My cat is scared of being in the car what do i do we have been in the car more than 3 times?

Question

and whenever we get home he goes under the chair and on top of the refridgerator he is very scared i got him from the animal shelter so i dont know his past experiences. also we are moving to california in the car and i dont know if he will be ok to go on the trip were planning to live there so please someone help me i would really appreciate it thanx

Answer 1

You need to buy a cat carrier - a cage that the animal can be placed in for the ride in the car. Bring along a towel that can be draped over the cage so the animal can't see out. And when you arrive at your destination, let the creature remain in the cage on the floor for a couple hours to calm down. Then just open the door and allow the cat to explore it's new surroundings as it wishes. It may well dart into a dark corner, under a bed or a couch and hide for several hours. Just leave it alone, and when it calms down enough to come out, slowly and gently show it where it's food and water dish and litter pan are. Be sure there's food in the food dish and fresh water in the water dish. And keep close watch for a few days; the cat may suddenly dart through an open door and run away. In an unfamiliar neighborhood, it's liable to be killed. Just as with small children, a domestic pet takes a few weeks to really settle into a new home.

Answer 2

Very few cats enjoy a car ride. It's upsetting to them. If you're making a long trip with a cat, I'd suggest getting a sturdy cat-carrier and line it with a soft blanket, and include something the cat is fond of...whether it's a small toy, or something fuzzy like a stuffed animal. Also, have a portable litter box on hand for the cat, as well as a dual dish to put some water and cat food in. The cat may howl for awhile, but eventually it'll calm down as the trip goes on. Good luck, and have a safe trip.

Answer 3

My cats have always been extremely scared of car rides. So I avoided them as much as possible for them. But we moved from California to Texas 4 months ago and had to drive here with my animals (I have a dog too) We got a big carrier and placed it in the back and put blankets in it and tried to make it as comfortable as possible. Though the didn't ever come to like the car they did settle down by the end of the trip. Cats don't like the car and they don't like change. So he will probably hide a lot but be patient give him a safe place like a carrier and let him warm up to the idea of moving. Don't expect him to eat or drink in the car but have food and water available to him. Cats don't normally eat and drink when they are nervous and scared. But he will settle down and it will be okay.

Answer 4

Hello Melissa
Most kitties do not like to ride tho there are a few who do. You may want to help him get used to the car by just sitting together in it when it's not moving a few times and then other times by taking a short trip and coming back. Talk to him, offer a small treat once he is in her carrier. If he likes music or a radio play that for him. Do keep him in a carrier while traveling including while you are in the car because a frightened cat's instinct is to run and hide. Kitties also get underfoot and under the peddles jump on people's heads and can hurt themselves and others.

You may want to feed him in the carrier so he associates it with something pleasant not just with shelter cages. Let him sleep in it of he will with a towel or T shirt that smells like you for comfort. You may find he likes a light weight cover over his carrier. The sights and smells of travel are over stimulating for many cats. Some people recommend food water and litter in the carrier. Unless the carrier is large you may find a layer of newspaper works better along with breaks to eat and drink and potty. Please do not open the carrier while the car door is or may become open. If you stay at a motel overnight kitty should stay in the bathroom with the door closed and the room door and bathroom door should never be open at the same time so he does not accidently get loose and lost.

You will need to take him to your vet for a check up and to be sure all shots are up to date before moving,. The vet may be able to recommend a mild tranquilizer for the trip too. He will need a collar with a tag that he can slip or "pop" if it gets caught so he does not get hung. Be sure to lable his carrier with your name and phone and the name and phone of both his vet and of someone who can be reached and can reach you while you are traveling as well as having that number on her collar tag.

We have owned and traveled with many cats and these things helped them tolerate and sometimes enjoy car rided. I hope they will work well for you and your kitty too.

Answer 5

maybe it had a bad experince with cars so u should show it that it has nothing to fear. turn on ur car and let ur cat be in the for a while so it can see that it is safe. keep taking ur cat on car rides whenever u can so it can get used to the motion and idea of being in a car. give it treats while it's in the car for so it can think being in the car is a good thing.

Answer 6

vets will have medication that will calm the cat downl talk to your vet about this and expalin about the long trip. he shwo then give you some. make sure you give it to him a few hours before the trip.