 Purred: Fri May 15, '09 3:43pm PST |
 | |  | | Hi Tully,
Congratulations you’ll soon become an RV kitty! If you guys don’t mind car rides I think you are definitely better off with your humans on the trip.
My humans took me on a 2 (or 3?) week RV trip to the Canadian Rockies 3 years go. It was a rental RV so I didn’t have the luxury of familiarizing myself with the thing. I was scared the first 2-3 days but I came around nicely later on. I hung out with my humans in the camp grounds, had walks on leash with them in the meadows and by the lakes, and slept on the dashboard enjoying the sun. It was fun time!
A few things I’d like to bring up for your humans to consider:
1). Definitely familiarize you guys with the RV WAY in advance. Make sure that you get your scents all over the place, except for the places where you’re not allowed to go. Have short “outings” with you guys in the RV every few days, even if it’s only foe half an hour to an hour. Just stay in there with you guys without driving. After a few times they can try taking you guys for a short ride in the neighborhood.
2). RV is noisy! I think the noise really freaked me out in the beginning. The blinds kept hitting the windows and the cabinet doors hitting the cabinet. Find a way to reduce the noise. This will make you feel less stressed.
3). DO bring your carrier/crate. This is important! It was the biggest mistake my humans made on my RV trip. They were running out of space and they thought my back pack would do. NO. I needed security. I needed a roof above my head and two walls around me. Our RV was the type that had an overhead sleeping compartment above the driver’s seat. They ended up building me a “cave” with blankets and pillows in the very corner of the compartment. They’d put me up there whenever we were on the move and I’d just go to sleep there. Make sure that you have a SMALL SPACE that you guys feel safe in. Otherwise you’d dart for underneath the driver’s seat like me!
4). Try teaching you guys to walk on a harness and leash. My humans trained me to do that because of the RV trip coming up. It turned out to be a good thing. I know it sounds funny but I started to turn around after the first time my human took me out for a walk in the meadow. For some reason I seemed to “get it”. I seemed to understand that’s the reason why we suffered all the movements and noise—we were supposed to visit new places. After that, I loved taking a walk with my humans on the trip.
5). Consider buying one (or two) backpacks for pets. The type I have is this http://www2.shopping.com/xPO-Outward_Hound_Outward_Hound_Backpack_Pe t_Carrier Your human can put you on his/her back, or roll you around on wheels. It is very durable and nicely constructed. I’m a big 15lb guy but I fit in it without any problem.
6). As for leaving you guys in the RV, my humans left me in the RV to nap while they were out and about. This was in June so the weather was hot. They made sure that the ventilations were on so the RV didn’t get overheated. Mind you, this was in the Rockies so the hottest day was probably no more than 85 degrees. Also, they only left me for a long period of time while we were in a campground, not just on the side of the road. If you guys can walk on leash or your humans can carry you with them in a backpack they don’t have to worry about leaving you guys in the RV too much.
7). Use products like Feliway and Rescue Remedy to reduce the stress level. I am usually a VERY calm and brave cat who cope with stress very well. Even I was scared for a couple of days.
8). Bring some of your favorite foods along. I’m a health freak (actually, it’s my humans not me). They usually only give me organic raw meats. The first couple of days when I was scared I didn’t want to eat, which was unheard of. Instead of the healthy organic raw meats, my staff gave me Fancy Feast, the kind with the most artificial flavoring, just to make sure that I ate. It’s important to keep you guys eating. They switched me back to my regular food once I started to feel better.
9). Tell your humans to talk to you guys and spend quiet time with you often, telling you why you were there. Their soothing voice will help you relax.
Sorry about the long post. I’m soooo excited about you going on a RV trip! Since my RV trip I’ve also been to holidays with my humans, surviving 7, 8 hour drives. It’s going to be fun, trust me! Your humans sound wonderful. They’ll do the best for you!
Pmail me if you have any more questions. Let me know how it goes!
Nemo
P.S. You can probably see some of my traveling pictures in my photo album.Edited by author Fri May 15, '09 3:46pm PST
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). but i DO! at first i am a bit timid, but once we get rollin its all good! mom doesn't do it much with me, but when we go to the doctor place (which i HATE, by the way) mom will take the long way so i can look out the windows and see and smell new things.
Safe travels to you and all the RV kitties on the road!
