- Jun 19, 2024
- 24
- 120
- Funster No
- 103,966
- MH
- Auto-Trail C72
- Exp
- Since 2015 as a renter, since 2024 as an owner
No, not a catalytic converter!
All being well, we'll have our first motorhome soon. We've been talking about this since before I retired two years ago, and dreaming about hitting the open road; just the three of us: me, our lass, and our Supreme Leader....
It's funny! When I've seen the acronym SWMBO on here, I do not automatically think of my betrothed; I think of our CoCo.
I've read a couple of old threads on here, and picked up some tips already; I'm seeking any further advice that will help us to get her acclimated to the van and at a point where we can 'install' her.
By way of background...
She is seven and is a proper house cat; so much so that if we are in and out of the front door she will just sit on the doormat, she will not cross the threshold. The furthest she has been is a few steps onto the patio back way, when we've been sat out there. She is very timid and definitely not a lap cat; the closest we get to that is her laying on top of our lass's legs when we're in bed, but only with a duvet as a barrier. She will frequently come and sit next to me for loads of scritches, but only on her terms.
She has the run of the house, and we want her to do the same in the van. She hates being picked up, and will not go in her carrier of her own accord; she associates that with a trip to the vet, or going to kitty prison (the cattery).
One good tip I read on here was getting a soft carrier and leaving it near to her, so she can get used to it. That is something we will do, as she likely will not recognise its true purpose. I'll put one of my t-shirts inside for extra incentive.
We've just bought her a new bed for the van, so will let her get used to that. Mind you, she probably won't bother with it as, like most cats, she will just sleep where she wants.
I have thought about bringing a few of the seats cushions in from the van, getting them well and truly coated with my pheromones (I do apologise for the image some of you may now have
), and leave them in the living room for her.
One thing for sure; we will definitely not get a harness or lead. She will not tolerate those. She will be strictly a van cat.
One thing I will do, just for piece of mind, is construct a chicken wire frame to be fixed inside the hab door, for when we come and go. Again, that comes from a tip on here, so thank you to that contributor.
Any more advice?
All being well, we'll have our first motorhome soon. We've been talking about this since before I retired two years ago, and dreaming about hitting the open road; just the three of us: me, our lass, and our Supreme Leader....
It's funny! When I've seen the acronym SWMBO on here, I do not automatically think of my betrothed; I think of our CoCo.
I've read a couple of old threads on here, and picked up some tips already; I'm seeking any further advice that will help us to get her acclimated to the van and at a point where we can 'install' her.
By way of background...
She is seven and is a proper house cat; so much so that if we are in and out of the front door she will just sit on the doormat, she will not cross the threshold. The furthest she has been is a few steps onto the patio back way, when we've been sat out there. She is very timid and definitely not a lap cat; the closest we get to that is her laying on top of our lass's legs when we're in bed, but only with a duvet as a barrier. She will frequently come and sit next to me for loads of scritches, but only on her terms.
She has the run of the house, and we want her to do the same in the van. She hates being picked up, and will not go in her carrier of her own accord; she associates that with a trip to the vet, or going to kitty prison (the cattery).
One good tip I read on here was getting a soft carrier and leaving it near to her, so she can get used to it. That is something we will do, as she likely will not recognise its true purpose. I'll put one of my t-shirts inside for extra incentive.
We've just bought her a new bed for the van, so will let her get used to that. Mind you, she probably won't bother with it as, like most cats, she will just sleep where she wants.
I have thought about bringing a few of the seats cushions in from the van, getting them well and truly coated with my pheromones (I do apologise for the image some of you may now have
), and leave them in the living room for her.One thing for sure; we will definitely not get a harness or lead. She will not tolerate those. She will be strictly a van cat.
One thing I will do, just for piece of mind, is construct a chicken wire frame to be fixed inside the hab door, for when we come and go. Again, that comes from a tip on here, so thank you to that contributor.
Any more advice?
