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Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Can I have the cat in the car without the cat carrier?

70 replies

StuntNun · 09/10/2017 22:22

My cat has a vet appointment tomorrow and last time she had one I ended up cancelling because I couldn't get her to go in the cat carrier - she was scratching and trying to bite. It's literally three minutes in the car, can I just put her in the car without the carrier if I can't get her into it?

I realise there could be a problem at the vet if she isn't in a carrier so I'm going to do my best to get her into it, it's a just-in-case scenario.

OP posts:
TuftedLadyGrotto · 09/10/2017 22:24

Hold her by the scruff of her neck and put her in backwards. She go anywhere in the car, one of ours once got stuck in the steering column. And also she needs to be restrained at the vets.

dementedpixie · 09/10/2017 22:25

Could you stand the carrier on its end and lower her into it back legs first? Leave it open in a room with the front off from tonight so she can explore and maybe go in it herself?

BarbaraOcumbungles · 09/10/2017 22:26

Wrap a towel round her like you're swaddling a baby and then post her through the door.

You have to be very assertive!

hashtagtubechat · 09/10/2017 22:27

I do that! He is absolutely hysterical in a carrier box, drooling and whining, it's awful. He loved being free in the car and once he checked out the traffic he spread himself on the back seat. Car was covered in cat fur forever despite several attempts to hoover it all but you know, swings and roundabouts hey! For a while he sat by the window like a dog, it was the funniest thing when we stopped at the lights and the guy in the next lane spotted him Grin

Can I have the cat in the car without the cat carrier?
ineedamoreadultieradult · 09/10/2017 22:28

No you can't, she could get anywhere! Also she can't go in the vets not in a carrier. Have you tried a cardboard box instead of a cat carrier with the distance being so short? She might go in easier for you.

MissConductUS · 09/10/2017 22:28

You're still going to have to get her in the carrier when you get to the vet, so you may as well do it at home. She'll be safer in the car too.

I've developed a technique for the feline royalty I'm allowed to serve. I have hard sided carriers. I stand them on end, with the door side facing the ceiling. I open the door to the carrier, scope up the moggie from behind just behind her front legs and then drop her legs first into the carrier. This pretty much neutralizes the claws and teeth.

Good luck StuntNun. That's a fabulous handle, by the way. Smile

BertrandRussell · 09/10/2017 22:29

And then you just carry her in your arms into a vet's waiting room full of dogs..........

Have you had a tetanus injection recently?

allthegoodusernameshavegone · 09/10/2017 22:30

Get a pet carrier where the top comes off, make the base all cosy and stick in a corner and she may just get in and go to sleep, then bingo put the lid on.
Years ago my cat actually got back into her carrier while the vet was examining her. Good luck

Wolfiefan · 09/10/2017 22:34

No. You can't. An accident in the car. An escaped cat from the car park.
Stand carrier up. Wrap cat in towel and drop in.
Or carrier against wall and back cat in.
Top opening carrier or even dog crate.
Home visit.
It's all part of the joy of being owned by a cat.

Vinorosso74 · 09/10/2017 22:39

No too risky. I thought all vets required cats to be in carriers and dogs on a lead.

Zeelove · 09/10/2017 22:41

My cat loves his carrier. Then again he loves anything different. Little weirdo.

Try leaving it out for a few days before so your cat gets used to it?

DemonBaby · 09/10/2017 22:42

Good god no. Just steel yourself, wrap her in a towel and force her in. Needs must.

shouldwestayorshouldwego · 09/10/2017 22:43

We harness one of ours and clip her in the back. She hates the carrier and is very vocal in her dislike. The vets don't seem to mind that she is not in a carrier because she is still restrained by the harness and she can't go anywhere. She does go out for walks in the harness though, you might not want to bother for a once a year trip to get a harness. Our other one is awkward to get into the carrier but once in he is quiet, we have to put carrier on the end and drop him in quickly.

TreasureInMyTummy · 09/10/2017 22:47

Eek I would worry Cat would end up by foot pedals and i would cause an accident.

I used to drop ( gently) a towel over my cat so it couldn't see, then scoop it up and deposit in to a cat box that was standing up so door was at the top. Once the bottom feet touched bottom I would let go and pull towel back and shit door. They had just landed all four feet on floor before they realised now closed in box.

Best of luck xx

TreasureInMyTummy · 09/10/2017 22:47

That should be shut not shit oops

GriefLeavesItsMark · 09/10/2017 22:50

We go for the scoop cat up and drop bottom first into upended carrier technique. Protective clothing is helpful.

Cat cries all the way to the vets, and we are made to pay when we get home, but needs must.

NC4now · 09/10/2017 22:51

We have a soft carrier that opens at the top. He has a folded up blanket in the bottom and I put his monkey and a few Dreamies in. He just gets in. He quite likes his carrier!
I don't think you should try and take her unrestrained - is there someone that could hold her?

MissConductUS · 09/10/2017 22:57

Cat cries all the way to the vets, and we are made to pay when we get home, but needs must.

Same here with the crying, and then once home they pretend that they've never met us. They won't even look at us. Total cat shunning.

Ollivander84 · 09/10/2017 23:02

Mine hates it. I scruff and grab in a blanket then drop him in the carrier bum first (carrier stood on end)
Top tip - shut cat in enclosed space like a hallway or bathroom before attempting the carrier otherwise they will be under the bed at top speed

MooseBeTimeForSnow · 09/10/2017 23:11

Highway Code Rule 57: When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves, if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of restraining animals in cars.

Bunkai · 09/10/2017 23:12

The Ex and I let our cat out of the carrier in the car once. It was on a long journey. Ex (who was driving) thought it was really cute that the cat settled on his knee... until he realised the cat was weeing on him. He had no change of clothes too.

As it didn't happen to me and he's an ex I can chuckle about it, but perhaps it should serve as a warning to keep your cat in the carrier. I know I've never let a cat roam in the car since as it's an accident waiting to happen. Suspect ex and I were fortunate on the type of accident we(he) experienced.

Spartak · 09/10/2017 23:15

I have to wear thick gardening gloves to prevent me getting clawed to pieces when trying to get my little darling in her carrier. She behaved like a dream when the vet did it though.

thecatneuterer · 09/10/2017 23:19

Absolutely not. For future appointments look into top opening carriers. They're much easier. You just open the lid, drop them in, and slam the lid shut.

MoonlightandMusic · 09/10/2017 23:27

Keep the carrier out of sight, pick her up, and then put one hand behind her elbows which means her front legs will be out straight so she can't block (also means your hand should be out of teeth reach!) - pop in and shut door.

Good luck tomorrow!

SeaLionsOnMyShirt · 10/10/2017 00:00

I was told by the police that it was illegal to have a cat loose in the car. They pulled me over on the M4 one night when my furry bastards destroyed their cage and decided to sit on the back parcel shelf like nodding dogs.

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