FAQ: Carriers & Crates for cats

Drooling while travelling is usually linked to nausea or stress and normally stops after the trip. If it is heavy, also happens away from travel or comes with other signs of illness, talk to your vet.

Out of fear or on a long journey a cat may not be able to hold it, and it is not misbehaving. Always line the carrier with an absorbent pad and bring a spare, and if it happens even on short trips, ask your vet about ways to reduce stress.

When it is safe, stop, clean the carrier and change the pad so the cat is not lying in vomit, and offer a little water. Next time do not feed the cat for a few hours before the trip, and if vomiting keeps happening or the cat seems unwell, see a vet.

The cat is trying to escape a situation it dislikes, usually out of fear or frustration. Check that the door and mesh can withstand it, cover the carrier so the cat sees less, and keep calmly training it to accept the carrier at home.

A calm, quiet voice helps many cats, but constant chatter or fingers poked through the grille make some even more agitated. Watch how your cat reacts, and if it settles when left alone, let it rest.

Some supplements are claimed to have a calming effect, but how well they work varies from cat to cat. Before giving any supplement or medicine, especially if your cat is ill or on other medication, check with your vet and follow the label.

After a stressful journey a cat may need hours or even a day to recover, especially somewhere new. Let it hide in a quiet place with water, food and a litter tray nearby; if it does not eat for more than a day, see a vet.

Things that smell of home help most: the cat's own bedding, a T-shirt you have worn or its favourite blanket. The bedding should not slide around and should cover the whole floor, while leaving enough room to lie down.

Disposable absorbent pads, washable reusable pads or a soft towel that does not slide all work. On a long trip it helps to put an absorbent pad underneath with a soft cloth on top that can be swapped quickly.

On a journey of several hours or more, bring a small foldable or disposable litter tray and offer it during stops inside the closed car. Many cats will not use it on the road, but they should have the chance.

On a short trip no water is needed in the carrier, as it spills on the move and soaks the bedding. On long journeys offer water during stops or use a spill-proof bowl that clips to the door.

During stops, offer water from a small bowl through the open door inside the closed car, or use a travel bottle with a built-in bowl. Some cats will not drink on the road, so wet food after the trip helps restore fluids.

On short trips there is no need to feed, and on long ones it is better to offer a small amount during a longer stop rather than while driving. Many cats refuse to eat while travelling, and for a healthy adult cat skipping food for a day is usually not dangerous.

Useful items are water and a bowl, the usual food, spare pads, wet wipes, rubbish bags, a harness and lead, a foldable litter tray, the cat's documents and, if it takes medication, a supply of it.

Travel in the cooler part of the day, cool the car beforehand, keep the carrier in the shade and make sure ventilation is good. Never leave the carrier in the sun or in a parked car, and seek veterinary help at once if you see signs of overheating.

Overheating can show as rapid or open-mouth breathing, drooling, lethargy, wobbliness and reddened gums. It is an emergency: move the cat somewhere cool and contact a vet straight away.

A cooling mat or a cold bottle wrapped in a towel can help, as long as the cat can move away from it. Do not put ice right against the cat, and focus first on ventilation and shade.

Warm the car up beforehand, add thicker bedding and cover the carrier when carrying it outdoors, leaving the vents open. Never leave the cat in a cold car, and remember that mesh bags lose heat faster than plastic carriers.

For a short time, yes, if the bag has a waterproof cover or rain sheet that does not block the vents. A soaked fabric bag can take a long time to dry and start to smell, so dry it well afterwards.

Yes, plastic, especially in dark colours, heats up quickly in the sun, and so does the air inside. Do not leave the carrier in direct sun even briefly, and for summer pick a lighter-coloured carrier with good ventilation.