Whoa !
If you have a cat that spooks easily the last thing you need is to have
them
loose in a car.
If they don't like the carrier, that's too bad.
But leave them in there and let them howl until they realize it won't
make
any difference.
If nothing else it's at lot easier to hose down the carrier if they do
poop,
pee, or spit up a hairball than it is to clean car upholstery.
And put a towel or blanket on the bottom/sides so they have something to
hold onto, or cu****on them if you have to stop suddenly
But we've had cats that just loved going for a ride and could be let out
of
the carrier on route, calmly perched themselves on the dashboard or
seatback
and watched the world go by, as well as some that just about go into
shock,
and hide in any crevasse as soon as you put it in gear.
As with letting cats outside,.....it just depends on the cat.
Needless to say though, if parked on sunny days, don't leave the cat in
the
car,...period.
Also do remember to leave the carrier out all the time, and not just pull
it
out when they are going to the vet.
The cat should think of the carrier as their own little home of safety,
not
as a painful experience coming up after they get in.
"Tracy101" <tracy10@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
news:mB17k.41209$gc5.17531@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>I have the biggest I can get, (about 1/2 yard wide by 3/4 yards long) so
I
>have room to put a long narrow container with cat litter on the side an
>attach a metal water container if I need to.
>
> However, I have discovered that some cats are totally terrified of
> carriers and are better off being simply let loose in the car. Never
open
> a window or door, even for a split second, without putting a leash on
them
> first, as they will quickly jump out of the car in terror and run as
fast
> as they can in terror, leaving them subject to great harm or starvation.
>
> If this should happen in spite of all precautions, try to park the car
and
> quietly sit beside it, calling the cat repeatedly, with very little
> movement. Never RUN to chase it, as this will scare it more. Have a
can
> of sardines or other strong smelling food handy at all times. You may
> have to wait there for half an hour or more (if there is traffic -- even
> possibly waiting until darkness and quiet) calling the cat several
times.
> It's a most terrible, frightening, and upsetting experience for all.
> Hopefully the cat will return.
>
> One thing I discovered is that cats shouldn't be given any pills while
> travelling; nor should they eat heavy meals before. Pills that make
them
> tired or dizzy can be really frightening to them and they may pee all
over
> the place in fear. Always carry lots of cat litter in the car with
you,
> as well as a bowl of water. On long trips, they will generally cry for
> the first two hours or so, and then will get used to the driving and
> settle down. If the trip will be 8 hours or so, chances are that the
cat
> will actually even enjoy some of the ride for the last few hours and
will
> want to look out of a CLOSED window.
>
> Overall, cat's generally DON'T make good travellers and are best left at
> home with someone you can really trust to come in and feed them, unless
> you will be gone for quite awhile. They feel secure in their own homes
> and are very uncomfortable in unfamiliar surroundings.
>
> Don't ever travel with any cat without putting a tag on a STRETCHABLE
> collar around its neck, saying IF FOUND, PLEASE CALL THIS PHONE NUMBER
> COLLECT, ASAP: (Your number, including area code).
> _______________________
>
> "Newbie" <newbie@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
> news:050520082322205462%newbie@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>> [A very sweet stray or runaway cat has adopted us and we, ignorant of
>> all cat issues, are in panic. That's why I have a few posts each with a
>> question.]
>>
>> First, we want to take her to a vet (Chicago area). She seems to have
>> no problems, just basic check up and shots. (She spends several hours
>> outdoors each day.)
>>
>> What kind of pet carrier should I get that would be good for this
>> purpose as well as longer drives we may have to take later. In
>> particular, soft or hard? What kind do you use?
>>
>
>
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