How Can I Comfort My Cat, During A Car Ride To The Vets?

Question

He is going to get his vacination done, last time it was too painful to watch my cat struggling out of the cage and meowing in a deep tone in the car.

How can I reassure him that every thing is going to be alright?

Thanks.

Answer 1

Keep him on your lap if you're not the driver. If you're worried about that he might get scared and try run away, buy him a leash with braces and try to keep him close to you all the time, talk to him. It may not be easy if you're going alone and you're the driver. Then you can try covering the cage with a dark material (but leave somewhere for the air to come in!). The less he sees the less scared he will be. Good luck!

Answer 2

keep talking to your cat, and try to resure him, also place his favourite blanket at the bottom of the carrier, and stroke him gently this usually works for me.

Answer 3

This is going to sound really strange, but i have 3 cats and the vet recomends it.  Try putting the kitty in a pillow case. It calms them because they cant see and the feel enclosed and not open in a car.  Also they cant see which is good. Next time try it

Answer 4

I usually play classical music. Studies have shown that in dogs and cats, their heartbeats slow down when they hear it. I'm not sure if it's true, but I figure if the music isn't too crazy (like an intense piece of classical) then it can't hurt.

You can also try just taking your cat in the car without ending up at the vets. Chances are good that it's a negative association for him. Ride him around, and give him a treat when you arrive back at home.

Answer 5

Try to stay as calm as you can. Cats can sense emotions so if you're worried or nervous then the cat will know something is up.

When you're in the car, talk. Even if there's nobody else in the car with you. Hearing your voice will comfort him and especially if you talk calmly. Tell him what you're going to have for dinner or what you're doing at the weekend - just anything. It really does work.

You may want to put your cats favourite toy and/or one of your items of clothing in his cat box/cage. Your smell on the clothes will comfort him.

Those things seem to work for mine and my nan's cats when we're off to the vet.

Answer 6

If its not already too warm in the car bring a hot water bottle and put it under a very soft blanket such as fleece. Put this all in the cage. Surround him with comfort. If you play music in the car don't turn it too loud and play soft music. Everytime it meows, talk sweetly to it. Bring some treats and give him tiny peieces on the way down. As long as he doesn't get sick. Hope this helps.

Answer 7

I have 2 cats and this is what i do. I would just try to make him feel comfortable by stroking them, giving him a toy and put a blanket down so the bottom of the pet box or what you put him in feels more soft=]

Hope that could work=]  

Answer 8

If I was a tomcat I would worry about any visit to the vet

Answer 9

o.k. hello im vet fisher or u could call me dr. fisher either or.... too make ur cat comfortable you should probly put her in a big dog type sized cage...

then put like cloth on the bottom then put toy's or some-thing he/she really love's cats love tuna fish u should try that

Answer 10

my cats exactly the same. try putting some toys and food in the cage and maybe get somone else to come with you to comfort him.  

Answer 11

Grab it by the scruff

Answer 12

Wow that is nothing i had to take my cat on a 2 hour ride and he freaked lol.  I think the most effective thing, more so than talking or petting, is to try and keep him as still as possible (if you can take some one with you, so 1 can drive and one can stay with cat) and try and make sure they don't see out the windows.  They get motion sickness, so when the card jolts around and stuff they hate it.  So keeping the car from jolting, driving slow, putting the cat in a cage (i have a cat and they hate it i know but it is best especially on 10-15 minute rides) so that you can face the bars away from windows and they can't see out, and then hold the cage down on your lap or on the seat hard

Answer 13

PLay classical music, and talk to your cat softly the whole way there.

Answer 14

when we got our kitten we had a 3 hour drive back home so we put her in her carrier and put a blanket over the top... it makes them feel enclosed and safe, and if your cat has a fave blanket or toy you should try putting this in the carrier with them. also it may sound strange but if you put soft music on the cat finds it very relaxing.

Answer 15

hi can you find a vet closer to where u live so the journey is not as long, my sons cat used to poo when he was in the car, i would always take someone with me and he would sit on their knee in the back windows closed obvisioly, then when we arrived at the vets we would put him in his box, this works for bruno,

Answer 16

They have this spray that you can spray the carrier down with called "No Stress". I also spray a towel or small blanket as well as any toys I put in there. This seems to work good for me. My cat is very aggressive and I even use this when people come to my house. Hope this helps!  

Answer 17

Crazy as this sounds it works with my siamese, sing to him.  Turn off the radio and sing a soft song to him.  When the only voice he hears is yours he should calm down.  

Answer 18

Talk to him, reassure him you're still there. Put something comforting in the basket with him, such as a blanket from his bed or something like that. The driver of the car should be more considerate - e.g. try and avoid any sudden, unnessary jerks.. stuff like that. When he's having his vaccinations done, hold him in your arms and reassure him some more. When you get home, just let him come out of the basket in his own time.

My cats meow 'deeply' when they're in their baskets on the way to their vets, but for mine it's probably just a resentment towards being cooped up! I hope this helps, and it is horrible seeing them afterwards but it's for their own good :) good luck!