Plan to travel with 3 cats and a dog
We have 3 indoor cats and a dog. The dog is not a problem (except that he thinks cat poop is a special delicacy). However, we are very concerned about the cats "escaping" in a campground when we ope...
Forum Discussion
We travel with 2 cats and a dog. You're right ... dog... no problem ... cats ... always a concern.
First, our cats absolutely love our camper. We have the camper parked at home and do a lot of driveway camping. We have a doggie door on the back of our house and the cats will come to the camper when we are doing a driveway camp and want in. Once in, they don't want to leave! It's bizzar!
When on the road, they travel in a large cloth style pet carrier with the mash screen for sight and air. They travel well in there on the back seat of the truck. And it's safe transport from truck to trailer once at the campground, or if we need to stop somewhere. They cannot bolt out the truck door.
Once inside the camper, we ALWAYS pay attention to the door. I put a heavier screen door catch on so they cannot push it open so easy. This works well, and give us confidence, that even if they do scratch at the door, it won't open now.
Second, we always watch the door when coming in or out. And if the cats get courious about the door when we come in or out, we always give a "scat" or a "Swhoosh" sound to scare them back from the door.
They've NEVER attempted to bolt at the campgrounds. At home they do, that's OK, but never at the campgrounds we've been to. I think they know they are NOT home and actually are too afraid to try to leave the camper. They know that camper is their safe place! Even at home, they know it's safe.
That might be the secret to your success. Driveway camp at home and let the cats stay inside the camper. The more they are inside, the more comfortable they become with it, and it will be familiar to them when their outside surroundings change. They'll be terrified to go out, and won't even try.
Good luck. Enjoy the kitties!
First, our cats absolutely love our camper. We have the camper parked at home and do a lot of driveway camping. We have a doggie door on the back of our house and the cats will come to the camper when we are doing a driveway camp and want in. Once in, they don't want to leave! It's bizzar!
When on the road, they travel in a large cloth style pet carrier with the mash screen for sight and air. They travel well in there on the back seat of the truck. And it's safe transport from truck to trailer once at the campground, or if we need to stop somewhere. They cannot bolt out the truck door.
Once inside the camper, we ALWAYS pay attention to the door. I put a heavier screen door catch on so they cannot push it open so easy. This works well, and give us confidence, that even if they do scratch at the door, it won't open now.
Second, we always watch the door when coming in or out. And if the cats get courious about the door when we come in or out, we always give a "scat" or a "Swhoosh" sound to scare them back from the door.
They've NEVER attempted to bolt at the campgrounds. At home they do, that's OK, but never at the campgrounds we've been to. I think they know they are NOT home and actually are too afraid to try to leave the camper. They know that camper is their safe place! Even at home, they know it's safe.
That might be the secret to your success. Driveway camp at home and let the cats stay inside the camper. The more they are inside, the more comfortable they become with it, and it will be familiar to them when their outside surroundings change. They'll be terrified to go out, and won't even try.
Good luck. Enjoy the kitties!
