Although there are relatively few cats that like to travel, practically every pet occasionally has to leave its home and go on a longer or shorter journey. In order to ensure that everything goes smoothly and without complications, it is essential to take care of its safety at such times.
The right cat carrier is essential
The carrier, like the litter tray, bowls or scratching post, must be an item present in every cat’s home. Even if our cat likes to be held in our arms or walks politely in a harness and on a leash, it is the carrier which will keep your cat safe in a difficult, stressful situation or during a long journey. It should be of an appropriate size (such that the cat can turn around inside and lie down freely) and made of durable and easy-to-clean materials.
One that can be split into two parts (top and bottom) or at least conveniently opened not only from the side, but also from the top, works best. This is especially useful during a visit to the vet’s surgery, as a large part of the examination can be carried out on the cat without having to take it out onto the treatment table, which means far less stress for many animals.
We should also remember that the carrier must be adjusted to the weight of our cat – if we do not check its durability in this respect, it may turn out that with heavier animals the container will be damaged (e.g. the handle will break off or the lower part will fall off).
Transporting the carrier in the car
It appears that the best place to put the carrier in the car is on the floor – preferably behind the passenger seat. However, if the container is too large to transport, you can choose to put it on the floor at the front or, in estate cars, in the boot. With the latter option, it is a good idea to secure the carrier with retaining straps so that it does not shift or tip over during manoeuvres while driving.
Interestingly, fabric bags perform best in crash tests, provided that the force of the impact is distributed in a different plane than the zips used to close the ‘container’. On the other hand, the so-called car straps, which can be attached to the pet’s harness, usually do not meet any safety standards and simply fall apart in the event of an accident. Thus, their only function is to immobilise the pet in the car so that it does not walk around the cabin while driving, and we cannot expect anything else from them.
Minimising stress during travel
If your cat is unwell on journeys, you can try to reduce the stress of the event a little. We can therefore cover the carrier from the outside to limit the amount of stimuli that reach the pet during the journey. It is also worth talking to your vet about mild stress and tension relievers that can be given to him before leaving home (this is especially true if a nervous cat needs to visit the vet’s surgery).
For longer journeys or highly stressed cats, it is also worth lining the bottom of the carrier with a hygienic pad (a soiled pad can be easily removed even without opening the whole thing – in most carriers it can be pulled out from under the door and thrown away).
Cat meowing on the road – what to do?
The best thing to do is simply focus on getting to your destination. Many cats vocalise during transport to let their carer know of their displeasure and discomfort. The problem, however, is that it is difficult to remove this discomfort other than simply completing the journey and arriving at the destination. So unless it is a multi-hour journey, during which stops may be necessary – it is worth focusing on finishing the journey as safely and efficiently as possible.
Summary
Even the most polite and calm cat has a right to be frightened by something that happens to it outside the home. Therefore, never take your cat outside in your arms without proper restraint. If the animal breaks free and runs away, the chances of it being caught and caught are minimal. There is therefore no point in exposing it to unnecessary danger and stress. It is better to take care of the right form of transport and your pet’s safety in advance.
