if I want to leave my cat in the car this evening while I go out for a quick meal?

[MadamAntlers]

We're taking the cat to the vet tonight, and it would make things much simpler if we could eat out immediately after his appointment. The only way of doing this would be to leave him in his box in the car for the duration of the meal.

It's going to be a quick meal (Piza Express with two kids in tow). Logically, it shouldn't be too cold for him as he quite often goes a huntin' for hours at night. He might be a bit bored in his box, but tbh he;s quite used to staying in his box for the many many trips to the vet we've had recently/

Quick answers needed! We're about to go!

Can you not pick up after the meal

No problem I say - go for it. He will be fine!

blanket over the box to insulate it?

Oh I wouldn't do this - my cats would hate it. Would have to leave window down slightly I would have thought, and if I were a passer by hearing miaowing cat in car, I would prob investigate in case had been abandoned or something.

i wouldnt do this to my cat

choose a more suitable place to eat ie nearer the house so you can drp cat off or go a different night

what if the cat needs the toilet ?

why are you taking her to the vets anyway?

Only if you can keep the car in sight for the duration of the meal and make sure your car won't spontaneously combust.

They might not let you take a cat (albeit in a box) into a restaurant.

I'd do it.

Don't do it.
Take cat home first.
It is not fair to leave him in his box alone for an hour. At vets/in car in box is different because you are with him. He will wonder whats going on and cats can suffer from stress.

you could always get a pizza to take away

An hour is quite optimistic no?

I would be worried that I would get there, and then they will be short-staffed/very busy, and you end up waiting for ages.

I would drop cat off, then you can enjoy your dough balls without any worry

I'd drop the cat off first, it's kinder plus if you leave it for an hour in it's box it's quite likely to defecate, and you'll return to a very unpleasant smell.

Please please don't do this. Cars act like refrigerators and ovens depending on the outside temperature. Would you leave a baby alone in the car while you went to a restaurant for a meal? If not, then why would you leave an animal?

Can't you order from the vets and collect the pizza? We always get takeaway from there.

Our cat was shut in her carry box for a couple of hours (dd and friend when they were about 2). When she came out, she was cramped and stiff and couldn't walk straight. DON'T DO IT.

oh poor cat - as if going to the vet wasn't bad enough! I agree - if you wouldn't leave a child there then don't leave your cat there.

Also, even though yor cat goes out lots at night, he is moving, so more able to generate body heat.

Thanks for your replies!

We had fish and chips (at home)

He was going to the vet to get his tail checked for the eleventybillionth time after a hideous injury a couple of months ago. He has defied the medical odds by keeping his luxuriant tail!

For the record, the box is quite big, and he has survived several 10+ hour journeys in it without weeing or pooing.

Dropping him back at home before going out for a meal wouldn't have been an option. We have moved house since he injured his tail, and the vet is the other side of town near Pizza Express.

He is a v v chilled cat and really doesn't mind going to the vet. He is a hoooar for an ear-rub, and the vets adore him.

I'm a bit about the analogy of leaving a baby in the car though you loons. Not quite the same thing.

WHEW!!!
We can all rest easy then!

I will call off the car-to-car/flashlight weilding search party