Kit-Cat'S Revenge

[spectrum055]

So in the Attachment you can see my Kit-Cat ...well since I'm getting ready to move I got her a Walking Harness so I can potty her during the trip.
And to get her used to it I've had her spend one hour a day wearing it. But today when a friend came over for a smoke before I pack up my Hookahs she was in the process of wearing it around. So far she's fairly clumsy in it, and to jump off the couch she literally jumped from my couch onto my friends shoulder, Fell and used his arm and her claws for support.

THEN, she decided she would check out what was going on, on the computer desk and jumped up on my chair then climbed up my back and sat down like a parrot on my shoulder. >.< she's never done that... Then when I moved a little she jumped on my friend again hitting him in the face then fell onto his lap, and laid down there half on his laptop half on his lap.

But after I took off the harness, and he left she decided to get back on the desk. She jumped and slipped falling off the desk then walked away like she meant to do that...

All I can say is I wish I could have filmed all of this...

[Chreees]

I bought a harness for my cat and everytime I get it out to try and put it on her face literally says, "OH HELL NO!"

Needless to say, I was never able to train her to be okay with wearing it...

[agunn1231]

one of my cats is mellow and probably wouldnt mind a harness, but the other one is old and cranky, and he'd probably beat me to death....That was a funny story though, made my morning a bit better.

[spectrum055]

Well I put it on again... she is very clumsy and her attitude changes...

She climbed on my chest this time and stared at me with the "I want down" look so I put her on a chair...She tried to get on the counter after and well the chair is covered with a sheet so she fell...then I had to put her on the couch...so I figured I'll leave it off until the Journey starts.

[Rani]

First of all, how far are you traveling? 'Cuz a cat traveling by car is a whole ball game in itself depending on the length of the trip. Secondly, to get a cat used to a harness and leash, you start with just the harness. Get her used to wearing just that. Then you attach the leash. Loop it up so it's super short with rubber bands, then let her run around with it. Then start unlooping it making it longer and longer. She'll adjust as the leash gets to be more and more of a drag behind her.

Honestly, the best way to handle traveling with a cat by car for a long trip is to give it entirely it's own space. Like a big wire dog kennel or something like that that includes disposal litter trays and some kind of box she can hide in. You night also want to check with your vet about slipping her some tranqs unless you can get her used to traveling in the car before hand. Most cats are severely traumatized by car travel. At the very least they hate it and will spend most of the time hiding in the box you provide.

I've actually considered what I'll have to go through with my two if I ever manage to move to Seattle which I'd love to do. I figured I'd have to win the lottery because my options are either hiring a private plane (about $3,000), or renting a motor home and giving them the bedroom space. For me the plane would be the better option. A couple tranqs hidden in kitty treats, 45 minutes in the air and I'm home free with minimal trauma.

These are the times you gotta love dogs..........

'Rani

[Rani]

By the way, if you ever have to bathe a cat, (I've had Persians before, so bathing was at least a couple times a year), those heavy nylon dog harnesses are a miracle. Givers you something to hold onto while you bathe them with the other hand. And makes them feel more secure in the process. Just added info.

'Rani

[spectrum055]

^.^ Thank you for the major pointers... She actually only mewed like four times during the whole trip...and only when I stopped. Which is better then our other cat, we had to take her to the vet and we were using a soft carrier and she managed to unzip the bag before we left and I started yelling to my mom. "MOM THE CATS GETTING OUT OF THE BAG!!" and she's yelling "DON'T LET HER ROAM AROUND THE CAR" and well I kept repeating myself then we realized "the cats out of the bag" and we started laughing, while the cat was freaking out...After that she was silent for the trip...

But the reason for the kennel thing and Harness is when my Uncle was my age and he was moving he didn't have any of that and his cat ran out at a truck stop and was gone forever...I don't want to lose my cat so I got that stuff.

If I had more monies I'd head to the vets office and get that kind of stuff and keep her drugged for the trip to ease it because its going to be a two day trip..But I'm putting a towel in the Kennel from her sleeping box under the bed, so it smells like her and is comfortable and after a while I'll open the box.

But from making a hiding room, what about putting her kennel on the floor of the passenger seat and covering it in a blanket so she can't see out unless she climbs out of the Kennel?

[Rani]

[quote name='spectrum055' timestamp='1284103671' post='481796']
^.^ Thank you for the major pointers... She actually only mewed like four times during the whole trip...and only when I stopped. Which is better then our other cat, we had to take her to the vet and we were using a soft carrier and she managed to unzip the bag before we left and I started yelling to my mom. "MOM THE CATS GETTING OUT OF THE BAG!!" and she's yelling "DON'T LET HER ROAM AROUND THE CAR" and well I kept repeating myself then we realized "the cats out of the bag" and we started laughing, while the cat was freaking out...After that she was silent for the trip...

But the reason for the kennel thing and Harness is when my Uncle was my age and he was moving he didn't have any of that and his cat ran out at a truck stop and was gone forever...I don't want to lose my cat so I got that stuff.

If I had more monies I'd head to the vets office and get that kind of stuff and keep her drugged for the trip to ease it because its going to be a two day trip..But I'm putting a towel in the Kennel from her sleeping box under the bed, so it smells like her and is comfortable and after a while I'll open the box.

But from making a hiding room, what about putting her kennel on the floor of the passenger seat and covering it in a blanket so she can't see out unless she climbs out of the Kennel?
[/quote]

Yeah, that should work. But I still think you're better with more space rather than less so she can kind of stretch out when she realizes that despite all the scary chaos, death isn't eminent. Being able to see you may help reassure her, or it may make her more demanding to be let out, figuring if she can see you, you ought to be doing what she wants. They just like to find someplace dark because instinctively they feel safer where they think they can't be seen. If you have the time to get her used to traveling in the car that would be great, because there are cats that are okay with travel after they've gotten used to it You might set the kennel in the house and let her get used to being in it and feeling safe. The hard part is they just don't understand what's happening so of course there's trauma. And don't forget a moving vehicle right after feeding is more than likely to cause her to throw up, which cats tend to do on a regular basis anyway, so keep food amounts small and more frequent. Stock up on the kitty treats she loves and give her one or two every couple hours instead of a full feeding until you stop for the night. Treats are high in fat and calories, so she won't be starving by any means.

The thing is every animal is different. She might surprise you, but be prepared for a trip that's a traumatic for you as it is for her. At least it matters to you that she be comfortable and safe. Not all owners are as conscientious as you are.

'Rani

[spectrum055]

Thank you...Well I'm considerate of her because she was a stray before, that was abandoned. She was all thin and her fur not as soft, and she came up to me after like Half a year of ignoring me then and then just suddenly changing from fearful to "HEY, give me a home" and so she has a home and is never with out food or water.

So I'm very easy on her because of that and I love cats and most breeds of dog (No Chihuahua's though..damn shark bate dog)