Truck Camping With Cats

NRALIFR wrote:
Thanks for all the responses!

Cats can be good traveling companions if they're ok with cars. It helps to introduce them to all types of new experiences when they're young. Kahlua has always been a good traveler. We got her from a shelter when she was about a year and a half old. Selina has taken to it just fine, since we've had her almost from the start. We've made a point of taking her with us everywhere it's ok to take a cat. She likes going to Lowes with us and riding in the buggy.



Getting a cat used to a harness and leash takes some patience. You start by just putting the harness on them at home to get used to it. They typically spend the first few trials trying to back out of it, or just flopping over on their side and acting like it's killing them. They eventually get the hang of it. Then you get to do the same drill with the leash. Kahlua has walked miles and miles of trails with us on a leash. She can't walk quite as far now, so she gets carried more.

I'm no cat expert (or spouse or child expert for that matter), but we've had pretty good luck with the cats we've had. You just have to figure out what works for yours.

:):)

I'm sorry but I just cannot agree with taking your pet to indoor public spaces like this. I get that people like the companionship and there are times (especially when traveling on the road in an RV) that leaving a pet inside the vehicle is a problem because of heat concerns but that should not be an excuse to take a pet into public indoor spaces where others with allergies could unknowingly be impacted (nobody's expecting to see a cat in the middle of Lowes). I acknowledge that society as a whole is changing to the point where pets in public places are becoming more common but I'm not ready to admit that such a change is a good thing.

I will say that if given the choice between having campsite neighbors that have a cat or a dog I will choose the cat people every time. There is nothing more annoying than trying to relax and enjoy a nice afternoon while your campsite neighbors leave their dog tied up at the picnic table and it's yapping and barking while they go down to the beach where dogs are not allowed. Yup, I've had that happen a couple of times and it's about all I can do from going over and giving them a peace of my mind when they return. They just think Fido is barking because he's happy to his masters return and don't consider that it's been barking for the last 8 hours and could be heard all over the campground.

Pets can be great travel companions and I suspect someday my Mrs will want one but I will always be mindful to ensure that my pet is not impacting others around me in a negative way.