Carrier and vet trips, without the drama.

Island of Cats · 17 October 2026 · 5 min read

For a lot of cats, the carrier only ever means one thing: a car, strange smells, and someone in a white coat. No wonder they hide under the bed when it appears.

Cats are creatures of routine and territory. Leaving home is hard for them. But most of the stress of a vet trip comes from a handful of things you can change, starting with the carrier.

The right carrier

International Cat Care recommends a strong, hard plastic carrier. It’s easy to clean if the cat is sick or wets itself, and the cat can’t escape from it. Cardboard carriers are only good for a short trip, and fabric or wicker ones are hard to clean.

Choose one that opens at the top as well as the front, or better still, one whose top half lifts right off. You can lower the cat in gently instead of pushing it through a small door. At the vet, it means the cat never has to be pulled or tipped out. International Cat Care notes that a removable top makes it easier for the vet to examine the cat.

Make the carrier part of the furniture

If the carrier only comes out for the vet, the cat learns what it means. Instead, International Cat Care suggests leaving it out at home all the time, ideally somewhere the cat already likes to sleep or eat.

• Make it cosy. Put in bedding the cat already sleeps on, or an old T-shirt you’ve worn.
• Add its own smell. Wipe a soft cloth gently around the cat’s cheeks, then rub it inside the carrier, especially the corners.
• Drop in treats. The RSPCA suggests tossing a few treats inside now and then, then walking away. Don’t lure the cat in or shut the door on it. Let it find them.

Give it time. One day you’ll find the cat asleep in there, and the next vet trip will be a lot easier.

If the trip is today and the cat won’t go in, stay calm. Wrap it in a familiar towel and lower it in, quickly and gently.

In the car

• Never let a cat travel loose. It can get under the driver’s feet, or bolt the moment a door opens.
• Cover the carrier with a towel or blanket. Seeing the world rush past is frightening. Leave a gap for air.
• Keep it steady. Belt the carrier in on a seat, or wedge it in the footwell behind a front seat. Never put it in the boot.
• Drive gently, and keep the radio low.
• Mind the heat. A car warms up fast, and heatstroke can kill a cat. Never leave one in a parked car on a warm day.
• Pack spare bedding in case of accidents. For long journeys, International Cat Care suggests no food for four to five hours before, in case the cat is sick, but water until you leave.

At the vet

Carry the carrier with both arms, supported from underneath, not swinging by the handle. In the waiting room:

• Ask if there’s a cat-only waiting area, or sit in a quiet corner, away from dogs.
• Put the carrier up on a chair or shelf, not on the floor.
• Keep the towel over it, and talk to your cat in a quiet voice.
• If your cat is very stressed, ask if you can wait in the car until you’re called.

Some clinics go further. International Cat Care runs the Cat Friendly Clinic scheme, which accredits clinics that work to make visits less stressful for cats: with staff who promise to handle cats gently and skilfully. Since 2012, more than 4,000 clinics in over 50 countries have joined, and you can search for one near you on its website.

A street cat to the vet

A cat that won’t let you pick it up won’t go into a carrier. For neutering or treatment, it needs a humane trap instead. Our guide to catching a street cat explains how. Keep the trap covered in the car just like a carrier. And if you’ve just taken a street cat in, its first vet visit is part of the first few weeks.

Coming home to another cat

This surprises people. Two cats who’ve lived together for years can hiss and fight when one comes back from the vet. The one that went smells of the clinic, and to the cat at home it smells like a stranger. International Cat Care suggests:

• Keep them apart for a few hours, or up to a day or two if needed, then let them meet again slowly while you watch.
• Before that, give the returning cat bedding from a spot both cats share, so it picks up the household smell again.
• Wash the carrier bedding to get rid of the clinic smell.
• Don’t crowd the cat that’s just come back. Let it settle.

If they still don’t get on, go back to the slow steps in our guide to introducing a new cat.

Questions people ask

How do I get my cat into a carrier?

Leave the carrier out at home all the time, with familiar bedding and the odd treat inside, so the cat uses it as a bed. On the day, a carrier whose top lifts off lets you lower the cat in gently. If you’re in a hurry, wrap the cat in a towel first.

Should I cover my cat’s carrier in the car?

Yes. A towel or blanket over the carrier helps most cats stay calm. Leave a gap for air, and keep an eye on the heat.

Why is my cat hissing at my other cat after the vet?

The cat that went to the vet smells of the clinic, so the other cat doesn’t recognise it. Keep them apart for a few hours to a day or two, then let them meet again slowly.

This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If your cat gets very distressed at the vet, ask your vet team what else they can do to help.

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