Taking Cats Outside of RV

[Hiker_01]

Looking for input/ideas/suggestions.

We travel with multiple cats, ranging from a few months to 13 years old. Several of them want to go outside the motorhome, especially if DW and I are outside. We've considered multiple options, but can't seem to figure out which would work best for us. Would like to hear what other people have done.

First, when we travel, we normally stay in one place anywhere from 1 night to one week, so we don't want something very permanent or hard to setup/take down. Also, limited space in bays to store while traveling. Some ideas we have tossed around.

Leashes: Would take up very little space, but only one will tolerate a harness, and as they never sit still, we would be spending a lot of time unraveling leashes.

Cages: Would control them, but would require cargo space as well as take down time depending on how big it is. Also, when we have tried cages (we have a 2'x4'x3' cage), they are not happy as they feel "locked up" and end up crying all the time.

Screen Shelter: Would require some setup/take down and cargo space, but would provide an area that we could sit with them and allow them to roam "freely" around us - provided we secure the floor and doors so they can't escape. All are declawed, so probably no issues with them tearing the screen.

Let them roam free on their own good behavior: NOPE - ain't gonna happen.

Again - welcome any ideas on how others have worked this out.

Thanks

Don

[Wanderlost]

If your cats are accustomed to being inside, don't let them out. A new location is always scary and the risk of them running away in fear is great.

If a cat is accustomed to being inside and outside, and since yours are declawed, consider a screened tent with floor. The cats can see outside, get lots of air, and be safely zipped inside the tent. You'll have to set it up, carry the cats to the tent, zip 'em inside, then reverse the process, but it's a whole lot safer for them.

Or do the cage off a basement door that has cat access back into the MH cabin. Fresh air, a lounging place to watch from, and safety only a few steps behind.

Our Spotacus thought the MH was a giant box. He loved being inside it and didn't ask to go out much, even though he's an indoor/outdoor cat. On the very rare occasions we took him out, it was on a leash. He didn't like that, but tolerated it to be outside with us.

He doesn't like the trailer much, but doesn't try to go outside, either. He does like riding in the truck with us, though. Strange cat...

[BizmarksMom]

I use these for my dogs inside of the trailer if they need to be more contained. They are light, and easy to set up. They fold flat for storage. (I use them inside the house sometimes, too.)
Maybe they would work for the cats?
https://www.amazon.com/Noz2Noz-669-Sof-Krate-Indoor-Outdoor/dp/B000P9ZFEM/ref=sr_1_4?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1485743492&sr=1-4&keywords=portable+dog+crate

[bamcote]

We travel with three cats. Our older two cats that are no longer with us were used to going out on leashes or in our pop up screen house. The third and largest cat was too much to handle bringing her out so I did not and she got used to not going out. She would lay by the door and watch the world. I now have two young cats and the big cat. I have taught the young cats to stay away from the door when we are going in and out. I do not take any of them out as it is a learned thing for them, and what they don't know they will not miss. I am getting older and harder for me to shuffle the cats in and out of the motor home. If you are interested in having the cats outside with you, maybe try one of those large canvas/screen pop up dog crates? This is where our cats stay while we are on the road, the ones I have are about 3 ft by 2 ft. You could pop it open in seconds, put it outside and set the cats up for a sunny afternoon. They store flat in one of the storage bays or under the bed.

[cmcdar]

We travel with two cats. We hve halters and leashes tht we use only when transporting them from the car to the trailer or vise versa. We use a carrier to transport them but they have a leash on just in case the get out of the carrier.

My cats are very curious and one really wants to go out. Unfortunately, almost anything frightens her so I am certain it would be dangerous or ,like above, she would just hide in fear till...

We are snowbirding right now. We also have a small dog and due to other campers not keeping their dogs on leash, it is difficult enough keeping her safe.

Out cats stay indoors. Sometimes you just have to make the decision that is best for them but not necessarily what they want.

The only thing that I have seen is someone had rigged a wire crate to a baggage compartment. The cats could lay out in the cage or go back inside via the baggage compartment. At least this way, if something frieghtened then they could run to cover.

[Beverley_Ken]

I travel with one (indoor) cat. I have a leash and harness (which he dislikes). I tether the leash to the awning strap, gives him more space to move. Maybe just take 2 cats out at a time and tether one to each end of RV. I never leave him out without being right there. Mine is actually more comfortable and relaxed lying on dash or back of couch looking outside.

Ken

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

What about a tall exercise pen with a mesh sunscreen over the top?

[darsben1]

buta4 wrote:
Declawing requires AMPUTATION of the last knuckle bone in each claw, suturing each stump and then bandaging it. For ALL OF THE CLAWS on all of the paws on that particular cat.

Particularly painful procedure, post op.

Plus, they have no way to defend themselves without their claws.

😞

Just sayin'.

Better than euthanasia!

But the take down cage idea is the only option in your case.
They are safe you can go in and out of the rig or fall asleep under the awning without worrying.

[Hiker_01]

buta4 wrote:
Declawing requires AMPUTATION of the last knuckle bone in each claw, suturing each stump and then bandaging it. For ALL OF THE CLAWS on all of the paws on that particular cat.

Particularly painful procedure, post op.

Plus, they have no way to defend themselves without their claws.

😞

Just sayin'.

Please, for my sake, I would like to keep this thread limited to the discussion topic and refrain from discussion of declawing. Thanks for cooperating.

[Hiker_01]

gbopp wrote:

Hiker_01 wrote:
At home, we sit with them on the patio with a fenced in back yard they can't escape from, and we keep close tabs on them.

All the fence does is slow down their escape. :B

You're absolutely correct. Ours is a 6 ft wood picket fence. I have learned a determined cat can accomplish great feats - which is why we keep close tabs on them. The fence just gives me that extra few moments that I can intervene. Without it - well, that would be a different story.

[doxiemom11]

We currently have neighboring rvers that have 2 cats. One likes to be out. They have a toy dog collar with the fastener for a leash on the cast and then have a small plastic covered wire type lead that about 8' long with the fastener for the collar on the end. One end tied/fastened around a small hook on the trailer, the other end with fastener in collar ring. Cat can wander a little, lay in the sun etc. They are always outside with it also. They also have a fabric & mesh carrier meant for 2 cats that they sometimes have the cats in at times when they are doing something (reading etc) where they may not be aware of all that's going on immediately. Seems to work real well for them.

[buta4]

Declawing requires AMPUTATION of the last knuckle bone in each claw, suturing each stump and then bandaging it. For ALL OF THE CLAWS on all of the paws on that particular cat.

Particularly painful procedure, post op.

Plus, they have no way to defend themselves without their claws.

😞

Just sayin'.

[2oldman]

RoyB wrote:
One of the hardest things we had to do was to eventually pack up and leave...

That's sad.

[gbopp]

Hiker_01 wrote:
At home, we sit with them on the patio with a fenced in back yard they can't escape from, and we keep close tabs on them.

All the fence does is slow down their escape. :B

[DougE]

I had one that was an outdoor cat at home but never let him outside when on the road. He had been on his own as a youngster at a storage yard. He would definitely try to get out occasionally and even tried to batter his way out through a window with blinds once, but he would settle down after a while. They may show their displeasure but they get used to being an inside kitty when they're in the RV. You'd feel a lot worse if you let him outside and he disappeared.