Travelling an extremely anxious cat

[Pippity]

My cat is a ball of nerves. She's happy living inside with just me, but if that changes in any way - if I have a visitor, or rearrange the furniture, or leave the front door open - she's under the bed for a day. She can just about cope with the fifteen-minute drive to the vet or cattery but, any longer than that, and she's puking and pooping in terror.

I'm emigrating to Ireland later this year, assuming all my paperwork goes through in time. It's going to be at least a seven hour journey for her, quite possibly longer.

Does anyone have suggestions on how to make it easier for her? I can travel her in either my car or my horsebox. I wouldn't consider flying her.

Gratuitous photo of the little Hellbeast:

 

[wren123]

When my mum died i rehomed her very, very anxious cat 4 hours drive away. I was extremely worried but her vet said no sedation at all for cats, not to worry as even nervy cats settle on a long journey much better than you'd think.
And she honestly did settle down really quickly, I was dreading it as I usually took her to the vet and she was a nightmare for the short distance drive.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

My cat also poos on the way to the Vets. If I had to travel him seven hours I would set up a dog crate in the horsebox or the car boot. Basically it would need to be big enough for a dirt tray, plus a bed area and I would put some food and water in it too (I believe you can get travel bowls that shouldn't spill too much). I would cover it with a blanket and aim to not open it until I was at the destination. I have had a cat loose in a car while on a journey before and it isn't fun.

 

[WandaMare]

I wouldn't feed her on the morning of your day of travel and also I would give her a small box or fairly small enclosed carrier to travel in. Cats like being enclosed in a small dark carrier when they are scared. You can use a puppy training pad as a liner to her carrier and then its easier to clean on the journey. I always take kitchen roll, rubber gloves and hand sanitiser and poo bags when I'm transporting cats in case I need to do a quick clean up on route, although they do tend to hang on really well, so if she hasn't eaten you might be ok. Cats are really adaptable although they give us the idea that we are doing terrible things to them lol. But they are born survivors, so once you start the journey, she huddles at the back of her carrier, she will be fine despite giving you the impression she is suffering terribly and its all your fault!

 

[Pippity]

Thanks for the input, everyone!

My current thinking is to travel her in the horsebox. (Easier to clean, harder to hear her inevitable screaming, and I have a camera in the back so I can keep an eye on her.) Put a small, enclosed box/bed inside a larger dog crate (all firmly secured to each other and the horsebox) with small litter tray, water, and puppy pads everywhere.

The horse will be going with Gillies or similar, so no worries about her getting stomped on during the journey!

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Good luck with the move.

 

[rara007]

Speak to her vet, they might offer a sedative Good luck!

 

[Midlifecrisis]

I use zylkene for cats to take the edge of my cat but vets could give something I’m sure.

 

[asmp]

Feliway spray? Haven’t used it for years but bought some when we used to move house a lot with the cat. The last long journey with the cat was in a large travelling carrier (think it may have been a dog one). Blanket in with a small litter tray. At least you won’t have to put up with the crying! ?