Travelling With A Cat

Cats like their freedom and don’t normally relish being driven around in a car. Being taken without their permission and subjected to a lot of unusual noises with bumps and jolts, is not a cats idea of fun. On top of which, they end up at this clinical white place with unpleasant smells and an aura of fear, the humans call it the VET. Sharp needles and your mouth being forced open is your only reward.

So it’s up to us humans to make this experience as comfortable for our cats as possible.

Firstly, unlike dogs, cats can be transported in a basket. However, to bring this out just before you want to go and try and get your pet inside might, over time, mean your cat will associate the basket with the vet. I find that the process of getting your cat into the basket is made a lot easier if you bring the basket out at few days before and place it where your cat will see it every day, I find that the cats get used to the basket and no longer see it as a form of torture. Moreover, my cats actually see it as a sanctuary, and it can be more of a problem to get them out of it at the other end! This being the case it’s useful to have a basket where you can take the complete top off, for easy access.

Cats will show signs of stress in different ways, some will go quite and become reserved, others might yowl for the complete journey. It’s usually the fear of the unknown and the motion of the car can be the sensation that sets them off.

In order to minimise this, it’s best to make sure the basket is safely secured in the car with a seat belt. You will also need to consider your passenger when diving as well, anticipate junctions and roundabouts, getting past them as smoothly as possible to avoid any sudden stop/starts. A flow of fresh air is crucial as well, so keep the car windows slightly open and never leave a pet in the car unattended.

If your cats are car sick, and some do suffer, then it’s possible to get appropriate medication from your vet. Under no circumstance use human medicines to try and treat your cat yourself. If your cat is highly stressed, there is a spray that you can use in the basket and car that gives the area an aroma of calm and tranquility for cats – Feliway. It’s very useful stuff for applying in areas where your cat may be stressed, for instance cats living in homes with other cats, may get stressed and this can be a useful treatment for this, also if you’ve had building works or are thinking of going away on holiday, this can be used to help reduce the level of stress in your cat.

Rob Tyrrell is an artist who owns two cats, he specialises in pet portraits so, if you’d like a pet portrait in oil go to www.robtyrrell-petportraits.co.uk

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