I also have a travel kitty. Didn't plan on it but he came into my life while on the road and I got attached. Keeping him was the best decision I ever made.
Our humane society does not let cats or dogs out for adoption without chipping them. It's part of the adoption fee, as well as spaying and neutering and free vet care for their first two months.
We have a full time boat cat that sails around the world with us. It was great that we adopted her at 6 months old and moved her right on to the boat, so it's basically all she's known and actually gets upset when she's taken off the boat for long periods. Sometimes it can be a hassle to get her through customs & immigration in new countries, but having her to travel with us full time has been absolutely worth it.
We sailed for 10 years and still have the cat we adopted 15 years ago in the Marshall Islands. He lived for 7 years on the boat and we flew him back to the states at the end of our cruising. Now he is an old house cat enjoying his twilight years.
I've been homeless off an on my whole life (due to being a foster child and having no parents) not cause I'm a lazy person lol. I have a cat who is my baby hes almost 3 but loved walks and his harness. I want to do van life because of my unstable relationship with living. So thanks for this, will help my baby boi out.
Impressed that you kept your college cat and went back for her. Important video; so much on dogs out there but not much on cats so thank you. Will check out the new products in links. A Zoom Groom is what I use for no tech cat hair removal (cat shaped, flat on one side and pointy cones on the other, one side removes hair from cat while flat side does surfaces).
Thanks for this video, it's so hard to find info on traveling with a cat! It was great to hear your process of preparing her and I'd love to hear updates as you learn new things.
I agree! That is why we made this because we can up empty-handed when we started doing research about bringing her with us! Glad you found some use for the information!
Were doing everything right according to your information. Were not on the road yet, but the steps we are taking and planning seem to be a close parallel to your theories. Looking forward to new vids.
This is fantastic info! Not looking to live full-time in a van, but will be travelling to move cross-country in a couple years with 3 cats in a converted Honda Odyssey. Thank you for the great tips for making your kitty comfortable!
OMG Finally a video on traveling with a cat. I cannot begin to express how appreciative I am that y'all took the time to make this video. Video updates regarding yours and Luna's progress on the road would be great too. Thanks again
I have finally found the best video on how to train our kitten to travel, thank you. Toby is 1 year old and since he was little we have trained him to go out with the leash. He is still crying when we drive him short distances in the car, so patience and perseverance. Thanks again for your advice.
Wow I loved every single of the story. Luna is one lucky cat to have such a concerned parents. Who not only care for her well-being and also ensuring her comfort while travelling in the camper. May God bless u guys and ease everything throughout the journey
I ended up needing to buy an extra large kennel to riding in the cab with me so that my cat can always have access to a litter box. She's almost 14 so that might play a role in why she needs constant litter box access. The kennel takes up almost the whole back seat of the car but it's worth it to give her room for a litter box and to stand up and stretch out completely. She's a large Norwegian Forest Cat mix probably with something like a Maine Coon.
Kat Foster ~ The Maine Coon/Siberian/Norwegians tend to have super easy going personalities, for cats anyway. They are very dog like. Siamese, too, except they can be very fussy. And l o u d.
Props to you both for finding a way t travel with your pet! So many people abandon their pets even for a two-week vacation... you're truly an inspiration! I have three cats myself, two of which I adopted abroad and brought back home with me across the Atlantic. When there's a will, there's a way.
Omg! My husky does the same thing in her kennel too while we're vanlifing. She'll definitely tell us when she's hungry, gotta go potty, and thirsty. You got a smart cat if she's alerting you guys to her wants & needs.
Cats love RVs I am convinced. Being up high and cozy, they seem to fit their idea of the good life. Cats actually like it much hotter than humans. My cats love to sleep in the front where temps can get pretty toasty. You could always get a backpack or cat stroller to take her along when you go places, but if it is cold outside she would probably rather just stay home. She is beautiful! 😁
Hi! I'm working on figuring out how to get into van life with two fur babies myself. I live in NE USA and it can get pretty cold. So, my concern is when I'm at work during the day and the girls (my kitties) are home in the van, how do I keep them warm safely? Any ideas of what sort of heating system to use that is safe enough to keep on while away from home? There must be something, considering we heat houses while away, right? I'm just worried about a fire, because I wasn't there. Any tips or ideas would be greatly appreciated, thanks!
This is so helpful! We love our cats too, and we really don't want them to be only indoor cats the entire life just to be safe... really want my babies to enjoy the beauty of the world before they die.
for those interested in harness training your cat try a thinner harness one where the thing looks less scary and imposing it really helped my little fur baby love his new and fancy (and better than his trainer) harness, its still a struggle to get the thing on cuz he's a wiggle butt, once its on he loves his adventures.
My cat was exactly the opposite we started with a thin harness and she hated it. But once we got a thick plushy one she was comfortable pretending she wasn't wearing.
Kat Foster ~ I had the same experience. My cat hated the thin harness but didn’t mind the thick one. I gave him tons of praise and now he struts around like he’s a movie star when I put it on him, lol
Hi, Petra from germany. Yesterday i bought a ford nugget van, and the next month i will train my 18 year old perser cat POLDIE being in the van for a few time without driving at the beginning, and in the next stage i will stay there with him for a night and finally to drive a bit. Since 2 month he is used to go for a walk two times a day,... and after overcome fears in the beginning, he likes it more and more. So this gives me the hope one day to have a good and relaxing van time in the future with my sweety old cat. By the way...living or traveling in a van is also a new thing for me, but i could't wait any longer ( age : 51 ;-) ) So...thank you so much for your videos about your nice van lifetime with your wunderful cat. 💟
How awesome is this? Well done guys! I have trained my cats to come to my whistle - I have 5 rescues! I also have a maine coon type who I trained to walk with me, (no leash), from pretty young. I can take him in my car to a wood and walk him round too. He's super stoical and cool with dogs too. I'm in the UK though so the outdoors is safer. I do also have a van but travelling with 5 is too much stress. Best of luck to you all.
I used to work on a drill rig that moved constantly. I had a black and white cat named Garbonzo Bean who traveled with me. She was aces! She (recreationally) caught roaches in Alamagordo, rode on the dash of my truck (with cat toys stuck to the glass) and scared the heck out of the maids at the motels because she loved to chase the sheets when they were being changed. RIP Beanie. I love you still.
Awesome video, we travel with 3-4 cats and you have done all the items we have done. We have a truck camper, and just leave the back window from truck to camper open, so they have space to move around... Great job!! Hugs to Luna! She is just happy to be with her humans again!!
My husband and I want to travel for a whole year in a van (not sure if USA or Europe), and when we transform the van is my priority to make it good for our pets. We have three cats.
You had some great ideas and tips and Luna seems very happy (and the cutest!) But I didn't hear you talk about veterinary care. What about updating vaccines prior to departure? Microchipping the animal in the event they get lost? Flea/tick/parasite control? Even if they're just out on a leash they're still coming into contact with potential parasites. Revolution (fleas/ticks/various intestinal parasites/mites/heartworm prevention and treatment [monthly topical]) or Seresto Collars (flea/tick prevention for 8 months) are excellent. Knowing where the closest veterinary hospitals and emergency/24 hr vets are wherever you're going is super important. Have either pet insurance or money set aside for pet health emergencies. Perhaps even running some labs on your pet before departure (especially for older animals, which for cats is 10+) to ensure there are no underlying illnesses that would be exacerbated by the stress of a new living situation and before you're away from their primary veterinarian or away from any veterinarian at all. Making sure that if they're on a specific diet you can get access to it wherever you may be (e.g. prescription diets). Establishing yourself as a client at veterinary hospitals wherever you typically travel to for pet medications/diets/care. Asking local veterinarians about the local parasites or common things pets can easily contract in certain areas (Lyme, Lepto etc). If you're traveling internationally some countries require pet health certificates that only certain veterinarians are licensed to provide. Just some things to keep in mind to keep your furry friends happy and healthy. Best of luck with your fluffy sweatheart!
this was INCREDIBLY informative and helpful. I think many will benefit from your tips on getting the cat ready for all the new things before-hand. We may be cat lovers and we may want the nomadic lifestyle...but there are so many things to consider, that nobody thinks of them all themselves. I am going out and buying harnesses this weekend to get my furbabies pre-emptively prepared. Thank you.
Thank you for this comprehensive video!! I'm working on my truck camper build and want to make sure it's a good space for my kitty and I. I'm definitely buying the go pet bento box! I'm tired of spilling food and water everywhere in the truck.
When it came time to vacation, I found it was helpful that I'd already acclimated my cat to a harness and leash. We used to take walks around the block. People loved seeing this. I would also take them shopping. I taught my Persians to ride on my shoulder--this was before all the pet sacks/slings came out. There wasn't one business that asked me to leave. One time we rented a vacation home up in Oregon. The bedroom was in the loft and there were great beams that extended beyond the loft and over the living room. The cats loved this! I was super nervous the first time they did this but quickly learned they knew how to get back and were perfectly at ease. Thanks for your video. Taking your kitty with you on vacation, if at all possible, is so much better for both of you! :)
Awww, Luna is GORGEOUS!!!! I've been living/traveling in a Honda Odyssey with my 2 cats, The Noodle and Candy, since the end of March. The younger one was raised to ride, while the older one, Candy, was a rescue a few years ago, and not acclimated to cars. We were forced to become vandwellers very quickly after my mother passed Mar. 13, and the most prep I could do was maybe a week. I got Candy a harness (The Noodle is used to his, and I swear he talked to her about wearing it, what it means (going out of the house), etc!!) I also picked up some kitty calming treats at Petco called Composure, (try several types for what works for yours) and by the night we hit the road for my favorite campground (March 31), she stopped meowing about 30-40 minutes out, sat up on the foot of the bed (behind the front seats) and chatted with me as we drove :D They are both awesome companions. I have a decorative table that is just the right size to hold a high-sided plastic bin underneath (The Noodle is a sand-thrower) for their litter; I put their food and water bowls in a wooden tray with a towel beneath them, but I sure liked that Bento bowl idea!! For anyone contemplating this adventure, just give them lots of love and reassurance, and you'll be surprised how quickly they will adapt. I wouldn't be without mine!!! As the weather is warming, I too am concerned about not leaving them in the heat. For short stops, I will leave the van/AC running and lock all the doors from outside; I recently purchased a Mightykool K2 swamp cooler ($250 swampy.com) and it was a life saver last week on a trip to CA, in which the kitties had to stay in the van for hours when a tie rod broke, and the van was towed and then repaired, which took an entire afternoon. It uses water and a very small amount of power with a 12v plug, and has a powerful fan. It will not cool an entire vehicle--but it creates a cool space for the fur babies to lie in front of, and keeps the inner temps cooler than just opening windows. Happy Meows!!
If you are letting her outside a lot and everywhere don't forget about a flea and tick treatment!!!! The seresto collar is a dream plus it lasts long and ur not putting chemicals on their skin!
I've driven across country twice with my cats. Never had any issues. Once one got out and disappeared, but the next morning was right there waiting by the vehicle. I've lived in rural cabins surrounded by wild animals, and my cats had access outside, never a problem.
Luna was a Cat /Dog mix , The best of both. I had a Cat like her years ago that was super chill and I could call her home even if she was several houses away. I got her in grade 3 and she lasted 18 years. It took several years until we stopped missing her every day. I'm sorry for your loss. She was a lucky Cat to have you guys.
I wish everyone could be as mindful, and take the time to examine the needs and constant changing environment and the potential dangers IF not address and remedied as you have here for precious Luna.
Hello, we are an Italian family, our adventure will begin in a few weeks, we are completing the camperization of our Lan Rover DIscovery 4 ... our 2 white Mila and Maxi cats will also be part of our 'infinite' journey, they are apartment cats , it won't be easy ... we started to let them go out with us little by little, but it's not easy, some days are quieter but others rebel and we feel almost guilty, we made the decision to start traveling because Covid managed to destroy in just 3 months our company created with many sacrifices of years, so we decided that life is one and we want to at least try to live it in the best possible way, that is, in freedom and without stress .... ours two kittens are like daughters for us so we would love to get them used to being together ... I saw that your Moon is already used to it ... we hope to achieve the same result.
My soul cat Junipur travelled with me on NY -FL trips multiple times. In the south, when I had to leave her, I’d park in the shade and put her (very large) kennel outside the vehicle, with plenty of water. Usually this was something like behind the restaurant, out of the way, and again, shady. This worked well for those midday breaks when it was the hottest.
I am so glad that I stumbled across this video, I have a dog and a cat. I’ve been wanting to really travel with my pets, not full time but for vacationing. I haven’t found a lot of useful information about cats and traveling on the road. My cat (A teeny tiny little girl named Jackie) is really rambunctious though, she is a huge trouble maker and that is what I think will be the hardest part.
Thank you! I've roadtripped with generations of dogs, but now getting ready to full time with a dog and cat, I was looking for some validation. We went from large suburban home where she was indoor/outdoor, to an urban garage studio apartment near a 6 lane road - no more outside, it just isn't safe. I think you did it right. And for what it's worth, cats adapt to what we make normal quickly. Plus I'm confident we'll never get a mouse for long!
When I saw LEAVING HER BEHIND on your video, I stopped breathing! I often jump to conclusions and assumed that meant you accidentally pulled out of a campsite with her still tied up with her 30--foot rope. Continuing forward, I saw soooo relieved. You folks are GREAT and I cheer for you. It seems that you have thought of her as a person as most pets owners do (or should). Best wishes and thanks for posting.
This was pretty interesting. I've never lived life out on road with a cat for an unknown period of time, but I have driven 2500 miles cross country in a Camaro with two cats. That was an interesting experience for sure.
Thank You Bound For Nowhere chick. Thanks for the time and share. I appreciate your mindfulness for your cat. And the time you took to share this. Just what I was randomly looking for. Hi Luna.
Great advice for ALL. Ty for sharing your thoughts and videos and time with us. I think you are absotively awesome for Luna. I believe that she is doing so well on the road and its because of your care and 🥰👣👣🐾 love. 🚐. Great job. Lots of good tips and tricks for sharing. Love the harness and traveling food and water holder. 👍🦋. Happy travels and HUGS and Blessings from NY State. I have 2 cats and thank you for the information. HUGS 🌞🌠🏞🌌. Just found your channel today and newly subscribed. Ty
Thank you for sharing. I have an older rescue kitty that I will be taking with me into my converted van in June. I have introduced her to it and she loves it. I can't get her to take to a collar or harness. She was previously an outside kitty when I got her. It is a comfort to know cats adjust to our changing lifestyles.
Cats can be great travel companions! I love your flat ID tag idea. I’ll be checking that out. Kennels are a must and can also double as a “cat tree” with a few modifications. Thank you for all the great ideas and sharing Luna with us.
We took our outside cat camping a few times and both were such a great experience. Our cat never wanders from whatever she perceives as home, and on both trips the truck immediately became home. But I love what you said... Every cat is different. I think a lot of people think that (unlike dogs) because all cats look about the same that they also all act about the same, but every cat is so different!
Exactly! In the end I don't think that all cats are cut out for this but you stand the best chance of making it work by taking it slow and letting them show you they are ready for advancing! We are so happy to have our girl out here with us! She really adds so much warmth to our home!
Hi glad to hear that you have taken luna with you on your travels. My partner and I decided to go travelling 18 months ago and we take our cat everywhere we go we also have two dogs. Our cat absolutely loves it. We travel Europe with them and our cat just wanders off around his new surroundings and comes back each time no harness unless we are in a very busy area which we think is unsafe for him he is 12 years old this July. Never been travelling before but he settled into his new life quite happily xx
Both my Mom and Dad's kitties loved to go camping, it wasn't full time but as soon as Mom would start getting thing ready there they each were wanting in there. Both on harness and leashes both big mousers in the evening by the fire. BOTH loved to find rocks to stand on and watch things from....lol.
Thank you for this. I am hoping to venture down the vanlife path but the biggest obstacle is that I have 2 cats. This is very encouraging, seeing that perhaps the 2 loves (cats and vans) are not mutually exclusive. :)
luna looks so much like our patches a recently diagnosed Diabetic kitty who i am now struggling to find ways to take with us when we travel Thank you for this
I love the way you did this! I think the starting early is a huge huge game changer and makes it so much better for both you and Luna. Also, she is a beautiful little lady!
We have to cats that are about years old, they are brother and sister. We bought a motor home 2 months ago and we think for future trips it would be nice if Bart and Lisa would go with us, instead of staying home and having our friend come and feed them. Your video gave us good advice on how to deal with them. Thank you very much.
I could go on and on and on but simply, Great job. I applaud the attention and detail you are giving to making Luna feel comfortable. I just recently took my cat for a ride from a place I moved to which was only 30 min away but I soon realized it was going to be much more difficult than I thought haha. My poor girl Misty 🐈 is only 4 years old and I've only had her for a year and never been in a car before. I found out she absolutely hates it ( ptob because the previous owner never got her familiar with the car when she was younger ) she would heavily pant, Drool, and constantly meow NonStop until we reached our destination. 🤦🤷♂️ I used to only appreciate Dogs when I was younger but now I'm 35 and have a huge appreciation for cats. Love their attitudes, cleanliness, and lonewolf antics they usually use. Haha. 👌
Great video chock full of great advice. We’ve been toying with the idea of camper travel, and it’s good to know that, with patience and love, you can get your house cat comfortable with that type of travel too. Luna is beautiful, by the way!
I took a cat on a 10 day trip in a VW van - screamed for the first hundred miles, hid & sulked for the next hundred and then was fine. He would ride & nap on a box at window level in the passenger seat.
Thank you for sharing this! This is one main concern for us as we prepare to get our van ready. It’s hilarious to see our cat walk in his harness, I think he needs more practice . Hopefully he will adjust as well as Luna has!
One of our cats is very food motivated, and the other is very attention motivated. We plan to feed and pet them in the van without going anywhere, then running the van, then a trip around the block etc.
Thank you, this was really helpful. My boyfriend and I recently adopted 2 kittens and I got worried about how would we managed traveling with them when getting our campervan, which is a big dream of mine. Love the idea of attaching a harness to the car so she can explore the outside without being in trouble
