|
|
|
Average Member
 
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 9/15/2007 8:43:51 PM
Posts: 608,
Visits: 2,191
|
|
| Soooooo.....as mentioned in my previous post, Sam and I are moving to CO once I am admitted to CSU (keep fingers crossed!!!!! I'll know in four weeks!) We still are in the dark as to WHEN we will be moving. Either the second week of may, after my exams, or the last week of July. Here's my question. Its a 13 hour drive from Flagstaff, AZ to Fort Collins, CO. We will be driving in the car with 1 dog, 3 cats, 6 fuzzies. HOW ON EARTH AM I GUNNA SURVIVE THIS ROAD TRIP????? 1. The last move the medications the vet gave us for the kitties to "sedate" them did NOTHING. They meowed NON STOP for 28 hours all the way from MO to AZ. Does anyone have ANY idea how to get the cats to chill on this ride? I was thinking of putting them each in a ferret travel cage like this one: http://www.superpetusa.com/files%5C200px%5C60230.jpg That way they will have more space then if they were in a tiny cat carrier. I think this might calm them down a bit. I will put four ferts in one of these and Samson and Delilah will be in a seperate one. So I will be investing in 4 more of these ( i already have one) luckily these only run about $30 each. 2. Any specific tips on the actual trip with the fuzzies? Like should I make stops for them? They will have a litter box and food and water in their travel cage. They normally don't go outside so I don't really feel that it would be necessary to make a pit stop to walk them. They've been on car rides before. 3. The ferts have been on an hour car ride before. They really didn't seem to mind, but this is gunna be a long trip. Should I give them some melatonin before the ride and during to keep em mellow and stress free? 4. What about apollo, do you think he'll do alright on this long of a trip??? 5. Any other advice or tips would be greatly appreciated. Someone told me to bring a week's supply of the cats/dog's regular tap/drinking water so that they don't have to adjust to the change. What do you think of this? Helpful? Useless? Also what should I have in my travel "first aide kit"?
--------------------------------- Love, Giuli 
Check out my pictures/videos of all my "furkids" by clicking on the links below! http://lugnutandhendrix.myphotoalbum.com (The cats album is also here) http://samsonanddelilah.myphotoalbum.com http://willowandweezie.myphotoalbum.com http://apollopuppy.myphotoalbum.com Interested in natural feeding? Join NaturalFerrets! (Just click on the button below) 
|
|
|
|
|
Average Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/12/2007 3:46:12 PM
Posts: 644,
Visits: 1,756
|
|
| ferrets generally sleep for like what, 18hrs a day anyways? most of the ride they'll probly just sleep as long as none of the other animals bother them too badly. im sure in the middle of summer AZ-CO are gonna be a tad warm, so make sure the AC is working in the car (dont freeze them, but make sure the car in comfy like the temp of your house), and make sure their water stays cool. you may want to make at least one pitstop to pick up bottles of really cold water (or pack a few in a cooler) to switch up their water about 1/2 way through the trip. as for apollo, youre probly gonna have to let him stretch his legs every time you make a pit stop. Ive heard you should stop for like 15-20mins every 4-5 hours just so they can go potty if they need to and to let them get somthing to nibble on/drink. he'll probly be too busy watching all the other cars to really pay attention though to the long ride. the cats, i cant help with. im not a cat person and my bf's cat is more of a dog anyways. ive also never traveled with cats before, only dogs and ferrets.
-------------------------- Mommy of 5 lovley ferrets- Kiba, Sable, Amon, Aphrodite and Titus Over the Bridge- Podo, dec.06 
|
|
|
|
|
Average Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 9/15/2007 8:43:51 PM
Posts: 608,
Visits: 2,191
|
|
|
|
|
|
New Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 4/7/2007 4:12:36 PM
Posts: 96,
Visits: 173
|
|
Not all dogs like car trips. I would recommend taking him out every 4-5 hours, like Darklight said just to let him stretch. Keep in mind, tensions will be high. You and Sam will be stressed out from the rush, you have animals tromping all over the place, and the cats meowing will do nothing to help the ferrets sleep. In case of emergency, have some peroxide, gauze wrap, and other basic first aid items handy. I would wrap frozen ice bottles in towels, and put them in a square surrounding the perimeter of the cage (inside). About half through the drive, take a half hour break just so you and Sam can stop to breathe, the dog can be away from the cats, and it will be generally quiet. I don't like travelling with my cat, simply because he has his meow and it sounds like he is being ed. Try covering all of the cages with a towel or two, just so light will be blocked off, and they have a sense of security because they are confined to a little area. Make sure the cats are in a quiet, dark place with plenty of food and water. Have ALL of the animal records handy, including pictures and any other general information. If you have a van, block off the trunk part with a metal pet gate you can buy at most pet stores. Apollo will like the space, and he can have his food and water dish back there. You can then have the ferrets and cats in the backseat, or in the front with you and Sam.
------------------------------------------------
Proud owner of 4 ferrets:
Amber - Cesar - Snoden - Wingnut
http://ambercesarsnodenferret.myphotoalbum.com
http://wingnut.myphotoalbum.com
|
|
|
|
|
Average Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 9/15/2007 8:43:51 PM
Posts: 608,
Visits: 2,191
|
|
|
|
|
|
Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 1/17/2008 1:27:45 PM
Posts: 101,
Visits: 434
|
|
| The dog will need pitstops. Dogs are crazy nuts on car rides. Make sure not to feed him before you go!! Otherwise you will have a very unhappy mess on your hands (and in your car) At the pitstops, give him water and perhaps a small treat then and let him walk around to get his land legs again. If you figure out the cat thing let me know...lol. I dont think Ive ever figured a way that sedation didnt fix (and your right, the pills never seem to work) I own that fuzzy cage myself. Dang, yours are cheaper! I paid $80 for mine!!! Those cages are pretty good and I have a pic (Ill upload it for you later) of Poofball in it the first day Slinky came home. Definitely has enough space and is durrable enough. I also find that placing a carrier closer to the floor is better. The vibrations puts them to sleep or at least lulls them more than a seat where they have the chance to look out the window and panic. As for the fuzzies, one of my friend created a cage barrier between the front seat and the back, almost like a mail truck or police K-9 unit has. They said it worked pretty well, putting the bowls between the seats to support them from tipping over. They said the fuzzies never really knew the difference between their regular cage and a roadtrip because they included all the normal toys and accessories. A nice fuzzy blanket on the backseat helped and they slept most of the ride from MA to FL. Hope this helps.
|
|
|
|
|
Average Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 9/15/2007 8:43:51 PM
Posts: 608,
Visits: 2,191
|
|
|
|
|