How to drive your cat to the vet

Bringing cats to the vet can be a stressful experience, both for the cat and the owner. Here are some tips to make the car ride as smooth and stress-free as possible

1. Use a cat carrier. It's essential to use a cat carrier when transporting your cat to the vet. This will keep your cat safe and prevent them from escaping from the car. Make sure the carrier is the right size for your cat and comfortable with a soft blanket inside. Some more modern cat carriers have even extensions to secure them with the seatbelts. Aways prevent that the carrier moves around while you are driving.
2. Familiarise your cat with the carrier: Introduce your cat to the carrier as soon as you get your kitten/cat home. Don't storage your cat carrier in a shed or garage. The best place to store is around your home. Put treats or toys inside the carrier and leave the door open so that your cat can explore it and get comfortable.
3. Create a calm environment. Cats can be easily stressed, so create a calm environment in the car. You can play soothing music to help keep your cat calm. If your cat is easily stressed, choose later appointments in the day to avoid rush hours on the road, school zones and road work.
4. Avoid feeding your cat before the car ride: To prevent your cat from getting motion sickness, avoid feeding your cat a big meal before the care ride. However, make sure they have access to water.
5. Keep the car ride short: Try to keep the car ride as short as possible to minimise your cat's stress level. It is recommended to avoid planning several stops on your way to vet.
6. Use a Feliway spray or diffuser. Feliway is a synthetic pheromone that helps reduce stress and anxiety in cats. You can use a Feliway spray or diffuser in the car to help calm your cat during the ride. You can also spray the lining towel for the carrier 10-15 minutes before you put your cat in it.
7. Comfort your cat: Talk to your cat in a soothing voice and pet them gently to reassure them that everything is okay. However, don't take your cat out of the carrier while in the car as it may dangerous.

By following these tips, you can help make the car ride to the vet as smooth and stress-free as possible for both you and your cat.