My Pregnant Cat & Camping

Question
My fiancee and I have been planning on going camping spring break for a month now. My cat Nancy is pregnant, and I'm assuming that she's going to have her kittens in about 19 days. I'm not positive when she got pregnant but that will be about 60 days from the time I think she got pregnant. So here's the thing. We're planning on going to the beach in a very nice 25 foot trailer. We're leaving the 2nd of April and she probably won't have her kittens until the 15th. I was planning on taking her with us just in case she does have them. I was going to take a laundry basket and lots of extra towels for her nesting area. What I'm wondering is if this is a terrible idea. I know that I probably shouldn't do it, but I don't really have much of a choice. I don't have anyone that can babysit her while I'm gone, and I would hate to tell the girls(4 & 6) that we can't go camping. They've been looking forward to it for awhile. I also know that my fiancee won't go without me. What can I do? Please, PLEASE help me find a way. Thank you, Chelsea

Answer
Hi Chelsea, thank you for the question.
This could work. It is still a better option to take her with you, than to leave her home alone. BUT... a few things will need to be in place.

When you are camping are you moving around or just going to one place and staying still in the trailer?
Has your cat, Nancy ever traveled in a car or your trailer before?
How calm is your cat? Would she be scared with the movement of the trailer or would she be ok with it?
Do you have enough room in the trailer that she can find a secure quiet dark place to have her babies and not be disturbed by a couple of excited little girls?

If you could put all this into place and she is an easy going cat you will probably be fine !
Some cats do not mind traveling and will settle in anywhere and call it "home". Other cats are very timid and any change in their surroundings, even new furniture, will send them into a state of panic. If your cat is not comfortable she will not care for the kittens properly and she will be anxious and upset the whole time you are gone.

I would recommend that you start having her spend time in the trailer right now ! Give her treats when she is there and make it a happy place for her. When you are actually driving she would be better to be in a crate that she is familiar with so that she is not bouncing around as you drive. Keep her next to you in a crate when you are moving.
A cat's gestation is usually 63-65 days. If she does not have her kittens when you are away she may still want to have them in the trailer when you get home because she will be used to it by then, and will have already picked out a spot. Would this be an option for you??

Keep your girls and any visitors away from her and the trailer when she is about 61 days along. She needs to feel that she will not be disturbed when she is delivering or she will start looking for a different place to nest that may not be as suitable.

I hope this helps,and of course feel free to write back.