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How do you get a cat to the vet WITHOUT a carrier?

post #1 of 44
2/7/07 at 8:33am
Thread Starter 
II have no idea where else to post this question, so if it should be somewhere else, feel free to move it there.

Twix is going to get spayed soon. I have no idea how to bring her in. WQith a dog you grab a leash, pop the dog in the car, and whiz off to the vet. With a cat, though, what do you do? I know you're supposed to put them in a carrier, but I don't have one. Is there anything to substitute for one, or should I just grab my cat and hope for the best?
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post #2 of 44
2/7/07 at 8:36am
try a large box, as long as there some air holes and you secure the top, whilst not perfect would be safer than letting your kit run about in the car !
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post #3 of 44
2/7/07 at 8:44am
I'd really suggest a carrier for safety purposes. You can get the cardboard ones at Petco for $6.
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post #4 of 44
2/7/07 at 8:45am
I've heard a pillowcase works pretty well, too...
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post #5 of 44
2/7/07 at 8:48am
Your cat is getting spayed and has to feel safe. A cardboard box is an absolute last resort. As sicycat said - you can get cardboard cat carriers from Petco for very cheap. Please please please get an appropriate carrier - you can not just carry a cat into the vets. There are generally dogs there which will think this cat is a great thing to play with, and your cat will feel a lot less secure in such an open space. She needs the confines of a carrier to feel safe.
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post #6 of 44
2/7/07 at 8:50am
My vets will not even allow a cat to come in without a carrier. If you dont have one they make you buy one of the cardboard ones right there.
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post #7 of 44
2/7/07 at 8:53am
The woman who traps Feral cats around here brings them to the vet in her "Cat Bag", which is basically a pillowcase with a drawstring. Apparently the cats feel safer in these bags, but I do not know.
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post #8 of 44
2/7/07 at 8:53am
I think my cats would totally freak out in a closed bag
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post #9 of 44
2/7/07 at 8:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sicycat View Post
I think my cats would totally freak out in a closed bag
yep.....mine too............sorry but I just cant imagine a cat in a bag
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post #10 of 44
2/7/07 at 8:58am
I also suggest you get a carrier. It's a good investment since you may need it from time to time for vet visits, isolation for medical reasons, etc.

Once you get the carrier, leave in open in your main living area with a soft towel or small blanket in the bottom so the cat can use it for a nap place and know that it is not a bad thing. We would do this for a few days to a week before any vet visit and it would not be difficult to get the kitties in the carrier.

Every vet is different too. Our vet has no problem with us bringing our cats in without a carrier. We do, however, have a harness and leash on them.
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post #11 of 44
2/7/07 at 9:07am
Sicycat and Mooficat- Thats what I thought too... But it worked quite well for the ferals!
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post #12 of 44
2/7/07 at 9:19am
I think Radar would be ok in a pillowcase, but I would worry that it wasn't secure enough, he is a little houdini! And he'd probably explode out of it in the vet surgery. He has this habit of hiding in boxes and bags and when someone bends over to look in he leaps at top speed aiming for their face with his head he is going to break my nose one day, I can just imagine the joy he would spread if he did that to the vet

I really would recommend getting a cheap carrier, they are not that expensive, and you never know when you might have a medical emergency involving a very stressed and frightened kitty.
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post #13 of 44
2/7/07 at 9:26am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mooficat View Post
try a large box, as long as there some air holes and you secure the top, whilst not perfect would be safer than letting your kit run about in the car !
Yes, please do not let your cat roam free in the car, that is completely unsafe.
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post #14 of 44
2/7/07 at 9:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mooficat View Post
yep.....mine too............sorry but I just cant imagine a cat in a bag

I think it isn't the cat in the bag that would be a problem...it would be ...

LETTING THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG!!!

Sorry...I couldn't resist...
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post #15 of 44
2/7/07 at 9:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by GingersMom View Post
I think it isn't the cat in the bag that would be a problem...it would be ...

LETTING THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG!!!

Sorry...I couldn't resist...
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post #16 of 44
2/7/07 at 9:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by GingersMom View Post
I think it isn't the cat in the bag that would be a problem...it would be ...

LETTING THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG!!!

Sorry...I couldn't resist...

Good One
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post #17 of 44
2/7/07 at 9:48am
Don't use a pillowcase, please. Cats have claws and the cat will let itself out of the bag. Or box if you use a cardboard box.

The best thing to do it to buy a carrier. It is the only safe way (other than harness training, but I STRONGLY suggest that even people with harness trained cats have a with them carrier in case of dogs, other cats or even vet policies) to transport a cat safely. Letting a cat roam in a car is unsafe for both you and the cat (and other motorists, if she gets under the pedal or blocks your view) and other containment methods are either unsecure or, quite frankly, mean. If she's very wild or aggressive, consider renting a humane trap from your local humane society in order to trap and contain her SAFELY.
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post #18 of 44
2/7/07 at 9:48am
TO me it depends on your cat is your cat really nervous and hyper?...My Bella just sat in a basket and never moved she was very calm and nothing bothered her. Also my cat Joey pees everytime he goes in a carrier from nerves, and I have to put puppy peepee pads in there. I have carried my cats in the vet in just a blanket, they never had an issue, but it depends on the kitty!
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post #19 of 44
2/7/07 at 9:53am
If I recall, OP is only 13 and probably cant afford an expensive carrier.
I am at least hoping she can go get a cardboard one at Petco.
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post #20 of 44
2/7/07 at 9:54am
I would just be so scared carrying them in like that. What if an ambulance or police car went by and spooked them as I was walking across the parking lot? The cat would be off in a blaze of glory and I would be totally unable to catch up!
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post #21 of 44
2/7/07 at 9:56am
What my family used to do, we never owned a carrier but we would get 2 laundry baskets and put them together, like making a big carrier and tie them together with a shoestring; tie one side, put kitty in and then tie the other side! always worked very well for us
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post #22 of 44
2/7/07 at 9:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sicycat View Post
If I recall, OP is only 13 and probably cant afford an expensive carrier.
I am at least hoping she can go get a cardboard one at Petco.
Petsmart has economy ones for $10-15. Perhaps the OP or her guardian can spring $10 for something as vital as a carrier.
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post #23 of 44
2/7/07 at 10:05am
I dont have a carrier yet, because the need hasnt been there, but I will get one soon. I had a small scare with Ceci and if I needed to take her to the vet I was going to borrow my stepdads moms carrier, she has a chihuahua and the carrier is brand new.

On the other hand, Cat Carriers at walmart are only 13 dollars (where I live) im sure in the uS they are a bit cheaper.
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post #24 of 44
2/7/07 at 10:50am
Have you checked with the vet to see if they will lend you a cat carrier? I once took a cat to the vet in the car w/out a carrier...it wasn't fun, to put it mildly. They offered a cat carrier to me when I went to pick her up. I didn't even think to ask if they had one for the trip in. You may want to call and see if they have them available. I agree, a carrier would be best. Do you have any friends that have one to lend you?
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post #25 of 44
2/7/07 at 10:55am
If you do get a carrier from the vet, definitely clean it out good before you use it, just in case.
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post #26 of 44
2/7/07 at 10:56am
The only safe way to transport a cat is to transport them in a carrier.
Boxes can be dropped and the cat can get out- and it is just downright not safe to put a cat in a pillowcase or blanket to get them there. You can't hold them in there securely while driving so they could get out in your car and distract you - which could cause a wreck. Please go to wal-mart or your local pet store and invest in a small carrier for your cat- it is the only safe way to transport them. Also- slide the seat belt through the handle of the carrier when you get one and fasten it in when you're driving so that way if you turn quickly or get into a wreck- your kitty will be safer / But please go get a carrier You can find them for around $10-$15 - it is just not something to go without- also you need one should there ever be an emergency in your area such as a natural disaster where you need to get your animals and go- you should have a small supply of cat food, any medicine, toys, litter, a few bottles of water and small dishes, and an aluminum tin pan to use as a litter pan near your carrier at all times as well as a copy of medicial records for your pet. A carrier is a good investment
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post #27 of 44
2/7/07 at 10:59am
Quote:
Originally Posted by GingersMom View Post
I've heard a pillowcase works pretty well, too...
my next door neighbor works at my vets office, she suggests a pillow case too in an emergency situation.... like when we found LuckyGirl, and didn't even have a regular litter box yet, but I needed to bring her in.....but she also says to "back them in" this way they are less scared.
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post #28 of 44
2/7/07 at 11:05am
I had a very bad experience once when I brought Misty to the vet and didn't have a cat carrier at the time. She wound up under my brakes and I couldn't stop the car without hurting her. I finally was able to push her gently with my foot and she got out from under there but it was a very scary experience. Maybe you can bring someone with you to hold the kitty while your driving, that way she can't run around in the car.
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post #29 of 44
2/7/07 at 11:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by StarryEyedTiGeR View Post
The only safe way to transport a cat is to transport them in a carrier.
Boxes can be dropped and the cat can get out- and it is just downright not safe to put a cat in a pillowcase or blanket to get them there. You can't hold them in there securely while driving so they could get out in your car and distract you - which could cause a wreck. Please go to wal-mart or your local pet store and invest in a small carrier for your cat- it is the only safe way to transport them. Also- slide the seat belt through the handle of the carrier when you get one and fasten it in when you're driving so that way if you turn quickly or get into a wreck- your kitty will be safer / But please go get a carrier You can find them for around $10-$15 - it is just not something to go without- also you need one should there ever be an emergency in your area such as a natural disaster where you need to get your animals and go- you should have a small supply of cat food, any medicine, toys, litter, a few bottles of water and small dishes, and an aluminum tin pan to use as a litter pan near your carrier at all times as well as a copy of medicial records for your pet. A carrier is a good investment
I know what you mean about being unsafe, see my post by larussa. I now have two carriers so I am never without one.
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post #30 of 44
2/7/07 at 11:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by GingersMom View Post
I think it isn't the cat in the bag that would be a problem...it would be ...

LETTING THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG!!!

Sorry...I couldn't resist...
LOL, that is so funny...
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