- Your pet should voluntarily go into a carrier or crate or wear a seatbelt harness. Give any ordered anti-nausea or anti-anxiety supplements or medications as ordered by your veterinarian.
- Cats should be resting comfortably in their carrier before being placed in the vehicle. Walk dogs to the car on leash. Like cats, small dogs can get in the carrier indoors and be carried to.
- When transporting your cat or small dog in a carrier, minimize movement. If possible, support the carrier from the bottom, with one side resting against your chest, as if you are carrying a fragile gift. This helps your pet to feel more secure and ensures that he isn’t eye to eye with other animals as you walk into the lobby of the veterinary hospital.
Prepare the car so it promotes a calming environment
- Play calming music specially composed for cats and dogs, or pop in an audiobook.
- Apply calming pheromones or scents like lavender. 6 to 8 sprays of a calming pheromone or 2 or 3 sprays of a diluted lavender scent will suffice. Apply 10 to 15 minutes before your pet enters the carrier or car.
- Cool or warm the car to a comfortable temperature before putting your pet inside.
Properly secure carrier/crate in the vehicle
- A nonslip surface should be in and under carrier/crate or on the car seat.
- Place a pheromone-infused towel or blanket over the carrier, leaving one side uncovered for ventilation.
- The floorboard behind the passenger seat is the most secure location for a small pet carrier.
- Secure large crates or carriers to prevent.
- Avoid feeling rushed. If you are stressed, your pet will sense this and may become stressed.
- To prevent carsickness, accelerate slowly from a stop, allow extra distance between other vehicles to prevent sudden braking, and take turns slowly.
- Be matter of fact, and don’t speak to your pet in a sing-song voice. If you are calm, happy, and relaxed, your pet will be, too.
- Cats need 5 to 10 minutes to adjust to their new surroundings and feel safe. Place your cat’s carrier on an elevated surface & cover the front and two sides with a pheromone-infused towel while you wait. Depending on your dog’s preferences, you might wait in the vehicle, take a short walk, or wait in the lobby.
