10 More Tips for RVing with Cats

Traveling with pets is a hot topic in the RVing world, particularly with cats. A number of articles and videos feature RVers sharing their own modifications in their daily routines and rig layouts in order to accommodate feline needs. Mobile RVing bloggers have contributed a handful of articles on the subject, as well, including cat safety in vehicles, health concerns, daily routines and safeguards, and RV set up. The write-ups are quite extensive, mentioning a variety of tidbits. There is really no limit on ways RVers can make life on the road more comfortable for their cat(s). Since we RVers love our cats to bits, here are ten more tips for RVing with cats.

Filtered water is a cat’s best friend.
We are never quite sure of a location’s water quality when hooking up, so we maintain some form of filtration system before drinking a glass ourselves and pouring a fresh bowl of water for the cats. We have noticed that if there is something off about the water in a campground, our cats may have watery stool. Filtration methods vary and can range from complex systems hooked up to your plumbing to cat fountains to pitchers with built in cartridges. If we are boondocking for an extended amount of time, we’ll make sure to have an ample supply of cool bottled water, as well.

Give your cat a break or two or three.
Just like humans, cats need to take breaks during long road trips. Stopping at a rest area for a half hour or longer allows your cat to walk about the motorhome or vehicle, away from his/her confined space during the journey to use the litter box, lap up some water, enjoy a few treats, or just lay out on the dashboard for a bit of sun. It’s not easy or safe for cats to roam about while a vehicle is in motion. However agile they may be, your cat can get hurt or make a huge mess roaming freely. They can also pose a serious danger to drivers trying to concentrate on the road.

Keep the litter dust outside.
Regardless of the type of litter you purchase, there is going to be some degree of dust when the litter is initially poured in or waste is scooped out. The result is a layer of dust settling around the area. If you are sensitive to this dust, sneezing, watery eyes and a running nose may follow shortly. Inhaling contaminated kitty litter can be quite dangerous for pregnant women as they run the risk of contracting toxoplasmosis.

In an attempt to minimize litter dust and contamination in the RV, we do the “dirty work” outside. Although this requires a smidgen more physical labor, it does the trick. Old litter is dumped out into a trash bag, new litter is thrown in, or waste is scooped out. The dust finds a home in the great outdoors, away from inside our abode.

Brush to reduce shedding.
Although no amount of brushing will eliminate shedding, brushing your feline on a regular basis will decrease the number of tumbleweed hairballs you may have previously noticed floating around the RV. Brushing has many other benefits in that it prevents feline skin irritation, allows owners to check for any superficial health issues (i.e., balding, skin abnormalities), and it is another way you and your cat can bond.

The frequency of brushing depends on hair length and thickness. Short-haired cats can be brushed a few times a week whereas long-haired felines should be brushed daily, 5-10 minutes, depending on their tolerance level. There are a variety of brushes and combs on the market and iheartcats.com gives a breakdown on types to use based on a cat’s coat.

Portable toys are purrfect for the RV.
Finding places to set your cat’s toys and bedding can be a challenge. There is just so much space in an RV. Companies like K & H Pet Products specialize in creating portable, travel friendly dog and cat furnishings. Many of their cat products can be suction cupped to the windshield. Cats can gaze at the scenery while lounging in pods and beds attached to the front or side windows. Scratch posts and track with ball toys can be mounted as well. Other products, multi cat condos, are attached along a runner and meant to be hung from a door. These type of gadgets make use of vertical space and create a fun playroom for felines.

Keep track of what you’re tracking in.
We always made sure to take off our shoes and store them in a cubby under our entrance steps. We figured we were doing our part to not track in any bacteria, viruses, harmful bugs, or allergens from outside. Sometimes, this isn’t enough though. We may also be harboring pathogens and other harmful substances on our clothes.

Cats can have all sorts of adverse effects from outside foreign substances including respiratory issues, skin irritation, ear infections, vomiting, diarrhea, or have a tendency to constantly chew and lick their paws. Be mindful of where you are going or where you have been. Take measures to treat you and your clothing with bug repellent and change out of clothing and/or take a shower as soon as you enter the rig.

Related Read: Keeping RV Floors Clean

A tidy camper makes for happy campers.
Cats are rather self sufficient creatures in that they have their daily grooming regimes and typically keep themselves entertained between naps and curious play. That is where the cleanliness and independence ceases. A home, let alone an RV, can get pretty messy between using a litter box, tracking clay about, tumbleweed fur, hairballs, and toys sitting out.

We make sure to put away toys to avoid trips, sweep or vacuum high traffic areas, wipe up messes, and scoop up smelly waste at least once a day. Often times, we do many of these chores multiple times a day. With such a small space, an RV can get messy and stinky fast, so for the sanity of its occupants, cleaning up right away is key.

Behavior and poop say a lot about your cat.
Two important factors to help determine any issues with your feline are changes in behavior and stool. If your cat is exhibiting unusual changes in their regular routine, this may be an indicator that something is not quite right and your cat is trying to tell you in their own way. Aloofness, increase in water intake, or going outside the litter box have been instances we’ve observed in the past that have warranted a trip to the vet or at least a phone call. There are a number of behaviors cats can exhibit that indicate sickness or stress.

In the same way, stool can tell a lot about your furry friend’s health. For the most part, anything looser than formed stool can mean something is not quite right, especially if loose stool lasts for several days. Diarrhea, mucus, and blood in the stool are indicators of notable digestive issues. The following article details regular and irregular stool based on the various stages of a feline’s lifespan.

Include your cat(s) in your budget.
Your cat is a part of the family so it only makes sense to include them in the budget planning. Our cats’ budget includes food, litter, and treats. We also add extra for monthly medicine (preventative for flea, heartworm, hookworm, ear mite, etc.), toys, and routine vet visits. We’ll include a portion of our emergency fund for them as well, pertaining to emergency vet visits.

Microchip for peace of mind.
For the most part, our cats prefer to not leave the comfort of the RV. Every once in a while one will get a bit curious and try to scramble out the door when the moment arises. As a precaution, we have microchipped. This little chip, about the size of a grain of rice, is inserted between a cat’s shoulder blades. Lost pets can be scanned at any shelter or clinic to identify the owner. Your veterinarian can answer any concerns you may have about the chip and perform this quick procedure.

As owners of three cats, we utilize these and many other techniques to help keep our furr family healthy, safe, and comfortable on the road. Are there any tips you’d like to add? Please share in the comments below.