Moving and need advice for my 2 Savannahs

[F2bguy]

p.s. Is this the stuff you buy?

http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Pdz-Pow...UTF8&qid=1433215002&sr=8-4&keywords=sweet+pdz

That stuff looks like it was made to stop ammonia in its tracks. Is this better than using Arm and Hammer Baking Soda for the litter box?

 

[Rafiki]

I'm going to try my hardest to do this every other day for the next 2 months.

Oh wow. You have 2 months to acclimate them to the journey? That is great....I thought a few weeks at most. I would make a big game out of the carrier. Get them in and out of it as much as you can. You might want to hold off of moving it to the car for a few days. Definitely treats and cuddles for every time they go in there.

And remember, just because the howled like banshees for the entire 10 minute ride last time does not mean that they will howl for the whole 6 hours!

 

[Rafiki]

Does anyone know of a Fellaway spray instead of a diffuser?
I am thinking that if he could spray it on the carrier from here on out it may help as well. It would be nice to avoid having to pill his big boy with tranquilizers for the journey.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

I actually came up with an idea: Tomorrow I'm going to lure the big cat into his carrier with the promise of cheese. I will then take the carrier to the car, and then drive 5 blocks down the street, then come back home. While I'm driving, I will give him a piece of cheese every few minutes.

I'm going to try my hardest to do this every other day for the next 2 months.

So that when the move date comes along....he will now associate the carrier with cheese, instead of getting poked and prodded at the vet (of which I need to take him for his shots soon).

That's a good idea to get them more used to going in and out of the crate. You could start feeding them all the time in the crate. Move their dishes in there...

Also, the little cat kept meowing for almost 1/2 hour straight a few hours ago. Then he stopped, then the big cat started meowing like crazy. They have fresh food/water/litter.....and idea why they are meowing so loudly for? The neighbor slammed his window shut because I'm sure he heard them bellowing out.

Does the meowing mean that they're glad I'm home?

I am sure they are very glad you are home, the meowing is also due to the change in routine...many cats dislike changes and being unsettled makes them more vocal.

Plus they have to catch you up on everything that's happened while you were gone ;-)

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

And remember, just because the howled like banshees for the entire 10 minute ride last time does not mean that they will howl for the whole 6 hours!

I've done a lot of long drives with cats (I show my Savannahs and often have a 6-7 hour drive to and from)... and generally they will meow for the first half hour then settle and nap most of the way. Some might wake up regularly to meow a few minutes and settle again. I find that if they have their buddy with them, there's much less meowing than if by themselves.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

Does anyone know of a Fellaway spray instead of a diffuser?
I am thinking that if he could spray it on the carrier from here on out it may help as well. It would be nice to avoid having to pill his big boy with tranquilizers for the journey.

Yes, there is a Feliway spray and some report it helps a lot.

I'd prepare with trialling the tranquilizers and take them with even if you don't give them initially.

 

[F2bguy]

Ok, I'm actually thinking of going on Amazon and buying this: http://www.amazon.com/Midwest-Stage...84&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=dog+crate+collapsabl

wildly assuming it fits in the backseat of my car, would you advise me putting both cats together inside (for the road trip)?


I think once I take away the "fright factor" of the carrier, I can fool them into going to sleep while I drive. The only times they have been in the carrier are:

1. Vet
2. Moving to new apartment (I have moved on average every other year).

So they don't have a good association with the carrier. However, the carrier is on the floor of my living room and has been for the past few weeks. They do go inside to sometimes sleep.

 

[F2bguy]

Yes, there is a Feliway spray and some report it helps a lot.

I'd prepare with trialling the tranquilizers and take them with even if you don't give them initially.

Do you have a link to the store that sells it? Or can I find it on Amazon?

Does it make them less likely to go pee?

I tried one of those thingys you buy at Petco...you plug it into the wall and it releases some pheromones or something like that. I don't think I noticed a difference in their behavior....or maybe I did and I just wasn't attune to it.

 

[NikkiA]

Here is a link to it on amazon. I have the spray, and the diffusers, and our kitties respond well to the diffusers. I don't think I use the spray regularly enough. http://www.amazon.com/Feliway-Behavior-Modifier-Spray-75/dp/B001GQI8SS

 

[Rafiki]

Do you have a link to the store that sells it? Or can I find it on Amazon?

Does it make them less likely to go pee?

I tried one of those thingys you buy at Petco...you plug it into the wall and it releases some pheromones or something like that. I don't think I noticed a difference in their behavior....or maybe I did and I just wasn't attune to it.

If your cat is not anxious or aggressive at home, you probably would not notice a difference. I am thinking that if you spray it in the crate ahead of time, they may associate the crate as a place to relax. It would be the most useful obviously for the trip itself.