Cats on Wheels — Camping Cats

How to have a successful cat camping experience

RVing with your pets is a rewarding experience, but there are a few things to plan before bringing Kitty with you on your travels.

In my last article about traveling with pets, I discussed the importance of taking a few weekend trips to get used to being on the road before heading out for extended journeys. This is especially true with cats.

Cats are nervous by nature and don’t like new environments. They don’t have good day vision and it takes a while for them to learn their way around outside in a new environment. They like to know where their food, litterbox, and toys are located.

I have a nervous Kitty, so I had to break her into the RV slowly. We did this in the safety and security of the driveway. I gave her a few hours in the RV where she didn’t stop crying. Then we tried to stay overnight in it. She hollered so much, that I had to bring her inside the house so I could get some sleep. By the third night, she calmed down and we were able to sleep. The next day, I put her in the bedroom while we started the noisy engine and sat with her until she stopped hollering. Eventually, she became accustomed to the loud noise, but she still hides when we are engaged.

Driving mishaps

How will you keep Kitty contained as you are driving? Having Kitty have free range inside the RV while you drive is dangerous for them, and you. Our Kitty was hiding as we drove one day, but then she suddenly came out mid-trip and was just about to jump on my husband as he was driving. I had to catch her and put her away. You don’t want a loving surprise, with claws out, on your head or neck while you are driving.

Our particular RV is fitted with a bathroom door sealing off the bedroom and also an accordion door closing off the bedroom from the bathroom area. We put the kitties in there and close the door while we are driving, so they have free range in the bedroom area. We can keep the cats contained and still access the bathroom. Food and water are on the floor and the litterbox is on the side of the bed while we drive. We move it to the front cab of the RV when we are camped.

Kittens and anxious cats may be best left in a carrier during the drive. The small space may calm them down and avoid scratching and peeing incidents. Planning ahead of the drive is crucial to avoid accidents, both pet and vehicular, on the highway. When traveling in an RV, most drivers need to take a break after 3 hours, which gives everyone a chance to get out and stretch their legs. Make sure your Kitty is fed and watered and has a chance to use the litterbox before putting them back in the carrier.

RVs are loud and scary places and even seasoned cats will be nervous during the drive. Pet calming chews and drops are available without a prescription at pet stores. You may want to get antianxiety medicines from your vet prior to leaving.

Temperature control

I discussed temperature control devices in my previous article, but there are several things to consider with inside temperature unique to cats. Open windows are great but may attract Kitty into scratching the screens. Days with high sun will require you to use curtains and sunscreens as well, so keeping windows closed and using air conditioning is usually your best option.

We purchased two self-stick window perches for Kitty, and she loves sitting and looking out the window of the RV. Give her one window she can look out of during the day and put the other one in your bedroom window for nighttime. She will love sleeping up there and then jumping down on you when you are fast asleep!

Avoiding lost cats

Security was one of my major concerns as we brought our precious kitties on their maiden voyage. Cats get nervous when not in their usual element. Think about the natural behaviors of cats. When cats are nervous, they will cry, scratch things, hide or pee on things. They also run out the door.

Think ahead. How will you keep Kitty from running out the door when you open it? How about when you have your hands full of dishes or food and you are trying to get inside as Kitty wants out?

Until Kitty is comfortable being a camping cat, select sites further away from tree lines. If you are out in the open and Kitty does get out, you will be able to find her easier, if she is not in the woods.

Have a plan and a strategy for opening the RV door. If the doors open independently, you can check to see if Kitty is by the door or perched ready to pounce out the door when you open it. I started getting in the habit of putting my left arm down while opening the door with my right hand. That way, if Kitty wanted to run out, I could stop her in her tracks.

Next, make sure your Kitty has a tag on her with your cell phone number and address. I have a cat who keeps taking said tag off, so I found a new strategy. I got a new collar and attached a digital tracker. I purchased an Apple tracker; one device is $25.00. Once I download the app, I can track my cat. If Kitty does go missing, I can find her in a flash.

If Kitty does get out, look under the RV first and between the tires. They may be as anxious as you are and may be hiding. Loud noises and nervous behavior from you can make them bolt. Call them calmly and shake their favorite treats to get them to come to you. If you still can’t find Kitty, be sure to let your camp neighbors know she is missing so they can assist in the hunt.

Jumping and hiding

How will you keep Kitty from jumping up too high, and having to jump back down without breaking a leg? There are inexpensive pet stairs that fold for easy use. Also, longboards or carpeted cat scratchers make good climbing lifts for Kitty. Our Kitty found it great fun to jump from one side of the RV to the other, but when the slide was out, suddenly the easy jump was a bit harder. Anticipate this before Kitty hurts herself. Utilize extra bedding pads or even back rests as lifts so you don’t have to bring extra things into the RV and will assist Kitty in exploring.

Kitties love to hide when they are nervous and somehow can find their way into the most precarious places. Somehow Kitty found her way into a bedroom cabinet and took a nap inside. We still haven’t figured out how she got into it, as all the doors were closed. Where will Kitty hide that could be a dangerous spot? Look at the top and sides of slides in particular. Block off dangerous spaces before you ever bring Kitty into the RV.

Foreign flora and fauna

Some campers let Kitty out and allow them to freely roam. I am not one of these campers as I am always afraid of losing them. In addition, there are wild animals and unusual plant life that your pet could eat or be exposed to. Inside the RV, make sure Kitty can’t get into the cabinets where you keep cleaning supplies and bug spray. Because an RV has a unique cabinet design and storage, Kitty may be able to access toxic chemicals more easily than at home.

Litterbox

Where to put the litterbox seems to be the biggest issue with cat travel. With limited floor space in an RV, you really need to give this thought. You don’t want it where you will be stepping into it, particularly in the middle of the night. You also want a place where Kitty can access it easily and still not be in the way. If Kitty is only with you on the weekends and you don’t generally use the shower in your RV, the shower space may be the perfect place for the litter. Just make sure you cover the drain with masking or packing tape, so the litter does not go down the drain. If you have a shower door, you have to use a small pad or block to keep the door open for them.

You may want to keep the litter box up high on a bunk bed, just make sure Kitty can get up there and knows where to find it. It also keeps the litter away from dogs, who may want an afternoon snack.

Another good spot is the front cab. It has enough space in front of the seats for a litterbox and the cat's food. Use the passenger side because litter getting into the driver’s side brake and gas pedals can cause costly repairs. If possible, use a top entry litterbox, which reduces the tracking of litter all over the RV. Lightweight litter is perfect for the traveling litter box, so get some specifically for travel. Scoop the litter at least once a day, as pet smells can get bad quickly in a small, humid space. In addition, if you are in the wilderness, pet smells can attract other wild animals and bears.

Be creative in finding space for cats, an open cabinet, large drawer or window perch are perfect spots for Kitty to hang out.

Food and water

Kitty’s food and water bowl will need to be out of foot traffic as well, and it is advantageous that cats like to climb. They may be able to go up to the top bunk to eat, which keeps the food out of the foot traffic and away from the dog as well. You can put the food in an open cabinet, on the bedside or counter as well. Just know you are giving Kitty permission to go on the counters if you do this. In an RV, you have to pick your battles, and most likely Kitty will have full run of the space you have, like it or not.

I put the water bowl in the bathroom, but it didn’t take long to get kicked over and water all over the floor. Putting the water bowl in the small space on the side of the toilet worked best, as it was easily filled and put where I don’t kick it over.

Our first weekend trip with two cats was successful. We made some changes before the next trip and went for over a week. Everyone seemed content and we considered it a win for all family members.

© July 2022