Cat Cries Horribly In Carrier

I would no sooner leave my cat loose in the car than I would a 2 year old child.

I use hard sided carriers and seatbelt.

Originally Posted by cheylink

A carrier is going to fly just as easily as a cat, then you get into the issue of weighting it down, not good, seat belt not good...we all could go on and on, but the simple fact is to each is own and maybe if you feel safer useing the carrier, you will just have to deal with the meowing...

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Why is a seat belt not good? It is fine and can be belted around the carrier. Or the carrier can be placed in a footwell, where it just fits snugly and can't move around. A carrier is not likely to fly around the car.

This is the same as the use of seat belts. Adults generally find seat belts uncomfortable, but we use them. And children don't like car seats, but we use them. I'm not understanding why a cat's feelings are so much more sensitive than a child's that they should override safety concerns. We do lots of things to pets that they don't like but are in their best interest -- taking them to the vet, etc.

Of course, there are people out there who don't use seat belts. That doesn't mean you can justify not using a seat belt by saying it's as safe as using one.

It's not really political; it's fairly well accepted. AAA often runs articles about how dangerous it is to let a pet loose in the car and advising motorists not to do it.

I was simply saying a carrier in a seat belt is not good for the same reasons that a child under a certain age is not as well. Maybe i am wrong, but I do not know of car safe carriers that lock into a seat the same as child safety seats, except larger carriers with certain vehicles.
I do think this is great that everyone is expressing their feelings over this topic, even though I am not the one who made this thread! This is something good to share!

I would under no circumstances allow my cat to roam freely in my car while driving, even for a minute. Hard-sided carrier with a blanket thrown over it, with a seatbelt is the safest for you and your pet.

Fergus is good in his carrier. He just sits there while I'm driving, with his front legs crossed. He'll usually snooze. Ripley, on the other hand, looses all composure. She whines, and howls, and tries to scratch through the bars...I'm so worried she'll hurt her little feet (which hasn't happened so far, but other cats have hurt their paws doing this), that I put baby booties on her front paws while we're driving. And bring treats. I often find that keeping the windows up makes her calmer, and putting on some soft music helps a little.

Once again, to each is own. I never said my kitty roams freely in the car, she sits next to me except to use the litter. I feel safer driving knowing my cat is not hysterical, panting, screaming IF being out of the arrier is better for her. I have had one cat this did not work, but sometimes it does, with me 3 out of 4.

Never try it first driving. Some people let their cats out doors, this can also be a risk as well, and the outcome beyond our control.

If your cat is not in a carrier, it is roaming freely in the car. There is nothing to prevent it from suddenly being scared by something and freaking out, jumping under the pedal or the seat, etc. If your cat does so well that it will just sit there, then likely it will do equally well in a carrier.
The OP question involves a cat that obviously hates being in the car, and your advice to let it loose could, and likely would, result in injury to the cat or the person.

Originally Posted by Zissou'sMom

If your cat is not in a carrier, it is roaming freely in the car. There is nothing to prevent it from suddenly being scared by something and freaking out, jumping under the pedal or the seat, etc. If your cat does so well that it will just sit there, then likely it will do equally well in a carrier.
The OP question involves a cat that obviously hates being in the car, and your advice to let it loose could, and likely would, result in injury to the cat or the person.

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Understand, It was the carrier my cat hated as well.....

It is very easy to train a cat to not associate the carrier with bad things, and advice has already been given about how to do this. With Zissou all it took was leaving the carrier out at times when it wasn't going in the car and throwing a few treats in there.

I really hope people are not getting the wrong impression of me. I did state earlier on this thread the same exact thing as last reply as another option and that the carrier should never be looked at as a negative association as well. Opening the carrier in the car is obviously not looked at as a safe option, I respect that. It may sometimes work for some kits and people, but not the majority..
Though the person who started this thread looking for a possible option, we really should go back to trying to help them........if they are even still looking!

"Those who say cats feel safer in a small, confined area should never have the pleasure of a cats company."

If you look back at one of your earlier replies, I think it would tell you all you need to know... I would doubt the original poster would reply since you've made the thread into your own defending using what you have admitted to be an unsafe practice. I agree that we should have been giving advice to the original poster all along. That's what everyone else has been trying to do.

I was looking into some alternatives and came across this article..............here is the link.
http://www.cfainc.org/ezine/archives/travel.html

maybe informative for travelling.......
As well, I stated that allowing a cat out of carrier is not agreed with by the majority.