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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

Moving home and moving cat

11 replies

girlofsandwich · 27/12/2024 22:20

Hi all, I'm looking for some advice on a one aspect of moving my cat across country! He'll be coming down in the car once everything else is sorted, but has never been in a car as the vet is a 6 minute walk from my house at the moment.

The carrier he has at the moment is one of those hard plastic ones which he can't stretch out in. He hates it but it's very secure (and heavy!) while I walk, I worry about the mesh style carriers in the unlikely event a dog would take a disliking to him 😂

I'm looking to get something more spacious for the journey home, maybe with sides that expand. I saw on one amazon but one of the reviews had a photo of the cat sitting on boxes in the backseat after escaping, TWICE! My cat is a notorious escape artist so does anyone have any recommendations for a carrier that is secure and spacious to allow him to lay out in the back seat? No budget (within reason), just want to get him home with minimal trauma!

Thanks everyone!

OP posts:
Pudmyboy · 28/12/2024 00:37

No advice just wanted to bump your thread

unsync · 28/12/2024 08:35

Can you get one of those large dog crates and put his bed in it? I used one for my old cat when she had spinal surgery.

Favouritefruits · 28/12/2024 09:43

why not use a harness and have him on the back seat in his bed? Might be happier and someone could sit beside him.

Scampuss · 28/12/2024 09:57

The most secure are the Metalcote or MDC ones like this: https://amzn.eu/d/6dq7ivx
They do bigger ones too. I use a cover on mine, and they are so much easier to get a cat into than standard carriers, and no plastic so pretty much indestructible.

DaringRubyTraybake · 28/12/2024 09:59

How long is the journey going to be? It would be worth speaking to your vet and seeing if they can prescribe some gabapentin for the wee guy.

Original poster
girlofsandwich · 28/12/2024 11:34

unsync · 28/12/2024 08:35

Can you get one of those large dog crates and put his bed in it? I used one for my old cat when she had spinal surgery.

Didn't think of that, that's a great idea! He'd at least have the familiarity of his own bed, thanks so much. Hope your cat is doing well now, mine was in a cone for a month and that was hard enough...Tough to do what's best for them when they clearly disagree!

OP posts:
Original poster
girlofsandwich · 28/12/2024 11:35

Favouritefruits · 28/12/2024 09:43

why not use a harness and have him on the back seat in his bed? Might be happier and someone could sit beside him.

Thank you will definitely be sitting beside him! He has to have his nose in everything, will definitely need to contain him so the driver can drive 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
girlofsandwich · 28/12/2024 11:39

Scampuss · 28/12/2024 09:57

The most secure are the Metalcote or MDC ones like this: https://amzn.eu/d/6dq7ivx
They do bigger ones too. I use a cover on mine, and they are so much easier to get a cat into than standard carriers, and no plastic so pretty much indestructible.

Ooh thank you, this looks great! For vet visits too, I've previously had to call the vets 10 minutes before appointments because I can't get him into the carrier... Much appreciated.

OP posts:
Original poster
girlofsandwich · 28/12/2024 12:02

DaringRubyTraybake · 28/12/2024 09:59

How long is the journey going to be? It would be worth speaking to your vet and seeing if they can prescribe some gabapentin for the wee guy.

3+ hours, he's an indoor cat so it will be quite the upheaval! Great idea, will do. He is difficult enough to get to the vets so this will be a shock to the system for sure!

OP posts:
DaringRubyTraybake · 28/12/2024 13:57

girlofsandwich · 28/12/2024 12:02

3+ hours, he's an indoor cat so it will be quite the upheaval! Great idea, will do. He is difficult enough to get to the vets so this will be a shock to the system for sure!

Show quote history

Yes definitely do if he’s not used to it, it will make life easier for all involved 😅 the vet might be able to give you an extra dose for a trial run too. Good luck!!

helpfulperson · 28/12/2024 14:03

I would advise taking a large blanket that you can cover whatever you choose to make a dark den. Some cats are less stressed if they can't see out. Mine certainly are. Of course because cats are contrary he might be nosey and want to see everything going on but you won't know until the day.

And line the bottom with puppy pads, and take spares

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