While car rides are usually not a cat’s favorite activity, it’s important to know the basics of car safety for cats.
We know most people are more concerned about the stress of a car ride – not the safety. Making car rides less stressful is super important because it’s the #1 reason most cat parents avoid bringing their cat to the vet. We’ve heard way too many heartbreaking stories because a vet visit was avoided due to car stress – until it was too late. We cat parents need to take ownership of this issue by doing our best to practice making car rides more comfortable.
Understanding basic car safety for cats is equally as important as tackling the stress issue surrounding car rides is key.
Many cat parents let their cats roam free on car rides because because so many cats hate being stuffed in a carrier. Honestly, we’ve done this too. Sometime we did it because of the cat carrier issue. Other times it seemed our cats just enjoyed being able to look out the windows and sprawl out on the backs seat. Whatever the case, we don’t recommend it.
Here’s what we need to consider when it comes to safe car rides with cats.
Allowing our cats to free-roam in a moving car can be dangerous for a number of reasons.
- They can obstruct the driver’s view.
- Free roaming cats can wiggle into dangerous places – like under the gas or brake pedal.
- They can cause driver distraction (of course!).
- If you have automatic windows, excited paws can roll them down when you least expect.
- In the event of an accident, the risk of injury increases greatly for an unrestrained cat. It could also allow you cat to escape the accident into a busy road – or run off afraid.
Lots of gloom and doom here – but now without reason. Basic car safety requires making sure your cat is secure in a safe and comfortable cat carrier before hitting the road. As always – an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
Recommended Product for Car Rides with Cats
Recent Comments