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Part 1 of the RV pets saga! Are you ready to head out for your seasonal RV travels and wondering what you are going to do with your cat. Or maybe you are a full time RVer and in search for a feline friend. or currently have one. However your adventure may look, there are lots to take into consideration when homing your current or future kitty in an RV. If you’ve mastered the art of pleasing your feline companion while cohabitating in a stationary home, it might be time for you to take on the challenge of living with your tiny tiger in a mobile setting.
Do you currently travel with your Cat? Subscribe and comment below if you do and of course send pictures!!
Commuting & The Decision
Taking your cat out on test drives in your car and or RV before you leave is a great way to see if you think it is a suit. You can have your RV parked at home and have them practice staying the night inside, while reinforcing with food, treats and play time.
Many cats do not like or can’t handle commuting. Whether it’s due to motion-sickness or the general environment created by the act of riding in a vehicle from one place to the next, some cats are just not fans. Your cat’s ability to tolerate being driven to a location should be taken into consideration when deciding whether or not your feline friend is a good candidate to join you on a camping or RVing trip.
For those who have cats that aren’t concerned by a ride in the car, you are one step closer to a successful cat/camping relationship.
If this will not work you can have a pet sitter or family member take over while you are gone.
The Cat
Just like people, cats are all different, every cat has its own personality, likes and dislikes. From here this is where you accommodate to your cats needs based on what they like and personality, and at the same time finding a happy medium that works with your schedule too.
Cattitude is a real thing and making your pet happy and safe is the biggest thing. Try to pinpoint what character traits your cat may have and accommodate your living space to make you and your cat comfortable. Typical cat traits may look like the following:
Skittishness. This refers to how nervous or laid-back a cat may be.
Nervous: Gradually reinforce cat to your rig, create safe/hiding places around your camper, bring in familiar items to your cat, give extra time for your cat to get use to being in a new environment, Be patient, it will work out just provide lots of love!
Laidback: Well there is not much to say here, just make your easygoing friend comfortable and he/she will go with the flow!
Outgoingness. A cat may be friendly, curious, and active or "lazy" and uninterested in exploring new things.
Reserved: Similar to being nervous creating a safe/hiding place for when your cat does not feel like socializing.
Outgoing: Have your cat have free range of your camper and maybe consider a leash and harness for outings.
Dominance. It's the tendency for a cat to either bully other cats or submit to them.
Submissive: Cats who are submissive would do well with a laid back companion or in a single pet environment.
Dominant: Cats who are more dominant would do well in a single pet environment, and able to roam RV.
Spontaneity. proceeding from natural feeling or native tendency without external constraint. To sum it up is your cat display impulsive actions or maybe have pre determined or predictable actions .
Predictable: If you know your cats every action or thought then this should be easy to set up a space you know your cat will like and be safe in,
Impulsive: Set up obstacles on you camper and play with them often. Be on the look out so they do not escape.
Friendliness. Whether a cat tends to be highly affectionate or prefers to be alone and tends to act grumpy.
Friendly: Your social butterfly will do well when you have other pets and new humans.
Not so Friendly: Create a space where your not so friendly cat can be on his own if he does not get along with other pets or other humans. At the same time introducing new people and places at a slow rate can help bring your cat at of their shell.
Supplies Needed
Cat food
Feeding & Water Dished
Harness and Leash (if you take the cat out)
Play pen (For safe outdoor festivities)
Cat Tree/scratching area
Cat bed: domes for hiding
Litter box
Tick/Flea prevention
Medications if on some
Updated shot & medical records
Medical/Emergency Needs
While on the road, just like people we may need to access a doctor or ned medication and this can be hard while on the road. Be sure that if your cat is on any medication that you contact your local vet to let them know you will be away for an extended time to have medication refilled or if you can have a bigger supply. Chewy.com is a great place to order prescriptions and can be sent to any address you are staying at.
Areas you plan to go visit or drive though, make it a priority to look up emergency vets in that area for those just in case moments.
Cat Friendly Environment
Create Vertical Space: Cats love to climb and jump up on things. Adding a cat tree or reinforced building cat shelves will help you furry friend feel right at home.
Provide plenty of places to hide: Tunnels, enclosed cat beds, and secure areas in your camper will provide your cat with confidence knowing they can get away and hide or quiet time when they need it.
Room With a View: Allowing your cat to see out of the window or seeing from the front seat with you while you drive will allow your cat to indulge in their curiosity while they ponder about life!
Clean and Roomy Litter box: Cats like litter boxes cleaned often and I know in a small place you will probably want this too!
Scratching posts: A lot of cat trees and toys offer scratching areas and will keep them from scratching up your interior.
Dining area: I personally have not met a picky cat, but i would keep feeding area in the same place for familiarity, as well as bowls that are the proper size. Cats do not like their whiskers being pushed in by the feeding or water dish so purchase a big enough size to avoid this.
The Litter Box
Cats can be picky about litter boxes and types of litter. I would keep all the same items you use at home or try out a couple options until you have the right fit. Domed litter boxes will prevent a huge mess and keep in smell. Clean out the litter box often, this will keep you cat happy and prevent accidents.
Outdoor Activities
If your cat enjoys the outdoors you can purchase a harness and leash to take them out on your hikes, walks, and outside adventures.
If your cat likes the outdoors and you do not feel comfortable with them being on a leash or free roaming, play pens are a great option. If you are handy you can build an enclosure to go around one of your windows while parked so they can get a little taste of outside.
Conclusion
As long as you and your cat are happy and safe that is what matters. Create a proper environment to keep your cat happy and of course give lots of love!
Safe travels to you and all your fur babies!