Let's talk in general about transporting cats, trips to the clinic, to the country, to the sea or to relatives in a neighboring city.
I propose to divide the article into several parts:
- In the first part we will talk about fears and stress and their effect on the body.
- In the second we will learn how to prepare the animal.
- What you need to take with you on the road.
- In conclusion, a few words about the necessary vaccinations and the preparation of accompanying documents.
Why do you need cat carriers?
Felines mostly live at home, but as practice shows, they still need their own vehicle. Everyone faces this over time.
What are the carriers for?
- Visit to the veterinarian. It's good when your animal is not sick, but in any case, visiting the doctor still happens sometimes. This could be vaccination, worming or a routine examination. And then you have to think about what to carry your pet in. If you carry it in your hands, this is not an option. The animal will be frightened by everything, may break free and be injured, and may also run away. It can also scratch and bite you in a fit of fright. Therefore, you cannot do without a personal vehicle.
- Moving. You have decided to move to the country for the summer or are moving to a new apartment or house. And you immediately need to think about how you will transport your cat so that he does not get too stressed. Few felines like to leave their territory, so this is a stressful situation for each of them. You need to transport it in such a way that the cat is relatively comfortable.
- Traveling with the owner. Some owners love to travel and from early childhood accustom their purrs to various movements. In any case, even if the tailed one is used to traveling, this is still a non-standard situation for him and it is necessary to create the most comfortable conditions for movement.
Exhibitions. The cat family participates in exhibitions. And you need to be well prepared for this event. To do this, there are different photos of cat carriers so that the pet looks in a favorable light.
How to prepare a cat for a trip?
You need to start with a comprehensive vaccination, if you have not done so already. For example, if your cat is not vaccinated, then you need to treat it for worms, wait 10 days and get the first vaccination. Then you wait 21-28 days and do a revaccination (repeat), everything is approximately according to the standard scheme.
And again you wait 10-14 days for immunity to develop after the second vaccine, but now you can go outside.
It is more convenient to carry out the first outings in a carrier, so that the cat gets to know the unusual surroundings, hears the sounds of the street, and smells. Leave for 3-5 minutes and go home. Let the cat out in a familiar environment, see that she has calmed down - give her a treat and praise her. The point of such small trips outside is to make it clear that it is not scary or dangerous.
A common mistake is to calm and pet an animal on the street when it is in an excited state. This will only reinforce the wrong reaction. I’m nervous - the owner praises me, which means it’s good. You need to praise and give treats in a calm state. In the future, when the street becomes a familiar place, then the desired behavior can be reinforced there too.
The next day, take a longer walk. I think you understand the principle: daily, in doses, accustom the animal to an unfamiliar environment. Then you can take a walk on a harness and go to places with large crowds of people. A little later, take public transport a stop or two.
Keep in mind that adaptation may take several months, so if you are thinking about how to transport a cat over a long distance, then prepare for this in advance.
What types of carriers come in shape?
There are different forms:
- Bags. They are made of durable materials and they always have a frame, they definitely keep their shape. Their bottom is always more dense and reinforced because it is necessary to withstand the weight of the tailed fish. They must be equipped with a small door through which the purr is placed inside. And there are almost always inserts made of mesh material for ventilation and so that the purr can see what is happening around.
- Carrying houses or boxes. They are more stable and spacious.
- The boxes are equipped with a short handle for carrying, and may also have a long handle and wheels for rolling. These carriers are convenient for both the cat and the owner.
- The cat can sit or lie in it, and it’s convenient for the owner because you don’t have to carry the weight on yourself, you can roll it around calmly. All this resembles an ordinary suitcase on wheels.
- There is an even more convenient option - these are strollers for walking, very similar to children's ones. This stroller can accommodate several animals. They will be protected from rain, wind and sun.
If the animal refuses to sit in the carrier
When any attempts to train a cat fail, you can resort to some tricks. For example, all sorts of goodies are laid out near the box (bags, cages). There is a little space inside too. It is better to leave the premises yourself so that the animal does not feel embarrassed. Returning back a few minutes later, you can see a different picture - the cat happily eats the offered treats, without even being afraid to take them from the carrier.
You can lay your favorite bedding on the bottom, on which your pet is used to lying. But violence cannot be used in this matter. Otherwise, fear will become firmly entrenched in the animal’s mind, which will make any travel difficult.
What types of carriers are there by frame type?
According to the type of frame, there are hard and soft. Hard ones are made of plastic or metal. They are very durable and stable. There are several types:
Container. They can be of different shapes, square or more rounded.
- There is a handle and may have wheels. One of the most comfortable carriers.
- There is always a door for the cat to let him in and out.
- Sometimes there are many different accessories such as drinking bowls and drinking bowls.
Backpack. It is made of plastic with a viewing window. Convenient for the owner as you hang it on your back and walk with your hands free. The cat can sit there, watching what is happening around; It’s unlikely to be possible to lie down.
Basket. Very similar to a shopping cart. Made of plastic, stable, relatively spacious. It can only be locked from the outside.
Soft ones are made on a fabric base. It can be textiles, leather, leather substitute. The cheapest cat carriers are made from a textile fabric base. As a rule, made of waterproof material. They are divided into several types:
In the form of a carrying bag for cats with a frame.
- It holds its shape well despite the fact that it is made of fabric material.
- The bottom is additionally reinforced to support the weight of the animal. In the form of a backpack. IN
- They must have a mesh insert for ventilation or a hole for the cat's head (it remains outside).
- In the form of a sling carrier, reminiscent of children's ones. The cat itself will be inside, and the head will be outside.
Container
The carrier must be durable and have a strong and strong bottom. The container meets these requirements. It is convenient to safely place it on the floor of a vehicle.
With a huge number of people, your pet will be fine. It is convenient and practical in personal care.
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It is not difficult to wash it with warm water using special preparations. The container can serve you for quite a long period.
What types of carriers are there depending on the season?
They come in summer and winter. Summer ones are light with a lot of holes and windows. They are well ventilated.
Winter ones are more insulated with different bedding and rugs, insulated walls.
Rules for choosing a carrier
To choose, you need to pay attention to several points:
- It should be voluminous in size. The cat can stand up, lie down, and turn around in it.
- The vehicle requires compliance with the season. Summer should be well ventilated and in light colors. Winter insulated and protected from bad weather.
- The bottom must be stable, durable and able to support the weight of the animal. Hard ones are covered with additional rugs or a diaper.
- It is important that the vehicle matches the time the purr will be in it. The longer he stays in it, the more comfortable it should be.
- Let's not forget about ourselves as the carrier of our pet. Choose from a short handle, a long handle, wheels, or all together. We pay attention to the weight of the cat and how it will be more convenient for you to transport it.
- Cat carrier price. The more expensive and better quality it is, the more comfortable it will be for the purr and you during transportation.
What happens to a cat when it suddenly travels?
How are animals usually transported? In most cases, the cat is simply picked up and forced into a carrier, then taken to an unfamiliar place. Sometimes the journey takes several days.
What happens in this case? Imagine, a cat lived in an apartment for several years, saw the world around him from a window or balcony, and there are so many new things here. New smells, sounds, strangers, transport, screams, barking...
An animal from a familiar environment suddenly finds itself in another world, and everything unidentified causes fear. When there is danger, a natural mechanism is triggered: run away or defend yourself.
When a cat cannot escape, it freezes and practically does not react to others. If you have been to clinics where there is an inpatient facility, you most likely noticed how calmly the animals left for treatment behave. They can easily give an injection or connect a system, that is, an IV, or carry out other necessary manipulations.
Yes, of course, they feel bad about it and already agree to everything. But if you compare a sick animal at home and in a clinic, these are two big differences.
In her apartment, a sick cat will defend herself to the last, sometimes the whole family has to hold her for a routine examination. And when it comes to complex manipulations, it becomes completely difficult.
Why am I making such a long digression and telling you different stories about the clinic and IVs? To draw your attention to some points.
It may seem to you that the animal bravely endures the trip, sits calmly in the carrier and does not even meow. This may be true, but most often the cat is under severe stress, it freezes and does not make any sounds. We see calm outside, but what is happening inside is not noticeable.
And inside the whole body is preparing to fight with all its strength or run as fast as possible. Adrenaline is produced, blood supply to the brain and muscles improves, sense organs are sharpened, more oxygen is supplied, and reserves are used.
An hour or two passes, but the causes of stress do not disappear - we continue the journey, we can still hear the noise of the crowd, foreign smells, and changes in temperature.
Exhaustion sets in, the body cannot constantly be in constant mobilization. In such situations, the cat may begin to make loud noises, scratch the carrier, urinate, and lick itself nonstop. Or he will completely stop reacting to what is happening.
Prolonged or severe stress can lead to serious complications. Neurosis, decreased immunity, exacerbation of chronic diseases, allergies and other disorders are often observed.
It has been noticed that after a trip, a cat more often suffers from infectious diseases, digestive disorders, autoimmune pathologies appear, and chronic ones worsen.
Carrying cost
How much does a cat carrier cost? Prices vary depending on the material of the product, capacity, additional accessories and of course what is fashionable this season. Sling carriers and houses on wheels always looked interesting.
Don't forget that you can make your own cat carrier. Most often these are bags or backpacks sewn at home on a machine.
No animal will have such an individual personal vehicle.
Accompanying documents
In this chapter I will describe the most necessary things that are required almost everywhere when traveling with animals. But when you decide to travel to another country, check the requirements for transporting cats of that country. They are similar in most countries, but may have their own characteristics.
The first thing that must be done is a vaccination against rabies, with a mark and seal of the state veterinarian in the passport. It is important that the vaccine is given no earlier than 30 days before departure and no later than one year.
There must be a veterinary passport, issued with notes on preventive treatments for your animal.
Then, a few days before departure, you need to go to a state veterinary hospital, where you will be issued an F-1 veterinary certificate. In it, the veterinarian will record your data and indicate the route to follow.
At customs, the certificate will be replaced with an international certificate for entry into another state.
In addition, the animal must be microchipped in advance; basic information about the cat and owner will be recorded on it. In most countries this is a mandatory requirement.
Special rules apply when transporting by rail; for some time they required the purchase of a compartment or SV. The rules change periodically, so check this point in advance.
