Camping with a cat

Kittykath wrote:
I'm afraid to take my cat camping. We rescued her 2 years ago from the very campground we seasonal at. She's very interested in our scents each weekend we return. She was recently turned into a house cat from a stray, and it's been her goal in life to return to that lifestyle. Can't keep her from begging to go outside, but not so much since it's been subzero since Christmas. Girl's got her limits. At the campground, she'd probably escape back to that no-good baby-daddy boyfriend cat she hooked up with, and we'd be heartbroken.

Best post I've read all day!

WoodGlue

I take my cat in my 28 foot motor home. He's an indoor cat and doesn't even try to get out. At first I got a large wire crate and strapped it in by the passenger seat. Put a nice soft rug and his bed in it. When driving, he yowled constantly and would stick his paws through the wire reaching for me. I tried covering the cage so it would be like a cave (he likes to burrow.) He yowled constantly, amazing what volume a cat can have. When I would stop at a campground and let him out, he was perfectly normal. He even went into the open crate to stretch out and snooze. Finally during a long noisy drive I stopped at a rest stop and let him out for some food and water. He stretched out on the dinette cushion totally relaxed. Back in the cage - YOWL. I couldn't take it anymore. I stopped, let him out and said this is it, your choice, if I get in a wreck you know you're toast. When I started the engine he went in the back and burrowed under the bed covers. When I stopped for the night, he strolled out and stretched out on the dash. That's now our routine. When I get ready to leave I put him in the bathroom until the slides have finished moving. When I start the engine he burrows under the covers and sleeps until we stop.

I'm afraid to take my cat camping. We rescued her 2 years ago from the very campground we seasonal at. She's very interested in our scents each weekend we return. She was recently turned into a house cat from a stray, and it's been her goal in life to return to that lifestyle. Can't keep her from begging to go outside, but not so much since it's been subzero since Christmas. Girl's got her limits. At the campground, she'd probably escape back to that no-good baby-daddy boyfriend cat she hooked up with, and we'd be heartbroken.

We take three everywhere we go. They each have their own place to hide while we're underway. After we setup camp they come out and never exhibit any stress..

We've had ours to Alaska and back and all over the US. She does give the day/night shades a fit looking for squirrels to attack. She is a magnificent hunter and even has managed to kill two rattle snakes at our new residence in Florida. Haven't seemed to have effected her so far. Spends her traveling time curled up on our bed asleep. Managed to "escape" twice, but came back later.

We also travel with "special needs" kritters. The Boyz are elderly and require 1)thyroid 2)kidney 3)cancer drugs on regular (every day, every other day, two days on, one off) schedule.
They dislike travel days and don't mind parked days
They ALWAYS travel in a travel kennel, strapped down. The dogs are also harnessed at all times. Unrestrained kritters can be injured in a wreck, just like people.

we take our cat everywhere we go that darn cat has been from Myrtle beach to Portland Maine she sits on the council between the front seats the whole way stays in the camper the whole time we are parked never even tries to get out she's about 3 years old my DW would never leave her behind!

We once had a cat who loved camping, he thought he was a dog. Loved hanging out the window, loved going for walks on a leash. He had a heart condition and needed meds that is why he went with us, sure miss him. If you have slides make sure you know we're he is when you put them in & out & wears a collar with info on. Start taking him and I am sure he will adjust just fine and love every second of it.