Cats like to go where they please. So, it’s not surprising that the majority of cats are not keen on being ferried 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.

Firstly, unlike dogs, cats can be transported in a basket. However, to bring this out just before you want to go and try and get your pet inside might, over time, mean your cat will associate 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. In addition, if they’re anything like my cats, they’ll actually see it as a sanctuary, so it can be a bigger problem 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 humans, cats have different ways of dealing with stress. Some cats deal with it better than others, like my cat Dylan, he’ll 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 a good idea to secure the basket in the car with a seat belt, to avoid undue jolting, and keep movement to a minimum. Driving as smoothly as possible is the key, approach junctions and roundabouts as smoothly as possible to avoid sudden changes in direction. Fresh air is crucial too, so make sure the car is well ventilated.

If your cats suffer motion sickness, you can buy the appropriate medication 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.