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The litter tray

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:
DumbledoresApprentice · 10/10/2017 06:40

On long journeys I put a harness and lead on mine so that I can open the top of the carrier for her to peek out and so she can cuddle on my lap for a bit if she likes but she's a very relaxed cat and loves the carrier so it's never a problem putting her back in. I wouldn't ever have her loose in the car though. A cat could be a huge distraction to a driver. (I'm not the driver btw)

Felyne · 10/10/2017 06:45

My old boss used to breed persians. A woman bought one, had the cat loose in the car and then had a bad crash on the way home. The cat was scared and got in behind the pedals meaning she couldn't brake.

Thermowoman · 10/10/2017 06:54

Ages ago we tried to take a cat to the vet in a cardboard carrier. The cat went crazy and managed to escape, raced round the car and then jumped on my husband's face and bit him on the nose. He almost crashed the car and ended up with a hell of a scratch. Don't do it!

Broken11Girl · 10/10/2017 07:06

Don't do it, as pps have said, illegal and very dangerous.
My technique with Madam BrokenCat is basically get carrier out while she can't see it, place it on end so door facing up, shut door so she can't hide under furniture, tempt her into hallway with treats, shut other door, grab her, shove in back legs first, turn right way up. Check I'm not actively bleeding and my top remains decent Grin
Little darling wails all the way there, while there and all the way back. And yy to the post vet sulk. Furry little feckers.

happystory · 10/10/2017 07:08

Our cat got out of the cat carrier in the car (imperfectly fastened by Dh) She spent the 3 minute journey to the vet sitting on the dashboard in front of me - the driver! And just thinking of that waiting room full of dogs ...

FiaMarrow · 10/10/2017 07:08

We put the carrier in the downstairs loo when his back is turned then I carry him in. If he does fight me off then there's nowhere to run to.
I use a "police car" method of pushing his head down as if he's a criminal getting in. Then quickly shove the rear in.

He often tries to get back in once we're in the vet's room though Hmm

YetAnotherSpartacus · 10/10/2017 09:03

Ollivander Mine hates it. I scruff and grab in a blanket then drop him in the carrier bum first (carrier stood on end)

And stable cat?

PoisonousSmurf · 10/10/2017 09:13

I think everyone needs to keep up with the changes in the law! Even dogs now HAVE to be restrained in a car...

www.express.co.uk/life-style/cars/809385/driving-with-pet-law-rules-car-insurance-fine

TonicAndTonic · 10/10/2017 09:21

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

Or she might go and piss in it - that's what mine did when I tried that! Angry

It feels really mean but I think you just have to be really firm with them about the carrier, and just protect yourself from the scratching/biting as much as you can. Agree with pp that stuffing putting them in backwards is often the way to go.

BestZebbie · 10/10/2017 09:26

It is in both your interests to have the cat restrained - not only could it cause an accident, but if it gets hit by an airbag or goes through the window in a crash caused by someone else it will be badly injured/killed, and if it goes into the back of your head as a loose object in such a crash you will be badly injured.

Ollivander84 · 10/10/2017 09:28

Yet Grin
Stable cat doesn't go to the vet. Or in a carrier. Unless she's so unwell that she's really sleepy in which case you just plonk her in

ErrolTheDragon · 10/10/2017 09:42

Ages ago we tried to take a cat to the vet in a cardboard carrier

I can still remember my parents trying out a cardboard cat carrier... well, that was a waste of money, the cat ripped straight out.

Vinorosso74 · 10/10/2017 10:37

I remember my parents using a cardboard carrier for our kitten (this was in the 1980s). My dad was going to drop her off for her spay, cat was out the box before he reversed off the drive.
My last cat was a big fella in his prime and he broke out of a regular carrier when a housemate was going to take him to the vets for a dental. He had to call the vet who laughed and advised we get something suitable for a small Rottweiler.

steppemum · 10/10/2017 10:45

as others have said, bottom first into upended carrier.
Hide carrier, pick pet up for cuddle reveal carrier, bottom in, drop cat, shut door. attempt to lock carrier door while avoiding angry swipes from cat, sorted.

Check I'm not actively bleeding and my top remains decent
Grin

YetAnotherSpartacus · 10/10/2017 10:49

He had to call the vet who laughed and advised we get something suitable for a small Rottweiler.

Is it possible to be a vet without a sense of humour do you think?

Original poster
StuntNun · 10/10/2017 10:51

Thanks so much for all the tips on how to get the cat into the carrier. I didn't know about that trick of standing it on end first, I bet that will work as she's a very stupid cat! As I said I have every intention of putting her in the carrier so I'm only asking about her being loose in the car as a worst-case scenario. She's a large-breed cat so there's no chance of her getting behind the pedals but I don't really want to have her loose in the car, even for such a short journey.

If I don't manage to get her in the carrier then the cardboard box might work. I'm wondering whether I could put her in a cardboard box and shut the lid then put the whole thing in the cat carrier. Or is that cruel?

OP posts:
steppemum · 10/10/2017 11:06

Don't even consider cardboard box. Any cat worth their salt will be out of it in no time, and you will be shredded along with the box.

It may be worth getting a bigger carrier. Our cat is quite big, and he on just fits really in a standard carrier. A small dog one would work much better.

Original poster
StuntNun · 10/10/2017 11:08

That's a good idea Steppenmum, a wire dog cage would be easier to get her into. It's shame she's such a scratchy cat. My DH is great at just pushing her into the carrier but I like my skin intact!

OP posts:
steppemum · 10/10/2017 11:20

yes he might be happier in a wire cage as he can see out. I think the enclosed ness of carriers is scary.

On the other hand, once in a carrier, they feel safer if they can't see all the dogs etc

Vinorosso74 · 10/10/2017 11:27

Yet I think a sense of humour has to be part of the job spec with the things that can happen.
Our present vet has a great picture a client did for her of a scenario in the consulting room with their cat causing quite a drama!

Wallywobbles · 10/10/2017 12:47

I take the carrier in the car but generally my cats stick their head under the back seat for the duration. Or I drapé a towel over their heads. Bizarre but it helps them stay calm.

Original poster
StuntNun · 10/10/2017 14:45

Dropping her in bum first worked fine, thanks so much for the tip. So I now have a somewhat irked but fully vaccinated kitty without having to cause a hazard on the roads.

OP posts:
YetAnotherSpartacus · 10/10/2017 19:56

Only somewhat irked? You are doing well.

BikeRunSki · 10/10/2017 20:01

I know 2 people who do long car journeys with cats loose in the car.

One last saw their car running up the M11 somewhere near Cambridge services.

One cat quite happily snuggles up and has a litter box in the footwell.

2 very different cats.

Lily2007 · 10/10/2017 20:10

We always put a tin of tuna in the cat carrier, still a battle but happy cat.