Question:
I live in Maryland and am soon moving to Indiana. My cats are 10 and 16 years old. They do not like to ride in their carriers and have never ridden in the car for more than 30 minutes at a time. We plan on stopping to let them out for walks, feeding, etc. They are leash-trained and love to go outside with their harnesses and leashes on.What do you think about sedating them? Do you have any suggestions to make this 10- to 11-hour drive easier for them?.
B.H., Rockville, Md Aug 20, 2006
Answer:
Cats and dogs respond better to being put in a crate for transportation when they have been preconditioned.Preconditioning entails encouraging the animal to eat next to the open crate and to lie on a pillow, towel or blanket in front of the crate door. Gradually move the food bowl closer to the open crate at each feeding until the animal has to enter the crate to eat. Then put the blanket in the crate and give the animal a treat for lying down inside. Once these patterns are established, close the crate door briefly, keeping the animal inside the crate for longer periods each time while you talk soothingly and encourage the animal to accept the confined space.
Subscribe