Boots is moving house.

[puss_boots]

We are moving house about an hour away and that means that Boots will be in his cat box for longer than he has ever been before. He hates the thing and gets very stressed, is there anything that the vet can give him to make him sleepy. I know I will find out when the time comes, but just wondered if anyone had any experience of this.

[paraffin]

I'll try to be subtle about this, but might fail miserably!

An hour is not long, our moggies don't like these boxes either, but it's the safest way of transporting them. And for a 1 hour trip, do you really want him "doped up" because, whatever way you look at it, that's what it is.

We moved house some years back and our cats at that time travelled in their boxes in the car. They didn't like it either, and it took an hour and a half, but they were fine once we arrived.

Have you considered, if possible, wrapping him in a big towel and having him on your lap for the journey? At least he'd get to look out of the window!
Good luck.

[wolf63]

I don't want to be serious - but I am sure that it is against the highway code to have a loose cat in a car. That was the only bit of information that I retained.

See what the vet says - maybe a little something to take the edge of his fear might help.

[Schutzengel]

Please Ed. don't take this message as an advert, because it truly isn't, Just passing on information to help.
Puss-boots. Feliway spray which is available from the vets, it excellent. I use it to spray the four corners of the cat box a couple of minutes before popping the cat in. The spray has a calming effect on the cat, and you can also use it to spray the legs of tables, chairs, door jambs, etc in the new house, which will help Boots to settle in. You would need to spray the things mentioned at about the level/height of the cats nose. It's a bit expensive about �21 but the little spray bottle last for ages. I also use it around the house on Fireworks night, and New year, to calm the cats, and it works well. Feliway is also available for dogs if anyone else is interested. When are you moving house? I wish you everything of the best and happiness in your new home. Please keep in touch. love Schutz.

[duduka]

I can help you. you must go to http://asdurben.blogspot.com/?q=house%20

[puss_boots]

Thanks Schutzengel, that's very helpful. Boots really does get stressed in the box and once in the car he is worse. I only want to make it easier for him and paraffin is out of order saying about drugging the cat. I have had cats for 30 years and would never treat one inappropriately. My concern is for Boots and just want him to be happy.

[puss_boots]

We are moving on 1st July, we have bought a retirement property near the sea, Boots will love it........eventually.......lol

[Schutzengel]

Hi Puss-boots. How lovely. Not too near the sea, I hope as cats are not particularly good swimmers. :-) Love to Boots. Schutz.

[Schutzengel]

Duduka. what on earth was that link all about, it was just advertising furniture removal companies, and nothing to do with the question asked.

[puss_boots]

That's what I thought, but give 3 stars because I thought I was just missing something.

[k8bailey]

Hi puss, I just wanted to second Schutz's feliway recomendation. I use a diffuser to stop my cat peeing around the house - it does work, he hasn't stopped completely, but it has helped.

I buy mine from online its a bit cheaper that our vet/pet shop:
http://www.petmeds.co.uk/nsearch.aspx?keywords =feliway

good luck with the move!

[paraffin]

Hi puss:

Sorry if I upset your sensitivities (I'm not being sarcastic), but I too have had moggies and doggies for donkey's years and I made that remark in the animal's interests, not yours.

I certainly was not trying to infer that you wanted to harm Boots but none of our animals can be "consulted" before we do what WE think is best for them, can they?

We too have had cats who protest about travelling in cars, but have you ever known them not to be fine once you get to your destination? It's not like they need counselling after all.

Sorry to have given you the wrong impression. Best of luck when the move comes, especially to Boots.

[puss_boots]

paraffin, can I just let you know about Boots. I found him a dustbin when he was a tiny kitten, he was full of fleas, his eyes were stuck together and to top it all he had cat flu. I took him straight to the vet and with lots of loving care he recovered and is now 15 yo. The problem is that when he is under stress the symptoms of his earlier cat flu rears its head and he becomes quite ill. This has happened before, when we moved house some years ago and also last year when is pal Puss died. All I am trying to do is reduce his stress during our next move and so perhaps not let him go through a bad illness again.

[paraffin]

Hi again puss:

You must do what you believe is best for Boots, I accept that and would not expect it to be any other way.

However, when you post a thread and ask "if anyone had experience of this", it's only normal for people to reply with opinions some of which you may not agree with.

Therefore, being dubbed as "out of order" and accusing you of "drugging the cat" is being a bit hypersensitive. That's why that in the first place I'd put the following in inverted commas:
"doped up" for, no matter which way it's dressed up, that's exactly what it is. I didn't use the term to try to provoke you in any way because I fully understand how stressed cats can become when travelling in cars.

I did also suggest that given the shortness of the journey, you may care to consider wrapping him in a large towel (so that only his head is showing) as an alternative to using a form of anaesthetic. By the way, as a cat is not a designated animal under road traffic regulations, wolf 63's comments are incorrect.

The decision's yours and I wish you and Boots the very best.

[burnhal]

When we visit family on the south coast- couple of hours away- mog comes too. Harness and lead and she is totally content to be curled up on a lap in the back seat... as opposed to being shut in her box which she hates. Mind you... I am sure our cat thinks she is a dog anyway!!

[Schutzengel]

Hi Burnhal. I'm sure Puss won't mind me chipping in on her thread, but I thought this might amuse everybody. It was your good idea of harness and lead that reminded me.
On several occasions when one of our pet geese had a respiratory infection, I took him to the vets in the car, with him on a lead and sitting on my knee in the back, where he would insist on looking out of the window. I can tell you I got some funny looks from people, when we pulled up at the traffic lights which is right close to a bus-stop. The astonishment on their faces was classic, as I could see them mouthing "Ooo!! Look it's a goose. Pleased to say he did recover, and is doing ok at 12yrs old. Schutz.

[puss_boots]

Thanks to you all for your input on my question, it is really appreciated. I will be taking shutz's advice as I really think it is my best option. I must also thank parraffin for his input and appreciate his interest and I know that he only has my cats best interest at heart.