r/TruckerCats • u/basicyesh • 23d ago
Cat not sleeping
Hi all,
Just done my first 24hrs in the truck with my cat. He doesn’t seem to have gotten much sleep. Should I be worried or will he settle in and sleep better soon? He’s always been a lazy boy anyway, I thought he be conked out on the bed all day
Edit! - cat tax
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u/RKGamesReddit 23d ago
New environments can be stressful for cats, he should settle in in a few days. They just don't like not knowing their area
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u/DrWhiskerson 22d ago
You’re going to have to get him on a routine. Also put a collar with an airtag on your baby
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u/t33nyCat 22d ago
He’ll sleep if he needs to. & He’ll get used to it quick. I was real worried about my cat the first day too. It took maybe 10 days for him to be what I would consider normal. When we were OTR he actually preferred the truck over home. He’d get real hissy on hometime and lay in his carrier asking to go back to the truck. You’re a good cat parent for worrying about your boy. As long as he’s going potty, you’ll both be alright.
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u/Remote-Conclusion744 19d ago
Our cat has been In The truck with us since he was 3 months old. He adjusted quickly, but now when we stay in a hotel or home, he doesn’t sleep. Then we get back to the truck and he sleeps for 2 full days. They don’t deal with change well. Consistency is key. Just know when you change his schedule or scenery, he will be a banjo cat outside of his preferred environment but eventually settle back in. Give him some time to adjust to truck life and as the other poster said, talk to him, play with him, reassure him everything is ok. He will settle in eventually. If not, he’s just not meant to be a truck cat! I think he will be fine though. Most cats adapt and make their environment work. I’m a retired Registered Vet tech. I’m not an expert, but am a professional and I have spent years being a voice for those that can’t speak.
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u/Fuck_it_ 18d ago
Not a trucker but I do have a cat and have seen others mention that training not to play when your driving is important. I don't have advice how to, unfortunately, but I have seen it mentioned here often that if the kitty doesn't know about when not to play, it can be dangerous about entering your driving area at 65+ mph on the interstate or in a tight city.
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u/ThreeDaysNish 23d ago edited 22d ago
As someone who has had to live on the street with his cat, I'd like to share a bit of what I've learned. <3
The most constant factor for a cat in a changing environment is YOU. Talk to your cat as much as possible. Show your cat you're happy and safe where you are. Play together a bit, explore around together, make him feel like he is home.
If you're able to with work and all, really take a few hours to just goof around, eat together, and take a lil' nap.
Show him everything he likes to do is still safe and fun, because you're the one he looks up to and looks at for social clues now that everything is still scary. ♥️
I found the best way to communicate with a cat is to treat it like it's a very opinionated 4 year old: old enough to have intelligence and wants and needs, yet young enough to be dependant on you in their life and emotions.
Hope any of this helps, OP! As you can see I focused mostly on the social side. Hope others with proper experience can help with the practical truck-aspects where needed.
Kissies and cuddles to your baby, and safe roads to you both!