We have two cats and are considering a five-month trip around the U.S. and Canada (May through Sept). The cats are 13 and 6 years old. We are looking for something that is portable, collapsible and has room for them to romp around outside. I have thought about one of those popup rooms with a floor but not sure how many places would let us use them. We will be boondocking also and that might present an issue (places such as BLMs, primitive campsites). They wouldn't be left alone but with supervision and not for extended periods. We have seen pet doors on rvs and were thinking of some type of cage add-on where they could stick their noses out for a bit. Just thinking out loud at this point.Any ideas? We thought about a house sitter but summers at our place are 40C for two months or more, not sure someone would want that job.

First, check the rules for importing a cat from Mexico into the US. Second, what comes to mind for me is a harness attached to a stake.

I think this enclosure would be just great for a cat.http://www.hayneedle.com/product/happyhabitat.cfm?source=pla&kwid=Cat%20Furniture%20and%20Accessories%20Low&tid=ABO360&adtype=pla&kw=&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=ABO360&gclid=CJ-x346Z4rsCFZKGfgod50gASwYou need to cut and past the link... sorryPut in their bed and some toys and they should be happy to a point.Good Luck with your travels.

We used the pop-up for a while -- consider a carpet for the floor though. The flooring is "crinkly" for lack of a better word. Freaked our cats out. The stake idea is okay if your cat doesn't mind the harness. One of our cats would lay down and refuse to move when we put him on the stake. We have a Carefree screen room attached to our rig.....however, it's not good for when you travel every few days.....it wears us out to put up and take down. :)And you're right.....some RV places won't let you put up the pop-up.....but if you boondock a majority of the time, the cats can just stay in at those places.Some years ago, someone posted a picture of their "cat cage" that hung out a window.....I've tried to find that again but can't find the link. It was perfect for the cats to get some fresh air. Our rig then had windows that didn't allow the cage (they were crank up windows)....but now we could use it. Hoping someone comes on here with the link. :)

Here are some outdoor cat enclosures on Amazon.

When boondocking don't forget about predators and roaming dogs as the portable cages are easily destroyed by them and your pets killed. Only use these cages when in a cg that has a minimum of predator issues. Many RV cats are content to remain inside the rig where they feel safe. They'll lay in the sun on the back of the sofa and be fine with it. Unlike dogs, cats don't care for unfamiliar territory outside. I suggest getting them a good litter box and let them stay in the rig all of the time.

Outdoor Area For Cats | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

amandasgramma
Explorer
Jan 06, 2014
CA Traveler wrote:
Question: Our cat would always walk clockwise when on a leash/rope. Then when completely tangled up on something she would just sit there and never walk counter clockwise.

Anyone else seen this behavior?
Yip, I've seen that, too. And we have one that plays possum when you put him on a leash.....lays down and plays dead.......LOL
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Jan 06, 2014
Question: Our cat would always walk clockwise when on a leash/rope. Then when completely tangled up on something she would just sit there and never walk counter clockwise.

Anyone else seen this behavior?
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Jan 06, 2014
Opie431 wrote:
Our cats learned to walk on leashes and when we sat by the fire they were tied up next to us.
Our cat was always on a leash when outside.

Plus she was on a red leash when we were driving because it's easy to find a 6' red leash. Plus the safety factor of knowing where she was when the slides were moved.
Opie431
Explorer
Jan 06, 2014
Our cats learned to walk on leashes and when we sat by the fire they were tied up next to us.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Jan 04, 2014
Make a 5 sided metal screen container that will fit in a window. Cats can be "outside" whenever they want. Bring it in when it rains or traveling of course.
WandaLust2
Explorer
Jan 04, 2014
Pawz4me wrote:
Here are some outdoor cat enclosures on Amazon.

This is the one we have that we attach to the window. We covered it with screen and made a frame to take the weight of cage w/4 cats inside. They come and go as they please.
WandaLust2
Explorer
Jan 04, 2014
I am still wayne_tw wrote:
First, check the rules for importing a cat from Mexico into the US. Second, what comes to mind for me is a harness attached to a stake.

Which is the most dangerous way to have a cat outdoors. Not only have cats strangled themselves with the leash/rope/chain, but have been attacked by predators and they cannot escape. A dog can kill the cat before the owner even knows what's happening. They can also escape many harnesses, never to be seen again. PLEASE don't recommend this method.
WandaLust2
Explorer
Jan 04, 2014
qtla9111 wrote:
We have two cats and are considering a five-month trip around the U.S. and Canada (May through Sept). The cats are 13 and 6 years old. We are looking for something that is portable, collapsible and has room for them to romp around outside.

Make sure whatever you get has a floor and they can't escape from it. We bought a Gander Mountain floored screen room for our 4 cats. They love it. We also have one of those large Midwest cat playpens at one of the windows. It attaches to the window and sits in a wood frame. When in the screen room one of us stays with them at all times.

I have thought about one of those popup rooms with a floor but not sure how many places would let us use them. We will be boondocking also and that might present an issue (places such as BLMs, primitive campsites). They wouldn't be left alone but with supervision and not for extended periods.

That could be a problem. Some Cgs and Resorts do not allow screen rooms or those First-Up gazebos. Call first. State Parks do allow them.

We have seen pet doors on rvs and were thinking of some type of cage add-on where they could stick their noses out for a bit. Just thinking out loud at this point.

Any ideas? We thought about a house sitter but summers at our place are 40C for two months or more, not sure someone would want that job.

There are literally thousands of cat enclosures available. Google will bring up more than you can look at. :)
Michelle_S
Explorer III
Jan 03, 2014
First for travel across the border I would think you would need a current Rabies Certificate, I know that's what is required for Canada.
We travel full time with 4 cats and they stay inside, but we do have a 40' 3 slide 5er.
One old boy does go out on a harness and leash for short walks, then he's ready to go back in, have a snack and a nap.
darsben
Explorer II
Jan 03, 2014
We use a metal dog crate for the cat. Put a nice soft rug on the floor and the cat will be content outside for hours. Predators cannot get to your animal easily either

Link to cages on amazon

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Outdoor Area For Cats

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