Cats are natural roamers, and like to go where they please. So, it comes as no surprise that many cats are not keen on being hauled around in a car. They find they’ve being taken without their permission and subjected to a lot of strange noises with bumps and jolts. All that, and they end up at this stark white place with unpleasant smells and an aura of fear, the humans call it the VET. All you get for your trouble is a sharp needle and your mouth forced open.

So it’s up to us humans to make this experience as comfortable for our cats as possible.

To begin with, unlike dogs, cats are transported in baskets. Nonetheless, if you bring this out just as you’re about go and promptly try and force your pet inside, your cat may start associating the basket with the vet. I find that the process of getting your cat into the basket is made a lot easier if you bring the basket out at few days before and place it where your cat will see it every day, I find that the cats get used to the basket and no longer see it as a form of torture. Plus, if they’re like my cats, they might see it as a place of sanctuary, so it can be difficult getting them out at the other end! Because of this, it’s good to have a basket where you can remove the top, for easy access.

Like all of us, cats deal with stress in different ways. Some might handle it better than others, some like my cat Dylan, will crouch down and stay as quite as possible. There are others, like my cat Bob, who’ll yowl from start to finish. I have realised that rather than the noises, it’s the motion of the car that upsets them. So it’s best to ensure the basket is secured properly in the car with a seat belt, this helps stop the basket moveing about too much. Drive more considerately as well, be aware of junctions and roundabouts, so that you can anticipate them and negotiate them as smoothly as possible and avoid those sudden changes in direction. It’s important to have fresh air circulating the car as well, so be sure to keep the car well ventilated.

If your cats get car sick, you can get medication for the symptoms from your vet. Do not use human medicines, they are likely to poison your cat. If your cat is highly stressed, there is a spray that you can use in the basket and car that gives the area an aroma of calm and tranquility for cats – Feliway. It’s great stuff and can be applied anywhere where your cat feels stressed, for example, this can be used for cats living in homes with other cats who maybe getting stressed, or if you’ve had building works or planning a holiday, this can be used to help reduce the level of stress in your cat.

So, if you’re considering a trip to the (vet), use Feliway to paint a portrait of calm for your pet before you set off.