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Original poster

Advice needed for transporting a cat in the car, who hates his cat box.

34 replies

ItWasnaMeGuv · 02/01/2025 10:23

For his whole life (18 years) my cat's cattery has been a five minute drive away. That journey was upsetting for him but it was five minutes so doable. Cattery closed recently, owner retired, and I found another suitable place 30 minute drive away. I took him there for Christmas period and he cried the whole time in the car, pooing in the box Sad. The return journey was the same. There must be an alternative, we can't go through that again.

My question is, how can I safely transport my cat in the car? He is not afraid of the car as he likes to hop in when I get home from work and open the door, and he wanders about the front and back quite happily. Do I get a harness and attach him to the seatbelt? Is that even safe? Are there massive containers that will fit on the back seat that he might prefer (or may not, anyway Sad).

My daughter is a house/pet sitter with a well-known agency and she has pet-sat around the UK and Europe, currently in Canada. I like the thought of my elder cat staying put while we are away, but am deeply embarrassed Blush that my home is NOT like the places my daughter pet sits at. It is "lived in" Hmm. I asked her and she said "mum, the most important thing is that the animal/s you are caring for are friendly, happy and content that you are there, not the decor" (she had one bad experience with an aggressive cat). In that case a prospective cat sitter would surely be very happy as my cat is gentle, cuddly and friendly 24/7.

Still, I'd like some of you mumsnetters with experience to tell me your experiences and advice. Do I persevere with a 100% safe cattery experience or try a cat-sitter live-in?

OP posts:
HaagenYAAS · 02/01/2025 10:26

Get some gabapentin from the vets to give your cat 2 hours before the journey to the cattery (and the same on the way back), it’s like magic! It’s a painkiller that at higher doses causes mild sedation

specialsauce · 02/01/2025 10:26

Get the largest cat box you can find, fill it with cats favourite things to snuggle up to, put a blanket over it so it looks like a cave and leave it where he can investigate for a few weeks before he needs to travel in it.
If it feels like his space he won't be so traumatised when he needs to go in.

Original poster
ItWasnaMeGuv · 02/01/2025 10:30

HaagenYAAS · 02/01/2025 10:26

Get some gabapentin from the vets to give your cat 2 hours before the journey to the cattery (and the same on the way back), it’s like magic! It’s a painkiller that at higher doses causes mild sedation

I had no idea that was possible! I will definitely look in to that. Many thanks.

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Cats
Ohnonotmeagain · 02/01/2025 10:31

I have a rescue cat who stresses to the point of making herself life threateningly ill in catteries.

there are quite a few services now where someone comes into your home once or twice a day to feed, clean litter, play with the cat. I’ve found varying services from cheap to do the basics on a short visit, to more expensive but they’ll stay for an hour, send videos, sit and cuddle the cat etc.

they don’t house sit or live in, they visit just to see the cat. Ours does plants, post, lights, and the hamster as well.

i found ours on Facebook but it’s not unusual for dog walkers, groomers etc to also do it as part of their business.

it works out about the same cost as a cattery.

AnnaMagnani · 02/01/2025 10:33

Get a huge cat box. Spray it all over with Feliway every day.

Leave it open in the house and feed him his all time favourite treat food inside it twice a day for several weeks prior to the journey.

Then cross your fingers.

Hoppinggreen · 02/01/2025 10:33

DD does pet sitting but doesn't saty she pops in once or twice a day.
She doesn't care what the house is like (except in one extreme case) and generally cats are happier at home

yorktown · 02/01/2025 10:34

I think a lot of cats are happier to stay at home, especially at his age.
Are you away for so long that he needs someone live in - or does he need special medication, etc?
We use a cat sitter who drops in - our house is messy, I'd hate to have someone stay in it, but I am fine with someone walking around downstairs, feeding and playing with cat.
I haven't left him for more than about 6 nights though.

biscuitsandbooks · 02/01/2025 10:35

I would just hire someone to pop in twice a day.

Original poster
ItWasnaMeGuv · 02/01/2025 10:40

Ohnonotmeagain · 02/01/2025 10:31

I have a rescue cat who stresses to the point of making herself life threateningly ill in catteries.

there are quite a few services now where someone comes into your home once or twice a day to feed, clean litter, play with the cat. I’ve found varying services from cheap to do the basics on a short visit, to more expensive but they’ll stay for an hour, send videos, sit and cuddle the cat etc.

they don’t house sit or live in, they visit just to see the cat. Ours does plants, post, lights, and the hamster as well.

i found ours on Facebook but it’s not unusual for dog walkers, groomers etc to also do it as part of their business.

it works out about the same cost as a cattery.

Edited

I did think of that but my cat stays outside at night, always has, he is indoors sleeping or wandering in and out during the day and that is when he likes company (a lap to sit on). So it wouldn't be suitable. I would want someone there to put him out at night and let him in first thing for breakfast then let him do his own thing. He is elder but in good health but you never know, a cat's health can deteriorate quickly and I would want someone around to deal with any issues that arose.

OP posts:
Ariela · 02/01/2025 10:43

Could your daughter that cat sits cat sit for you (instead of for work)?

Original poster
ItWasnaMeGuv · 02/01/2025 10:46

yorktown · 02/01/2025 10:34

I think a lot of cats are happier to stay at home, especially at his age.
Are you away for so long that he needs someone live in - or does he need special medication, etc?
We use a cat sitter who drops in - our house is messy, I'd hate to have someone stay in it, but I am fine with someone walking around downstairs, feeding and playing with cat.
I haven't left him for more than about 6 nights though.

It is his age that is the biggest issue, he is actually in good health (has annual check up each December, boosters etc). My neighbour will do an overnight/morning feed if we are away one night. Any longer and I use a cattery. A couple of years ago at my old local cattery, he had to be taken to vet for a urine infection, by cattery owner. These can come on quickly and need attention. I liaised with the vet over the phone and paid the bill. Couldn't wait to get home though. I would prefer live-in.

OP posts:
Original poster
ItWasnaMeGuv · 02/01/2025 10:48

Ariela · 02/01/2025 10:43

Could your daughter that cat sits cat sit for you (instead of for work)?

She moved to Canada last year but before that lived about 350 miles from me Grin at the other end of the country (work and relationship).

OP posts:
Davros · 02/01/2025 10:48

I second the Gabapentin. I have to give it to my 17 year old puss for a visit to the vets as she hates it. However, other posters are right, it is preferable for the cat to stay in its own home. You could try formal arrangements via platforms like Tailster, ask at the vet's or ask on Facebook/nextdoor.

Dilbertian · 02/01/2025 10:53

Pet-sitter, without hesitation.

My house is definitely lived-in, cluttered and messy. I have a cat who hates change, hates being enclosed, hates car journeys. I would not put him in a cattery. I use a pet-sitting agency. They come in once a day, feed MrCat, fuss over him, clean up any mess he has made, and put the post on the kitchen table. They email me a photo and report every time they see him. I am reassured that MrCat is happy and well-looked-after. If I feel he needs more visits, I can book them to come twice a day, or for longer.

It's your cat that matters, not the possibility that the pet-sitter might have an opinion on your lifestyle.

Dilbertian · 02/01/2025 10:54

AnnaMagnani · 02/01/2025 10:33

Get a huge cat box. Spray it all over with Feliway every day.

Leave it open in the house and feed him his all time favourite treat food inside it twice a day for several weeks prior to the journey.

Then cross your fingers.

Made absolutely no difference to MrCat.

Ohnonotmeagain · 02/01/2025 11:13

ItWasnaMeGuv · 02/01/2025 10:40

I did think of that but my cat stays outside at night, always has, he is indoors sleeping or wandering in and out during the day and that is when he likes company (a lap to sit on). So it wouldn't be suitable. I would want someone there to put him out at night and let him in first thing for breakfast then let him do his own thing. He is elder but in good health but you never know, a cat's health can deteriorate quickly and I would want someone around to deal with any issues that arose.

Show quote history

Wouldn’t someone popping in morning and night, and maybe lunchtime as well cover that?

you could even ask the neighbour to do once a day as well.

pet sitters have insurance that will cover any vet visits, injuries etc, and if you are worried about UTI’s make them aware. The one’s I’ve had have made it clear they will take the cat to the vets if they think it’s needed, and I’ve had to sign to say I give permission for them to do so.

Sunshineandrainbow · 02/01/2025 11:21

You mention cat goes out at night, you could pay someone for 3 daily visits to cover the late night going out or have you got a cat flap. Surely if cat is in cattery it doesn't go out at night so could it stay in with a litter tray, less stressful than the journey.
If you are worried about your house which I get as mine is shameful too. I did use a cat visitor once and just shoved stuff upstairs. Or use the time now to have a sort out. If I know something like this is happening I am much more productive.

Would an enclosed cardboard box help the journey in the car so the cat can't see what's happening or try the harness like you say.

Mumdiva99 · 02/01/2025 11:24

Pet sitter. We have an amazing lady who we trust to love the cats while we are not there.
She comes twice a day. Plays with them. Feeds them. Cleans the litter tray.
(Occasionally once a day - we have a timed feeder she can use).
Cats are happier being able to run around and go in and out.
Cat pens at the cattery are really small when they are used to doing zoomies all over the house.

Boarb · 02/01/2025 11:43

Let the cat stay at home. He'll be much happier than in the basket and definitely happier than being cooped up at the cattery!

BigDahliaFan · 02/01/2025 11:49

Our neighbours pop in on our 17 year old, still active, cat when we go away. He gets fed twice a day and appears completely unstressed when we return.

He hates the car and yowls the entire way to the vets, 20 minutes and back.

We've never put him in a cattery. Get a neighbour or someone recommended to pop in and feed him.

Bjorkdidit · 02/01/2025 11:52

We have someone come to us twice a day while we're away, but for vet visits, we put up with the yowling and dirty protests, there's no alternative if they need the vets. It's distressing but we'll/they'll get over it. I've come to the conclusion that most cats are emotionally abusive and have decided to not put up with their shit tbh - our cats are incredibly pampered and have nothing to complain about in life.

Putting a blanket over the carrier is supposed to help. We did have a semi feral nursing mother that needed to be spayed and couldn't get her in the carrier, even using the 'bum first' technique, but in that case she had a box that she hid in every time we entered the kitten nursery so I borrowed a dog crate big enough to accommodate the box she was in so that's how she went to the vets. That was about 4 years ago and she hasn't been since (she still lives with us and has mellowed considerably but still lives mostly outside unless it's cold/wet). She has an outside shelter if she won't come in when the cat feeder is visiting so she's never trapped outside in the rain.

JoanOgden · 02/01/2025 12:02

I have live-in catsitters via Trusted Housesitters. They've all been great and my cat is much happier with the company. I definitely don't live in a show home but do tidy up and do a thorough clean before they arrive.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 02/01/2025 12:02

My cat just has to put up with the 15 min drive to the cattery! She's too thick to be left alone when we go away. She has form for getting stuck in weird places, coming home with minor injuries and has never worked out how to use her cat flap. She's nearly 10.

Original poster
ItWasnaMeGuv · 02/01/2025 12:28

Thank you all so much for your input, advice and experiences. It has given me much food for thought and I will mull over the options.

First contact vet to see if medications are available.

Find someone with a large dog crate I could borrow to trial a trip out to see if my cat is calmer on a journey. I could put back seats down so there would be more room and he can freely move about, it may help and make the difference. He is happy to wander about the car when it is stationery.

Look into the house sitter option in more detail (it would be less stressful to cat but would need me doing a big tidy Grin and have to come to terms with strangers staying in the house).

OP posts:
Original poster
ItWasnaMeGuv · 02/01/2025 12:30

Argh! Wrong stationary Grin.

OP posts: