Abstract
The Feline Veterinary Medical Association (FelineVMA) advocates transporting cats safely and minimizing feline distress. While not the exclusive reason, the most frequent reason cats are transported away from their home is for health examinations at the veterinary practice. Impaired welfare associated with veterinary visits, including transport, is a major reason for caregivers not taking their cats for veterinary care.1–3
It is recommended that veterinary professionals educate cat caregivers on what is an appropriate carrier (size and material) for the cat, acclimating and training the cat to the carrier, and providing an opportunity for the cat to hide (eg, covering the carrier with a towel or blanket).4–7 Further, this includes advising caregivers to secure carriers on the floor of the vehicle behind either the driver or passenger seat. If seat belts are used, they should only be used with carriers that are crash test certified (centerforpetsafety.org/cps-certified). 8 Seat belts should not be used with carriers that are not crash test certified as they may inadvertently result in crushing the carrier.7,8
As the veterinary visit actually starts in the home, following the mentioned principles minimizes feline distress and promotes a more positive experience within the veterinary practice.7,9,10
Footnotes
Correction (December 2025):
This paper has been updated to add the URL to the sentence: ’If seat belts are used, they should only be used with carriers that are crash test certified (centerforpetsafety.org/cps-certified).’