Travel advice for two kitties

I will be moving my two kitties and myself soon. Not so bad from a human perspective, but these kitties only go outdoors/for car rides when they go to the vet, and my oldest is 22 (not a typo) with kidney failure, so she drinks often and a lot. Does anyone have any sage advice that just might help make this trip less stressful--for all of us?

Planning on moving from South Carolina back home to California. I purchased a car out here so we've decided to drive it back. Of course, boyfriend wants to bring his cat (who is somewhere between 7-9 years old), and of course I agreed. Much rather take him along than let him stay here (his mom has 14 dogs, etc.). This presents a huge list of firsts for me: First road trip across the country, first road trip I'll be driving, first road trip with any kind of animal and the list goes on. We're not leaving until the second week of September, so we have a long time to prepare for this trip.

So far the plan is to start the cat off in the morning with a walk and watering and to do the bulk of our feeding at night in the hotel. I'm thinking of stopping every 2 1/2 to 3 hours for breaks which would include more water and walking. I have a list of things we need to buy prior to the trip: Collar, harness, leash, tag, kennel, bowls, blankets for the kennel, dog first aid kit, small bag of his food. On top of that I need to get him up-to-date on his shots and somehow manage to find paperwork of his neuter for licensing in California.

Also, in addition to road trip advice, I really would love some advice about how to go about introducing this cat to my dog when we get there. Both are male and neutered. I know my dog gets along with other cats fairly well; but, I know that the only reason his cat was ever neutered was because he was fighting with another non-neutered male. My only thought was to get them away from the house to do introductions and crate them separately at the house until we're comfortable with their behavior.

Poor Buddy

Came home from morning errands and discovered he is having Sudden liquid diarrhea, with no apparent cause. Same food, no weird changes in home, UTD on shots... I have no idea what's going on. I watch him constantly when we are outside, and he's always on a leash. Maybe he ate a blade of grass with some sort of lawn chemical on it when outside? (Since people spray for weeds, fertilizer, etc, that is the only thing I could think of.)

I called my vet earlier and was advised to give him Flagyl. I still had some on hand, so we can do that for a few days. But I forgot to ask, and now the office is closed for the night, so I'm hoping Petfo folks would know...

My question is: Do I need to also have him fast tonight if he is already taking Flagyl? Or should I give him a little rice perhaps?

Poor Buddy keeps checking his bowl for his dinner and giving me "that look". (sigh)

Kitten rescue question

We rescued a kitten a few weeks ago. Long story short, she managed to get herself stuck underneath my car and rode 500 miles from Kansas to Texas. We've named her Dorothy of course (due to the fact that she's not in Kansas anymore, I know, I know, bad joke). I haven't been able to get her into a vet yet, since I have to wait until my husband comes home in a few weeks.

Anyway, in the past few days, I've noticed what looks to be a scab on the bridge of her nose. She is not sneezing or scratching. It goes from the right corner of her nose and up between her eyes. Is this something I should be concerned about? If so, I want to get her into the vet immediatly. She appears to be about six weeks old now. Any help would be greatly appreciated. She's already purred her way into all of our hearts and we want the best for her. Thanks in advance.

Update from last night's Wildcats

Last night I posted about the litter of kittens we found on top of a canopy above the spa we don't use. I never knew they were there until I heard them crying. After getting some useful advice on the forum, I soon realized how little I knew about cats. I went out this morning and because I couldn't see or hear them, I figured the mother came back and moved them. Just in case they were somewhere around, I contacted a rescue and a woman I talked to said if I did find them, she might be able to take them. Later I went out with my son and we did hear them cry and they were still on the canopy, but one had fallen off, my biggest fear. I realized I had to get them all down. We got all 6 of them, not knowing what to do next. I didn't even know how old they were. Now I'm wondering if I even did the right thing. I called the woman from the rescue, described them to her and she said they sounded about 4 weeks old. Oh, and about them being wild...they are absolutely adorable, sweet and cuddle right up to you! No wild in there!! She said she would take them.

Now I'm worried about the mama cat. I called our ASPCA to rent a cat trap, told them everything that was going on. They said if I were to bring the kittens in, they would immediately euthanize them! I am so thankful for my "new" rescue friend. I gave her a small donation when I gave her the kittens. Something I'd like to continue to do because she's pretty remarkable!! I told her about the mother cat and she said if we got her, she would take her. I told her we would have her spayed, knowing finding the home is the hardest part.
Okay, I know this is long, but I'm just overjoyed this turned out better than I ever imagined. If it wasn't for this woman, it would have been more difficult for me. She's my hero and I now know all the hard work and dedication these people have!!

Aggressive dogs who attack

Yes, almost always incidents like this stem from dogs being improperly trained, or abused, or even taught to be aggressive on purpose.

I have to wonder though, if it is possible for a human to be born with a diseased mind, chemically imbalanced, and driven to act out evil, is the same possible for a dog? I'm talking about a defective mind incapable of being taught right from wrong.

I've heard people say "no dog is born bad", but I don't think we can say that for humans. If we did, every evil deed a human does would be excusable because they had to have been improperly raised or abused. Is it easier to blame humans for their actions, but not dogs, or is it actually medically impossible for a dog to be "born bad"?

I guess what I'm wondering is, can a dog be born with mental health issues that would make him irrational and unteachable, despite even the most seasoned professionals training?

Thoughts?

Please remind me I'm doing right by my cats

by not letting them outside no matter how much they beg.

They're used to having a little outdoor patio and in my new place, there isn't anything. (There's a side yard that cannot easily be fenced in/netted off.) There are lovely big windows and lots of light and things to look at and fresh air coming in, but they want to be *outside*. It's not a super-busy street and there are other (domestic) cats that roam, but I just feel ... if I let them out there, I may never see them again.

ah, it's breaking my heart...

How to introduce a kitty to the outdoors?

My kitty, once recovered from her spaying, so a good week to two weeks, is going to have to be an outdoor kitty for a while till an apartment that allows kitties opens up, due to her staying with my Step Father (I still buy her food and stuff, but my husband and I are currently homeless till a place that allows cats opens up.)

Her grandfather -don't worry, he's fixed-, an experienced outdoors kitty, will be there with her, but I'm still worried. Is there a method to go about this? Or should I plead her case more to allow her to stay inside?

I already treat both cats with flea and tick preventive, ect and both fluffies have all their shots up to date.

Frustrated and sad right now

I live with my parents and my younger brother; brother and I are both college students. I have lived independently, but it's expensive right now and I have health problems. I own a dog, and my parents adopted a kitten this winter.

The kitten is fine; but the local songbirds are not. Two weeks ago kitten brought in a nestling Mockingbird. Two days ago the kitten brought in an immature male anna's hummingbird, which was alive and mostly uninjured, and which I managed to release outside again on the advice of the local SPCA's wildlife rehabbers.

I have asked my parents to keep the cat inside, at least until all the nestlings and fledglings are out of the nest, but I've gotten a ton of pushback (and anger!) for suggesting that a cat who's a determined hunter shouldn't be allowed to hunt when his chosen prey are songbirds. I love wild birds - I love birdwatching, and do it regularly - and it kills me that this cat, who is a charming and affectionate housepet, is outside raiding nests at all hours.

Good thought please for lil Orange Juice

A client brought us in a half dead kitten today. She took him to another vet that just gave eye ointment for a URI a week ago. He was down on his side and not moving. Doc did his thing the kitten is loaded with fleas, emaciated, dehydrated, tapeworms and anemic. I took one of my incubators to work for them to keep him in.

Got a call this evening Doc wanted me to take him home to give fluids through the night (we are not 24 hours) and when up to temp get some gruel in.

Finally up to temp and lifting his head he ate 5 Tbs food. Has not urinated at all today and the bladder is empty. :( This is by far the worst kitten I have ever had and I didn't think he would be alive this long.

I have his incubator next to me and have been talking to him all night, I hope he makes it.

My idiot neighbors (rant and moral dilemma)

I live in a pet-friendly appt. complex I cannot say great thing about, BUT they take big dogs and you can have 2 fur kids per unit. However, there are breed restrictions, and they are usually enforced, not to mention pet rent and pet deposit. The neighbors (college age kids) just got a pit puppy (pits are not allowed, as well as puppies younger than 4 months). Their puppy can barely walk(4-5 weeks probably), no shots/deworming/flea meds whatsoever, and they see no problem taking this tiny boy outside and letting it sniff/walk over other dogs' poo and such. I've had some problems with these guys in the past because of loud parties, massive pot smoking outside, beer cans everywhere... Office or security take complaints anonymously and deal with them as the see fit. Should I try to talk with these kids and try to convince them to find a better home for this pup or call office and talk to them?

Kitten meowing a LOT

I realized this weekend that we have a momma cat and her (I believe) 3 kittens living in my neighborhood. I am trying to trap them to, at least, spay/neuter them. I caught 1 kitten yesterday and have been trying to let it settle in in its own room. I think it is about 5-6 weeks old. This kitten has been meowing A LOT thoughout this evening. I have gone in a few times today and put a little food near its safe zone. When I leave he has come out to eat. He also seems to have used the litter box. When I check on it the meowing stops. He does not want my attention. My best guess is it's trying to call for its mom. I don't know if I should put it out in a secure crate for the night near the trap in hopes of luring the others. How can I help it calm down?

Can cat food cause diarrhea in dogs even if it's the same brand?

Luna eats wellness care for dogs. We recently adopted a kitten, and he eats wellness core for cats. We usually feed Luna first, then let her outside, then feed the kitten. I try to remember to put away the cat food before letting Luna back in, but since the kitten eats several times a day, I don't always remember there is food in the bowl, and sometimes Luna gets to it. The feline formula is much smaller than the canine formula, and there is never much in the bowl. We've had the kitten for about a month now. But yesterday and today, Luna has had diarrhea. I am not sure what else she could have gotten into that would cause an upset stomach. Other than the heat wave, she hasn't been outside more than 10 minutes in the last two weeks, always supervised and then she comes in. And because she is so much bigger than the kitten, I always supervise their playtime. No other changes... she can't get to the little box, which is pine pellets. No different food or treats, no destroyed toys.


Do you think the heat could still bother her even if she's been inside during the heat wave? I haven't taken her to the park, on walks, nothing, it has just been too hot...the only exception has been in the last few days, I have let her out in the backyard in the mornings while it was still cool enough. She always has access to water, though, and this just started yesterday. I think I'm going to have to put up the gate to the playroom and keep the cat food in there so that Luna just has no access.

Best gnaw proofing for electric wires?

Several years ago I gnaw-proofed my electric wires when I had my kitten running around. I used this spiral cable wrap stuff that gave me blisters on my fingers applying it. It was extremely effective though, the adorable feline completely stopped gnawing wires.

Was thinking of gnaw-proofing all the newer electric stuff, just in case I happen to spontaneously get another new kitten. And I was figuring there has to be some way to do it that involves fewer blisters. I've seen cord covers specifically for that sold on Amazon. I've also heard of people rubbing the length of a cord with commercial repellent made to deter your pets from messing with things they shouldn't mess with. Ideas and suggestions?

Cat Sneezing Gif

Check this out haha

Where to stay in Maui with young children?

My husband and I are thinking of going to Maui in October. In October our daughter will be 2 years 8 months and our son will be 6 months old.

we are thinking of going for 10 days.

looking for recommendations for what part of maui would be good for a family with young children? if you have any recommendations for a place to stay? something with a kitchen would be nice? we don't need any thing fancy and $$.

I've checked both Wailea and Kaanapali. They have nice beaches and budget timeshare rental options. I worry about our 6 month old, and his experience, except for the flight to Maui.

What about the sunrise on the summit? As our tour guide told us, you wait outside in the cold for the sun to rise. It doesn't look that much different when you see it on the beach. Had someone given me that insight, I never would have gotten up at 2:00 am to go for a ride in a van with 10 people we didn't know.