Avoid CAT-astrophies by buckling up your pets!
Volunteering a cat for a car ride makes the little hairs on the backs
of most pet parents' necks stand on end! But you may be surprised to
learn that many people and their cats enjoy vehicle rides.
Your cat is smart and if their car ride has one destination--the veterinarian's clinic- it will not want any part of a car ride!
- Teach cats that car rides are an adventure. Begin by driving them
somewhere fun--to watch the ducks at the park or see Christmas lights
on your street--and soon your cats will look forward to their next road
trip adventure.
Photo by Mary Ellen "Angel Scribe"©
Miss Wings loves exploring the car.
- Car noises scare cats, so let them explore the motionless
vehicle. Chat happily with them, play with them, and give them their
favorite treats so they learn a car is a nice place.
- Always have a litter box in the same location in a car. There is
something about a car ride that is connected to a cat's plumbing.
- After your cat's body language looks relaxed, start the car up.
Drive slowly up and down your street, a few feet at a time. If
their body language looks agitated, drive home immediately. This way,
you alleviate fear of the next short trip, and your cat will learn that
the car won't always end up at a veterinary clinic.
Photo by Mary Ellen "Angel Scribe"©
Nymbus waiting to be lifted from the car on arriving home.
- NEVER allowed a cat to jump from the car when you arrive at your
destination or back home. Always hand carry cats from the car.
This teaches them to wait until they are lifted from the car preventing them from jumping out unexpectedly when you are entering or
exiting during a trip.
Therapist Sandra and cat-therapist Sammy heading out to visit clients.
Sammy is all snuggled in for the trip in his Snoozer Pet Safety Seat.
These pet seats are purrfect for small dogs too!
1-800-635-9755 Ext. 112-- ask for Brian O'Donnell
-Reward your cat with a favorite food or treat when you get return home.
When our family fostered a rescued 13-year-old male Persian from a
breeder's small isolated cage, the world was terrifying for him. Yet,
it was easy to teach Mr. Puurfect how to love car rides.
After using the above technique for three days, Mr. Purrfect was
sitting on my lap holding the steering wheel with his front paws--like
the captain of his own ship! At the end of the week, we were driving all
over town. He loved his new freedom and seeing the world!
- Remember, if you want your cat happy in a car, do what pleases him.
- Cats are visual and like to see outside the car. This helps calm
them, distracting them from the car smells and road noise.
- Snoozer Pet Car Seats are a favorite amongst cat and small dog travelers (www.snoozerpetproducts.com). You easily and safely harness your pet into the seat and they love to be up high to see the view.
- Buckling pets into a safety pet car seat prevents them from escaping when the doors are open as you exit or enter the vehicle.
Photo by Mary Ellen "Angel Scribe"©
Nymbus teaches Charlotte (4-years-old) and Alex (2-years-old) how to safely buckle cats in car seats. Charlotte and Alex have child car seats, and are
thrilled to discover that cats have safety car seats too!
- Cats soon excitedly get into their cat-harness, once they know a trip and a treat are involved!
- If your cat has micro-chip ID, also adding a metal or laminate tag with your name and cell phone number on the harness is a good idea.
- Having visible contact information means that anyone can
phone you immediately upon finding your lost cat, which saves time. They wont have to drive the cat to a veterinary or humane society and
scan them for ID.
- A cat and a child's center of gravity are different than an
adult's and erratic driving tosses them about. Keep your driving steady and
smooth; even if cats are in a carrier, they can easily be jostled from
side to side.
- As a professional fire department photographer, I know first-hand
that in a vehicular accident, pets become projectiles and are often
injured or killed. Or they flee from open doors or broken windows. Having your pet in a
safety pet seat would avoid this tragedy.
- Inquisitive cats enjoy the safety pet
seats that allow them to see outside, shy cats love to hide in the
crates. Cats who can see outside are less likely to become car sick.
- Frightened cats often end up at the vehicle's foot pedals.
Drivers and their pets have been killed because the pet lodged between
the floorboard and the brake pedal. Restraining your cats makes it
safer for both pets and people.
Photo by Mary Ellen "Angel Scribe"©
Avoid a Cat-astrophe, buckle your cats safely in a pet seat so they
are not tossed out of the car in an accident.
- The American Automobile
Association (AAA) reports that animals moving around in vehicles
create the third worst distraction for drivers--the other two are
children and adjusting the audio system.
- There is no need to medicate a cat if you take these few simple
steps to make their journey safe and pleasurable. Your cats will soon
enjoy and want to go for car rides. If you feel the need to calm your
cats, research the homeopathic remedies Pet Calm and Rescue Remedy.
Our four cats enjoy car rides and sit in the living room window
staring at us when we pull out of the driveway if we "forget" and
leave them at home. Their eyes plead with their best "trying to make
you feel guilty" look. For inside cats, car rides stimulate cats'
natural senses and help relieve boredom.
This Holiday Season when you are packing your suitcases, gifts,
and family members for a holiday trip, don't forget to also pack up
your cats! Happy Holidays, and happy family memories.
Photo by Mary Ellen "Angel Scribe"©
Nymbus looks forward to every trip. He prepares by leaving cat hairs on all packed clothes;
then he stands at the front door as we pack up the car yelling impatiently at us waiting to be put in the car.
When we reach our destination, he does not want to get out of the car or his Snoozer Pet Seat!
_______
Photo by Mary Ellen "Angel Scribe"©
safety seat. Here he is 10 minutes after his first time in it. Look how calm he is!
Nymbus is wearing his walking harness, you can't see it under all his fur, and it is strapped to the seat belt harness that comes with the car seat. He lets people come up to the open car window and pet him.
Honestly, it's like watching a royal cat holding court! Having him safely buckled in is such a blessing because we now can have the window and sun roof open with cats in the car!
________________
Thank you!
Your donations support this wonderful newsletter. Thank you!
Happiest of Holidays from Mary Ellen & Nymbus
Author & Columnist
Angelscribe AT msn DOTcom
Christmas Cat Swims!
__________
Miracle Gift Books
Autographed by Mary Ellen
__________
Pet Project!
Inform your editor and
publisher friends how much you love this column and that it is
available for their publications to attract, uplift, and hold the
attention of their readers.
__________
Subscribe
Angels and Miracles Newsletters
Pet TIPS 'n' TALES Newsletters
__________
