Saturday, September 3, 2011

Cars And Cat Carriers Need Forward Planning

By Dawn Riley


When buying cat carriers always invest in the best quality you can afford. They're one of those items that as a cat owner really are a necessity but often very little thought is given to them. Many cat owners don't actually think about things like size or suitability with regard to their particular cat.

For those who have a large cat then it might appear self-explanatory to point this out but the standard size carrier is not going to be suitable. It would be extremely uncomfortable to be crammed into a container that is too small. Nevertheless I am sure we have all witnessed enormous cats poked into small carriers. For older cats this would be distressing for them to not have the freedom of movement.

If you find it necessary to take your cats for a lengthy trip in a vehicle obviously you will be using cat carriers. In this situation a bigger size carrier will not only be comfortable for your cat but it also can accommodate a litter tray in with your cat also. When you set off together with your cats in a car it is highly advisable to not open the door of the carrier except if it is deemed an absolute emergency. This is how cats escape and get lost in these situations. Feeding your cat every few hours does not qualify as an emergency.

People feel they should feed their cat while travelling. This is being done more for their own consolation than for the cat. Your feline is going to be unhappy travelling and food is probably going to be the last thing on their mind. Therefore offer only small portions of food in the event the journey will be longer than 24 hours. Drinking water obviously can be left in the carrier for very long trips. However once again if the trip is a journey of around six hours it is much better to leave your cat on it's own and safely confined in their carrier for that stretch of time.

Always line the cat carriers with newspaper or some absorbing material which will soak up urine. If you have a litter tray in the container for them it is likely some may spill over. It is likely many cats may be so nervous they will urinate where they are sitting. A towel over heavy newspaper helps keep your cat as comfortable as possible for the trip.

Depending upon the nature and confidence of your cat determines the spot where you place their carrier when travelling in a motor vehicle. Almost all cats will certainly feel reassured when they can see you and hear your voice. For stressed cats always place a protective cover over one end of their carrier so they can feel as though they are hidden away out of sight. If there's strong sunshine coming into the car obviously the carrier mustn't be sitting in this kind of high temperatures. Your cats will likely be nervous and can over heat regardless so they don't need to be battling heat stroke as well. With some forward planning a safe and comfortable trip can be achieved for yourself along with your furry friends.




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