Pet Nutrition Q & A: Feeding Cats in Cars
I regularly take my two cats on a five-hour drive to Michigan. During the ride one of them whines for hours, coughs and throws up in the van. I always bring water, food, toys, catnip and litter box, and try not to hit bumps. What else can I do to make the ride more comfortable for them?
―Ikhlas
It's great that you bring all of your cats' necessities along with you when you travel, Ikhlas. When pets travel, they need to have their food, litter box, waste scoop, water and food bowls, grooming supplies, medication, pet first-aid supplies, favorite toys, other comforts from home and even a supply of their own water. It’s also very important to make sure your cats are comfortable throughout the duration of the trip. They should have a large enough area in which to stand, sit, lie down and turn around.
Instead of feeding them throughout the journey, you should consider giving your cats a light meal approximately 3 to 4 hours before traveling, and then not feeding them at all throughout the duration of the trip. This may help prevent your cat from getting sick during travel. With a trip as long as the one you take with your cats, it would also be smart to prepare them for the journey by taking them on several shorter trips of gradually increasing length as the day of the big trip nears. Their area inside your vehicle should also be safe, secure and well-ventilated.
The ASPCA has several travel safety tips that can help you prepare your cats for the journey. You can also do some further reading on the Internet about
automobile safety for pets and
car travel tips.
Just like certain human beings, some pets get car sick. You may consider taking your cat to see your veterinarian to discuss the car-sickness issue and possibly get a medication that will make travel easier for all of you.
―Ikhlas
It's great that you bring all of your cats' necessities along with you when you travel, Ikhlas. When pets travel, they need to have their food, litter box, waste scoop, water and food bowls, grooming supplies, medication, pet first-aid supplies, favorite toys, other comforts from home and even a supply of their own water. It’s also very important to make sure your cats are comfortable throughout the duration of the trip. They should have a large enough area in which to stand, sit, lie down and turn around.
Instead of feeding them throughout the journey, you should consider giving your cats a light meal approximately 3 to 4 hours before traveling, and then not feeding them at all throughout the duration of the trip. This may help prevent your cat from getting sick during travel. With a trip as long as the one you take with your cats, it would also be smart to prepare them for the journey by taking them on several shorter trips of gradually increasing length as the day of the big trip nears. Their area inside your vehicle should also be safe, secure and well-ventilated.
The ASPCA has several travel safety tips that can help you prepare your cats for the journey. You can also do some further reading on the Internet about
automobile safety for pets and
car travel tips.
Just like certain human beings, some pets get car sick. You may consider taking your cat to see your veterinarian to discuss the car-sickness issue and possibly get a medication that will make travel easier for all of you.
Labels: ASPCA, Pet Care, Pet Nutrition
posted by ASPCA at 9:51 AM PERMALINK
5 Comments:
This is very useful information. When my husband and I moved from Los Angeles to Seattle we didn't feed our 2 kittens during the 19 hour drive. They had access to water and their litter box and they got some bonito flakes as a treat during one break for gas. They did fine, better than us even!
Can I help save a life? I am so thankful for ASPCA for saving animals like my dog bailey from dieing. i am tring to send out poster to help and donate to stop animal crulty. Thank You so much!
May 14, 2007
This is very useful information for dogs as well. My dog Bailey is fine in the car but my best friend's dog is a different story. Salem, the poor thing, gets sick everytime they go on road trips. I will be sure to pass the information along.
does this apply to dogs too?
What is the best feeding schedule for flying cats from NYC to Alaska which is where my Aunt is going?
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