Cat carrier issues

Need advice!

I have a nine year old who simply cannot stand to be confined in a carrier while traveling (tortoiseshell - go figure). If I use a hard sided carrier, she scratches her nose off, and if I use a mesh one, she chews through it. Even tried a carseat, and that didn't stop the screaming. She's always been like this, but has gotten worse as she's gotten older. The ONLY way she's quiet is if she's allowed to roam the car, which I hate for safety reasons.

Any ideas of how to calm her down? Or at least ideas of an escape proof cat carrier? She's started panting the first few minutes in the car from stress (not heat - we cool the car off before putting her in) and I'm getting worried about her. Not traveling is not an issue, unfortunately.

What about a dog crate to fit in the car? It's a bit roomer and not so confined with mesh and plastic?

I honestly never thought of that. Those are the plain wire ones, right? I just wonder if she can fit through the holes - for anyone who still disbelieves can't can dislocated their shoulders and fit through a hole the size of their head - I saw it yesterday on the way to the vet.

Originally Posted by lovely2011

I honestly never thought of that. Those are the plain wire ones, right? I just wonder if she can fit through the holes - for anyone who still disbelieves can't can dislocated their shoulders and fit through a hole the size of their head - I saw it yesterday on the way to the vet.

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Yep. that's the one. Shop around and see what's out there... I am sure there's cages that has smaller holes

Or maybe one of those seat belt harnesses they sell for small dogs. . .do you think she'd mind that?

Originally Posted by Willowy

Or maybe one of those seat belt harnesses they sell for small dogs. . .do you think she'd mind that?

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Tried that - she screamed and tried to chew it off, haha. The ONLY time she's quiet and sleeps is if she gets a blanket on the front seat, unrestrained. I just hate her being unrestrained.

Normally it's not a huge issue, only 15 minute to 3 hour trips, but we're moving 8 hours away soon, and I'm afraid she'll drive us insane, or kill herself somehow....

When we travel, we leave the carrier open so the cats can get in if they want. We put them on their harness and leashes, and then we hook the leashes to the backseat dry cleaning hanger hook. This way the cats can't get to the front seat floorboard, but they still have free range.

Originally Posted by lovely2011

Tried that - she screamed and tried to chew it off, haha. The ONLY time she's quiet and sleeps is if she gets a blanket on the front seat, unrestrained. I just hate her being unrestrained.

Normally it's not a huge issue, only 15 minute to 3 hour trips, but we're moving 8 hours away soon, and I'm afraid she'll drive us insane, or kill herself somehow....

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Maybe ask a licensed veterinarian you trust to prescribe you tranquilizers for the trip?

Buy one of those barriers for your car and put her behind the barrier. Put the carrier back there as well so she can go in and out at will. Also check out www.harpofhope.com and play Dr. Diane's CD when you travel-stress level goes way down. We've had cats that love to travel in cars and we let them roam about- we just the access to the front seat so there are no accidents.

What a dilema I've read all the suggestions and they are all good ones. Also, have you tried the Feliway spray? You can spray it into the crate about 20 minutes before putting the cat in it. I know it helps when I take my oldest, Hoot to the vet. She hates the crate. She does calm down with the Feliway.

Maybe you could look into those carriers that are used in rescue that are completely closed off in plastic, with one clear side for viewing? They look like this. (I don't know if that's an especially good price or anything.) I know a lot of people really like that style of carrier, especially for the really cranky cats. Apparently cats find the total enclosure with only one open side comforting.

ETA: I wasn't sure what you meant by this: "If I use a hard sided carrier, she scratches her nose off," so maybe this suggestion isn't appropriate. Did you mean on the front wire? I sort of assumed that.

I think the idea of using a leash and harness is a great one. I've actually thought about it with our old guy but he ALWAYS throws up during the short ride to the vets office so I'd rather not have him roaming around to do that.

If you do try the leash and harness, put it on him a few times at home before putting him in the car with it.

Yes, she scratches her nose on the front wire. That clear carrier is kind of intriguing...

My husband has tried putting her on a harness and leash and letting her roam around the car, and she puts up with that (I still consider that unrestrained). She doesn't get under his feet and mostly sleeps in the front seat that way, but I'm always worried that he'll have an accident and she'll be dead or run away. I don't know - would a carrier even protect her in a crash on the interstate?

The crazy thing is, she sleeps in her carrier at home. She doesn't doesn't like being trapped in it in the car!

Originally Posted by lovely2011

I don't know - would a carrier even protect her in a crash on the interstate?

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I think it definitely would provide some protection. The only thing it couldn't help with would be a situation where the car was accordioned and the whole carrier got crushed. But I think in most situations the cat would be okay (flipping, getting flung about in the car), and a carrier addresses one of my own biggest concerns: escape after an accident. It might be very difficult or impossible to find your cat again if it makes a frightened dash. And on the highway she could be run over.

Originally Posted by Cat Person

Maybe ask a licensed veterinarian you trust to prescribe you tranquilizers for the trip?

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I agree, that is what I would do along with a bigger doggie crate if it will fit, with a nice blanky lining the bottom.

A cat may be perfectly safe relaxing on the front seat, but if for some reason a big rig honks or slams his air-brakes which make a loud pop or something scary happens, one of the first places cats are often heard to dart to is right below your feet in the footwell, where they can interfere with the gas/brake pedal and cause an accident. And of course, unrestrained cats can jump out of a door and finding themselves in unfamiliar territory be scared and run for cover never to be seen again.

What happens if you put a blanket over the carrier so she can't see out? Like you do when you trap a feral cat (for TNR or other purposes)?

Originally Posted by Ritz

What happens if you put a blanket over the carrier so she can't see out? Like you do when you trap a feral cat (for TNR or other purposes)?

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Screams louder. And pants. For real.

I think I'll look into the clear carrier. She MAY hurt herself unrestrained, but she HAS hurt herself in the carriers we have now.

We were going to take Squeaky to the vet today for his annual checkup when disaster struck.  He went into the carrier easily enough, although he hissed in protest.  We thought the carrier door was closed, but just as we were about to take him, the door suddenly opened and out popped Squeaky.  He zoomed into his little "hidey-hole" under my sister's bed and stayed there, forcing us to change our appointment.  What kind of carrier should we use with him where he doesn't try to escape?  

This is an older thread, but still very relevant.   Some suggestions - Take a sweatshirt that you have worn around the house, put it in the carrier and leave the door open. Put it some place kinda out of the way and let Squeaky (love that name) go in and out as he pleases. Leave it there all the time if you can, just replace the shirt every month or so. After a while, you will probably find him napping in there. Just like a box you leave on the floor.  When it is time to go to the vet, put him in the box and give him a treat or two, assuming that he is not on a no-food order. Start the car and get it comfortable in there before you take him out to it. Find your local classical NPR station or your CD player and play some soft music - I use Bach's cello concertos played by Yo-Yo Ma. Talk to him on the ride there and back. When you get home, open the carrier, give him a treat and leave the carrier on the floor with the door open.

This method has worked with me for 20 years.