Taking two cats from Italy to UK by car.

[smaclaren]

Next month I'll be returning to the UK after living in Italy and bringing my two cats with me. (Both born and raised in Italy) They will have been through all the procedures ie. microchips, rabies vaccinations + blood tests (6 months ago), pet passport, tick and tapeworm checks etc. but I am very nervous about the long journey (Lazio, Italy to Bournemouth in a van) and also settling them into a new house. Has anyone done such a thing and have any advice or tips?

[lankeela]

Check and recheck all the paperwork, and especially the microchips, try to borrow a scanner that you know works (check the batteries, and make sure it doesn't get cold or it won't work) just in case the scanner at the port does not pick up the chip or else they will have to go into quarantine. This has just happened with a top show dog and it had to go into quarantine for a few days till someone from the chip manufacturer could get there with a scanner that could read it. Make sure you have made arrangements for the vet to do the tick and tapework treatment (know their opening times or where you will meet them). Don't feed them for a few hours before travelling and DON'T be tempted to let them out anywhere - they won't take any harm and if the worst should happen and they got loose you would have a nightmare on your hands.
Make sure they have plenty of ventilation in the van - remember the dogs who died because the owner did not realise the roof of the van was see through and let in the heat once the roller shutter was down. Good luck.

[Bambiagain]

I took two dogs and a cat by van from the UK to Germany. The dogs sat in the front with me and the driver (my OH), but the cat was in the back of the van with my furniture. I made sure there was plenty of air space around her, and she was in a big cage with room for a bed and a small litter tray. I spent ages panicking about her and we stopped frequently to check up on her and offer her water. We took the tunnel as I didn't want to leave all the animals in the car deck on a ferry, but you can't take animals in a big van through the tunnel, only in a car. Hence I paid for my brother to travel to France by car, taking me and the animals through the tunnel and then swapping back to the van in France. She wasn't terribly happy - I didn't expect her to be - but she got over in quite quickly - the journey took about 24 hours in all, with stops etc. Settling in at the other end was a piece of cake compared to the trip! Just keep them in for a few days, up to a week or two if you feel happier that way. Then let them out and hold your breath. My cat vanished overnight but came back as if nothing had happened. Good luck with your move.

[Bambiagain]

Oh, and we made sure the cage was securely fixed in place as well.

[arwyn]

Sedatives are the best idea they make the time go faster. My cat would be so scared she would probably have a heart attack. A large cage that has a thin cover over would also help mine as she thinks no one can see her so she is safe (I have to use the cover just to go to the vets).

[jomifl]

Our ex neighbour who is a vet recommended a pre-op sedative ( not an anaesthetic) for our cat who was terrified of car travel. I can't say whether it would have worked or not as it became unnecessary.

[smaclaren]

Thank you @lankeela for the very important tip about the microchip scanner and also not feeding them a few hours before the trip or letting them out. My vet in Italy will do the tick and tapeworm treatment before we leave, so I think that will be alright. I'll check the ventilation of the van.
Thank you @bambiagain for the tip about the cage and for the reassurance about settling them in. I'm not sure if I can afford to have someone else drive me through the tunnel, but I'll think about it.
Thank you @redhelen @arwyn @jomifl for the tip about sedatives. I had thought of this, but it's good to have it confirmed. I expect my vet will provide me with something, but just in case, what did you use exactly?

[Bambiagain]

Smaclaren, I asked my vet about tranquillizing the cat and ater discussion we decided against it. Firstly, they can fight the effects of the drug. Secondly, over a very long journey it may wear off and you will need to administer more. Also although my cat was only eight at the time, the vet decided she ws too old to tranquilllize! Not sure how much of what was said was right, but there were no apparent ill effects at the end of the journey. My cat does not like travelling at the best of times - she is very vocal about it - and I was concerned, but it all worked out fine. By the way, if your cats are in a cage they should be ok left in the van in the tunnel/ferry. I was not prepared to leave two dogs loose in it, though, as they were uncaged.

[lankeela]

Check the timing of your journey as the tick/tapeworm treatment must be given not less than 24 hours and not more than 48 hours before it is checked in for its journey into the UK.

[boxtops]

I've taken cats from Glasgow to Birmingham - much shorter a journey - be prepared that you are going to need robust toilet arrangements for them, Keep towels in their carrying cages in case of accident (or nervous weeing) and be prepared for some accidental poos as well. Cat litter, bin liners, all recommended.

[DTCwordfan]

Remember Simon Bond's 101 Uses for a Dead Cat?

[boxtops]

aw, that's not nice, DT!

[wolf63]

billandhiscat - if I paid your expenses would you be willing to take my tom cat to Australia - and come home on your own.

smaclaren - I hope that the trip is without incident and I really hope that you moggies are not vocal cats or you will be driven totally nuts with "are we there yet"?

[DTCwordfan]

It caused a furore at the time but was rather funny and spawned a whole host of similar bl;ack humour books.....

[DTCwordfan]

Well imagine sedating the cats for that length of time, personally I think that they should be flown over.

[Invictas]

I have to agree with DTcrosswordfan
Flying them over (about 2 hours or so) would be far less stressful on you AND on the cats.
Cats are very quick to pick up when we are stressed,and it passes onto them.

[arwyn]

I know my cat would rather be in a car with me than with all the baggage on a plane without me, even if it would be quicker. also mine only has 1 poo and 1 wee in 12 hours except when she got bashed off a huge tom cat near our backdoor.......poo everywhere

[smaclaren]

Thanks to bambiagain, lankeela, boxtops, billandhiscat and arwyn.

[daddio67]

Hi, I am thinking of doing the same, from Italy to UK. My vet told though that we have to arrange a vet visit when we get to France? Did you know about this?