Can a cat be left in a carrier in a car for under 2 hours?

[Itshotoutthere]

Friend has dental appointment at 9.30 then vets at 11.30. Will the cat be ok in the car for less than an hour whilst she has dental appointment?

My cat has been in the hold of the plane for a 9 hour flight twice, even longer still in the carrier including transport to/from the airport. Since he’s not actually a toddler the airline sadly wouldn’t let me book him a seat and order him a kid’s meal. He had a no spill water bowl for the journey. Bit pissed off when we got him back but quickly bounced back. Such is expat life! Therefore, I think what is being proposed is fine, providing it’s a nice roomy carrier lined with absorbent vet bedding, kitty has water, and most importantly the owner has done lengthy journeys before with the cat so knows he won’t panic in the carrier.

An animal which isn't used to being trapped in a small space (carrier) should never be left unattended. Is there another person who can stay with the cat while she is in the dentist?

Oh and importantly the weather has to be ok- you aren’t allowed to fly a pet if the outside temperatures are too low or too high because of when they’re waiting to be loaded onto a plane. They have to make sure that car isn’t too hot or too cold. If it’s cold out then it’s an absolute no go. Even if the cat goes out in all weathers, it’s not comparable as they can’t move around in a carrier.

My cat is happy in a cat carrier for ages but only if I or the kids are there with him and he can see us. As soon as I/we get out of the car, he gets extremely scared and agitated. There's no way I would leave him on his own, it would be cruel.

Why does the cat need to go with your friend?

Ours would all hate it.

It is not clear if you be with the cat OP?

The vet surgery may have space to keep animals in before appointment time. My own vets have offered it- cats stay in own carrier in a back room. I have left then come back.

Might be something your friend wants to ask about if she expects to be a long time at her dentist appointment, or if this comes up again.

My cats are ok for a few hours in their carriers. I make sure they have food and and water.

It’s heat that’s most dangerous for pets in cars - in summertime.

Alone no, temperaturea change very quickly and very dramatically in cars, with an adult in the car yes fine as they can provide food, comfort, monitor temperature etc.

###UPDATE### Someone has volunteered to sit with cat whilst she's in dentist

Phew. 😊 I would have been worried about leaving the cat alone.

No, that would be incredibly cruel to the cat. Cats hate being caged and being alone in a car in a cage would be really awful.

Ours had tobe carriers in the car forabout 4 hours when we moved house. That was the journey time. The vet gave us Cat Valium to be administered half an hour or so before we left to keep them quiet, which did make them very dozy.

I hated doing it but when we eventually got to the new house they could ge let out and wander about as much as they wanted.

We didn't leave them alone though. I wouldn't do that, not for two hours. I'd take the cat with me in the carrier, even if it were to go to an important meeting. I'd phone a week before and ask reception ahead of time if I could either leave the cat with them or if there were a small room (even a store room) where I could set up a litter tray and water, food if possible, while I did whatever I had to do.

Also lots of pets get stolen from cars. Don’t invite trouble, glad you’ve got a cat sitter.

I'd be worried the car would be stolen and my car abandoned

I know my cats would find that very distressing.

It's worth calling the vet and see if there's any way she can leave the cat at the vet for that time. Most vets will have some kind of facility where cats can stay short term, e.g. if they are recovering from a procedure which requires a sedative. They may be happy to take the cat for a nominal fee.