How to Train Cats for Full-Time RV Life

[@MobileRVTechServices]

What is your best cat training tips?

[@MobileRVTechServices]

The most effective so far has been using Ssscat spray at the door to stop bad behavior.

[@patriciall1]

You can purchase a temperature monitor for her RV. If your RV gets too hot it sends a message to your phone. Make sure it is a cellular connection not WIFI.

[@SheaLeona]

Bless you for the care you took with these cats. That’s really incredible.

[@catdudeDan]

This is so cool! I'm glad you got the cats to transition so well. Back in 2003-ish I drove a big rig for a couple years, and took my kitten, Harri Roadcat, with me. She was harness trained and I'd take her for walks several times a day. One morning I had to hit the road early, so I took Harri for her walk at 4 AM. I created a monster! From that day on Harri wanted her Dark Walks every day. There must be something to special to kitties about the dark hours.

[@MobileRVTechServices]

Dan Mahoney every night at dusk they turn into monsters to go outside and we hear it if one is still inside and wanted out ASAP. It was easy with 2 cats on a leash but since we have 4 now, it feels like it takes hours for everyone to get all their sniffing in and be satisfied with amount of time they spent outside.

[@rtsaysalaska]

Cats are nocturnal animals. That’s their normal wide awake and prowling time.

[@mobilehomelife4028]

I am happy to find so many encouraging videos like yours of traveling with cats. I am not full time yet, converting a bus with living space 10.5 x 7ft. But I have been able to take them on day trips and at least on vacation in the bus I am working on. Other than a couple stress issues both the stray and feral actually adjusted very well. I have heard of the pheromone products, this is good to know it works. Both are indoor only, I am undecided about walks but not totally opposed to it.

[@MobileRVTechServices]

Bus conversion, how fun! The cats should have plenty of windows to look out of. We found all of our cats outside at our business and adopted them all. If they didn’t know the outdoors already, I probably wouldn’t have brought them back outside. I just did because they wanted to go. If they are more comfortable being inside cats that just wanted to look out the window (like my old crew) I wouldn’t have tried. I can tell they want to go because they sit at the door, load theirselves up in backpack/cages and start meowing when I say the word outside. The “O” word was banned in the RV for a while because they would cry at our bedtime to go out and hunt.

[@mobilehomelife4028]

@@MobileRVTechServices My adopted stray would love, I am sure, to go on walks, the feral, not so interested lol. I have resigned myself, due to my small bus, the cats will be using the countertop and it's windows often, but easily remedied by having a blanket of some sort to keep it clean while they are using it.

[@rynndodds6374]

Thank you!! I did not bring my one girl into the house until she was 4 months old. She still has a bit of feral in her and this transition scares me. Your challenges seemed insurmountable. I am impressed with your approach, patience, and love for you fur babies. Best to you all!

[@MobileRVTechServices]

Thank you Rynn

[@kimstube7244]

You seriously rock! I love your patience and persistence and how much you love your cats. My goal is for us to travel on long trips around the country with our 4 cats. So today we loaded the cats in our minivan for about an hour car ride for the first time letting them out of their carriers. It went okay for about the first 10 minutes. Then one of our 2 year old cats who never throws up, threw up. Then a few minutes later he pooped (I had brought a litter box but had assumed they would explore and didn’t show it to him in time.) Then one our older cats bit my daughter for no reason (didn’t break skin). Then the other 2 year old who is more adventurous and never throws up, threw up. 😮🤔😄 Hence, why I am now on KZbin searching for tips. Your videos are giving me a lot of hope and good tips. Thank you! 🙂🤞

[@MobileRVTechServices]

Kim, Oh my, that’s a lot to deal with on a first car ride. It will get better! My cats have never thrown up🤞🏻 but they also don’t eat hours before going in the car. Maybe that’s the reason. It might also help at first just to put the cats in the minivan for 15/30/45/60 minutes without going anywhere for them to get used to the sites and smells before going for another ride. Just make sure it’s not hot inside the minivan or turn the air conditioning on for them. I’m sending you all my cat luck 😻. - Erika

[@briansmith8846]

Our vet gave us some Gabapentin to try for our Hektor. He is fearful and very shy and was given to us by our son. We will do short trips and I think I will start with a half dose. When we get our RV, we can slowly acclimate him to it with treats and lots of time.

[@lisaapps6890]

Very interesting and some great tips, thanks 🙏

[@Vol-mom]

Crossing fingers for remote work and RV traveling with three cats. Thank you for the video!

[@MobileRVTechServices]

You’re welcome Mandie. We have a playlist of cat video that you might get more ideas from: kzbin.info/aero/PLWHr94d9Za_gUk1EwWtlhVdoY5JPL0AD5

[@jasonmiller3943]

Crazy, i have 2 indoor and 2 outdoor cats and i am very worried about my 2 outdoor. They are mom and son. Im glad to see yours made it. I am moving all of us into my rv in January. Pretty nervous

[@MobileRVTechServices]

@@jasonmiller3943 hopefully you can ease them into it and do some trial runs.

[@elizabethgelpi942]

Great video except you left out where do they go to the bathroom. Very important information that I could not find out 🤯

[@MobileRVTechServices]

Hi Elizabeth, this video is part of a series. You can see the litter box video and others videos in this playlist. ~ Erika kzbin.info/aero/PLWHr94d9Za_gUk1EwWtlhVdoY5JPL0AD5

[@SimplyJapaneseMaples]

Helpful tips. Thanks. Don't want to leave my cats at home anymore.

[@lorensolomon1419]

Thank you for this we’re going to transition to full time. Our dogs love camping but our 3 cats this will be a new adventure

[@MobileRVTechServices]

You’re welcome Loren. We have a playlist full of RVing with Cats covering different topics. Best of luck on your new adventure! kzbin.info/aero/PLWHr94d9Za_gUk1EwWtlhVdoY5JPL0AD5

[@LovingLifeHitchedUp]

Glad the cats are adjusting well. We're always glad to support a fellow small KZbinr.

[@briansmith8846]

Thank you for this! It will save us from always having to get cat sitters. I had a lot of anxiety about it, having a shy and fearful cat.

[@MobileRVTechServices]

Hi Brian, I'm glad this video is giving you ideas to help train your cat. It was very stressful on me too! If you haven't watched them yet, there are other videos in this playlist that may also be helpful. ~ Erika kzbin.info/aero/PLWHr94d9Za_gUk1EwWtlhVdoY5JPL0AD5

[@ZarahBee]

So helpful!

[@RVAmerica]

Lots of great advice. Our kitties have adjusted well, one just hunkers down during the ride - class C. Do your cats ever try to get out the front door? Danny and Lynn

[@MobileRVTechServices]

The only time our cats want to go out the front door and we have a possible issue is at night 11pm-5am. This is the time they want to be outside and are watching out the windows. Most of the time, they are sleeping during the day and you can't see them. Squeak is our only cat that is on our schedule and he's ready for bed at 11pm and can't wait to sleep in Steve's leg crack for warmth. We aren't afraid of him getting out the door, because he'll run for freedom but he doesn't go far and will come back. Roska will walk herself home and sit at the door when she's on the leash and harness. Our two orange cats are the ones we have to watch out for. They used to be feral and they want out at night. Both have gotten loose outside in the last year (moochdocking at family's house) and they did come back after a while. For some reason, when I have Squeak on his leash and the orange cats are loose, they run up to him. They did the same thing when they were feral cats. Squeak is the reason they first let me get close to them as kittens.

[@everydayelizabeth1181]

Hi! Great video! I was looking on your storefront but can't find the cat harnesses?

[@MobileRVTechServices]

Hi Elizabeth, Here's the link to the cat items. We use the Eagloo harnesses. They are currently the 5th item listed in this list. They have been out of stock for a while. www.amazon.com/shop/radarroadwarriors/list/33I1XJ2DD4MFV?ref=cm_sw_em_r_inf_list_own_radarroadwarriors_dp_JCrb9Wc9QESHz

[@marybourgeois5235]

New Subscriber here. Thks SO MUCH for this info. I'm so stressed about training my kitties to ride in truck n a new RV. I'm so worried about clawing furniture. They have so many different scratchers but still go for the couch or chair.

[@MobileRVTechServices]

I totally understand your stress. After we let our orange cats tear apart our chest, they stopped trying to claw on everything else. We turned it after 1 year so it didn’t look so bad. We replaced it last year. ~ Erika

[@M.Campbell]

This is great information. Thank you. I'm planning to be full time RV living within a year and I have 4 cats. I currently have a big backyard that has a cat fence. They can't wander but they are free to roam a large outdoor area. I don't think they are going to take well to being exclusively indoor cats. It's good to see how you made it work and how you keep your cats stimulated and entertained. I have been thinking of getting a pop up screen tent like "The Clam" to use as an outdoor space for them. Is this something you've ever considered?

[@MobileRVTechServices]

I would get my cats whatever made them happy (because they are completely spoiled) and thought that this might be an option once we started RVing. Squeak and Roska were both raised to walk on a leash and sit outside in their cage. They both like doing this still. Squeak begs to go outside and he loves to chill in his cage for hours and sunbath and watch the birds. I bring him inside about every hour to use the litter box. Most times he just wants back out. Roska likes to go outside and sit in her cage for about 30 minutes and then she wants back in. My two orange feral cats don’t like to go outside unless it’s nighttime and there are crickets. They like to be inside the safety of the RV with the window open. If something scares them, they can quickly hide, they are scared of everything. I think if your cats were raised in a mini yard, then the clam shell without a bottom would work well for them. You could get one now and start training them to use it so they would be used to it when you hit the road.

[@Gimo76]

I had two cats at the time I bought a 6 ft cat tent. It was all mess screen. They loved it. It might be a bit tight for four cats but you could try n get another one if needed. I also had the 8 sided screen and canvas pop out they used that inside. Unfortunately no matter how we tried my girl would get so scared that she would attack her brother. They were so bonded that it was awful. I had a 34’ at the time and she just would not calm down I did the pheromones, and tried everything we had to give them back to the Vet which was upset with us but it is what it is. We had them for two years. 2 months total I think in RV.

[@isapalmer]

Watched another video where you mentioned two cats doesn’t have claws, chocking, I’m hoping you didn’t make that decision to declaw your cats.

[@TWR1988]

I clip my cats claws, and put gel caps on them; it’s better than the repercussions. I learnt the hard way; one of my cats is now blind in one eye, because of her sisters claw.

[@misterbulger]

I wonder if my rescue feral kitty would use an RV toilet. She never liked the litter box much but she taught herself to #1 in a real toilet. She much prefers a flower bed for #2 tho which would be the big challenge. She will only use the litter box if its colder than -10F with blizzard conditions, so I know she will use it if she really has to, but her litter only needs changed every couple of years because it's so rare she uses it lol. Makes it easy for me! I have to cover my sink tho or she will pee in it. Also need to keep my printer covered because it looks similar to the litter box to her and she has ruined a couple of them!

[@MobileRVTechServices]

Yeah, that is a challenge. My feral cats instantly started using the litter box so it wasn’t a problem. They still also went outside in the dirt while they were transitioning but they never had a issue using the litter box when they came back inside at night. ~ Erika

[@homemakersheart3614]

Hi, I am grateful for your tips. We are not going full time, but taking our 2 ragdoll kittens out for the first time. I wanted to ask about the purple toy at the end of the video that you put more catnip into. Do you recall where you got that? These two love little stuffed things to carry, but I like that cat nip can go inside the one your little one has. Thanks so much, Dee

[@MobileRVTechServices]

Sorry, I do not remember. Have fun on your RV adventure with your kitties ♥️. ~ Erika

[@daltonschneider2045]

Great info! I'm planning on traveling a lot and have been worried about how my 3 cats are going to hin perandle it. I can't bear the thought of giving them away. These videos are helping immensely. The cat backpacks I've never seen before. How do you keep the cat from just jumping out all the time? My 2 oldest(both 2 years, same litter) are very independent and adventurous and I can't imagine them staying put. My youngest, who is 4 or 5 months now is kind of terrified of being outside(he was a feral and I rescued him from a raccoon attack that nearly killed him. He has some nerve damage in one leg but is otherwise in perfect health)

[@MobileRVTechServices]

Hi Dalton, I’m glad these videos are helping you. The cat backpacks zip up so the cats can’t get out. I can unzip the top on these and there’s a little leash inside I can connect to their harness so they can’t just jump out the top if I have it open.

[@daltonschneider2045]

@@MobileRVTechServices Ah. I thought it may have been that but couldn't really tell. Thank you for the reply :)

[@MobileRVTechServices]

@@daltonschneider2045 you’re welcome. If you have more questions, feel free to ask. ~ Erika

[@rtsaysalaska]

Wow. I can only imagine who the troll is 🙄🙄. Way to go. Video looks and sounds great.

[@briantodd4887]

Great info and looks like it just took time to accumulate for each cat. I plan to full time car camp with one cat. Would you suggest ever leaving the cat alone in a car? Ex going grocery shopping or hiking for a few hours?

[@MobileRVTechServices]

We can't really talk to leaving your cat in the car because we only leave ours in the RV when we shop or explore. Remember, your vehicle heats up very quickly and your cat could die if you are doing these activities in warmer weather. When it's hot out, we turn on the AC in the RV for the cats so we know they are cool and we also have worry about them overheating. We also have a device that alerts us by text notification if the RV is getting hot.

[@bmmbmm9831]

Hey just wondering if you leave the cats in the RV during the day alone? I’m about to start a 3 month trip with my cat in a converted bus but I’m worried about leaving her alone in the bus…she is harness trained and I’m planing on getting a backpack too. Thanks for your videos!! They have been so helpful

[@MobileRVTechServices]

We do leave the cat alone when we go to work or out running errands when it’s under 85(ish) degrees. When have a heat sensors to tell us if the RV is above a certain temperature and certainly testing out a different type because we’re not sure if the pet monitor works correctly. We have air conditioning in the RV. The only time it was really hot (95+) and we were working we were doing hurricane relief and the cats were in a hotel room while the RV was parked outside. I wouldn’t leave the cats alone if we were parked if high temps were we could lose electricity and the AC could stop working.

[@momcatbonita]

Just wondering, what type of flea products you use. We're not full timers, but go every chance we get. Until about a year ago we used ( four cats) Seresto collars and loved them. but then they quit working. I am looking for suggestions to make my babies more comfortable.

[@MobileRVTechServices]

My cat had a very bad reaction to a flea collar and lost all the hair around it’s neck so I never put a flea collar back on any of them. We purchase Revolution 5-in-1 from our vets office. It protects against 5 different things and we squeeze it on the back of the cats neck once a month. We have never has an issue with flea or ticks while using this medicine. I think we pay around $216 a year per cat for the Revolution 5-in-1.

[@brihaver1951]

Where r ur litter boxes?

[@MobileRVTechServices]

This video shows where they are. Ones in the bedroom, ones inside the kitchen cupboard. kzbin.info/www/bejne/npS9g4N9p9CEg6M

[@theothefaye01]

I have a pair of adult indoor-outdoor cats, and I am planning on switching to full van life in a couple years, and I am worried about them running away, do you think it would be possible to train them at this age? One is 5 years, the other 4. They are mother and daughter, and I would hate to leave or separate them. I have been watching lots of different peoples videos, and I am worried for my cats the most. I am about to adopt a kitten, and I plan on training him as soon as possible. I have a standard size golden retriever who is perfect with cars, I’m just worrying about cats. I want to travel, stay on the road, but something roomy. What kind of an rv does everyone think I should get?

[@MobileRVTechServices]

Hi Dylan, when you say “Van Life” that makes we think you are planning on living in a Class B or Class C van. Both of those are very small for a lot of pets. It’s doable but I don’t have any recommendations on a “type of van” since we live in a large 5th wheel. If you can start training the older mother/daughter pair now, you’ll know if they will be ready to travel with you full time in about a year. It starts off very scary and gets better with each trip in a vehicle. The kitten will be easy to train.

[@marybourgeois5235]

My schnauzer LOVED TRAVELING. He use to ride on my saddle, rode on the 4 wheeler, my ATV, anything that involved GOING!!! They're great dogs but shelter rescue dogs are mostly faithful. My brother saved one the day they were gonna put him down. He's very faithful and now that my brother passed away he and I are inseparable. He loves to GO!!

[@lr6315]

How do you recommend transitioning an outdoor cat who has never used a litter box to becoming an indoor cat that can use the litter box?

[@MobileRVTechServices]

When I transitioned my orange feral cats, I put a litter box in there cat area that I made for them. When I got them fixed and had to take them inside for 4 days to heal, they just automatically used the litter box. Actually, every cat I have taken in from the streets, have all just used the litter box. I'm not sure if that's normal or if I just have had good luck.

[@lr6315]

@@MobileRVTechServices I think you had good luck! I presented my outdoor cat with a litter box that incorporated mulch from where he urinated outside before I moved--I chose pine pellets since he was used to a woody feeling and not interested in litter. We had a few furniture accidents (and I recommend Jackson Galaxy cleaner and ozone treatment for that) before I was able to sop up his urine on a pee pad which he figured out to use (wherever it was). I then had to use the pee pad under the litter and he began using the pine litter. This took about a week. I also noticed that while my indoor cat uses the same box for #1 and #2, my outdoor cat wants separate containers. If there is #2 in his box and I have not cleaned it, he will then go #1 on a pee pad or in another litter box. I am transitioning to pine pellets and tofu pellets for both cats since these are more appealing to the outdoor cat than regular litter--they are also dustless, less smelly, and easier to clean!

[@MobileRVTechServices]

@@lr6315 that sounds like a rough experience.

[@kayefink8293]

Where is the seat cover from on the truck back seat?

[@MobileRVTechServices]

We bought it off Amazon: YESYEES Waterproof Dog Car Seat Covers Bench Seat Cover Compatible for Middle Seat Belt Fits Most Cars, Trucks and SUVs (Black) www.amazon.com/dp/B07STJR9KH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_NAwnWyetBzvnP

[@kristiesutton6103]

How did you teach ur cats to walk on leashes?

[@MobileRVTechServices]

Two I trained as kittens and it was very easy. They picked it right up. Two I trained as adults and they acted like they couldn’t walk. I put the harness on them and made them stay in it about 30 minutes at a time inside. Then I increased the time until they would move around in it. After that, we took them outside and started over. After a while, they decided to try to walk in it and acted like they couldn’t move. After lots of episodes like this, they all walk normal in their harness. There’s lots of laying on the ground at first before they attempted to move. ~ Erika

[@TheDotDetective]

Please tell me what was the backpack carrier you showed at the very beginning of the video! I need to buy it to get my cats used to going out with me. Mine have never been outdoors and they cry so much when I take them out on the porch. I will be rving in the Spring so I want to introduce the carrier over the months.

[@MobileRVTechServices]

The backpack we use is listed in the description of the video. There are several different kinds. If you search “cat back pack” on Amazon, you’ll get several to choose from.

[@kamwick7570]

Hi! What kind of cat carriers do you use?

[@MobileRVTechServices]

The backpacks are listed in the description with a link. I don’t recommend these particular ones. The carriers are for small dogs. I think one is for 15 pound cat/dog and the other is for 20 or 25 pounds. They aren’t anything special. Just bought them from the pet store. They are roomy enough so the cats can stand up. The larger one, two cats can easily fit into together.

[@alicegoesnomad8448]

🐾🐾🐾

[@MobileRVTechServices]

😻

[@alicegoesnomad8448]

@@MobileRVTechServices I’m working on getting my kitty accumulated to my Prius caRV! 😋

[@MobileRVTechServices]

@@alicegoesnomad8448

[@mzyvettecrenshaw9670]

You need to train them to stay off your tables & counters that's pure nasty. No one wants to eat food from someone who allows thier cats to roam around on places they eat or serve food. I hope you're not those type of RVers who like to interact with other campers sharing food. NASTY!

[@MobileRVTechServices]

Our cats can jump on the table if they want. We wash our table before we eat on it and don’t worry your little heart out, we don’t do potlucks.

[@HB-MrCatLover]

@@MobileRVTechServices, my cats can jump on the tables at home as well. I don't mind and the friends who visit us don't mind either. Cat are very clean animals, cleaner than some rude people who should wash their mouths. Thank you for your very pleasant video. 👏👍🙏💚🐱