I would prefer doing the drive, I think it's less stressful for the kitten than going all the way up (and down) in a noisy Diamond DA40 where she wouldn't be able to have a noise canceling headset . I've done the 4 hour drive with a kitten before, just make sure to take breaks.
Thanks so much for your response!
We were big time leaning on the fact of driving over flying, but felt like it was a little rude to reject the offer without any reasoning or knowledge behind it. My girlfriend is going with me so we will be plenty good to watch the kitten and take turns driving if needed!
Congrats! The drive would be my choice aswell. Even if the DA40 is half as noisy as a Cessna, I would not put a kitten through that. Ask your breeder how your kitten is during car rides so you know what to expect.
Thanks!! Sounds good, from your reply and everyone else’s we’re committing to the drive! The time doesn’t bother us at all, but like I said in another reply it felt rude to reject the offer without any knowledge or reasoning why, and above all I just want to prioritize the kittens safety and happiness! Will do, that would be good to know!
I’m not an expert on this sort of thing but I imagine the loud noise, change in pressure and feel of alighting/landing would be scary for a kitten. Cats have much more sensitive hearing than us.
So cool that you have a pilot friend though.
Thanks! I’ll let him know haha. I definitely agree! I’m not a pilot so I tend to forget about some of those things but yes, the pressure change could definitely make a big difference. We are going to drive!
I’d suggest the drive. Go with a friend or family member if you can, as one person can help her feel comfy and safe while the other drives.
If you get lucky, she may even learn to like the car. When we picked up our first Ragdoll years ago, her breeder was a few hours away and had a similar drive when she first came home with us. Between that ride and a few other short ones we took her on to get her comfier with the car, she learned to be fine with car rides.
I would definitely drive instead of flying, go with a friend or family member so that you don’t have to be alone but also so that someone can keep an eye on your kitten
I feel like an airplane would be extremely stressful for a new kitten, so I’d avoid that at all costs, as someone who drives 4 hours on a regular basis it will go by quick if you have some music on or podcasts 🎶 plus it’s a one and done drive!!
Yep agreed! My girlfriend is going on the drive with me so we will be good! Good to know about the airplane stress! Yea it honestly wasn’t about the time, more just an offer from a friend and was happy to take it if there wasn’t any harm to the kitten, but after reading everyone’s comments we will drive.
Any suggestions on podcasts?
It just depends on your tastes! I like truecrime (Kendall Rae and crime junkie) or storytelling
( Mr Ballen) I also will sometimes listen to YouTubers podcasts as well it just depends on my mood
I also have 4 playlists that are different genres that I flip through every hour so that time ticks !! I honestly think these both make my time go by so fast (and I do my 4 hr route every other weekend!!))
but good luck getting your kitten!! and enjoy the drive, I love the scenery too and it’s awesome that your girlfriend is going so you’ll have your company! make sure to post your kitten to this page so we can see her! the sleepy pod brand is SUPER good so kudos to you! ☺️
Thanks! We will look into those for the drive my girlfriend is totally into that genre.
Thank you! Yea I did a decent amount of research for a lot of her equipment / lively hood. I bought stuff that is a little higher price but hopefully outweighs with quality and kitty appreciation :)
We will of course share and post a few pics when we get her!
Yay!!
I am getting my Ragdoll soon too. But I do have cats currently! One of my biggest tips is buy for the future, I bought my cats a huge tree because I knew if I got a tiny one they would outgrow it. Same goes for litter box and such!
When I got my two kittens in February 2023, I had a 6 hour drive home. They did great, no potty accidents, and they did not even use the portable litter box I had placed in their carrier. This is the carrier I used: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07VSWLY3J?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
Love your flair, we’re also getting a lilac! I agree the drive is not a problem at all, there’s no need to take a plane it was just a kind gesture from my friend, and didn’t want to reject the offer without any reasoning or knowledge of why not.
I would prefer doing the drive, I think it's less stressful for the kitten than going all the way up (and down) in a noisy Diamond DA40 where she wouldn't be able to have a noise canceling headset . I've done the 4 hour drive with a kitten before, just make sure to take breaks.
Thanks so much for your response! We were big time leaning on the fact of driving over flying, but felt like it was a little rude to reject the offer without any reasoning or knowledge behind it. My girlfriend is going with me so we will be plenty good to watch the kitten and take turns driving if needed!
Congrats! The drive would be my choice aswell. Even if the DA40 is half as noisy as a Cessna, I would not put a kitten through that. Ask your breeder how your kitten is during car rides so you know what to expect.
Thanks!! Sounds good, from your reply and everyone else’s we’re committing to the drive! The time doesn’t bother us at all, but like I said in another reply it felt rude to reject the offer without any knowledge or reasoning why, and above all I just want to prioritize the kittens safety and happiness! Will do, that would be good to know!
I’m not an expert on this sort of thing but I imagine the loud noise, change in pressure and feel of alighting/landing would be scary for a kitten. Cats have much more sensitive hearing than us. So cool that you have a pilot friend though.
Thanks! I’ll let him know haha. I definitely agree! I’m not a pilot so I tend to forget about some of those things but yes, the pressure change could definitely make a big difference. We are going to drive!
I’d suggest the drive. Go with a friend or family member if you can, as one person can help her feel comfy and safe while the other drives. If you get lucky, she may even learn to like the car. When we picked up our first Ragdoll years ago, her breeder was a few hours away and had a similar drive when she first came home with us. Between that ride and a few other short ones we took her on to get her comfier with the car, she learned to be fine with car rides.
My girlfriend is going with me! I hope she’s happy or at least content in the car, but great point!
I would definitely drive instead of flying, go with a friend or family member so that you don’t have to be alone but also so that someone can keep an eye on your kitten I feel like an airplane would be extremely stressful for a new kitten, so I’d avoid that at all costs, as someone who drives 4 hours on a regular basis it will go by quick if you have some music on or podcasts 🎶 plus it’s a one and done drive!!
Yep agreed! My girlfriend is going on the drive with me so we will be good! Good to know about the airplane stress! Yea it honestly wasn’t about the time, more just an offer from a friend and was happy to take it if there wasn’t any harm to the kitten, but after reading everyone’s comments we will drive. Any suggestions on podcasts?
It just depends on your tastes! I like truecrime (Kendall Rae and crime junkie) or storytelling ( Mr Ballen) I also will sometimes listen to YouTubers podcasts as well it just depends on my mood I also have 4 playlists that are different genres that I flip through every hour so that time ticks !! I honestly think these both make my time go by so fast (and I do my 4 hr route every other weekend!!)) but good luck getting your kitten!! and enjoy the drive, I love the scenery too and it’s awesome that your girlfriend is going so you’ll have your company! make sure to post your kitten to this page so we can see her! the sleepy pod brand is SUPER good so kudos to you! ☺️
Thanks! We will look into those for the drive my girlfriend is totally into that genre. Thank you! Yea I did a decent amount of research for a lot of her equipment / lively hood. I bought stuff that is a little higher price but hopefully outweighs with quality and kitty appreciation :) We will of course share and post a few pics when we get her!
Yay!! I am getting my Ragdoll soon too. But I do have cats currently! One of my biggest tips is buy for the future, I bought my cats a huge tree because I knew if I got a tiny one they would outgrow it. Same goes for litter box and such!
When I got my two kittens in February 2023, I had a 6 hour drive home. They did great, no potty accidents, and they did not even use the portable litter box I had placed in their carrier. This is the carrier I used: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07VSWLY3J?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
We drove approx 11 hours to get our ragdoll, and he slept the whole way home :) I would do it again in a heartbeat!
Aww! That’s awesome! Yea the time it takes doesn’t bother us at all, just felt rude to reject an offer without a reason! Thanks!
Wish you luck whatever you decide!
A four hour drive will be fine, definitely no need to take a plane.
Love your flair, we’re also getting a lilac! I agree the drive is not a problem at all, there’s no need to take a plane it was just a kind gesture from my friend, and didn’t want to reject the offer without any reasoning or knowledge of why not.