Of the over 11 million households that own an RV, approximately 3.7 million also own a cat. Potentially, that’s a lot of traveling cats! Here are some interesting cat facts to consider:
Cats use their whiskers to detect whether or not they can fit through an opening. If the opening is greater than the width of their head, you can be assured a cat may attempt to enter potentially undesirable spaces. Whether it wishes to get behind the sofa in your RV or beneath your retracted slide outs, be vigilant to your cat’s explorations. They may attempt to crawl through cabinet openings that can lead further into inaccessible spaces within your coach. You may have to block those openings. Hint: Always check for your cat’s location before opening a slide to avoid injuring your pet.
Cats can jump six times the length of their body. That puts most counters, tabletops and open cabinets in your coach within their range! For short distances, cats can run faster than Olympian Usain Bolt. So watch that open RV door, or your pal will get outside into unfamiliar territory.
Cats can see in seven times less light than humans. That explains why our cat loves to climb behind the front curtains at night to gaze out through the windshield! Their hearing is their strongest sense at 64 kHz versus ours at 20 kHz. Their favorite activity is sleeping, which they will do for 70% of their lives. Make sure your cat has a safe and comfy place to sleep.
Cats live a long time, so treat them well. The average cat lives for fifteen years. Converted to human years, in year one they age the equivalent of 15 human years; in year two add 10 more years, then add four years for every year thereafter. That means the average cat’s life is equivalent to 77 human years. When you have a cat, you’re in it for the long haul—treat them well!
Cats like to be occupied. You’ve seen cats at play—many cats live for the hunt, whether it’s a ball of yarn or feathers on the end of a stick. Keep them stimulated to stay happy.
Final cat fact: Cats have five toes on their front feet and four toes on their back feet. More toes than that and they are called “polydactyl” cats. Ernest Hemingway, the famous American author, loved polydactyl cats. Forty-five cats still call his former residence in Key West Florida, their home. If you decide to visit Key West to see them, you will find Boyd’s Key West Campground a great spot to stay. Your cat will thank you for the gorgeous tropical views!
From along the road,
Chris
Good Sam Camping
You’ll find lots of tips for dogs at goodsamclub.com/pets
Anonymous
Thank you, Christine, for the much appreciate insight – it truly has brought a smile to my…correction… our faces, whiskers and all. Regards, Mr. Goate
Anonymous
Christine, thanks for the cat info. Do you know of a collapsible playpen for cats so they can be safe for short periods outside.
Thanks
Gary
Anonymous
We now have 3 cats. Down from our 5 cats that traveled over 10,000 miles in our RV’s over 6 years. We lost Dorothy when she was 20 years old, Winston died just this last March at age 21. We are now set to go back on the road with Boston Blackie and Maggie Mae, both 14, and Sunshine who is now 25 years young ansd loves our Motorhome traveling. They sit up in my side of the dashboard and watch the scenery. We have our vet to go back to after each trip to check health. We make sure they have both dry and wet food plus their favorite treats and toys. It isn’t hard to travel with cats. They sleep all around us and leave Mom alone with privacy in the front of the motorhome. They stay in unless we take them out on a leash. Don’t be afraid to travel with your cats. It keeps the family together.
Anonymous
Concerning RVing with cats, we found that keeping a harness and 5-foot leash on our cat in the tow truck can save a lot of trouble. We have a 38 foot 5th wheel. On our way to Maine, our cat was loose and it was a nightmare. Leaping all over the place. Our last cat, loved to just sleep on the carrier, so my husband removed the door, allowing her to come up on the console between us to check out the scenery now and then. When I tried to put the door back on to contain this one, he finally told me I had to remove the top first, which I did not know. Just try doing that while hanging over the front seat! When we arrived in Maine, my friend, who has a cat of her own, clued me into the halter and leash thing. It as like a miracle, making travel pleasant again.
Anonymous
I just completed a 1200 mile RV camping trip with Licorice, my 4-month old cat. It was the third trip in her short life, and she’s a great traveler. However, both she and I (as driver) are safer and happier if she’s secure in a comfy carrier while we’re rolling down the highway. Her RV-ing “condo” is a large (about 24″ by 36″) temporary dog kennel made of sturdy canvas with a metal frame, lots of soft screen windows, and room to stroll around or climb a bit. I’ve outfitted it with a small box that she can either sit on or hide inside of, some of my old t-shirts as bedding, a small litter box, a few toys, and a non-breakable, non-skid bowl of dry food. (She’s offered water at every stop we make.) The kennel fits securely on one of the back seats of my camper van and can be braced by the front seat so that it doesn’t go flying when there’s a sharp turn or quick stop … and she’s high enough that she can enjoy one of her favorite passtimes — looking out the window at all the silly humans in other vehicles waving and pointing to her. The kennel can easily be lifted out of the camper, and sometimes she prefers to stay in it beside the campfire at night rather than risk the wilds of open areas or be on a leash. I highly recommend this kind of “personal space” for any traveling cat. And if you make it to her liking, she won’t object or feel confined when you put her there when you’ve got your doors propped open while setting up or breaking camp…or any other time. A cat that feels safe and secure is a happy cat.
Anonymous
No tips for dogs? Too bad.
Anonymous
Will travel with my dogs but not my cats. Not far to scare them. Keep them in cages at times. What about when cats get up under dash. Where do u put kitty litter? Too afraid that they will get out. Better off at home although I miss terribly.
Anonymous
I have been spending the winter at BOYD,S CAMPGROUND for 14 years. I now have 2 cats that will be with us this year.Looking forward to December.
Anonymous
I use to have three cats that traveled with us in our RV. They were all older so we bought a RV to travel back and forth from N.Y to Florida it was so much easier for them. I am down to one cat ,and she is a princess very well taken care of , she just turned 18. She has blood pressure problems under control and thyroid issues also under control. She is ok in RV but likes it better when we stop get set up and she can hop on the bed and look out the window. I am very lucky to have all my kitties for a long time but it is harder to say good by to them when it”s time to cross over the rainbow bridge. But in my heart I know I gave each one a wonderful life with lots of love. I love traveling with my kitties I wouldn’t have it any other way. Happy Traveling with pets Gina