Cat-tastic Travels: Keeping My Cat a Happy Camper

Who knew that a small ball of fur could have such a
profound impact on my choice of RV floor plan?

Seriously, I rejected model after model because the litter box logistics required an engineering degree—one I do not have, nor aspire to earn.

Enter Luna, my fearless feline copilot. She’s small, sassy, and somehow turned my RV adventures into a high-stakes reality show featuring one dramatic star—her.

I have a confession to make: I’m that person. The one with an entire photo album on her phone labeled “Kitty Cat Cuteness.” It started innocently enough when she was a kitten, but now it’s a whole cat-shrine, because you just never know when the world will demand photographic proof of your cat’s unparalleled cuteness. Spoiler alert: the world has never demanded this. But am I ready if it does? You bet your whiskers I am.

Meanwhile, my RV photo organization? Hoo boy. What RV photo organization? If you happened to read my post on Spring Travels: Part 1 (you didn’t, but let’s pretend), you’d know I’m chronically photo-challenged when it comes to my adventures. Finding a decent shot of my rig or a stunning vista? That’s a solid 15-minute scroll through random pictures.

But my cat? Oh no, I’ve got categories for her: Collages, RV life, Mom and Dad’s house, Luna and Orville FFL (Frenemies for Life). You name it, there’s an album for it. And this, my friends, is why I’m a card-carrying, lifetime member of the Crazy Cat Lady Club. Membership dues? Paid in fur.

Any Advice to Share?

Let’s get one thing straight: I am not, nor will I ever claim to be, a Cat Whisperer. While I grew up with cats, I mostly spectated from the sidelines while my mom handled the hard stuff—litter box duty, vet visits, and the occasional battle of wills to get a cat to swallow a pill. Luna is my first cat as an adult, and I’ve been learning everything the hard way. Consider this your disclaimer: Nothing I share here qualifies as advice. These are simply my misadventures, shared for your entertainment.

I have met a good number of cats now who enjoy an RV lifestyle. Some do it part-time and are snowbirds, enjoying warmer weather for certain months, then returning to their brick-and-mortar homes. Others live it full-time and know nothing else. Some are indoor RV lifestylists. Others, like my cat, are outdoor fiends.

If I could redo one thing, it would be giving Luna more time to adjust to the RV before we hit the road. Instead, I threw us both into the deep end. Three days after I got the keys, we set out on an epic (read: catastrophic) maiden voyage to Florida. That trip was absolute chaos for so many reasons, not the least of which was Luna crawling into the exposed area under the dash. At one point, I genuinely started to worry about how I’d deal with the smell of a decaying cat I couldn’t reach. But, I digress.

One of things I did right, IMHO, was to install a cat pheromone diffuser inside the RV. I sincerely think it helped Luna. Once I wrangled her onboard, she showed a level of comfort she hadn’t previously displayed when entering a new place for the first time. I truly believe the product created a sense of welcome and made a noticeable difference in her comfort level.

We’re over a year in now, and thankfully, Luna has adapted beautifully.

This kitty was made for RV life.

Another trick to help her feel at home? I brought her two beloved cat trees: one that is compact and great for an RV (and sadly, I’m not seeing it for sale any more!) and the other—her absolute favorite—the Mau is slightly larger but too adorable and expensive to leave behind. Plus, it doubles as her launch pad to the loft over the cab, so… totally worth it.

An unforeseen boon to packing my RV full of cat stuff? I’ve discovered her GoCat DaBird toy has unexpectedly helped me forge peace treaties with campground cats!

Luna’s pheromones (despite being spayed) seem to attract a parade of suitors.

The GoCat DaBird serves as an excellent distraction. Like toddlers, a good play session usually does the trick to tire out visitors until they’re ready to move on to a warm sunny spot for a nap.

Nevertheless, occasionally, I need to use a little hose power to discourage aggressive behavior.

The Eternal Question: Where Do You Put the Litter Box?

The RV-litter box conundrum. For me, the answer was hiding in plain sight—or rather, under one of the booth dinette seats. This little nook turned out to be the purrfect spot for Luna’s litter box: discreet, convenient, and easy for me to access for cleaning.

I purchased a cat door off Amazon, whipped out my dad’s hand saw, and cut a cat-sized hole in the base of the booth dinette. Bonus: the large litter boxes I already owned fit like a glove!

My go-to litter is Pretty Litter, which earns my seal of approval for several RV-friendly reasons:

• Scooping Efficiency: I aim to scoop twice a week (key word: aim), but life happens. Once a week is usually the routine. Thanks to Pretty Litter’s drying powers, it’s just dried-up turds waiting for me—hardly a horror show.
• Dust-Free Delight: No mini dust storms when Luna scratches around.
• Urine Evaporation Magic: It eliminates the need to scoop pee—hallelujah!

What about odor, you ask? I’m borderline paranoid about my RV smelling like a giant litter box, so I add a sprinkle of baking soda for extra odor-busting power. In over a year, not one visitor has detected the litter box smell—even though it’s literally right under their butts. I’ll take that as a win, thank you very much.

Pretty Litter is also convenient for RV life because it ships directly to your door in under three days (bravo, Pretty Litter!) or you can grab it at Walmart if you’re in a pinch. I usually plan ahead and opt for delivery (because it’s cheaper), but I love having the Walmart backup plan because, let’s face it, cats are nothing if not highly opinionated about sudden changes to their litter box situation—hence why sudden changes should be avoided.

And let’s not forget Pretty Litter’s signature feature: it changes color to alert you to potential health issues. Thankfully, I haven’t needed that feature for Luna (she’s as healthy as a horse… er, cat), but it’s reassuring to know it’s there just in case.

What is Luna Fed?

Backstory time: When I adopted Luna, she didn’t come alone. I also adopted a tiny, scrappy kitten named Cosmo.

During our first vet visit, I proudly mentioned I was feeding my kittens “healthy” Blue brand food. That conversation quickly became a masterclass in marketing vs. nutrition.

Apparently, Blue brand has a marketing team that deserves some serious awards (shoutout to my fellow marketing pros!). But here’s the catch: Blue isn’t “animal-tested.” Before you recoil, let me clarify—it’s not about cruelty, but about ensuring the food’s nutrient ratios actually work in real, live animals. My vet explained that while most pet foods contain the right balance of carbs, fats, proteins, and vitamins, only a few brands test those formulas in actual pets.

The vet recommended three brands known for this level of diligence: Royal Canin, Science Diet, and Purina ProPlan. With poor Cosmo’s sensitive tummy in mind, I chose Purina ProPlan LiveClear sensitive skin and stomach formula. The transformation was miraculous. Cosmo went from struggling with pale, mushy poo (think litter box exorcism) to producing firm, healthy nuggets. His energy skyrocketed, and for a while, he practically bounced off the walls alongside Luna.

Though Cosmo has since crossed the rainbow bridge, Luna remains a loyal fan of Purina ProPlan LiveClear. Not only is this food easy to find (Amazon delivers it straight to my door), but it’s also a life-saver for cat-allergy sufferers like me. Thanks to LiveClear’s allergen-reducing powers, I don’t sneeze myself silly around Luna. Friends with cat allergies are equally impressed when they visit, often surprised that their noses and eyes remain blissfully calm.

How Does Luna Handle Travel?

Luna loves exploring new places, but, TBH, she’s not a fan of travel days. In hindsight, a more gradual acclimation to the RV—especially the thunderous engine noise and the unsettling sensation of a moving house—would’ve made those days easier.

Luna handles it well. I’ve heard horror stories about cats so stressed they foam at the mouth or pant in panic. Luna’s different. She doesn’t need sedatives, but we’re still figuring out our groove.

The Hide-and-Seek Chronicles

‘Fun’ lesson I’ve learned: don’t let Luna realize we’re leaving. She’s frighteningly smart, and if she senses a move coming, she vanishes like Houdini at a campground. Cue the frantic hide-and-seek game, with $80 site fees looming.

Pro tip: If you ever find yourself in this predicament, recruit the campground kids. Young humans are fearless and naturally wander into places adults wouldn’t dream of. I’ve yet to meet a group of children who couldn’t locate a sneaky cat faster than a GPS.

Our Travel Routine

On moving days, Luna gets outdoor time to burn off energy and satisfy her natural curiosity—while proudly rocking a leash. Fortunately, when she was a kitten, I trained her to wear a harness.

If you’re curious, after some trial and error, I found the Step-in Pet Harness works best for her. She weighs in at a whopping eight pounds and this harness is both lightweight and simple, perfect for her smaller size.

With time and observation, I discovered that syncing travel time with Luna’s circadian rhythm helps her snooze once we hit the road. Our ideal travel schedule? Depart at 10 a.m., arrive by 3 p.m., and Luna chills in her carrier with minimal fuss.

For long drives, I build in a midday pit stop: a prolonged lunch break with a licky treat, water, and some window-watching. This mix of stimulation is effective at making her content to “cat-lax” for the rest of the journey.

As for her carrier, I spent a lot of time researching options before settling on the Cat Travel Carrier. It’s roomy for my little cat, giving her space to sit up, lie down, stretch—basically, do her thing. Bonus: it came with a portable litter box. Personally, I use it to store her cat toys.

What we both especially love is what I call the “sun porch,” the accordion-style fold-down side wall that expands the carrier’s interior space while offering Luna 180-degree views through the mesh.

Luna really enjoys this feature. I can secure the carrier so the sun porch hangs over the lip of the booth seat, creating a spot where Luna can settle in, almost like a hammock, but with the comforting pressure of a compression blanket. This position is where she sleeps the most comfortably. I think it makes her feel safe and secure, allowing her to drift off in a way she can’t in the larger part of the carrier.

Traveling with a cat isn’t always easy, but with the right routines and a little patience, Luna and I make it work. And let’s be real—her love for post-drive exploration makes every travel day worth it.

Harness or Collar?

I’ve learned a lot about collars vs. harnesses.

Harnesses are perfect for leash walks and ensuring Luna stays on-site while I break down camp, but they can be problematic if left on unsupervised. They get snagged, don’t break away in emergencies, and kitty legs can get stuck, leading to a three-legged hobble.

As Luna has matured, she’s become reliable at staying close to our site. Whether she’s lounging on our jumbo patio rug, under the RV, or in her kitty cabana on the picnic table, I let her roam free without a leash. However, I still have her wear a collar so that anyone can easily see she’s a pet and not a feral cat.

I like this breakaway reflective collar. In case of an emergency, Luna’s name and my cell number are printed on it. The breakaway clasp is perfectly balanced—neither too easy nor too difficult to release. Plus, I appreciate the collar’s reflectivity, which helps keep my black cat visible at night.

Have I ever had complications with Luna being off-leash in a campground? Oh, yes. Letting her roam freely can occasionally violate campground rules. But let’s be honest, I’m not the first, nor will I be the last, cat owner who lets their feline friend explore the campground. Since Luna tends to stay close, we usually manage to stay out of trouble.

What About Vet Visits?

Luna’s vet visits take place in Wisconsin, where she gets her annual checkup. Thankfully, she’s a young, healthy cat, so our vet trips are few and far between.

For flea, tick, and parasite prevention, Luna receives RevolutionPlus monthly. This product has been great for her. I’ve noticed that she tends to roll excessively in the dirt or sand a few days before the 30-day mark—likely because bugs are starting to bother her—so I’ve adjusted her schedule, administering the dose 2–3 days early.

For worm prevention, Luna gets Profender every three months. I didn’t always follow a deworming regimen, but I learned my lesson the hard way. One day, Luna started losing weight, and I couldn’t figure out why. Thankfully, my campground neighbor—a seasoned cat dad—clued me in to the importance of quarterly deworming for outdoor cats. Since then, it’s been part of her routine.

I source her meds from CanadaVet.com for two reasons:

1. No prescription is required.
2. It’s cheaper than Chewy or Amazon.

Otherwise, our days are filled with predictable routines that keep Luna happy and healthy. I believe the consistency of our schedule plays a big part in her staying close to our site.

Why wander far when you’d miss out on:

• Lickey treats and trick-training sessions (yes, Luna loves showing off her skills!)
• Chasing her beloved GoCat DaBird toy.
• Watching me spray stinky boy cats with the hose—a pastime she finds endlessly entertaining.
• Napping in her kitty cabana while I work outside, or in one of her many cozy spots indoors when it’s too cold for outdoor work.

In short, a mix of care, prevention, and a routine she enjoys makes Luna a happy camper—literally.

Final Thoughts

I’m so grateful for Luna—her resilience, trust, and adaptability to this unconventional lifestyle. While opportunities for loneliness can arise on this journey, they are significantly lessened (and often completely banished) because I have her by my side.

What about you? Do you have any funny stories, memorable anecdotes, or nuggets of advice from your adventures with a pet? I’d love to hear them—please share in the comments!

Disclaimer: I was not paid or compensated for my opinion on any of the products referenced in this post. However, this post contains affiliate links, and I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.