This question is in regard to my new cat, Vincent. I recently adopted him (he was a stray at animal control) and he hates his carrier. He hates it even more when I turn on the car! He cries the whole time and scratches trying to get out. Worst of all, he had defecated in his carrier and once even urinated and defecated at once. This is horrible for both of us! I have to clean it all up, and then he has to get a bath, which makes him even more upset than he already is. Any suggestions to alleviate his stress/reduce the elimination in the carrier?
2006-07-13 12:35:46 · 6 answers · asked by jmollard01 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
I certainly don't take him in the car for fun....these incidents are soley on visits to/from the vet. He's a good boy about the litter box at home though.
2006-07-13 12:50:14 · update #1
I just travelled across the country, by car, with my 2 cats in carriers. Here are some tricks.
Make sure the carrier is new and doesn't smell like another animal. Leave it open in your house, and let him explore it himself. My cats took a while to get used to theirs, but now, when the carriers are out, they climb in and nap or groom themselves because it's a comfy place.
If you're taking a longer trip, don't feed your cat for 10 - 12 hours before leaving. Stressed animals lose their appetites and only eat a couple of bites each day when travelling.
Finally, make sure the carrier is just big enough for him to stand up and turn around - not bigger! An animal will not go to the bathroom where it has to sleep. Put a thick blanket between the bottom of his carrier and the car seat to reduce vibrations. Make sure he is out of direct sunlight and glare, too.
If all else fails, ask your vet about giving him a tiny bit of Benadryl to calm him down before travel.
Good luck!
2006-07-13 12:54:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your cat is telling you that he hates his carrier and would prefer if you left him home. Leave him with a clean litter box and dry food and water. He'll be fine. If he fails to use his litter box when he's at home, there's a chance he might be ill. Take him to the vet for a check-up in that case. Good luck.
2006-07-13 19:41:22 · answer #2 · answered by love2travel 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know any way to stop a cat from eliminating in his carrier. But you should always have a towel in it to absorb the urine, and take a clean one for the trip home. Some cats are just like that. Sorry.
2006-07-13 19:57:20 · answer #3 · answered by Molly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's just really nervous, and any animal can get nervous in a carrier and go potty in it, its not on purpose, it just happens! Lucky for him, trips to the vet arent very often!
2006-07-13 21:32:55 · answer #4 · answered by Katz 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
lt hi get used too it in the house befor you put him in the car, it might take a while, but its less stressfull on both of you, also try covering the cage with a cloth, it calms them down
2006-07-13 19:40:28 · answer #5 · answered by Nneka 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chloroform... you should get rid of it though, dogs are better.
2006-07-13 19:39:26 · answer #6 · answered by Nick N 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋