<br><br>As for litter in the small space, I use a combination of the cheap special kitty stuff mixed with some of the more expensive arm &amp; hammer and scoop twice a day. Incense has also become a must in my world.<br><br>I could train my cats to use the toilet but then I have to leave the lid up all the time and flushing isn't really in a cats repertoire especially when (in my case) they would need to push one lever to fill the toilet and another to flush.<br>

 

[SoulRaven]

Eat Tony, pack the van and enjoy Tony and BBQ sandies for a few days... please dont let a pet stop your dreams...<br>

 

[Ricekila]

Smokey wants to know -- "When we leaving" ?<BR><BR>

<BR><BR>Pal-ie is already packed --<BR><BR>

<BR><BR>Fred-ie smells a rat --<BR><BR>

<BR>

 

[lillyhrpr]

You still reading this post? I travel with a fluffy cat! He is trained to walk on a leash. That took some time but the good thing about it is that even if you spend his entire walk time just training, he is still exercising his mind and that is probably the most important part of going for walks anyway. I try to get him out a couple times a day at least. I park in the shade and provide him with a hiding place. Litter box fits fine (covered litter box). I DO leave my windows down as I don't have anything of value to steal and I have no way of cooling the car. But if you have AC then awesome! Also, after 9 months of car living, he has learned to know the sound of the car and if he has left he will come back when the car starts up. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"> Oh and I live in a pontiac grand am(a sedan) so I know it could work for you in a van! BEST OF LUCK!

 

[Red Leg]

<span style="color: #ff0000;"><strong><span style="font-family: comic sans ms,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Congrats, I see you're on the road! I hope you took Tony with you. I've been living in my camper with my cat for a year now and she is just as happy as she was in a big house. You are his life and no matter where you go, how you live, he is better off with you than without you. </span></strong></span>

 

[RV-Kitty]

E<div id="tinymce" class="mceContentBody " dir="ltr">So...most people on this forum talk about dogs. Can I get some advice from any cat people about how they do traveling and whether there are alternatives to keeping them cooped up?&nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Thanks in advance!&nbsp;</div>

<br><br>We travel with a 12' X 12' GanderMountain screenroom with a floor. The cats can't escape. We have some "stuff" out there for them such as a few carriers to nap in, a scratching post, assorted toys, a litterpan, my lounge camp chair, small plastic end tables.&nbsp; They love it and it gives them a break from the RV.&nbsp; We also have a large cat cage that hangs from the RV window when we spend more than a few days in one place. It's like a porch for them but keeps them safe, disease and predator free. It's called the Midwest Cat Playpen or something like that. <br><br>After about 4 hours out in the GanderMountain screenroom they're ready to come in the rest of the day. We carry them back and forth. The Midwest cage hangs from a window that is always open so they can come and go as they please.<br><br>

 

[john_perry]

perfect happy kitties, what wonderful idea!!