How to take kittens to the vet?

[Filiboom]

Our two new kittens have their second round of vaccinations on Thursday. The first round was done in the rescue centre. We live about a ten minute walk from the vet and I don’t drive. Would it be better to take a taxi or walk with them in the carrier? I have no experience of cats (until now!) and, whilst the walk would be easier and cheaper for me, I’m concerned they might be stressed out being carried in the carrier for that long and we’d be better off going in a taxi (although they would likely be in the carrier for longer when we add in waiting time...).

Any general tips as to how to make this easier for all also very welcome!

[MMKMN]

How busy is the road you'll be walking down?

If it was a quietish road I'd be tempted to walk them down. But triple check your carrier so it doesn't pop open/break. Maybe invest in a big material one they can't see out of as much.

If you do decide to walk them, make sure you have something of theirs in the carrier and talk to them the whole way there☺️

[EmmaC78]

I would get a taxi. It will be far easier.

[Vinorosso74]

I did a 15 minute walk to the vets with our old girl a few times and it was ok apart from having to swap carrier between arms. You could put a cover over the carrier as that can reduce stress. Our vets often give a spray of Pet Remedy on some fabric-you could buy some to spray some in the carrier.

[Vinorosso74]

And yes make sure it-is a super secure one!

[YesItsMeIDontCare]

I do a 15 minute walk with my boy and he's a big heavy bugger!!!

They'll be as fine as they can be in a carrier going to the vet, and may be a good idea for them to learn tolerate it in case you ever do need to absolutely do it (eg no taxi available for 3 hours and crap like that).

It might not be perfect but we do the best we can for them with what we've got, if you see what I mean.

[YesItsMeIDontCare]

To be honest though, I want one of these things...

[SpoonBlender]

Ah, no. What you really want is one of these!

[Filiboom]

I do want Spoonblender’s recommendation! Realistically though, I don’t have time to get anything other than the plastic one we bought at the Celia Hammond centre when we collected them.... It is a quiet(ish) road and they’re still very little. I think I’ll chance it walking (and good idea re favourite toys, and will certainly double check it!) as we could end up waiting ten minutes for a taxi and at least this way once I get them into the carrier we can just go!

Thank you

[Firstbornunicorn]

I was in the vet's once and a lady came in with a cat carrier in a buggy!

I thought this was a genus idea 😂

[viccat]

It should be ok to walk when they are small and can share a carrier. Of course as they grow, you'll have to buy a second carrier and it will be a lot more difficult to carry two then. And yes to absolutely double checking it's closed very securely.

[Fluffycloudland77]

I saw a woman in B&Q with a spaniel in a buggy. It looked like a special dog buggy. She said it was old and had bad hips.

[Vinorosso74]

I've not seen her in ages but there's a woman takes her tiny dogs (amount in double figures) out to the shops in a buggy.

[Beaverhausen]

If you are walking OP make sure their blankie is in there and a little cat nip toy, and leave the carrier open for them to go in and out off a few days prior so that they get used to it.

[AlexaC]

I have a cat and walk her down to the vets, which is about 10 minutes away in her carrier. I have a carrier with a shoulder strap which makes it easier. I think she prefers it to the plastic one, though she doesn’t enjoy either that much. I also don’t drive and given that sometimes getting in the carrier is sometimes really easy and sometimes incredibly hard, I figure it’s still easier and quicker to walk rather than have to call a taxi.

I do talk to her in the carrier which makes me look at little weird as the carrier looks more like a sports bag than a cat carrier until you get close!