Cats? (as in feline pets) and progress!

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Six9GS, Jun 21, 2019.

  1. Six9GS

    Six9GS Road Train Member

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    Question: I know it is more common for dogs in trucks. But, I know that some drivers have a cat instead. I'm curious of how drivers with cats manage it. Things like litter box and the Cat getting out of the truck and those practical sorts of things. What kind of Cat personality/breed works well with being in a truck?

    My pet Cat of many years recently passed and I kinda feel like at some point I'll get another cat. I like dogs, don't get me wrong. It is simply that I am more of a Cat person than a Dog person. I can definitely see myself on the road with a pet Cat.

    And, for the Progress, I have my CDL Learner's permit as of today (also got the N and T endorsements). One step closer!!!
     
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  3. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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  4. RockinChair

    RockinChair Road Train Member

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    I had a cat on the truck with me when I was OTR. He LOVED to lounge on the dash and enjoy the sunlight., but he did not like the additional noise that came when I opened the door at a fuel stop. I had to train him not to get under my legs while I was in the seat, and to stay on the right half of the dash. This particular cat had no love for the outdoors, so he never tried to get out. But be aware that some shippers and receivers don't allow animals on their property, and they can cause a real issue at the Canadian border.

    I coated the exterior of his food and water bowls with a spray-on rubberized coating, that way they wouldn't slide around in the truck. The main thing is to be vigilant about scooping out the litterbox. I used clumping litter, and scooped every day, using old Walmart and truckstop plastic bags.

    Congratulations on getting your permit and endorsements.
     
  5. LDLWells

    LDLWells Heavy Load Member

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    Get a younger cat. Cats are way more versatile in a truck than a dog. My cat that I take with me took her 90 seconds to learn to walk on a leash. She likes to climb the seat cover and hang out there. These rough oilfield roads it's probably the smoothest place. She also thinks she's the site supervisor and yells at everyone. Also she prefers that I buy her own seat when we fly home
     
  6. Dave_in_AZ

    Dave_in_AZ Road Train Member

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    Cats. In the truck. Zomg.

    20181002_162521.jpg

    Give yourself a solid year to learn to drive the truck before you get one.

    I travel with two. One is 12, one is 8. Had both since kittens. They've been on the truck for 18 months. Adapted, pretty much no problems.

    I'd take real caution letting them out even in isolated places, cause something could be lurking in the bushes and you'd never know until it's too late.
     
  7. Mototom

    Mototom Road Train Member

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    I have a cat in the truck. He sleeps a lot plays at night when the truck is sitting still. Let him out with a leash away from other animals. He learns quick so I don’t have to worry about underfeet or in my vision.
    Biggest issue is the #### litter. Not keeping the box clean but had a bag rip putting it in the truck. 30lbs of litter is a lot to clean up. Still got some under my feet gonna have to use an air gun.
     
  8. shogun

    shogun Road Train Member

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    @wore out and @snowman_w900 both have cats in their trucks. Wore runs a stout 3406b, Snowman has an Emodel, 5ek I think.
     
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  9. Dave_in_AZ

    Dave_in_AZ Road Train Member

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    Litter box is a snap.

    Clumping cat litter. No smell. No muss, no fuss. I have a 10 pound container of Tidy Cat. Use it to keep the level topped off as you discard it.

    Sometimes there are unscheduled stops to discard a REALLY bad cat poop. Especially if goes unburied.

    There's extra clean up of the interior. It adds some time.

    Food is dry in a bowl on the floor. They split a container of wet food when we stop.

    Water is in a bowl on top of my cooler. Towel underneath catches the spills and sloshes.
     
  10. Six9GS

    Six9GS Road Train Member

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    Yuma, AZ
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    Thanks for the replies and 'encouragement'. I guess it is more common than I thought. I think Dave_in_AZ 's advice about waiting a year is good advice. Also unsure if I will end up with my own truck or remain a company driver, but, I think it easier and better to have your own truck to have a cat. That way, you can adapt it to having a cat better and not have to worry about any 'damages' and having to move to another truck and figure out litter box and other logistics repeatedly. From the outside, as I currently am, that seems relevant.
    My cat that recently passed was quite unexpectedly a great traveler. I moved from Arizona to Florida and was going to kennel and fly her, thinking it would be less stressful for her that way. However, it is #### near impossible to have an animal flown around anywhere in the South during summer months. They have restrictions concerning ambient temperatures and it is usually simply too hot in the summer months in most Southern States. So, we (my 2 teenage boys and I) ended up bringing her with us. She was so chill, relaxed and easy to manage on the road. She would have been a great truck cat I think.
     
  11. Concorde

    Concorde Road Train Member

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    West Melbourne Florida
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    Congrats on your CLP!

    Just “Food for thought”..

    Consider getting in at least 6 months experience OTR before getting an animal. This way you will at least have a basic grasp on what it takes to be a OTR driver and the environment you’d be bringing your pet into.

    Simply put, when crap gets real out here your cat could become burdensome very quickly.

    Stuck on the shoulder for hours in 100+ degrees..needing a Hotel..or even a bus ride home...what now?
     
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